Are you considering purchasing a new Kindle e-reader? You‘ve come to the right place. As someone who has used and tested Kindles for over a decade now, I‘m passionate about these devices and how they‘ve transformed the reading experience for millions of bookworms around the world. In recent years especially, Kindles have made impressive strides, now boasting high-resolution screens, waterproofing, Bluetooth for audiobooks, and ample storage for your entire digital library.
If you‘re in the market for a Kindle in 2023, the sheer number of models and configurations can seem a bit overwhelming at first. But don‘t worry – I‘ve done the research and hands-on testing to help you find the perfect Kindle for your reading needs and budget. In this in-depth guide, we‘ll take a close look at the best Kindles you can buy today, from the luxurious Kindle Oasis to the kid-friendly Kindle Paperwhite for Kids.
One of the most common questions I get is: how many books can a Kindle hold, especially the models with 16GB of storage? We‘ll dive into that and much more, so you can make an informed decision and get the most out of your Kindle for years to come. Let‘s get started!
The Best Kindles You Can Buy Today
Kindle Paperwhite (11th Generation)
For most people, the Kindle Paperwhite hits the sweet spot of features, performance, and price. Now in its 11th generation, the latest Paperwhite boasts a gorgeous 6.8-inch, 300ppi glare-free display that looks fantastic in any lighting conditions. The adjustable warm light lets you shift the screen shade from white to amber, which is easier on the eyes at night.
With 8GB of storage, the Paperwhite can hold around 6,000 books – more than enough for even the most voracious readers. If you plan on downloading a lot of audiobooks, graphic novels, or PDFs, consider stepping up to the 16GB Signature Edition. That doubles the storage to roughly 12,000 books worth of space. Either way, you‘ll have a huge library in the palm of your hand.
The Paperwhite is now waterproof (IPX8 rated), so you can read worry-free in the bath, by the pool, or at the beach. It‘s 20% lighter and 10% thinner than the previous gen, with a sleek flush-front design. The battery lasts up to 10 weeks on a single charge. At around $140, it‘s a superb value.
Kindle Oasis (2019)
If you‘re looking for the ultimate Kindle reading experience and don‘t mind paying a premium, the Kindle Oasis is the one to get. It has a larger 7-inch, 300ppi flush-front screen, making it noticeably bigger than the 6.8-inch Paperwhite. The ergonomic design features page turn buttons and an accelerometer that enables seamless rotation from portrait to landscape mode.
Like the Paperwhite, the Oasis is IPX8 waterproof and has 8GB or 32GB storage options. Go for the 32GB if you plan to store a lot of audiobooks or graphic-heavy content. Even with 8GB though, you can comfortably hold 6,000 books, magazines, and comics. The Oasis also supports Bluetooth headphones for listening to Audible audiobooks.
With 25 LEDs, the Oasis has the best screen illumination of any Kindle. It automatically adjusts the brightness based on ambient light and has adjustable warm light. The premium aluminum body gives it a sleek, high-end look and feel. But the Oasis‘ luxuries come at a cost, with prices starting around $250.
Kindle (2022 Release)
If you want a no-frills e-reader at an affordable price, the basic 2022 Kindle is an excellent choice. The latest model has been substantially upgraded, with a 6-inch, 300ppi high-resolution display (up from 167ppi on the previous version). It also has 16GB of storage, double that of the old model, capable of holding around 12,000 books.
While not waterproof like pricier Kindles, the basic Kindle is lightweight, durable, and small enough to slip into a purse or jacket pocket. It has a glare-free screen with four LEDs and adjustable front light, dark mode support, and up to six weeks of battery life. USB-C charging is a welcome change from the dated microUSB port on the previous gen.
Overall, this is a fantastic entry-level Kindle for $100 or less. It would make a great gift for the casual reader in your life. Just be aware that it has no IPX8 waterproofing and relies on Bluetooth for audiobooks, as there‘s no headphone jack.
Kindle Paperwhite for Kids
Want to encourage your child to read more? The Kindle Paperwhite for Kids bundles the excellent 11th-gen Paperwhite with a ton of kid-friendly features and extras at a compelling price. It comes with a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of curated books for kids, from timeless classics to popular new releases.
The Kids Paperwhite has the same 6.8-inch 300ppi display as the adult version, along with 8GB storage (good for 6,000 books), IPX8 waterproofing, adjustable warm light, and up to 10 weeks of battery life. So you‘re getting top-notch Kindle hardware. The main differences are the fun printed cover designs, included 2-year worry-free guarantee, and useful parental controls.
Using the Parents Dashboard, you can set educational goals, create reading age filters, track progress, and more – all without ads, in-app purchases, or social media access. It‘s a great way to help your child develop good reading habits in a safe, distraction-free environment. And when they‘re ready, the Kids Paperwhite transitions into a full-featured Kindle for adults.
Which Kindle Is Right for You?
The Kindle that‘s best for you depends on your specific needs and budget. Here are some key factors to consider:
Storage Capacity
All current Kindles offer 8GB of storage at minimum, which can hold around 6,000 books (at 1MB per book). That‘s sufficient for most users. However, if you plan to store a large number of audiobooks, PDFs, Manga, or other graphics-heavy content, you may want to step up to 16GB (12,000 books) or 32GB (24,000 books) on the Paperwhite Signature Edition or Oasis.
To give a specific example, with 16GB, you could comfortably hold the entire Harry Potter series (1.84MB), Lord of the Rings trilogy (5.27MB), Game of Thrones series (13.1MB), The Chronicles of Narnia (2.85MB), 100 Kindle Unlimited mystery novels (100MB), 20 Audible audiobooks (4GB), and still have room for thousands more titles. So 16GB is more than enough for most hardcore readers.
Screen Quality
All of the current Kindles have excellent high-resolution (300ppi) displays for crisp, print-quality text. However, they vary in terms of screen size, lighting, and glass quality:
- Basic Kindle: 6" screen, 4 LED front light, standard cover glass
- Paperwhite: 6.8" screen, 17 LED adjustable warm light, flush-front design
- Oasis: 7" screen, 25 LED adjustable warm light, flush-front design
- Scribe: 10.2" screen, adjustable front light, flush-front design with pen
If you read a lot at night, consider models with adjustable warm light to reduce eye strain. The larger screen on the Oasis and Scribe provide a more immersive reading experience, but they‘re also significantly more expensive. For most people, the 6.8-inch Paperwhite screen hits the right balance.
Durability and Waterproofing
If you like to read in the bath, at the pool/beach, or around small children, consider upgrading to a waterproof Kindle (Paperwhite, Oasis, Scribe). These are IPX8 rated to withstand accidental immersion in up to 2 meters of fresh water for up to 60 minutes. The basic Kindle and older models do not have waterproofing.
All Kindles are reasonably durable, but the Paperwhite and Oasis use a stronger glass that‘s less prone to scratches. The Oasis also has a more premium aluminum body. But whichever model you choose, I highly recommend using a case to protect your Kindle from drops, bumps, and scratches.
Battery Life
You really can‘t go wrong with any Kindle in terms of battery life. They all last for weeks or even months on a single charge, assuming you read for around 30 minutes per day with wireless off and the light set to 13. The Paperwhite has the best battery life at up to 10 weeks. The Oasis, Scribe, and basic Kindle are rated for up to 6 weeks. Even if you use your Kindle heavily, you‘ll likely only need to charge it once or twice a month.
Price
If budget is your main concern, the basic Kindle offers excellent value at just $100. The Paperwhite starts around $140 but is well worth the premium for the bigger screen, waterproofing, and warm light. The Oasis and Scribe cost considerably more ($250+) and are overkill for most people. That said, they do provide the ultimate reading experience if you can stomach the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is 8GB enough for a Kindle?
A: Yes, 8GB is enough for most users. It can hold around 6,000 books (at 1MB per book). However, if you plan to store a lot of large files like audiobooks, PDFs, Manga, etc., consider upgrading to 16GB or 32GB.
Q: How long do Kindles last?
A: Kindles are very durable and can easily last for many years. I‘ve had some models for 5+ years without any major issues. Amazon also provides software updates for older Kindles for a long time. With proper care, there‘s no reason your Kindle couldn‘t last a decade or more.
Q: Are Kindles bad for your eyes?
A: No, Kindles are not bad for your eyes. In fact, they‘re much gentler on the eyes than reading on a smartphone, tablet, or computer screen. This is because Kindles use a special e-ink display technology that mimics real paper. It has no backlighting or blue light emissions, which can cause eye strain over time.
Q: Can you listen to Audible on Kindle?
A: Yes, most current Kindles support Audible, Amazon‘s audiobook service. You can buy and download Audible books directly on your Kindle. However, since Kindles don‘t have speakers or a headphone jack, you‘ll need to connect Bluetooth headphones or a speaker to listen to audiobooks.
Q: What happens to my books if my Kindle breaks or I upgrade?
A: You never have to worry about losing access to your Kindle books. All of your Amazon book purchases are stored in the cloud and linked to your Amazon account. Even if your Kindle breaks or you upgrade to a new one, you can always re-download your books for free. You can also read your Kindle books in the Kindle app on a smartphone or tablet.
The Kindle Reading Experience
One of the reasons I love Kindles so much is that they provide a focused, distraction-free reading experience that‘s very close to real paper books. The e-ink display looks great and is easy on the eyes even during long reading sessions. You can adjust the font size and style to your liking. There‘s no glare, even in bright sunlight, unlike reflective tablet and phone screens.
Kindles are also incredibly convenient. You can carry thousands of books with you wherever you go, all on a device that‘s smaller and lighter than a paperback. The battery lasts for weeks, so you rarely have to worry about charging. And with features like X-Ray, you can easily look up characters, definitions, and interesting passages with a tap.
Another underrated Kindle feature is Whispersync, which automatically syncs your reading progress, bookmarks, and notes across all your devices. So you can start reading on your Kindle, then pick up right where you left off in the Kindle smartphone app. It‘s brilliant for those times you forget your Kindle but still want to sneak in a few pages.
Perhaps my favorite way to read on Kindle is with a Paperwhite or Oasis in the bath. Thanks to IPX8 waterproofing, I can relax in the tub for hours without worrying about my Kindle getting wet. The adjustable warm light also makes it super comfortable to read at night without disturbing my partner. It‘s the ultimate "me time" experience.
The Bottom Line
Whether you‘re a casual or voracious reader, you really can‘t go wrong with a Kindle in 2023. The latest models are outstanding, with stellar displays, ample storage, and long battery life. For most people, I recommend the Kindle Paperwhite for its fantastic screen, waterproofing, and overall value. If you want premium features like physical page turn buttons and automatic brightness adjustment, the Kindle Oasis is the way to go.
Whichever Kindle you choose, you‘ll gain access to the world‘s largest library of ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks. You‘ll be able to carry thousands of titles with you wherever you go, all in a lightweight device that lasts for weeks on a charge. With a Kindle, you can make reading a bigger part of your life – which is always a good thing.
I hope this guide has helped you find the perfect Kindle for your needs. Happy reading!
