Kindle Paperwhite Review (2024): The E-Reader to Get

I don’t have many regrets, however shopping for the essential Kindle a number of years in the past is certainly one of them. Paradoxically, I hadn’t achieved a lot analysis earlier than buying it. I needed to get again into studying and did not need to spend a lot—I used to be struggling to complete onerous copies and thought an ebook reader would clear up the issue. I marched onto Amazon and purchased myself the basic Kindle from 2019.

Between the low display decision, sluggish efficiency, and quick battery life, the irritating expertise stored me from utilizing it as a lot as I needed to. I ought to’ve purchased the Kindle Paperwhite as an alternative, even when it was marginally costlier—buy once, cry once, proper? I used to be satisfied that the higher-quality display and fancy lighting options would make it extra pleasurable. Alas, I nervous a Paperwhite would keep lifeless and dusty in a drawer, identical to my Kindle, so I did not purchase it.

And but, a Paperwhite ended up in my lap a number of years later. Amazon simply introduced a new version—the Paperwhite and the Paperwhite Signature Version—that are thinner and quicker and have longer battery life. I examined the latter, which has a number of further perks corresponding to wi-fi charging and 32 gigabytes of storage (for an additional price). After weeks of use, it is simple to grasp why that is Amazon’s most beloved Kindle—it is Paperwhite or bust.

Higher, Sooner, Stronger

Coming from a smaller Kindle, I used to be nervous that the Paperwhite would really feel too unwieldy, particularly now that it is barely thinner than its predecessor (7.8 mm versus 8.1 mm) however heavier. It is nonetheless straightforward to carry one-handed, however I typically really feel my arm cramp throughout longer studying seasons—I rapidly perceive why so many individuals connect a PopSocket to their Paperwhite.

The show is now 7 inches (up from 6.8) due to slimmer bezels across the display. It additionally has the best distinction ratio of any Kindle, which roughly permits textual content and pictures to look sharper on the display. Whereas each adjustments are good, these variations are incremental over the 2021 Paperwhite (8/10, WIRED Recommends), and no, you do not want to improve you probably have that mannequin.

{Photograph}: Brenda Stolyar