Which Kindle is Right for You? (2025)

While nothing can top the smell and feel of paper books or the experience of flipping pages, there's no denying that e-readers have a few advantages.

First of all, these compact devices are super portable and compact so you can squeeze them into small backpacks (and even purses). They also tend to be significantly lighter than most physical books. With an e-reader, gone are the days of carrying around bulky hardcovers! Lastly, most e-readers like the Amazon Kindle connect to Wi-Fi so you'll have access to thousands of titles via the Kindle Store. With just one press of a button, you can purchase your next read no matter where you are and skip a trip to the bookstore or library.

If you're ready to buy a Kindle but can't decide on the right one for you, we're here to help. The product analysts and tech experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested dozens of portable e-readers over the years, alongside smart notebooks, tablets and more. We compare each model's performance, size, display and much more when selecting the best ones.

Here, we break down some of the key differences between two of Amazon's most popular Kindles, the Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite, to help you decide which one is worth it for you.

Screen size: 6" | Size: 6.2” x 4.3” x 0.32” | Weight: 5.56 oz | Resolution: 300 ppi (pixels per inch) | Storage: 16GB | Claimed battery life: Up to 6 weeks | Waterproof: No | Colors: Black and matcha

Screen size: 7" | Size: 5” x 7” x 0.3” | Weight: 7.4 oz | Resolution: 300 ppi (pixels per inch) | Storage: 16GB | Claimed battery life: Up to 12 weeks | Waterproof: Yes (IPX8) | Colors: Black, jade and raspberry

The Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite share a lot in common: Both of these e-readers are built with glare-free screens that use E Ink, which gives the screen a paper-like appearance. Thanks to this technology, you can read books on the beach or by the pool without feeling blinded by the sun like you might if you were using an LCD tablet.

Other similarities aside, the major difference you'll notice between these two e-readers is their size. While they look almost identical at first glance in terms of design and configuration, the Kindle is notably smaller than the Paperwhite. Amazon sums up their differences perfectly, describing the Kindle as the "lightest and most compact Kindle," while the Kindle Paperwhite features a "larger screen and waterproof reading."

The Amazon Kindle costs roughly $110, which is about $50 cheaper than a Paperwhite with the same storage space, or 16GB.

Another factor to consider when making your purchase: If you want a Kindle without lockscreen ads, it'll cost you. For an ad-free model, the Paperwhite (16GB) price jumps up to $180 while the Kindle increases to $130. Personally, I think you can probably survive with the ads, but I do appreciate having the option to get rid of them.

If you need more storage, you can also consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which costs $200 and comes ad-free on the lockscreen.

Similarities

Similar in design and appearance, both Kindles feature a slim border around their screen as well as one button at the bottom to wake up the device or turn it off entirely. When it comes to weight, both models are under half a pound and super lightweight. They're also available in the same standard black color.

Differences

While both Kindles look pretty similar at first glance, they do have several notable differences. The most obvious is that the Kindle is much smaller than the Kindle Paperwhite; it features a 6-inch display versus the Paperwhite's 7-inch display. When I held both models in one hand, the Kindle felt easier to grasp and turn pages single-handedly. It's so small that it might even fit into some back pockets. Though the Kindle is technically lighter than the Paperwhite, most readers won't notice a flagrant difference.

In addition to black, the Kindle is offered in a pretty matcha color, or a pale green, while the Kindle Paperwhite comes in jade or raspberry. Also noteworthy is that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is available in beautiful metallic shades that could sway your decision, including metallic black, metallic jade and metallic raspberry.

Because the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite aren't the same size, the display isn't either. The Kindle has a 6-inch screen while the Paperwhite has a larger 7-inch display. I prefer the Paperwhite's larger screen that squeezes more text onto a page, but I can see the allure of a smaller overall device.

Both displays have the same 300 pixels per inch resolution so there are no dealbreakers there, but the Paperwhite is technically a bit brighter thanks to 19 LEDs (versus the Kindle's 4 LEDs) built in. When comparing the two in a dark bathroom with no light, I didn't notice a huge difference, but the Kindle's screen has a bluer undertone. Ultimately, I found that the Paperwhite display looked more natural.

Another reason why I'd opt for the Paperwhite over the Kindle is that you can not only adjust the screen's brightness but also its warmth. For anyone who wants to replicate the look of actual book pages that feature a warmer tone, this is the only way to do it. It's also a handy feature when reading in low-light settings so you can adjust to your liking and what feels best on your eyes.

But it's important to note that both the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite light up so you can read in the dark (or if you have occasional insomnia like me, in the middle of the night). This is especially handy when you want to read but don't want to turn on the lights or wake up a partner. Also, keep in mind that both e-readers screen are black and white only. If you want a color display, you can opt for the new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. While I personally don't find that I need a color Kindle since I primarily use mine for books, I can see the color ink being a useful addition for comics, magazines and graphic novels.

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I've used the Paperwhite for years, and it feels like I never have to charge it. According to Amazon, the battery life can last up to 12 weeks. On the other hand, the Kindle's battery life is a bit shorter and will get you up to 6 weeks. That's still an exceptionally long battery life, but if you hate having to recharge devices, you may want to opt for the Paperwhite.

Though a Kindle won't be as speedy as an iPad, I did notice that the latest Paperwhite was zippier than the Kindle. The e-readers turned pages at roughly the same speed, but the Paperwhite was faster at downloading books and opening them up. Again, the difference isn't drastic and may not even be noticeable to some, but the Paperwhite has the edge.

You can expect the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite to gather some scratches and dents over time if you don't use them with a case. But when it comes to waterproofing, only the Kindle Paperwhite has an IP rating similar to shower speakers (IPX8), which means that it has been tested to withstand at least 1 meter of fresh water immersion for up to thirty minutes or more. As someone who loves to take frequent baths and has even been caught using a Kindle in the hot tub or pool, this IP rating is enough reason for me to pay the extra price for the Paperwhite. I've dropped my Paperwhite in hot water before, and it's still alive and well today.

The Kindle comes with 16GB of storage, while the Paperwhite gives you the choice between 16GB or, with the Paperwhite Signature Edition, 32GB. While most readers won't need 16GB, if you have avid readers in your Amazon household paying extra for the 32G could be worth it. Expert tip: You can share content via Family Library.

There are several reasons why I'd choose the Kindle Paperwhite over the Kindle, and most of them come down to personal preference. If we're being honest, you really can't go wrong with either e-reader.

First, I love being able to adjust my display's warmth so it looks good whether I'm reading out by the pool or in my bed with the lights low. Though it's certainly not a must-have, it's a feature that I enjoy fiddling with. I always have some warmth added to my Kindle screen since I prefer its more natural look.

Next, the Paperwhite is waterproof while the Kindle isn't. As someone who is notoriously clumsy and likes to read around water, this is essential for the survival of my devices. Lastly, I prefer the Paperwhite's slightly larger display. I also really love the Kindle Paperwhite's latest colors, jade and raspberry.

Nevertheless, I can see the advantages of having a smaller, more compact e-reader at a lower price point. The Kindle comes with a sizeable amount of storage space, and it works well. I'll admit that the petite device is easier to hold in one hand and it will take up even less space in a purse or tote bag, but for some, it might just be too small. It's now available in a pretty matcha color as well, which is nice if you can't muster another black device.

GH Institute senior reviews writer and analyst Olivia Lipski covers consumer electronics, home, travel, fitness and more for GH, including noise-cancelling headphones, neck fans, art TVs more. Not only does she help readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the latest gadgets to hit the market, but she brings years of product review experience to her role. As someone who has lived abroad, frequently travels and commutes on the NYC subway multiple times a week, she's come to appreciate the convenience of Kindles and their lightweight, compact design.