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

I don’t have it I have many regrets, one of which was buying a basic Kindle a few years ago. Ironically, I didn’t do much research before purchasing. I wanted to get back into reading, but I didn’t want to spend too much money. I was having trouble finishing a hard copy and thought an e-book reader would solve my problem. I got on Amazon in 2019 and bought myself a basic Kindle.

The low screen resolution, slow performance, and short battery life made it frustrating and didn’t allow me to use it as much as I wanted. I should have bought the Kindle Paperwhite instead, even if it was a little more expensive. Once you buy it, please cry once. With a higher quality screen and flashier lighting features, we were sure it would be more enjoyable. Unfortunately, I didn’t buy the Paperwhite because I was worried it would end up withering away and gathering dust in a drawer, just like the Kindle.

Yet, a few years later, a Paperwhite landed in my lap. Amazon has announced new versions that are thinner, faster, and have longer battery life: the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition. I tested the latter. It comes with a few extra perks, including wireless charging and 32 gigabytes of storage (additional cost). After a few weeks of use, it’s easy to see why this is Amazon’s most loved Kindle. Paperwhite or fail.

Better, Faster, More Powerful

Coming from a smaller Kindle, I was worried that the Paperwhite would feel unwieldy. Especially since it’s slightly thinner than its predecessor (7.8 mm versus 8.1 mm) but heavier. It’s still easy to hold in one hand, but your arm can get crampy during long reading seasons. It’s easy to see why so many people are installing PopSockets on their Paperwhites.

The display is now 7 inches (up from 6.8 inches) thanks to slimmer bezels around the screen. It also has the highest contrast ratio of any Kindle, meaning text and images more or less appear sharper on the screen. Both changes are great, but these differences are more gradual than the 2021 Paperwhite (8/10, WIRED Recommends), and there’s no need to upgrade if you own that model.

Photo: Brenda Stolyer