'Why the Kindle Paperwhite is still the top ebook reader for most of us'
Amazon’s Kindles aren’t products in need of upgrades and changes. They’re made to help you read easily on the go and carry more books with you at all times, with the kind of battery that lasts for exactly that purpose. Over the last few generations, they’ve remained true to that aim.
Because of this, it doesn’t surprise me that when I talk to people about their Kindles (or any ebook readers for that matter), they’ll often tell me they’ve held onto them for several years. In general, these devices seem to have a lifespan of up to seven years, if not more, when treated well. Essentially, anybody who owns a Kindle Paperwhite from 2021 probably shouldn’t be looking at an upgrade quite yet!
What if your Kindle is a bit older than that? Well, now might be a great time for a step up to a new Kindle Paperwhite. In October 2024, Amazon overhauled its lineup, releasing a new Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Scribe and Kindle Colorsoft. I’ve had my hands on the latest Kindle Paperwhite for several weeks, using it both at home and when travelling to see how it compares to its predecessor. Here's my verdict.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): At a glance
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Design and display
If you were to put the 11th-generation Kindle Paperwhite side-by-side with the new 12th-generation Kindle Paperwhite, I’ve got to be honest that you’re not going to see much of a difference, and that’s because the new version is more of an optimisation than a reimagined product.
It looks about the same, but is available in more colours and now has a 7-inch display rather than the 6.8-inch screen of its predecessor. Will you actually notice those millimetres? I doubt it.
But, those coming from the older 10th-generation Kindle Paperwhite (released in 2018) will notice differences, as that model had a 6-inch display and fewer LEDs in its backlight. It also charged with Micro-USB, while the whole Kindle range now uses the much more futureproof USB-C connector. Upgraders from the 2018 model will also enjoy a leap from a six-week battery life to 12 weeks of reading, and twice the storage.
Returning to the newest model – it's worth noting the improvements made to the screen in the Kindle Paperwhite (2024). There’s now a higher contrast ratio to make text look even more crisp and clear, plus an improvement in page turn speed.
The new Paperwhite is also available in some great new colours – there’s the standard Black, but also 'Jade' and 'Raspberry' too. I’ve also been trying out the Paperwhite Signature Edition, and that adds a couple of additional perks like wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Ease of use
When it comes to ease of use, many of the changes between the most recent generations aren’t noticeable in normal use. The last two generations of Paperwhite both have an excellent glare-free E Ink display that's large and clear. The new one may be better, but it's not a substantial upgrade over the 2021 variant.
If you’re upgrading from the 2018 one, though, the changes are much more evident and make it a worthwhile upgrade. Just note that the increased size can make the newer Paperwhite models a little harder to use one-handed. This one weighs 211g too, compared to the lighter 182g of the 2018 Paperwhite, and the featherweight 158g of the newest entry-level Kindle.
The front light and dark mode remain incredibly useful for those of us who like to read at night without disturbing our partners, and the whole interface is straightforward and intuitive to use, even if you haven’t owned a Kindle before or haven’t used one in a while.
The Paperwhite will appeal if you like to read in the bath or by a pool, as it has an IPX8 rating, to survive immersion in up to two metres of water for up to an hour. I’d still get it out quickly if you do drop it in water, but this feature helps for some added peace of mind.
This Paperwhite model comes with 16GB of built-in storage, which is enough to store an entire library of books on you at all times. An average ebook is about 1-3MB, so you’ll find you can fit between 4,000 to 14,000 books on the device. Audiobooks from Audible take up more room (30-50MB per book) but you’ll still have space to keep loads of them on the Kindle at any one time.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Battery life
Like all Kindles and ereaders with E Ink displays, the battery life is going to be far more impressive than what you see on a smartphone or tablet with an LCD or OLED display that requires a lot more power. Amazon says the battery life of its Kindles is “based on 30 minutes of reading per day” and, in the case of the Paperwhite, it’s designed to last for 12 weeks at a time.
The previous Kindle Paperwhite claimed to have 10 weeks of battery life, and the 2018 version delivered six weeks of life – these are both estimates based on half-an-hour of reading a day, and don’t factor in that a higher brightness, wifi and Bluetooth features can drain the battery more quickly.
Either way, there’s a notable battery upgrade with the newest model. I found it lasted well, no matter what I was doing, and I’ve used it while travelling and for reading before going to bed at home.
The Paperwhite also offers a better battery life than other Kindles in the range. The entry-level model delivers six weeks of life while the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition manages eight weeks. The larger Kindle Scribe offers the same 12 weeks of battery as the Paperwhite, but it's heavier for carrying around.
The Good Housekeeping verdict on the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
While I wouldn’t recommend an upgrade from the 2021 Paperwhite to the 2024 version, as the changes are relatively modest (they have an almost identical screen size, similar performance, and USB-C charging), I think you’ll see some really significant improvements if you’re coming from the 2018 Paperwhite.
You’ll get a much larger 7-inch, high-resolution screen with improved contrast compared to the 6-inch display that you’re used to, and this makes for a more “paper-like” experience. The performance is also faster, with quicker page turns, and there’s a big battery life too, as it can now last for up to 12 weeks of reading.
For those after the very best Kindle, the Paperwhite is an all-around excellent package, and offers waterproofing that you won’t find in the more affordable entry-level Kindle. The Signature Edition of the Paperwhite adds an auto-adjusting front light that I’ve found incredibly useful, plus wireless charging that may come in handy less frequently, given the long battery life of the device. It’s an outstanding Kindle if you’re after the best possible device for reading on-the-go.
Overall, though, the Kindle Paperwhite is probably the best value option for most people. The 2024 model is a clear upgrade, especially for those who have an older device or are buying their first Kindle and looking for a great all-rounder.
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