The Best Amazon Kindle for 2026

The latest Kindle Paperwhite has a lot of things going for it. It features a larger, brighter screen than the previous model, page turns are faster, and the battery lasts for approximately three months on a single charge. It holds 16GB of content and comes in Black, Jade, or Raspberry. The Paperwhite is waterproof, features a flush-front glass, and has an LED system that adjusts from blue-white to yellow for more comfortable reading in the dark.

Most readers: The Kindle Paperwhite is the best Kindle for most people. It's compact and affordable, featuring an auto-adjusting front light that matches ambient lighting conditions, making it easy on your eyes.

Poolside loungers: The Paperwhite is waterproof, so it can take a quick dip in fresh water. That means it's the best ereader to have on hand if you like to read in the bath or near the pool.

If you want a serious ereader for your kids but don't want to shell out serious cash, then the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids is the answer. It has adjustable warm lighting, a flush-front design, and is waterproof. The Paperwhite Kids also enjoys a two-year repair and replacement guarantee and six months of Amazon Kids+ for unlimited reading options.

Young readers: The Paperwhite Kids is one of the least expensive ways to get your tech-savvy kids reading. It's affordable, comes with a case, and includes a trial subscription to Amazon's content library.

Parents: If you want to encourage your kids to read, the Paperwhite Kids is a great place to start. Its foolproof warranty means it's a sound investment, and the age-appropriate selections mean you can relax knowing they won't come across the wrong stuff. Oh, and it's waterproof, making it a great travel companion.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition features 32GB of storage—twice the storage capacity of many of its peers—plus wireless charging and auto-adjusting lights.

The ad-averse: One of the benefits of the Paperwhite Signature Edition is that it comes free from lock screen ads. That means you won't be presented with unwanted ads each time you grab the ereader.

Those with larger libraries: The Signature Edition has double the storage of the standard model—32GB—which makes it ideal for anyone who has a large number of books or audiobooks.

People who read on the go: An upgrade you get with this model is a frontlight that automatically adjusts the color balance. While your evening reading space at home may have the same lighting every time you settle in for a read, if you like to read on public transportation, or while on the treadmill at the gym, or in the cafeteria at work, you'll encounter different lighting in each place. This Kindle automatically adjusts the screen to ensure it always looks great and is easy on your eyes.

If you're just looking to carry your library with you, the entry-level Amazon Kindle provides everything you need. It has a slim profile, 16GB of storage, white backlighting, and good battery life. This latest version features a slightly brighter screen and is available in two different colors.

Readers on a budget: If you're looking to grab an ereader with a minimal investment, this is the ereader to pick. It's Amazon's most affordable model, and it still provides a good reading experience despite its limitations.

If you want kids to browse books freely without worrying about them encountering inappropriate content, the Kindle Kids is a good choice. It's an entry-level ereader with a protective case, a six-month subscription to thousands of age-appropriate books on Amazon Kids+, and a no-questions-asked two-year replacement warranty.

Parents on a budget: The Kindle Kids is an excellent bargain for parents, offering an easy-to-manage device at a low cost. And it still includes the kid-friendly features of more expensive Kindles.

Non-discerning kids: For kids who don't mind having a basic ereader, the Kindle Kids gets the job done. It doesn't have some of the more advanced features of pricier Kindles, but it's a solid ereader that lets kids read wherever they may roam.

Comic and magazine readers will want to reach for the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, which has less storage than the Signature Edition and drops the wireless charging, but costs $30 less. It's one of a small number of color ereaders to choose from, featuring 16GB of storage, a user-adjustable front light, a waterproof design, and an ad-free lock screen.

Comic lovers: There's something to be said for color E Ink. If reading in grayscale doesn't do it for you, or you're a big fan of comic books or graphic novels, you'll want the additional razzle-dazzle afforded by Colorsoft's display.

Some readers enjoy scribbling in the margins of books and underlining passages. The 2024 Kindle Scribe is one of the largest Kindles you can buy, at 10.2 inches, and lets you handwrite notes in (and out of) ebooks. Amazon updated the Scribe last year with a sleeker design and a larger 11-inch screen, but few other improvements. It also bumped up the price significantly, so while the 2024 Scribe is still available, it's the version we recommend.

Note-takers: With a big, easy-to-read screen textured to feel like paper when you're writing on it with the included Premium Pen stylus, the 2024 Kindle Scribe is the best way to take notes and annotate Kindle books.

Amazon's first large color ereader looks and feels nice, with an 11-inch screen that seems like paper when writing with the included Premium Pen stylus. It's the only option if you want a Kindle with a large color screen, though its high price keeps it from earning a higher rating.

Comixology fans: If you swear by Amazon's Comixology service for your comics, the Kindle Colorsoft is the best way to read them on paper-like E Ink and enjoy weeks between charges.

The Kindle Scribe without Front Light is exactly what its name suggests: a Kindle Scribe without any front lighting. It has the same 11-inch E Ink screen, pen, and note-taking features as the latest Scribe, only it doesn't light up. It's also $60 cheaper.

Daytime note-takers: If you're looking for an ereader that is designed to let you take notes with an included stylus and you plan to use it when there's adequate ambient light, this is the most affordable option.