Amazon

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Ranked #1 in E-Readers

1109 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The most balanced device: excellent battery, crisp display, and the best price-performance ratio for the average reader.

Consolidated from 18 cited sources across 16 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

1 enthusiastic source
12 positive sources
1 mixed source
3 unconvinced sources

See the sources

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Pros & cons

✓ Excellent battery life
✓ Crisp display
✓ Best price-performance ratio
✓ Sharp 300-ppi display
✓ Fast page-turning

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found. 3 outlets wouldn't let us check their links.

Evidence 12 articles, 3 video reviews and 3 community sources

1 enthusiastic source

PCMag Middle East Article · Nov 2025

The 2024 edition of Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite is the best ebook reader for most people, offering an ideal blend of price and features, with a slightly larger screen and faster performance than the previous version.

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12 positive sources

Mashable Samantha Mangino · reviewer · Oct 2026

In his review of the 2022 model, Mashable senior editor Stan Schroeder found only one extremely minor quibble with the Paperwhite Signature Edition , and I have to agree with him. On all Kindle models (besides the Scribe), the power button sits on the bottom, resulting in many accidental presses. This was the case with the 2021 Paperwhite model , and I was hoping that it'd move up top for the new model, but alas, Amazon has not made all the improvements it could have. Additionally, I wish this Kindle Paperwhite had page-turning buttons like the now-discontinued Kindle Oasis or the Kobo Libra Colour for a more ergonomic design. That said, I still believe the Kindle Paperwhite is the best Kindle you can buy.

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Tom’s Guide Tom’s Guide · 164K subscribers · Feb 2026

The best e-reader overall that you can buy right now is the Kindle Paperwhite.

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Pocket-lint Kelsey Fogarty · reviewer · Feb 2026

In the end, I decided the extra $50 was worth it for the Paperwhite. I've had it since the latest model came out in 2024, and I haven't looked back since. I appreciate the versatility of the base Kindle, and it'll always have a special place in my recommendations as a Kindle-focused tech editor. Amazon set the bar high for an entry-level device, which only allowed Kindles to get better as the years went on. There's a spot for both in every reader's life -- it just depends on what your priorities are and which model they align the closest with. For me, that was the Paperwhite .

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WIRED Nena Farrell · reviewer · Mar 2019

The 12th-gen Paperwhite has two versions: the standard and the Signature Edition. The latter comes with auto-adjust brightness, wireless charging, and double the storage at 32 gigabytes. The regular Paperwhite is more than enough and easily one of the best Kindles to buy, but if you plan on buying the model without lock-screen ads, you may as well pay the extra $30 for the Signature Edition.

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CNET Article · Apr 2026

The Kindle Paperwhite (2024) currently tops our recommendations, as it’s the best option for the money, particularly when it goes on sale. Amazon’s slightly improved entry-level Kindle (2024) is a great budget option while the recently released Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is the best jumbo e-reader available for those who can afford its lofty price.

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YouTube S Visuals · channel

My first impression of the build and design were generally very positive. The Paper White features an all black design with the screen measuring in at 6.8 in diagonally. It has a pixel density of 300 pixels per inch, which in my opinion makes the text look crisp enough for the purposes of reading without feeling unnaturally sharp.

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TechRadar Article

If it's just reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best option, but if you listen more than you read, you might want to consider the Signature Edition just for the additional storage it offers as audiobook files are typically larger than ebooks.

Read H Hacker News Hacker News thread

I was about to complain that my Paperwhite only lasts a couple of days between charges (it shuts down when battery drops to ~50%) but then realized that I've had it 7-8 years. No Indian heat here though, I'm in the UK.

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The Telegraph Article · Oct 2025

Even by e-reader standards, the latest Kindle Paperwhite’s battery is impressive. Amazon says that it will last 12 weeks, which is twice that of the basic Kindle and 14 days more than the Kindle Colorsoft.

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Android Police Andy Boxall · reviewer · Nov 2025

I really can't recommend the Kindle Paperwhite enough. It's the mobile device that gives me the most joy because it does one thing, and one thing only, which it then does really well.

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YouTube Fun Mom Reviews · channel

I know that my kids are going to really love this and I'm excited to have this latest edition of the Kindle Paperwhite Kids.

Watch F Facebook Anonymous participant · owner

Yes, worth it pa din

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1 mixed source

Good Housekeeping Olivia Lipski · reviewer

Is the Paperwhite worth spending more on?

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3 unconvinced sources

Kindle Forum Article

I tried purchasing/downloading a book to my Kindle Paperwhite Signature and was informed it was not available on my Kindle or my tablet--they recommended I used my computer or my phone. Excuse the hell out of me, but I bought this Paperwhite (my fourth since 2016, I believe) to read Kindle books.

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How-To Geek Tim Brookes · reviewer

Your money is better spent on things to read than the latest and greatest device.

Read F Facebook Donna Dickens · owner

Advice please - my kindle paperwhite seems to have developed a glitch.

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1 stance not read source

PCMag Article Read

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #1 of 18 on our e-readers tier list, in S tier. That placement draws on 18 cited sources across 16 outlets.

Almost everyone who wants an e-reader. It is the consensus best e-reader across nearly every major outlet, it is waterproof, and Amazon's replacement and support network is the deepest in the category, which makes it the safest multi-year buy on our board. Buy something else only in two cases. If you want the cheapest reliable reader and do not need waterproofing, the Amazon Kindle (2024) is the A tier pick with fewer parts than any rival. If you want to stay outside the Amazon store, with page-turn buttons and a repairable design, the Kobo Libra Colour is the A tier alternative.

Years. The board's research records an excellent multi-year survival record for the Paperwhite line, mature firmware and the best replacement infrastructure in the category, which is why it is rated the safest multi-year buy. It is also a faster device with better battery life than its predecessors. The practical limit is the sealed battery, which loses capacity over many years of charging and is not user-replaceable, unlike the Kobo Libra Colour.

Yes, it carries an IPX8 rating, which covers submersion in fresh water. It is safe for reading in the bath, by the pool or at the beach, but rinse it off after salt or soapy water and dry the USB-C port before charging. It charges over USB-C, so a phone cable works.

The standard Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) for most people. The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) runs the same proven platform and adds 32GB of storage, an auto-adjusting front light and wireless charging, none of which adds a known failure pattern. The board ranks it a notch lower in B tier on value, because the extras cost more than they are worth to a reader who mainly reads text. Pick the Signature Edition only if you want the auto light or wireless charging enough to pay for them.

Yes to both, with a step in between. Library books arrive through your library's Libby or OverDrive service, which sends the loan to your Kindle over Wi-Fi, though the Kindle option is only offered in some countries. EPUB files are not opened directly but can be sent to the device through Amazon's Send to Kindle service, which converts them. If you want a reader that opens EPUB files and borrows library books on the device itself, the Kobo Libra Colour does both without a computer.