Is The Basic Kindle Good Enough? [All New Kindle Review!]

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. – meaning I may get a commission if you decide to purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you.

Amazon’s entry level Kindle model has been just that “very basic”. However, with the launch of the all-new Kindle in 2022, the basic Kindle model has a lot more to offer than its predecessors! But, is the basic Kindle good enough to buy for an average reader?

Generally speaking, the all new basic Kindle 2022 is worth buying especially since Amazon has upgraded the features offered with this device. It now comes with a 300 ppi resolution, 16 GB onboard storage, and audible support via bluetooth making it a great option for budget buyers.

In this article, I will share with you my experience of using the all new Kindle that was launched in 2022. We will talk about how this Kindle variant has been revamped and whether it should now be considered a worthy contender to get the most value for your investment!

Features and Capabilities of the All New Kindle

Before we understand whether the all new basic Kindle is worth buying, it is important to consider the various features and the technical capabilities of this device.

So, let’s take a look at some of the key features and the tech specs:

1. Screen and Display Quality

The basic Kindle is comes with a 6-inch e-ink Carta display. The all new Kindle now comes with a 300 ppi display resolution; offering a crisp reading experience.

As you might be aware, the e-ink display provides a glare-free paper like reading experience. Unlike a smartphone display, you can easily read on a Kindle even when you are outdoors.

2. Device Storage

The all new basic Kindle 2022 variant comes with a 16 GB on board storage. This is a massive upgrade from the previous generations that offered a 4GB or a 8GB option.

16 GB of device storage means you can easily store thousands of books on your device in addition to a few audiobooks or magazines.

3. Battery Life and Charging

The new basic Kindle comes with a battery that can easily last a good few weeks. According to Amazon, the basic Kindle can last upto 6 weeks on a single charge.

However, I found that in the real-world scenario, the battery life can significantly vary based on your usage behavior. That said, you should expect a comfortable battery life of about 4 weeks on a single charge with moderate usage.

4. Audiobook Support

The basic Kindle now also supports audiobooks through audible. You can now listen to your favorite books whenever you see an audible option available with it.

However, it is important to note that the basic Kindle still doesn’t have a built-in speaker. You will need to connect your Kindle to a pair of headphones via bluetooth. There is no headphone jack on the device either.

Here’s a full list of tech specs of the all new basic Kindle:

Comparing the Kindle Models

Let’s take a look at how the all new Kindle basic stacks up against some of the other Kindle variants available in the similar price range:

Kindle Basic 2019 (10th Gen) vs Kindle Basic 2022 (11th Gen)

The all new Kindle 2022 variant is an upgraded version of the previous basic Kindle from 2019.

Here’s a quick overview of the tech specs between the Kindle Basic 2019 and the all new Kindle 2022 variant:

Feature	Basic Kindle (2019)	All New Kindle 2022
Screen Size	6-inch	6-inch
Display Resolution	167 ppi	300 ppi
Weight	170 grams	158 grams
Dimensions	160 x 113 x 8.7 mm	157.8 x 108.6 x 8.0 mm
Storage	8 GB	16 GB
Audible (via Bluetooth)	No	Yes
Front Lights	4 LEDs	4 LEDs

Although the overall design is quite close to the previous generation with marginal changes to the dimensions, there have been marked changes in the device display and storage options.

The Kindle 2022 variant is also about 9% lighter than the previous generation further improving its overall form factor.

All New Kindle Basic (2022) vs Kindle Paperwhite

With the improvements made by Amazon in the basic Kindle variant, the gap between the basic Kindle and the Amazon’s next model the Kindle Paperwhite has reduced.

Here’s a quick summary of how the features on all new Kindle 2022 stack up against the Kindle Paperwhite variant:

Feature	All New Kindle 2022	Kindle Paperwhite
Screen Size	6-inch	6.8-inch
Display Resolution	300 ppi	300 ppi
Weight	158 grams	205 grams
Dimensions	157.8 x 108.6 x 8.0 mm	174.2 x 124.6 x 8.1 mm
Storage	16 GB	8 GB or 16 GB
Audible (via Bluetooth)	Yes	Yes
Front Lights	4 LEDs	17 LEDs
Waterproof (IPX8)	No	Yes
Adjustable Warm Light	No	Yes
Battery Life	Upto 6 weeks	Upto 10 weeks

The Kindle Paperwhite also comes with auto-adjusting warm light, a feature that is really helpful in extending the battery life in addition to impacting your eyes just a little less.

Added Services and Benefits With the Kindle Basic

In addition to the features listed above, you also get some added services and benefits that can be leveraged as an avid reader! These are not specific to the basic Kindle, but the Kindle ecosystem in general.

Here are some of the additional benefits that you should be aware of.

Amazon Audible Support

One of the many advantages of owning a basic Kindle is its compatibility with Amazon Audible. Amazon Audible is an audiobook service that provides a vast library of audiobooks, podcasts, and other spoken-word content.

With its support for Audible, the Kindle allows users to seamlessly switch between reading and listening to their favorite books.

This feature is especially useful for those who enjoy reading but don’t always have the time or ability to read physical books.

Kindle Unlimited

Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service that provides access to over a million eBooks, audiobooks, and popular magazines for a monthly fee.

For avid readers and users seeking a wide variety of content, Kindle Unlimited is an appealing feature, as it allows you to explore new authors and titles without purchasing individual books.

With this service, individuals can maximize their Kindle experience and always have something new to read or listen to, further enhancing their digital reading journey.

If you’re buying a new Kindle, you get an option to get Kindle Unlimited for FREE!

Verdict: Is the All New Kindle Basic Worth Buying?

The all new basic Kindle 2022 variant has a lot to offer as compared to its predecessors.

The new basic Kindle now offers improved features such as the 16 GB device storage, 300 ppi display resolution, and even offers the audible support via bluetooth. All these for a Kindle that is priced below $100 is a great value buy!

These factors definitely make the all new basic Kindle a good enough for reading books and a great buy for budget consumers!

That said, it still lacks a few key features. For instance, the basic Kindle doesn’t have the adjustable warm light feature that can be super handy for reading while sleeping.

Plus, the basic Kindle is also not waterproof or even water resistant. This means, don’t expect your device to survive even a few splashes of water.

Thus, if you have a few extra dollars to spare, I’d highly recommend choosing the next model i.e. the Kindle Paperwhite as it comes with more features to enhance the reading experience.