Is The Kindle Paperwhite Worth Buying? [Complete Review!]

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When it comes to buying an e-reader, Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite has long been a household name! However, with the added features to the all new Kindle Basic, and with the technology evolving at a breakneck speed, it is easy to wonder whether the Kindle Paperwhite is worth buying today!

In this article, we shall take a look at all the key features that the Kindle Paperwhite has to offer. We shall also understand if the Kindle Paperwhite is still worth buying, and who is the Kindle Paperwhite best suited for.

So, let’s get started!

Kindle Paperwhite Features and Specifications

The Kindle Paperwhite is a mid-range product in the Kindle lineup offered by Amazon. The Kindle Paperwhite strikes a good balance between the features offered and the price of the product.

Let’s take a look at some of the key features offered by the Kindle Paperwhite –

1. Screen Size and Display

The Kindle Paperwhite comes with a 6.8 inch screen. The overall pixel density offered on the Kindle Paperwhite is 300 ppi. This makes the text on the screen look crisp and easy to read.

The 6.8 inch screen strikes the right balance between compactness and reading real estate. Although the screen size of the Kindle Paperwhite is not as small as the basic Kindle. However, it is comfortable enough to carry along when commuting to work or traveling in general. 

The glare-free display of the Kindle Paperwhite is clear enough to read outdoors during the day or even under direct sunlight.

2. Device Storage

The Kindle Paperwhite comes with two device storage options i.e. 8GB and 16GB on board storage. The 16GB variant costs $30 more than the 8GB model. 

If you are planning to buy the Kindle Paperwhite, I would highly recommend going with the 16GB variant rather than the 8GB option as this allows you to store thousands of ebooks on the device along with a handful of audio books and access them anytime you need. 

On the contrary, the 8GB variant will limit the number of audio books that you can store on your device. 

3. Battery Life and Charging

One of the best features of the Kindle Paperwhite is its battery life.

According to Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite can easily last up to 10 weeks on a single charge. However, these are figures based on lab conditions and don’t represent a real-world scenario. 

That said, based on what we have experienced upon using the Kindle Paperwhite as an avid reader, you easily expect 6 to 8 weeks of battery life on a single charge if you keep the wifi turned off at most times.

The Kindle Paperwhite also comes with a USB-C charging port. This is really helpful as you don’t have to lug around an extra cable and fear the possibility of losing your Kindle’s charging cable.

The battery life of the Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best amongst all the Kindle variants. This makes the Kindle Paperwhite a perfect companion for long vacations!

4. Audiobook Support

Amazon now also offers Audible audiobook support on Kindle via bluetooth connectivity on the Kindle Paperwhite. Thus, if you ever want to start a free trial for Audible audiobooks from Amazon, you can listen to the audiobooks directly on the Kindle

While the Kindle Paperwhite doesn’t have speakers of its own, you can pair the device to any bluetooth headsets or speakers and listen to the audible books directly through your Kindle Paperwhite.

This is a great feature for those who like to listen to books or don’t want to stop reading especially when they are in a shower or doing other activities such as cooking!

5. Adjustable Warm Light

Another great feature that the Kindle Paperwhite now has is the adjustable warm light!

The device comes with 17 LEDs in the front light which can be adjusted to the ambient light. This means, you can use the white tone of the light during the day and use warm yellow tone of the light when reading at night.

Having the option of adjustable warm light is great especially when you are reading on the bed at night time. It not only makes reading easier on your eyes, but also doesn’t disturb your partner when the lights are out.

Here’s a full list of tech specs for the Kindle Paperwhite:

Kindle Paperwhite Compared With Other Kindles

While the Kindle Paperwhite boasts some amazing features, one question that people often ask is how does it stack up against some of the other Kindle models. 

So, let’s do a quick comparison of the Kindle Paperwhite with its nearest competition in the Kindle lineup.

1. Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Basic

The Kindle Basic recently received an overhaul with the launch of the all new Kindle Basic in 2022. This has definitely reduced the gap in terms of the features offered between the Kindle Basic and the Kindle Paperwhite.

Here’s a quick comparison on how the Kindle Paperwhite stacks up against the all new basic Kindle:

Feature	Kindle Paperwhite	Kindle Basic
Most Recent Release	2021	2022
Screen Size	6.8-inch	6-inch
Display Resolution	300 ppi	300 ppi
Weight	205 grams	158 grams
Dimensions	174.2 x 124.6 x 8.1 mm	157.8 x 108.6 x 8.0 mm
Storage	8 GB or 16 GB	16 GB
Audible (via Bluetooth)	Yes	Yes
Front Lights	17 LEDs	4 LEDs
Waterproof	Yes	No
Adjustable Warm Light	Yes	No
Link to Product	See Latest Price	Check Latest Price

In a nutshell, the major difference between Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Basic is the size of the device. The basic Kindle is much lighter and offers more of a snug fit as compared to the Kindle Paperwhite when carrying around in your purse or pocket.

On the other hand, you get much better front light, waterproof capabilities and adjustable warm lights with the Kindle Paperwhite making it more desirable than the basic Kindle!

Check out my full review of the All New Kindle Basic to learn more!

2. Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Oasis

The Kindle Oasis is more of a premium product offered by Amazon in the Kindle lineup. There are a few differences in terms of the features offered on the two devices!

Let’s take a quick look on how the Kindle Paperwhite stacks up against the Kindle Oasis:

Feature	Kindle Paperwhite	Kindle Oasis
Most Recent Release	2021	2019
Screen Size	6.8-inch	7-inch
Display Resolution	300 ppi	300 ppi
Weight	205 grams	188 grams
Dimensions	174.2 x 124.6 x 8.1 mm	159 x 141 x 3.4-8.4 mm
Storage	8 GB or 16 GB	8 GB or 32 GB
Audible (via Bluetooth)	Yes	Yes
Front Lights	17 LEDs	25 LEDs
Waterproof	Yes	Yes
Auto-adjusting Light	No	Yes
Cellular Connectivity	No	Yes
Link to Product	Check Latest Price	See Latest Price

The Kindle Oasis comes with a 7 inch display, however, the device is much wider and bigger overall due to the presence of a bar on the side for physical page turn buttons. This makes the device far bigger than the Kindle Paperwhite overall.

Other than that, the Kindle Oasis comes with a better front light, and auto-adjusting warm light. Furthermore Kindle Oasis is the only device that comes with free cellular connectivity!

That said, the Kindle Oasis comes at much higher price as compared to the Kindle Paperwhite.

Check out my complete review of the Kindle Oasis to know more!

Kindle Paperwhite Pros and Cons

The Kindle Paperwhite is a great device. It strikes the right balance between the features offered and the price of the device. However, there are a few pros and cons to consider here (mostly just pros).

There are several things about the Kindle Paperwhite that you will love! For instance, the device has IPX8 waterproof ratings making it a perfect reading companion on the beach, next to a pool, or even in a bath tub!

Likewise, the fact that the Kindle Paperwhite comes with a USB C charging port is really beneficial and well thought off.

Plus, the 17 LEDs in the front light along with the option for adjustable warm light makes reading on a Kindle a great experience!

Verdict: Is the Kindle Paperwhite Worth Buying?

Generally speaking, the Kindle Paperwhite is worth buying as it offers a great value for money! It comes with premium features such as adjustable warm light, 300 ppi display resolution, waterproof design, USB-C port, and Audible support via bluetooth at a very attractive price!

Overall, the Kindle Paperwhite offers all the features necessary in a e-reader for a comfortable reading experience.

Perhaps, the only major drawback of the Kindle Paperwhite is the lack of 32 GB option in this variant. However, you can easily overcome that issue by choosing the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition that comes with 32 GB on board storage for an additional $20.

Despite the fact that the Kindle Paperwhite is a mid-range offering from Amazon, the features offered at a fairly affordable price point allows you to get the best bang for your buck when choosing the Kindle Paperwhite!

I’d highly recommend choosing this device as your reading companion!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some the most common question that you may have at the time of purchase the Kindle Oasis (I know I had these questions).