There’s nothing quite like diving into a good book, whether you’re on holiday or simply craving a quiet afternoon, a Kindle makes for the perfect escape. Since their release, e-readers and Kindles have evolved and become highly favoured amongst readers longing for a wider choice of books.
Kindles are now available at many different price points and allow readers access to an array of eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers via their super easy to use Kindle bookstore. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can access a selection of free reads with Prime reading, and if that’s not enough, the Kindle Unlimited subscription unlocks thousands upon thousands of books to choose from, leaving you spoilt for choice!
The best Kindles to buy at a glance:
•Best for a thin Kindle: Kindle Paperwhite, £149.99
•Best for a large Kindle: Kindle Oasis, £229.99
•Best Kindle for making notes: Kindle Scribe, £409.99
•Best Kindle for audiobooks: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, £179.99
So, if you’re in the mood for a romantic novel, a gripping, page-turning drama or even an inspirational book, the choices are endless.
Amazingly long battery life, great storage and effective anti-glare screens are just some of the things you can expect from a Kindle, but which one should you go for? Take a look at our guide on all things Kindle.
The best Kindles UK 2024
Best for a thin Kindle
Photo: AmazonDescription
If you plan on building an extensive collection of books or magazines, then the Kindle Paperwhite is a great option to go for as this version is available in 8GB or 32GB. This Kindle is lightweight and includes features like highlighting and translations. The good news is that if you take this away on holiday for some poolside reading, this model is waterproof. It's one of the best Kindle's for reading and although it's slightly pricier, it can be paired with Audible for the ultimate listening experience.
A reviewer said: "You can keep them all in one place. Easy to travel with and you can have a new book to read instantly. No having to travel to a shop to buy one. Soecially if you can't sleep so feel like reading and the shops are shut and no having to wait for books to be delivered. You don't have to worry about turning lights on to read as there is a light built in making reading in the dark easy. You can just pick it up and go."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Automatically remembers the last page you were on
Cons
- Small in size
2.
Kindle Oasis
Best for a large Kindle
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Photo: AmazonDescription
The Kindle Oasis takes the eBook experience to another level. This model is the largest of the Kindle range, with a seven-inch screen making reading even more enjoyable. If thatu2019s not enough, you can adjust the screen colour on this Kindle from white to amber. The Oasis also introduces a great automated light feature whereby the brightness changes to suit the lighting conditions. If you need some me time, this Kindle is waterproof, making it the perfect companion in the bath.
Reviewed by our Features & Reviews Editor, Emily Gilbert: "As an avid reader, I swapped to e-readers from paper books around six years ago and I haven't looked back since. While I previously owned the Kindle Paperwhite, I was intrigued by what the Kindle Oasis could offer me. I typically read in my lunch break, in the evenings or in bed at night but I love to get through a few books while I'm on holiday or spending time in the sun, one of the main reasons the Kindle appealed to me in the beginning."
Read our full review of the Kindle Oasis.
Pros
- Adjustable screen colour
- Waterproof material
Cons
- Thick
Best Kindle for making notes
AmazonDescription
If you like to make notes as you read, you can now do this on the Kindle Scribe! It comes with a pen and digital notebook for you to write or doodle in, and you can also import documents to scribble over. Just like other Kindles, you can access plenty of reading material and millions of titles.
A happy reviewer said: "The scribe is just my absolute favourite device. I have owned multiple kindles over the years and am a true convert after being sure that I would only ever read from an actual book. The scribe is a priceless upgrade from any kindles, books, or notepads. The large display makes reading so much more comfortable, there is a soft, adjustable back light and the option to increase the warmth, so as to not strain your eyes at night. Having such a big screen means that increasing the text size gets you an actual page of the book, rather than previous kindles only being big enough for a few words on the page."
Pros
- Long battery life (weeks)
- Large reading screen
Cons
- You can’t write in the margins of books
Best Kindle for audiobooks
AmazonDescription
In comparison to the original Kindle Paperwhite, the Signature Edition has more storage space, so you can download more audiobooks or titles to read. You also have the option to charge it wirelessly.
A reviewer put: "Within the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, each facet is meticulously curated to deliver a reading experience of unparalleled refinement. Let us delve into the nuanced features of weight, buttons, quality, comfort, screen, and glare that collectively define this epitome of literary sophistication."
Pros
- Big storage capacity
- Tactile buttons
Cons
- Page turn speed can be slow
Best Kindle for kids
AmazonDescription
The Kindle Kids Edition has been tailored perfectly for younger readers. Much like the original Kindle, this model has a glare-free display and weeks of battery life making this perfect for any long trip. Parents and grandparents may welcome the news that this Kindle allows for zero distractions with no games, ads, or videos, just reading. With thousands of great titles to choose from with Amazon Kids+, this Kindle has 16GB of memory to accommodate books with images and audiobooks.
A reviewer said: "I bought this for my 9 year old son as a reward for reading 22 books in 2022. He absolutely loves it and so do I. He also loves the dictionary function and it really encourages him to stop and make sure he understands what he’s reading if it’s a slightly difficult text. He loves to check and marvel at how many hours/pages he’s spent reading and feels proud of himself."
Pros
- Waterproof
- Includes kid-proof cover
Cons
- Can be fiddly to switch between multiple users
Kindle comparison
Kindle Oasis VS Paperwhite
The paperwhite has a smaller but thinner screen, and it's also marginally heavier. It's more portable too and the touchscreen is easy to use. However, it's easier to turn the pages on the Kindle Oasis as it's more tactile. Generally speaking, the Oasis also has a longer battery life.
What’s the difference between ‘with ads’ and ‘without ads’?
You may notice that some Kindles include the option of ‘with ads’ or ‘without ads’. The default ‘with ads’ setting is the cheaper option, but what is the difference?
Essentially, opting for your device to have ads means that your lock screen will display advertisements, however, this does not affect the function of the device. Alternatively, you can opt out of this option for a slightly higher cost.
What is Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service by Amazon that allows users to access over one million eBooks and thousands of audiobooks. For lighter reading, you can also access a vast collection of magazines and comics. Much like a library, you will be able to borrow up to 10 books at a time.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.