Best Kindle to buy in 2025, tested and rated

For easy reading

Photo: Nena Farrell

If you’ve ever had hand cramps after a long reading session, these accessories could help. For more options, see our Best Kindle Accessories Guide.

Strapsicle e-reader wrist straps for $21: Attach one or both of these to the back of your Kindle—one angled for your right hand and the other for your left hand—and slide your hand inside. Your hands won’t cramp, you won’t accidentally hit the screen and flip pages, and the reader won’t slip out of your hands. There are three sizes for different types of e-readers. You should see exactly which models they work with on the Amazon pages and on This page on the Strapsicle website.

Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Holder for $29: WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell I tested that and said Although it’s not completely hands-free, it’s an extremely practical and comfortable experience, especially if you suffer from chronic pain in your wrists. The clamp attaches easily to bed frames and side tables (there is also one). Floor stand version for $70). It’s lightweight so it can be used anywhere and provides enough resistance on the neck so it doesn’t fall forward or fall out of the position you place it in. It wobbles a little when touched to turn pages (or poked by a curious cat). She tended to place a hand on it to protect it from herself and her feline roommate. If you want to work completely freehand, add a page turner remote control So you can read without lifting a finger.

PopSocket for $10: Not only are Popsockets great for your phone, they also work great on e-readers. Whether you own a Paperwhite or a basic Kindle, it’s another great solution for hand cramp relief.

Do you need a cover?

Photo: Amazon

Luckily, Kindles aren’t as fragile as our expensive smartphones, but if you often carry the device around in a bag, you’ll still want to put a case on it to protect the screen. These are not padded for serious falls. The kids editions come with cases.

Cloth Covers for Kindle ($32) And Paper White ($37): These open like a book and are available in black, blue, pink or green. They are made from recycled post-consumer fabric.

Fabric Cover for Scribe ($60): This opens and turns like a notepad, and you can also put it in a stand. There’s also a slot for the stylus if you don’t want it to be magnetically stuck all the time. It is also made from recycled materials.

The Quirky Cup Collective e-reader case for $42: I prefer these beautiful sleeves, especially those Sun and moon version. They’re beautiful and protect your device when you’re not using it, so you can throw it in your bag without worry. The outside is velvet and the inside is satin, with some padding in between and a zipper. There is a small zippered pocket on the back. You can see which devices fit on each product page, but be sure to look at the measurements. There are also separate and larger ones Book and iPad cases.

CoBak Clear Case for $10: The best thing about a clear case is that it protects the back of your Kindle And allows you to decorate it with stickers underneath. In addition to the CoBak case, I also recommend this one funny sticker pack ($10).

Great reading lights

Photo: Simon Hill

If you usually read before bed but don’t want to disturb your sleeping partners, children, or roommates, I recommend investing in a reading lamp. All Kindles now have a front light, so no more need one, but these can still be handy, especially if you switch between your Kindle and physical books. Below are some of our favorites. You can find more in our Guide to the Best Reading Lamps.

Vekkia 14 LED Book Light for $18: This is our first choice. It is a clamp light with an adjustable gooseneck and two swiveling light strips, each of which houses seven LEDs. You can switch between five brightness levels and three warm colors. However, it is relatively large and is therefore not suitable for small paperbacks. The clamp opens to a width of up to 5.3 cm and serves as a stable base for placement on a bedside table.

Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light for $22: This reading lamp hangs around your neck and therefore looks silly. But it’s an excellent alternative to a clip-on reading light while also keeping your hands free. It’s lightweight, customizable, and has three color temperature modes and six brightness settings. It is rechargeable and offers a battery life of up to 80 hours on a dim setting.

Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp for $28: This is our favorite headlamp for kids. It is comfortable and the adjustable straps are available in different colors. It has three brightness settings and one Waterproof rating IPX4so you don’t have to worry about splashes. It will automatically turn off after two hours if you fall asleep with it on. Two AAA batteries are required.

About those older Kindles

Amazon doesn’t release new Kindles often – the company usually goes a few years between models. Whenever a new model comes onto the market, the inventory of the previous model begins to shrink. It’s not that I don’t recommend these per se, but I only recommend them if you find them on sale at the right price. Otherwise, I recommend purchasing the latest version.

Before you buy, compare the price with the latest model to make sure you’re spending significantly less on the older device.

• Kindle (2022, 11th generation): At 6.2 inches high, 4.3 inches wide, and a 6-inch screen, this is the smallest of them all. If you find tablets too cumbersome to hold with one hand, consider this one. In this model, Amazon doubled the memory to 16 gigabytes and upgraded the display to a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (PPI) (from 167 PPI). It’s hard to find, but if you manage to snag one, don’t spend more than $50.
• Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th generation): This is the next evolution of the basic model. It features a bright 6.8-inch screen with adjustable warm lighting, a fast page turn rate, a USB-C port and 16GB of storage. It is also waterproof. I like the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED recommends), which also includes automatic brightness adjustment and 32 gigabytes of memory. I don’t recommend spending more than $100 if you can find them.
• Kindle Scribe (1st Generation): The writer (8/10, WIRED recommends) is a great option for note takers. It has a huge 10.2-inch screen where you can take notes, mark up PDFs, etc drawingand numerous paper formats to choose from, e.g. B. lined or dotted. Also included is the Basic Pen, which feels natural when writing and attaches magnetically to the side of the Kindle. I only recommend it for $230 or less.
• Kindle Kids (2022): This is the kid-friendly version of the entry-level Kindle. It comes with insurance coverage, an annual subscription to Amazon Kids+, parental controls, and a two-year warranty. I don’t recommend spending more than $70 on it.
• Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2021): The Paperwhite version is a further development of the Kindle Kids. It has a high-resolution 300ppi display with adjustable warm screen and is also waterproof. You shouldn’t spend more than $110 on this.