If you’re looking for a Kindle and you’re a budget-minded shopper, then you’re probably looking at both the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite. These e-readers are Amazon’s cheapest offerings, which is crazy, considering just how fast and advanced these e-readers are.
So if you’re deciding between the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite, the good news is that there aren’t a ton of differences between the devices. Screen and battery specs differ, but core features (more or less) do not. Either way, you’re getting a well-reviewed e-reader, so you can’t lose.
With that in mind, here we go.
Kindle (2024) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Price
Our first category is the simplest. One number is higher than the other, after all.
In terms of price, the regular Kindle walks away with this one because it’s $50 cheaper than the Paperwhite. Whatever other advantages the Paperwhite may have, it will never have that one.
Winner: Kindle (2024)
Kindle (2024) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Design
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Both devices are imminently recognizable as Kindles, and while one doesn’t necessarily look cooler than the other, there are major size differences to consider.
Here’s how the two Kindles stack up in terms of dimensions:
The Paperwhite is a good deal larger than the regular Kindle, which is its main selling point. It also has an adjustable front light with 19 LEDs, compared to the four LEDs on the regular Kindle. If you need a bigger and/or brighter display, the Paperwhite is the one to get. It also allows you to use a “warm light” option for a more pleasant reading experience in the dark.
Just know that you’re going to sacrifice some weight along the way. The regular Kindle comes in at 5.56 ounces, while the Paperwhite is a relatively bulky 7.4 ounces. Plus, the 6-inch Kindle has a better hand-feel for reading marathons, but the Paperwhite has a bigger screen size for more words per page.
Overall, the Paperwhite has more going for it in terms of design.
Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Kindle (2024) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Features
Your Kindle library will appear exactly the same on both the Kindle (2024) and Paperwhite (2024).
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
This would’ve been a much more substantial conversation a few years ago. There was a time when the regular Kindle didn’t even have a front light, which made the Paperwhite much more desirable by comparison. However, times have changed.
These days, the two devices’ functionality is very similar. Both can read books (duh), play audiobooks via Bluetooth, and have screens that should look fine in sunlight due to a lack of glare. Unfortunately, both will display advertisements on the lock screen unless you pay an extra $20 for either Kindle.
Neither offer color, if you want that, you need to swing for the Kindle Colorsoft. Where the Paperwhite does have the upper hand is the adjustable screen warmth.
Because the two devices’ basic functionality is so similar, this one is kind of a wash. You’ll be fine either way.
Winner: Tie
Kindle (2024) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Storage
Spending a little extra won’t get you extra storage. Both the 2024 Kindle and 2024 Paperwhite come with 16GB of storage, making this match-up a tie. 16GB may not seem like a lot of storage when you’re thinking in terms of smartphones or tablets, but for e-readers, that’s enough space for thousands of ebooks.
But if you want anything more than that, there’s a substantially more expensive Paperwhite Signature Edition with 32GB of storage, but that doesn’t help us here.
Winner: Tie
Kindle (2024) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Battery life
When it comes to battery life, the more expensive device is the better option.
Amazon rates the 2024 Kindle for six weeks of battery life on a full charge. As for the Paperwhite, the estimated battery life is double that, for a whopping 12 weeks. That makes the Paperwhite the pretty clear winner. Having to charge your e-reader every three months versus every month-and-a-half is a major boon.
Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Kindle (2024) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Water resistance
Some people like reading at the pool, at the beach, or in the bathtub. Why not? It’s super relaxing. If you’re one of those people, there’s a clear winner here.
The 2024 Kindle is not waterproof at all. Don’t get it wet. The 2024 Paperwhite, meanwhile, has an IPX8 rating, which, according to Amazon, means it can survive for up to 60 minutes submerged in up to two meters of water. That seems like a fairly unrealistic scenario, so if you accidentally drop the Kindle Paperwhite in the bathtub, you won’t need to buy another device.
Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Our winner: Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite
The good news is that both of these Amazon e-readers offer roughly the same functionality. The major differences are screen brightness, battery life, and water resistance. If you merely want to read books without buying actual books, both Kindles should do the trick just fine.
But those differences do matter. The Kindle Paperwhite’s twelve weeks of battery life is double that of the Kindle’s, and it has water resistance where the Kindle has none. Combine that with a bigger and better display, and the Paperwhite wins this one.
