Tired of lugging around heavy books whenever you travel or commute? E-readers like the Amazon Kindle make it easy to carry your entire library in a compact, lightweight device. With their low glare screens that read like paper, long battery life, and ability to instantly download new reads, e-readers have revolutionized reading on the go.

But with various models and features to consider, which e-reader is right for you? I took an in-depth look at the latest generation of Amazon Kindle devices to determine which is the best e-reader for portability and convenience.

Related / The best ebook readers for every budget and need

Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite has long been considered the best Kindle for most people, and the latest 11th-generation model reinforces that status. With a brighter, crisper 6.8” display and thinner bezels, it’s even easier to get lost in a book. The display looks just like paper, with adjustable warmth settings to reduce eye strain.

Unlike many tablets and phones, the Kindle Paperwhite reads clearly even in direct sunlight thanks to its E Ink technology (electronic ink). It’s also IPX8 waterproof, so feel free to relax at the pool or beach without worrying about splashes and spills.

While basic Kindles rely solely on touchscreens, the Paperwhite brings back physical page-turn buttons for an experience more like reading an old-fashioned paper book. The battery lasts weeks on a single charge, even with the screen brightness turned up.

With 8GB or 16GB of storage (depending on the model), you can load thousands of titles at once and access them instantly. Built-in Audible support also lets you pair Bluetooth headphones to listen to audiobooks.

At $139.99 for the 8GB ad-supported model or $159.99 ad-free, the Paperwhite hits the sweet spot of features without the premium price tag. It’s the Goldilocks “just right” Kindle for book lovers who want the best reading experience with maximum portability.

If you just want an affordable, no-frills e-reader, check out Amazon’s basic Kindle model. It packs the core features most buyers need into an ultra-portable package.

The latest edition sports a sharp 6” glare-free display with 16GB of storage for thousands of ebooks. The front light lets you read in any lighting condition. While it lacks Paperwhite’s waterproofing and page-turn buttons, the basic Kindle still delivers that book-like reading experience anywhere you go.

Priced at a wallet-friendly $99.99, the basic Kindle pulls off the rare achievement of being both the cheapest and lightest mainstream e-reader. If your top priorities are affordability and portability to enjoy leisure reading on the go, the basic Kindle is a top choice.

While Amazon Kindles support a vast library of content, their ecosystem is limited compared to the flexibility of Kobo e-readers. Manufactured by Rakuten, Kobo e-readers work with nearly any ebook store except Amazon’s proprietary Kindle format.

The Kobo Libra 2 packs a 7” anti-glare display, page-turn buttons, Dropbox integration, and OverDrive support for library ebooks into a slim, durable package. Like the latest Kindles, it has adjustable color temperature settings and is fully waterproof.

Starting at $169.99, the Libra 2 costs a bit more than a comparably equipped Kindle Paperwhite but opens up your reading options. It’s an especially smart choice for accessing library books or shopping around for ebook deals across retailers.

The best Kindle in 2024

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen, 2021)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite — $140 at Amazon / Best Buy

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite offers the ideal balance of simplicity, capability, performance and price for an ebook reader. With 300 PPI resolution for crisp text and images, 17 LEDs for consistent side lighting, and adjustable warm light to reduce eye strain, the Paperwhite delivers the best reading experience. It also automatically adjusts brightness based on ambient light conditions.

The battery lasts up to 10 weeks on a single charge. Once depleted, it can fully recharge in just 2.5 hours with a 9W USB-C power adapter. Along with access to Amazon’s vast library of ebooks, comics and Audible audiobooks, the Paperwhite has 8GB or 16GB of storage for thousands of titles and is waterproof for worry-free reading anywhere. Starting at $139.99, the 11th-generation Paperwhite hits the sweet spot for features and value.

Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2022)

• Amazon Kindle — $100 at Amazon / Best Buy

Amazon’s base model, the 2022 Kindle offers most features of the Kindle Paperwhite at a lower price point. With a 6-inch 300 PPI display for crisp text, 4 LEDs to evenly light the screen, and responsive touch controls, it delivers an excellent reading experience. Easy navigation of settings, content library, and Kindle Store makes accessing your ebooks a breeze.

Although not waterproof like pricier models, the 2022 Kindle packs tremendous value into an ultra-portable package. Starting at just $99.99, it’s the best e-reader for casual readers who want great portability without advanced features. The Kindle Kids Edition adds a protective case and 1-year Amazon Kids+ subscription for kid-friendly content. For most people, the standard Kindle hits the sweet spot of affordability and convenience on the go.

Best Kindle alternative: Kobo Libra 2

• Kobo Libra 2 — $170 at Amazon / Rakuten Kobo

While Kindle dominates the e-reader market, the Kobo Libra 2 delivers premium features at a competitive price. With front lighting, color temperature adjustment, a selection of fonts/sizes, physical buttons, and responsive touch controls, it offers versatile readability. The accelerometer automatically adjusts orientation for left or right-handed use.

The Kobo bookstore provides millions of titles, plus a monthly subscription service. OverDrive support accesses local library lending, and Pocket saves web articles to read later in e-reader format. Like premium Kindles, the Libra 2 is waterproof for worry-free poolside reading.

However, important settings like dark mode are buried deep in the user interface. But with robust format support beyond Amazon’s proprietary Kindle files, excellent hardware, and flexible library options, the $169.99 Kobo Libra 2 is a compelling alternative for serious readers.

Amazon Kindle Scribe (1st gen, 2022)

• Amazon Kindle Scribe — $340 at Amazon (16GB) / $390 at Best Buy (32GB)

With its large 10.2″ display, the Kindle Scribe offers an immersive experience for reading books, viewing images/comics, and listening to Audible. But where it really shines is robust notetaking capabilities. Using the Premium Pen ($59.99 at Amazon) or compatible styluses, you can write directly on the page with minimal lag. Front lighting enables visibility in any condition.

Recent software updates expanded tools like pen styles, line thickness, and page templates to customize notes. The dedicated organization keeps notes separate from reading content. However, notetaking feels clunky for annotating Kindle books. Transferring PDFs is also slow — documents must be emailed or sent through a desktop app. But for serious readers who want notetaking beyond basic highlighting, the Kindle Scribe brings excellent digital ink support.

Amazon Kindle Oasis (10th gen, 2019)

• Amazon Kindle Oasis — $250 at Amazon (hard to find in stock, try your luck)

With its aluminum body, physical page-turn buttons, and glass display, the Kindle Oasis delivers a premium, luxurious reading experience. The wedge design and buttons facilitate easy one-handed use. While only marginally lighter than the previous version, it offers a minor battery life improvement.

The Oasis introduced adjustable warm lighting — a huge benefit for nighttime reading. Its 25 LEDs automatically adapt brightness based on ambient light levels for optimal visibility. Bluetooth support enables audiobook/podcast listening with headphones.

However, with a $249.99 price tag and lack of USB-C charging, the 2019 Oasis is difficult to recommend over cheaper, newer models. For existing owners, it remains an excellent device. But most buyers are better off choosing the 2021 Paperwhite or base Kindle model for a more affordable premium e-reading experience.

---

Kindle guides

• Display — Kindles are optimized for reading with displays visible in any lighting. Models like the Paperwhite, Oasis and Scribe offer adjustable warm lighting to reduce eye strain and blue light exposure.
• Battery Life — Depending on usage, Kindles can last weeks between charges. USB-C charging is fastest and can use the same cables as other devices.
• Size & Weight — Most Kindles are compact and lightweight for comfortable long reading sessions. The Scribe is larger like a hardcover book, and best used laying flat.
• Kindle vs Tablet — Tablets are versatile but Kindles focus specifically on reading. Their E Ink displays are easier to read in sunlight than tablet screens. While tablets do more, Kindles provides an immersive, distraction-free reading experience.

Subscription options

Kindle Unlimited ($9.99/month) offers unlimited access to over 1 million books, audiobooks and magazines. Prime Reading gives access to a smaller selection of titles but is included with a Prime membership.

Waterproof Kindles

Currently only the Oasis and 2021 Paperwhite are waterproof with an IPX8 rating to withstand submersion. Avoid saltwater which can damage ports and metal bodies over time. Rinse with fresh water after saltwater use.

Best time to buy Kindle

Look for deals on Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday when Kindles drop to their lowest prices all year. These major sales make it more affordable to purchase one.

---

Disclaimer: Prices and promotions mentioned in this article are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change based on the retailers’ discretion. Please verify the current offer before making a purchase.