Kindle Paperwhite review: The last eReader you'll ever need to buy

By Aaron Brown, Express Affiliate Development Editor with 10 years of experience writing about the latest developments in consumer technology, product reviews, and buying advice

amazon kindle paperwhite review 2022

Kindle Paperwhite review: Is this the Amazon eReader you should be buying in 2022? (Image: AMAZON • EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS)

The latest Kindle Paperwhite is the best eReader you can buy. End of story

What we love

  • Gorgeous New 6.8-Inch Screen
  • Water-Resistant Case
  • Speedy Set-Up Process
  • USB-C Charging!
  • Unmatched Selection Of Books
  • OpenDyslexic Font Supported

What we don't

  • No Wireless Charging
  • Adverts On Affordable Model
  • Some Colours Might Be Nice?
Deal image
Kindle Paperwhite

The all-new Paperwhite comes with a larger display, faster page turns, and 10 weeks of battery life – all in a waterproof design with enough storage to hold thousands of novels 

Deal image
Kindle Paperwhite, Signature Edition

The pricier Signature Edition has all of the features listed above, but also packs an auto-adjusting light sensor to manage the screen brightness, 32GB of storage, and support for wireless charging – a first for any Kindle!

Kindle Paperwhite: 60-Second Review

Kindle Paperwhite is the complete package. It boasts a generous 6.8-inch e-ink touchscreen that looks almost indistinguishable from paper in direct sunlight, a water-resistant case, and useful accessibility features that enable more people to enjoy the page-turners everyone is talking about.

Amazon offers the largest collection of digital books with its Kindle Store, with a wide array of classics available to download for free, and regular sales dropping the latest bestsellers down to just 99p. If you're on holiday – miles from the nearest English bookstore – all you need to do is connect to Wi-Fi and you'll be able to download the latest entry in your favourite series. Although, that's probably unnecessary as the 8GB of built-in storage is enough to hoard hundreds of weighty tomes.

The 11th generation Kindle Paperwhite is the first to feature USB-C, so you'll no longer have to pack a dedicated charging cable for your Kindle on your next holiday! Unlike the pricier , there's no wireless charging support to be found here. As with the rest of the Kindle lineup, battery life is measured in weeks, not hours.

To make a long story short, Amazon has checked off every box on our Wish List with the Kindle Paperwhite. This is the best eReader you can buy today.

Deal image
Kindle Paperwhite

The all-new Paperwhite comes with a larger display, faster page turns, and 10 weeks of battery life – all in a waterproof design with enough storage to hold thousands of novels 

Deal image
Kindle Paperwhite, Signature Edition

The pricier Signature Edition has all of the features listed above, but also packs an auto-adjusting light sensor to manage the screen brightness, 32GB of storage, and support for wireless charging – a first for any Kindle!

Kindle Paperwhite review

Kindle Paperwhite is the best-selling eReader that Amazon sells, but with the latest upgrade, it might just be the best Kindle too.

The all-new Kindle Paperwhite brings a number of features that have previously been reserved for the pricier Oasis and Voyage variants, including a larger touchscreen and an adjustable warm light to change the colour temperature of the page. Coupled with the switch to USB-C – an almost comically overdue first for the Kindle range – for charging, boosted 10-week battery and a water-resistant case, this is the ultimate gadget for bookworms looking to carry a library's worth of books in their pocket.

We've been turning (virtual) pages on the brilliant new Kindle Paperwhite for a few weeks. Scroll down for our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite...

Design and Features

Out of the box, the first thing you'll notice about the new Kindle Paperwhite is the size. It boasts a larger 6.8-inch e-ink display, compared with the 6-inch screen we've seen on all previous Paperwhite models. That might not sound like a huge increase, but it does make a substantial difference. Whether you prefer a smaller font to reduce the number of page turns, or want maximum legibility – you'll be able to squeeze more prose onto every page. If you're tearing through a page-turner ...that's a real bonus.

Of course, the bigger screen means a larger overall footprint for the Kindle.

While the new Kindle Paperwhite is undoubtedly taller, it's the added width that makes the real difference. While the previous Kindle Paperwhite fitted (albeit snugly) in the inside pocket of our coat, there's no chance of that with the new model. It'll just about fit into the back pocket of your jeans, but the added height means that it'll be very visible. In other words, this is a Kindle designed for a backpack or a handbag.

kindle paperwhite review design

For the 11th generation refresh, Amazon has expanded the screen size on the Kindle Paperwhite (Image: AMAZON)

Holding the new larger frame still feels remarkably comfortable. The borders around the sides of the touchscreen are about as thin as it's possible to go without your thumb constantly resting on the screen and flicking through pages at a rate of knots. If we were to nitpick the new chunkier design, the chin at the bottom of the touchscreen is pretty hefty... it would be great to see that trimmed down (reducing the overall footprint of the eReader) in a future revision of the hardware. But it's far from a dealbreaker with this current design.

So, is the pocket-straining new footprint of the Kindle Paperwhite worth it for that 6.8-inch screen? In a word: yes.

The only reason to pack a Kindle is the superior reading experience compared with the Kindle app on your smartphone and, in some instances, a paperback or hardback book. And the more expansive 6.8-inch e-ink makes reading on the eReader better than before. As mentioned above, the bigger screen allows you to fit more onto every page.

But it's not just words, if there are illustrations in the book, they're much clearer on the new display.

Is the pocket-straining new footprint of the Kindle Paperwhite worth it for that 6.8-inch screen? In a word: yes

The warm light adjusts the colour temperature on-screen, which reduces strain on your eyes late at night. There are 24-levels of warmth, with anything under five barely visible and the top-end of the slider transforming your book into a yellowing centuries-old scrap of parchment.

This can be manually tweaked from the quick settings menu, or can be scheduled on a timer, based on your own preferences. Amazon has also released a pricier Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which adds a sensor to automatically tweak the brightness of the display to the lighting around you. While that's useful, the latest version of the Kindle software makes it ridiculously easy to quickly access the slider for brightness and warmth, so it's far from an essential feature.

Not only is the e-ink screen on the new Kindle Paperwhite bigger, but it's also faster than previous generations. Amazon says this results in 20% faster page turns. In our time with the Kindle Paperwhite, the e-ink display always felt incredible responsive and fast ...by the standards of e-ink displays, of course.

If you're expecting the sort of performance you'd see from an OLED panel on a modern smartphone, you're going to be sorely disappointed. But flicking between pages is fast enough that you'll never be taken out of what you're reading.

kindle paperwhite review outdoors

The water-resistant design means you'll be able to take the Paperwhite anywhere, without stress (Image: AMAZON)

For those who haven't used an eReader before, the e-ink display is almost indistinguishable from a printed page. At 300 pixel-per-inch, you'll struggle to see any individual pixels at a normal reading distance ...or even if you hold the Kindle close to your face. But unlike the screens on your laptop, tablet, handheld console or smartphone, the e-ink display on the Kindle is practically immune from any glare. Using the Kindle Paperwhite in direct sunlight on a bright day is no problem at all. And the built-in backlight means you'll be able to read late at night without any trouble.

The Kindle Paperwhite is built from plastic, which doesn't feel anywhere near as premium as the flagship Kindle Oasis. However, the rear case does have a pleasant tactile feel that's grippy enough to make holding this larger Kindle one-handed pretty stress-free. And at almost £100 cheaper than the Kindle Oasis and its metal chassis, we're willing to bet that it's a trade-off most readers are willing to make.

Like its predecessor, the Kindle Paperwhite is rated IPX8, which it can survive total submersion in two metres of freshwater for up to 60 minutes, and up to 0.25 metres of seawater for up to 3 minutes. In other words, you can leave this eReader at the bottom of a pool for an hour and it'll be fine. If that doesn't reassure you that this eReader is perfectly equipped to survive reading in the bath, then nothing will. While it's not quite as resistant against seawater, those prone to butter-fingers should still be reassured that it'll survive an accidental dip.

The final change with the new Kindle Paperwhite is the arrival of a USB-C port.

Amazon stubbornly clung to the micro USB port for its Kindle series (it's still the port used to charge the entry-level Kindle and top-of-the-line Kindle Oasis) but it's great to see the end of that chapter. If you have a modern Android smartphone, a Nintendo Switch, a recent MacBook, iPad, or wireless earbuds from OnePlus, Samsung or Google... you'll be able to pack a single charging cable the next time you head out on holiday.

The new port also allows for some speedier charging, with the Kindle Paperwhite able to replenish its battery from flat to full in 2.5 hours. After a full charge, the Kindle Paperwhite lasts 10-weeks between charges. Even voracious readers will likely forget the last time they had to reach for the charger.

Kindle Software

While the hardware of the new Kindle Paperwhite is superb, it's the software that really sets it apart from other eReaders.

With the latest models, Amazon has dramatically improved the set-up process. This leverages the Kindle app on your smartphone to wirelessly beam your account details to the eReader and saves you the hassle of typing in a long email address and password using the e-ink display.

Out of the box, the Kindle Paperwhite has the latest version of Amazon's software, which boasts a completely redesigned user interface. This isn't unique to the Kindle Paperwhite, if you have an older Kindle, Paperwhite, or Oasis – you'll be able to enjoy the same software with an update. The best aspect of the new menu design is a banner that runs along the bottom of the screen, with shortcuts to the home screen, your full library, and the book you're currently reading.

This is incredibly useful as it makes jumping back into your current book fast – even if you wanted to check another title in your library. The whole interface has been streamlined, with the Kindle Store now dismissed with a simple X in the top right-hand corner and the quick settings menu (accessible within a book by tapping the top of the screen) has redesigned toggles for aeroplane mode, Bluetooth, dark mode, and sliders for screen brightness and warmth.

kindle paperwhite software

Paperwhite supports the latest version of Kindle software, which arrives with a dramatic redesign (Image: AMAZON)

However, it's not all positive. With the latest upgrade, Amazon now presents everything in lists – like you'll find in the Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet – rather than separate pages that turn like an ebook. On paper, this seems like a small change, but due to the weakness of e-ink displays, scrolling looks like a mess. Even with the faster refresh rate of the new Kindle Paperwhite, it makes paging through the list of downloaded books feel sluggish and clunky.

The main menu has also been updated and looks much, much busier than before. In the previous update, Amazon included a preview of the three most recently-opened books in your library, a list of titles from your Wish List, and some recommendations of new books based on your tastes from its store. Those same elements remain, but each comes with a front cover in a horizontally scrolling carousel. There are dozens of new toggles to adjust the genre of books that appear in the Discover Books carousel, which turns a potentially useful way to stumble across new books without a trip to the Kindle Store into an eyesore. Amazon also uses the redesigned homescreen to shill for its Prime Reading feature, which offers a library of free books for Prime members.

Some of these new additions are quite useful and could help readers discover new books from their favourite authors or genres. But it all feels very busy compared to the previous design. And a crowded screen with endless toggles, recommendations, and prompts about Prime Reading doesn't exactly put you in the relaxed frame of mind to sink into a book.

The clever Kindle software has a number of tricks that improve on the experience of reading a paperback or hardback novel. First up, there's a load of choice when it comes to adjusting spacing and justification of the text on the page and the font, including a custom typeface designed from the ground up by the Kindle team to be legible on an e-ink display. Amazon also includes OpenDyslexic with all Kindles, which is designed to make reading more accessible by mitigating some of the common reading errors caused by dyslexia – something that will hopefully open-up a world of must-read books to those who might otherwise be put off.

Word Wise, which isn't new, but is nonetheless a great feature that's designed to help challenging words from breaking the momentum of your book. When enabled, the Kindle will automatically load concise definitions in a smaller typeface beneath tough words on the page, so you can continue reading without a break to check the dictionary.

And unlike a traditional paperback, you’ll also get an intelligent prediction of how much time you’ve got left in the chapter, or until the end of the book in the lower left-hand corner of the page at all times.

Price and Availability

The new Kindle Paperwhite launched late last year. It's available from a range of high street stores and, of course, from Amazon itself, with Prime members able to get the new eReader delivered next-day at no extra cost. The entry-level Kindle Paperwhite with 8GB of storage (that's enough for thousands of books) costs £129.99, rising to £139.99 if you want to ditch the advertisements from appearing on the standby screen. You can also spend a little more for additional storage, although unless you're planning on keeping audiobooks on your Kindle, there's really no need to plump for the 32GB model.

Deal image
Kindle Paperwhite

The all-new Paperwhite comes with a larger display, faster page turns, and 10 weeks of battery life – all in a waterproof design with enough storage to hold thousands of novels 

Deal image
Kindle Paperwhite, Signature Edition

The pricier Signature Edition has all of the features listed above, but also packs an auto-adjusting light sensor to manage the screen brightness, 32GB of storage, and support for wireless charging – a first for any Kindle!

kindle paperwhite cases colours

Unfortunately, there are no exciting colours available ...but Amazon does sell some brilliant cases (Image: AMAZON)

Kindle Paperwhite: Final Verdict

Should you buy the Kindle Paperwhite? Absolutely.

Aside from that delicious smell when you crack-open a new hardback or paperback book, Amazon has ticked off everything we could hope for with a new eReader.

The 11th generation Kindle Paperwhite is a well-built eReader with brilliant software, a dizzying selection of digital books, water-resistant design for bath and beach reading, and a phenomenal screen.

Sure, Amazon's pricier Kindle Oasis has a sleeker design, premium metal case, and physical buttons to turn the pages. And on the other side of the scale, Amazon's entry-level Kindle boasts a ludicrously low price tag. But while both of these models have their place, from now on, the Kindle Paperwhite is our go-to recommendation for any reader.

While the new 6.8-inch screen means this Kindle Paperwhite struggles to squeeze into many pockets, it makes reading an absolute joy. No matter what typeface, font size, or line spacing you prefer with digital books, you'll be able to fit more words on every page and illustrations are allowed more room to breathe. The adjustable warmth also makes the e-ink screen look almost indistinguishable from a printed page in certain lights.

Like the filters applied to your phone screen after sunset, the warmth from the Kindle screen should improve your kip ...even if you've stayed up half the night racing to the end of a chapter!

Amazon's redesigned Kindle software now includes a much simpler set-up process that means you'll be reading within minutes of opening your new device. The new-look menu is a huge improvement and the accessibility features should mean more people are able to enjoy the latest page-turners that everyone is talking about.

While it took far too long for Amazon to bring USB-C charging to its Kindle lineup, we're delighted that it's finally here. The introduction of USB-C to the Paperwhite means you won't need to pack a dedicated charging cable for your Kindle on your next holiday! If you're ever short on charge, you'll be able to borrow any charger for a modern Android phone, iPad, MacBook or Nintendo Switch to quickly top-up your eReader too.

To make a long story short, Kindle Paperwhite is the best eReader you can buy today.

Deal image
Kindle Paperwhite

The all-new Paperwhite comes with a larger display, faster page turns, and 10 weeks of battery life – all in a waterproof design with enough storage to hold thousands of novels 

Deal image
Kindle Paperwhite, Signature Edition

The pricier Signature Edition has all of the features listed above, but also packs an auto-adjusting light sensor to manage the screen brightness, 32GB of storage, and support for wireless charging – a first for any Kindle!

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