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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) vs Amazon Kindle (2026)

Which one has the downsides you can live with?

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The short answer

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) ranks higher (#2 vs #10 of 11) and scores better on screen, battery, build & durability.

The biggest complaint about the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) is pricey for what you get; for the Amazon Kindle (2026) it's battery drain in early reviews. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.

#2 of 11 · $$Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Good for: Kindle readers who want a bigger, faster, waterproof screen

Its catch: pricey for what you get

Check price on Amazon
#10 of 11 · $$Amazon Kindle (2026)

Good for: Kindle readers who want the newest, lightest 6-inch model

Its catch: battery drain in early reviews

Check price on Amazon

Paid links. We don't list prices — they change daily. Neither one feels right?

Side by side

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)Amazon Kindle (2026)
Rank in e-readers#2#10
Price tier$$$$
TypeE-readerE-reader
Amazon 1–2★ share5%28%
Overall score4.23.4
Screen4.53.5
Battery5.03.0
Book store & formats3.53.5
Ease of use4.04.0
Build & durability4.03.0

Price tiers: $ under $120 · $$ $120–250 · $$$ over $250. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.

Top complaints

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

  • Pricey for what you get

    Wirecutter notes a $20 launch increase over the previous model and says prices are now $40 above launch. TechRadar calls it 'expensive for its feature set' and says to wait for a sale. Tom's Guide also lists the higher price as a con.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), TechRadar, Tom's Guide
  • Awkward power button and slippery back

    Tom's Guide calls the power-button location bad, and Engadget says the bottom-edge button is easy to press by accident. TechRadar says the slim bezels and smooth back make it hard to grip, and the plastic attracts dust and smudges more than any other reader it tested.

    Source: Tom's Guide, Engadget, TechRadar
  • Ads, store nudges and no page buttons

    Engadget says the standard Paperwhite shows lock-screen ads (the Signature Edition doesn't). TechRadar says the home screen constantly points you to the Kindle Store, and that only about 11.5 GB of the 16 GB is usable. Wirecutter regrets that Amazon still hasn't added page-turn buttons. Amazon's summary calls functionality and compatibility mixed.

    Source: Engadget, TechRadar, Wirecutter (NYT), Amazon.com product page (Customers say)

Amazon Kindle (2026)

  • Battery drain in early reviews

    Amazon's review summary says battery life is criticized for draining quickly, though Amazon claims up to 6 weeks. 28% of the first 160 Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Not waterproof, ads on the base model

    Tom's Guide's hands-on says the basic Kindle is the only new model without IPX8 waterproofing, and the 16GB entry model includes lock-screen ads; the ad-free version is the pricier 32GB aluminum model.

    Source: Tom's Guide (2026 Kindles hands-on)
  • Pricier than before; mixed screen reports

    Tom's Guide says the new Kindles are pricier than their predecessors. Amazon's summary says screen quality gets mixed feedback, with some owners reporting issues.

    Source: Tom's Guide (2026 Kindles hands-on), Tom's Guide, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)

Who should pick which

Pick the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) if

  • Kindle readers who want a bigger, faster, waterproof screen

  • Reading by the pool or in the bath (IPX8)

  • Going many weeks between charges

Skip it if: You want physical page-turn buttons; You want to shop outside Amazon's store; You don't want lock-screen ads (pay extra or buy the Signature)

Check price on AmazonAll complaints →

Pick the Amazon Kindle (2026) if

  • Kindle readers who want the newest, lightest 6-inch model

  • Pocketable travel reading

  • Readers annoyed by the old bottom power button

Skip it if: You read in the bath or by the pool (not waterproof); You want a proven model (early ratings are rough); You don't want lock-screen ads (the aluminum version is ad-free)

Check price on AmazonAll complaints →

We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.

Neither one feels right?

If both catches are deal-breakers, start here.

#1 in e-readersAmazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024)

Engadget's best premium e-reader: the fast 7-inch Paperwhite plus an auto-adjusting warm light, 32GB, wireless charging and no lock-screen ads. Engadget says those extras aren't essential, Amazon owners are split on value and some report yellowing screens, and a 2026 aluminum Signature Edition replaces it on October 28.

Its catch: extras aren't essentialA third option · #3Kobo Libra Colour

TechRadar's best e-reader overall and NBC Select's best color pick: a 7-inch color screen, physical page-turn buttons, 32 GB of storage and optional stylus notes. The stylus costs extra, some functions lag, and the Kobo store is smaller than Amazon's.

Its catch: stylus sold separately; small for notesAll 11 comparedSee every e-reader, ranked

Each one's biggest complaint at a glance, with the full ranking.

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