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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) vs Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Which one has the downsides you can live with?

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The short answer

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 11).

The biggest complaint about the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) is extras aren't essential; for the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) it's pricey for what you get. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.

#1 of 11 · $$Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024)

Good for: Kindle readers who want no lock-screen ads out of the box

Its catch: extras aren't essential

Check price on Amazon
#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

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

Side by side

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024)Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Rank in e-readers#1#2
Price tier$$$$
TypeE-readerE-reader
Amazon 1–2★ share6%5%
Overall score4.24.2
Screen4.54.5
Battery5.05.0
Book store & formats3.53.5
Ease of use4.04.0
Build & durability4.04.0

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 Signature Edition (2024)

  • Extras aren't essential

    Engadget says the Signature-only features are nice to have but not necessary. Amazon's review summary says opinions on value are mixed, with some calling it overpriced.

    Source: Engadget, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Bottom power button, limited controls

    Engadget lists a bottom-edge power button that's easy to trigger by accident, touch controls you can't adjust, and fewer page and font options than rivals.

    Source: Engadget
  • Yellowing screen reports; newer model coming

    Amazon's summary says some owners report yellowing on the screen. Amazon shows a 'newer model' notice; Tom's Guide says the 2026 Signature Edition moves to an aluminum body and swaps Qi wireless charging for a pogo-pin dock.

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

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)

Who should pick which

Pick the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) if

  • Kindle readers who want no lock-screen ads out of the box

  • Audiobook listeners who need 32GB

  • Wireless charging and auto-brightness

Skip it if: You'd be happy with the standard Paperwhite; You want adjustable touch zones or page-turn buttons; You want the newest design (the 2026 model ships Oct. 28)

Check price on AmazonAll complaints →

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 →

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

Neither one feels right?

If both catches are deal-breakers, start here.

Also great · #3 in e-readersKobo 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 notesA third option · #6Kobo Clara BW

Wirecutter's pick if you don't want Amazon, and TechRadar's best budget e-reader: a sharp, waterproof, ad-free 6-inch reader with built-in library borrowing. Battery life is shorter than a Kindle's in real use, there's no cloud file transfer, and its Amazon low-star share (12%) is the highest of the mainstream readers here.

Its catch: shorter real-world battery than KindleAll 11 comparedSee every e-reader, ranked

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

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