ConsFirst / E-readers / Compare

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) vs Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025)

Which one has the downsides you can live with?

We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more

The short answer

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 11) and scores better on battery, ease of use, build & durability. Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) wins on screen.

The biggest complaint about the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) is extras aren't essential; for the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) it's very expensive. 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
#4 of 11 · $$$Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025)

Good for: Kindle users who annotate books and PDFs

Its catch: very expensive

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 Scribe (2025)
Rank in e-readers#1#4
Price tier$$$$$
TypeE-readerE-reader + writing
Amazon 1–2★ share6%8%
Overall score4.23.9
Screen4.55.0
Battery5.04.0
Book store & formats3.53.5
Ease of use4.03.5
Build & durability4.03.5

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 Scribe (2025)

  • Very expensive

    Wirecutter says the Scribe is too expensive compared with other digital notebooks. TechRadar lists 'very expensive' and says it's hard to justify. Tom's Guide says the high price makes it hard to recommend. Amazon owners are mixed on value.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Too big for handheld reading

    TechRadar says the larger size makes handheld use difficult. NBC Select lists the older Scribe as less portable.

    Source: TechRadar, NBC Select
  • Freezing, clutter and limited file support

    Amazon's review summary says some owners report routine freezing. TechRadar finds the home screen cluttered with Kindle Store recommendations, says the OS takes nearly 10 GB of storage, and says file support still trails Kobo and Boox.

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

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 Scribe (2025) if

  • Kindle users who annotate books and PDFs

  • Handwritten notes with AI summaries and search

  • Reading large-format documents

Skip it if: You mainly read novels (an expensive e-reader if you don't write); You want something to hold one-handed in bed; You want the best writing feel (Tom's Guide prefers reMarkable)

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.

Browse e-readers →

More head-to-heads