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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) vs Kobo Libra Colour

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 #3 of 11) and scores better on screen, battery. Kobo Libra Colour wins on book store & formats.

The biggest complaint about the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) is extras aren't essential; for the Kobo Libra Colour it's stylus sold separately; small for notes. 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
#3 of 11 · $$Kobo Libra Colour

Good for: One-handed reading with page-turn buttons

Its catch: stylus sold separately; small for notes

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)Kobo Libra Colour
Rank in e-readers#1#3
Price tier$$$$
TypeE-readerColor e-reader
Amazon 1–2★ share6%8%
Overall score4.24.0
Screen4.54.0
Battery5.03.5
Book store & formats3.54.5
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)

Kobo Libra Colour

  • Stylus sold separately; small for notes

    TechRadar and Engadget note the stylus costs extra ($290 with stylus vs $220 without, per Engadget). TechRadar says the 7-inch screen is too small for heavy note-taking.

    Source: TechRadar, Engadget
  • Lag and mixed screen and reliability reports

    TechRadar lists a couple of functions that suffer from lag. Amazon's summary says screen quality and reliability are mixed, with some owners reporting visual clarity issues and finding it doesn't meet their needs. Some also find the 7-inch size too small. Wirecutter says the colors look subdued.

    Source: TechRadar, Amazon.com product page (Customers say), Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Smaller store, aging design

    Engadget's only listed con is that Kobo's store is smaller than Kindle's. TechRadar was initially disappointed by the dated design, notes the model is over two years old, and says Kobo hasn't released new readers in a couple of years.

    Source: Engadget, 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 Kobo Libra Colour if

  • One-handed reading with page-turn buttons

  • Color comics with room for 32 GB

  • Margin notes with the optional Kobo Stylus 2

Skip it if: You don't need color (cheaper grayscale readers exist); You'll take lots of notes (7 inches is cramped); You buy mostly from the Kindle store

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.

Best performance · #2 in e-readersAmazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Tom's Guide and NBC Select's best overall pick: a fast, waterproof 7-inch Kindle with very long battery life and the lowest Amazon low-star share in this group. Reviewers say it's expensive for what it is, the slippery back attracts smudges, and the base model shows lock-screen ads.

Its catch: pricey for what you getA third option · #4Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025)

TechRadar calls it the best Kindle Amazon has made, with a big, fast 11-inch screen and a pen in the box. But Wirecutter and Tom's Guide find the price hard to justify compared with other digital notebooks, it's too big to hold comfortably for long reading, and it isn't waterproof.

Its catch: very expensiveAll 11 comparedSee every e-reader, ranked

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

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