Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: Should you pay more for your e-reader?

Getting an e-reader can do wonders for bookworms struggling with library management. You don’t even have to spend that much either, as today’s entry-level options pack a slew of features. Case in point: Amazon’s latest Kindle, which offers a 300 ppi display, a front light, and audiobook playback.

Still, moving up to a higher-end model can bring material benefits. That’s especially so when comparing the basic Kindle against the fancier Kindle Paperwhite. A few key differences exist between the two models that can dramatically tip the scales in favor of one over the other, depending on your situation.

To make it easier to decide between the two, we’ve highlighted the main features of each model. We’ve also included a chart at the end of the article that shows the full spec comparison. 

For reviews and how-tos, head over to our Kindle product roundup.

Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite

Display

The base Kindle model has a 6-inch, 300-ppi screen with four LEDs. The Kindle Paperwhite upgrades that to a larger, front-flush 6.8-inch, 300-ppi screen with 17 LEDs. The color of front lights on the Paperwhite can also shift from white to amber for more comfortable nighttime reading.

Dimensions & Weight

The Kindle measures 6.2” x 4.3” x 0.32” (157.8 x 108.6 x 8 mm) and weighs 5.56 ounces (158g). It’s smaller and lighter than the Kindle Paperwhite, which comes in at 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.32 inches (174 x 125 x 8.1 mm) and 7.23 ounces (205g) for the standard edition. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition of the Paperwhite is a little heavier at 7.34 ounces (208g).

Storage

Surprisingly, the Kindle beats the standard edition of the Kindle Paperwhite in storage—you get 16GB (Kindle) versus 8GB (Paperwhite). You can get even more space by stepping up to 32GB Paperwhite Signature Edition.

Battery life

Voracious readers often away from a power outlet will feel the difference between the Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite. The basic Kindle gets up to six weeks on a full charge, while the Paperwhite gets up to ten weeks on a full charge.

Water resistance

People who read near (or in) water, take note: The Kindle isn’t water resistant. Instead, you’ll want the Kindle Paperwhite, which is IPX8-rated and can survive in up to two meters of fresh water for an hour at a time.

Charging

The entry-level Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite both have USB-C charging ports. The Signature Edition of the Kindle Paperwhite also supports wireless charging, and you can fully charge the device with a compatible 10W Qi charging pad in under 3.5 hours.

Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: Full specification comparison