How Long Does Kindle Battery Last? [Guide for All Models!]

A powerful battery that can give us long hours of uninterrupted reading is what we look for in a good e-reader. Let us talk about the battery life of the Kindle, one of the most popular e-books on the market.

Kindle batteries last from 2 to 10 weeks on average. The original Amazon Kindle can last up to 4 weeks, while Kindle Oasis has a battery that can last up to 6 weeks on a single charge. The most powerful battery yet is that of Kindle Paperwhite: it has a life of up to 10 weeks.

How long a kindle battery lasts highly depends on the specific model, you’re using. Some can only support 2 to 4 weeks of use, while more advanced and newly released devices work for 10 weeks on end.

In this article, I will compare the battery life of various Kindle models and give you tips on prolonging it.

Kindle Battery Life Compared

Today, there are a lot of Kindles on the market designed for various needs and budgets. For the purposes of this article, I will focus on the most popular models, particularly those that represent a variety of battery capacities.

Note that Kindle devices use different chargers: some use micro-USB while others require USB-C. In my other article, I explain these differences in more detail, so feel free to check it out if you’re curious to learn more.

Amazon Kindle

The most minimalistic version of the famous e-reader, Amazon Kindle, is still a popular choice among ebook fans. It is a simple but convenient device, perfect for people who want basic and well-working functionality.

This model is cheaper than others which makes it very budget-friendly. Its compact size and lightness make the device easily portable. With that said, how well does Amazon Kindle’s battery perform in light of its great simplicity?

On average, the battery lasts 2 to 4 weeks. The estimation is based on the assumption that one reads 30 mins a day with all settings optimized: Wi-Fi off and screen brightness at 13. That way, Amazon Kindle can last up to 4 weeks, but in reality, you can expect about 2 weeks of regular use before the next recharge.

Kindle Oasis

Kindle Oasis is on the expensive end of the Kindle line, designed for people who take their ebooks seriously and want to ensure the best experience possible. This model is considered premium class, and that claim is backed up in a variety of ways.

The device has an aluminum back and a convenient ergonomic design that many praise it for. One of the handiest features is a well-lit screen that can easily adjust brightness, providing the most enjoyable experience.

With all the advanced features Kindle Oasis offers, what can one expect from its battery performance? With the same restrictions I mentioned before that go into all estimates provided by Amazon, Kindle Oasis is said to last for up to 6 weeks, or 1-4 weeks of full-force use.

The only downside to this outstanding model is it’s pretty costly. The premium experience offered by Kindle with this device comes at a price higher than that of all other e-readers of this line. 

With its impressive six weeks of battery life, Kindle Oasis is most suited for people who are committed to ebook reading and want to invest in quality, knowing that they’ll use the device a lot.

Kindle Paperwhite

Next up is Kindle Paperwhite, one of the most popular Kindle models that offers amazing value for money. 

Sold at a reasonable price representing an average value among products of the Kindle line, Paperwhite offers many benefits for ebook readers and is one of the most practical devices on the market.

Amazon particularly takes pride in Paperwhite’s battery. It can last for up to 10 weeks with 30 minutes of reading a day. Other conditions include reduced screen light and disabled wireless connectivity, so you shouldn’t expect a 10-week battery life by giving it full use on a daily basis. Still, the result is beyond impressive.

Along with a powerful battery, you get a practical design with a bigger display and conveniently adjustable warm lighting. Overall, Kindle Paperwhite is an excellent e-reader that can be a safe recommendation for anyone.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Signature Edition expands on the original Paperwhite, offering more advanced features for an extra $50.

While the original Paperwhite holds all the essentials and is a very practical device in terms of price and quality, the Signature Edition has all the spoils. It adds more storage space, a screen that automatically adapts to lighting conditions, and even a wireless charge.

And what about the battery? Just like the one from the original Paperwhite, it shows impressive performance of up to 10 weeks of work on a single charge.

How To Make Kindle Battery Last Longer?

As you can see, Amazon offers their Kindles with excellent battery life claims, but their predictions are dependent on a number of conditions. A regular user might not find those numbers realistic. 

However, by following the simple tips listed below, you may considerably extend the battery life of your device.

1. Use Airplane Mode

As mentioned, wi-fi and Bluetooth can consume a significant chunk of your battery time. With Kindles, you don’t need these settings constantly turned on. Whenever you’re not using them, just switch to airplane mode, which will shut off all unnecessary features and save you some running time.

2. Optimize Screen Brightness

Screen light is another setting that can influence the battery life of your Kindle. Adjusting it can significantly reduce severe battery drain.

Brightness can be changed in settings or by using buttons on the device. Gradually reduce it to find the optimum value at which you feel comfortable reading. Amazon recommends setting the brightness to 13.

If your Kindle features automatic brightness adjustment, turning it off can also help prolong the battery running time.

3. Reduce Exposure to Sunlight and High Temperatures

High temperatures have multiple negative effects on the device’s battery. The battery is drained when the device is exposed to heat and wears off faster over time.

This has to do with chemical reactions that happen within a working battery. Many think that cold is most harmful to battery lifespan, as devices tend to shut off in low temperatures. However, it is heat that deals the most damage because of how it influences chemical processes.

While cold makes reactions go slower, high temperatures, on the other hand, speed them up. As a result, the battery dies faster. In addition, such temperature increases lead to faster corrosion and reduce the overall battery longevity.

So, if you like to enjoy your book at the beach or by the pool on a hot summer day, maybe move to the shadow, so your e-reader is protected from direct sunlight and overheating. It will not only save you some running time but also protect the device from needing repair in the near future.

4. Optimize Page Turning

Something you probably never thought of is how much battery you use while turning pages. It may surprise you, but optimizing this process can make your battery last even longer.

As you’re reading through a page, not much battery is needed, especially if your brightness settings are adjusted. Most energy is spent on turning a page and loading new content. Here are some tips on how to make it less battery-consuming:

• Adjust the font and spaces. Make the text smaller but still a comfortable size for you to read it. Reduce spaces on a page so it can fit more text. That way, you will be able to read more without turning a page.

Turn off the page refresh. Some models, such as Kindle Paperwhite, allow you to disable this setting and prolong battery life by slightly changing how new pages are loaded and displayed. The difference is almost unnoticeable, but it will save your Kindle some energy.

Credit to Gleyvison Anselmo on Unsplash for the featured image of this article