Is the Kindle Paperwhite Worth It? [User Review!]

The Kindle Paperwhite has often been consider the most value for money amongst all the Kindle variants. It has been Amazon’s one of the most hottest selling Kindle model so far. But, is it all a hype or is the Kindle Paperwhite really worth it?

Generally speaking, the Kindle Paperwhite is definitely worth buying. It comes with features such as 300 ppi screen resolution, 17 LEDs in the front light, battery that lasts upto 10 weeks, USB-C charging port, large storage options, adjustable warm lights, audiobook support, and water resistance.

In this article, I’ll share with you everything you need to know about the latest Kindle Paperwhite. We shall do a complete review of the Kindle Paperwhite, and I’ll share some of the key features that make the Kindle Paperwhite one of the best Kindle models yet.

So, let’s get started!

Kindle Lineup: An Overview

If this is the first time you are considering purchasing a Kindle, then perhaps it is best to at least know the various Kindle models offered by Amazon.

Primarily, the Kindle lineup consists of four different options. These are as follows:

1. Basic Kindle
2. Kindle Paperwhite
3. Kindle Oasis
4. Kindle Scribe

The basic Kindle is the simplest, most basic variant in the Kindle lineup. It offers the least number of features. It also costs the least amongst all the Kindle models.

Kindle Paperwhite has traditionally offered better reading experience with a few added features. It also comes at a higher price than the basic Kindle. The difference in the tech specifications between the basic Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite is vast making Kindle Paperwhite a popular choice.

However, with the all new basic Kindle 2022 model, things have changed a bit. More on that later in the article.

The Kindle Paperwhite also comes with a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition with a minor variance.

The Kindle Oasis is the more premium category Kindle. It comes with a better form factor, and features that are quite unique to the Kindle Oasis model. This variant of the Kindle also comes at a premium price tag.

The Kindle Scribe is the latest addition to the Kindle lineup by Amazon. It comes with the biggest screen size, a stylus-type pen and annotation capabilites, and caters to a completely different target audience. It is the most expensive variant of the Kindle product line.

There are also the Kindle Fire Tablet series that comes with color display instead of the e-ink screen, and the Kindle Kids range targeted specifically towards kids.

With so many different Kindle options, it is often easy to confuse which Kindle is best suited for your needs. Thus, I created a complete article that highlights the exact Kindle you should use based on your needs! Make sure to check out that article before you buy a Kindle!

In this article, we shall be focusing on the Kindle Paperwhite model.

Kindle Paperwhite Features and Specifications

The Kindle Paperwhite is perfectly suited reading. It comes with a host of features that makes reading on the Kindle Paperwhite fun and hassle-free.

Here are some of the key features that you get with the Kindle Paperwhite:

1. Screen Size and Display

The Kindle Paperwhite comes with a 6.8 inch glare-free display. The overall resolution of the screen is 300 ppi. This makes reading text really crisp on the Kindle.

The size of the screen strikes a nice balance between being compact and the amount of text visible on the screen. Furthermore, the 17 LEDs in the front light make the display bright enough even under direct sunlight.

Overall, these features make for a very comfortable reading experience be it day or night.

2. Device Storage

The Kindle Paperwhite currently comes with two options of storage, 8 GB or 16 GB. I would highly recommend considering the 16 GB option as the storage is key to the number of books and audiobooks you can have access to on the device.

Just to give you some perspective, 8 GB of storage will give you about a thousand ebooks and a handful of audiobooks on your device. And, 16 GB storage will give you a lot more than that.

TheBookBuff has done an excellent analysis of how many books can a Kindle hold (with any storage). Make sure you checkout that article to get a detailed understanding.

3. Battery Life

The Kindle Paperwhite comes with one of the best battery life amongst all the Kindle models.

According to Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite can provide upto 10 weeks i.e. little over two months of battery life on a single charge! Although, this will vary based on your behavior pattern.

In a real-world scenario, you should easily get about 1.5 to 2 months of battery life from the new Kindle Paperwhite (based on our tests).

4. Adjustable Warm Light

A really neat feature now added to the new Kindle Paperwhite is the adjustable warm light feature. This means you can adjust the tone of the light from warm to white.

This feature is super helpful when you are reading in the dark at night or during bedtime. It not only has a lower impact on your eye while reading, but it also allows you to sleep without disturbing others around you!

5. Waterproof Device

Kindle Paperwhite also comes IPX8 waterproof rating. This means you are free to read while relaxing in more places such as a beach, near a pool, or in the bath!

The IPX8 rating on the Kindle Paperwhite means that your Kindle is protected from accidental immersion in up to two meters of fresh water for up to 60 minutes, and up to 0.25 meters of seawater for up to 3 minutes.

6. Audiobook Support via Bluetooth

The Kindle Paperwhite now also comes with the much needed audiobook support via bluetooth connectivity.

If you have an existing audible subscription (and if you don’t, you can start with an audible free trial), you can easily connect your Kindle to a pair of bluetooth headphones or a speaker, and listen to an audiobook on your Kindle Paperwhite.

In addition to the above features, here’s a list of all the technical specifications of the Kindle Paperwhite:

Kindle Paperwhite: Pros and Cons

Like it is with every gadget, there are some pros and cons with the Kindle Paperwhite, although, the cons I’ve listed are just a few things that will be good to have!

Here’s an overview of some of things that you’ll get to love and a couple of things that could be better with the Kindle Paperwhite.

Overall, I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons on the Kindle Paperwhite.

You will really love the fact that you get a screen size that is good for reading. Additionally, the 17 LEDs in the front light are great even in direct sunlight.

Furthermore, you get a device that can take a few splashes of water here and there, and also comes with a great battery that can lasts a few weeks (not to mention the USB type C charging port!)

I really couldn’t find any real drawbacks in the Kindle Paperwhite. The two cons I’ve listed are perhaps just desirable and not really and disadvantages of the device itself.

One thing that I felt could be improved is the option to have 32 GB of storage especially since Amazon is pushing its Audible service harder than ever before!

Another thing to keep in mind is that while the screen is the perfect size for reading, it may not be best suited for carrying in a pocket during daily city commute. You will need to either carry a big enough purse, or a backpack to fit the Kindle Paperwhite.

That said, the Kindle Paperwhite’s long battery life is great if you do a lot of intercity travel or vacation!

Verdict: Is the Kindle Paperwhite Worth Buying?

Overall, the Kindle Paperwhite is definitely worth buying! It is a great value for money as it offers 300 ppi screen resolution, 17 LEDs in the front light, battery that lasts upto 10 weeks, USB-C charging port, large storage options, adjustable warm lights, audiobook support, and water resistance.

The Kindle Paperwhite gets almost all the features that you need for a comfortable reading experience. The Kindle Paperwhite is a mid-range product in the Amazon’s Kindle lineup, but it does offer great features perhaps making it the Kindle model that offers the best bang for your buck!

The biggest drawback of the Kindle Paperwhite is perhaps the lack of 32 GB storage option. And, if that’s a big deal for you, I’d recommend spending an additional $20 to get the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. That way, you get the 32 GB option with a few additional features such as wireless charging and auto-adjusting warm light.

If budget is not a constraint, then you can certainly consider the Kindle Oasis and get a few additional features that aren’t really essential but give a luxurious feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a some of the most frequently asked questions that people have at the time of purchasing the Kindle Paperwhite –

Is Kindle Paperwhite Worth the Extra Money?

The Kindle Paperwhite is definitely worth the extra money over the basic Kindle if you are considering buying a new Kindle. If you already own a basic Kindle in a perfect working condition, you don’t need to upgrade to a new Kindle Paperwhite.

What is the Difference Between the Kindle Paperwhite and Basic Kindle?

The Kindle Paperwhite has a bigger screen size of 6.8″, comes with 17 LEDs in the front light, IPX8 waterproof rating, and adjustable warm lights. On the contrary, the all new Kindle basic has a 6 inch display, 4 LEDs in the front light, it is not waterproof and doesn’t have the adjustable warm light option.

The all new basic Kindle (2022 release) has also received a significant upgrade in terms of the features offered, and now it is definitely considered a worthy contender for the Kindle with the best value for money!

Check out my full review of the all new basic Kindle (2022 release)

How Many Books Can a Kindle Paperwhite Hold?

The Kindle Paperwhite 16 GB variant can easily hold upwards of 2000 books. However, if you also plan to listen to audiobooks from audible, the number of ebooks will decrease significantly. Likewise, the 8 GB Kindle Paperwhite variant can also hold close to 1000 books and a few audiobooks.

Is the Kindle Paperwhite Waterproof?

The Kindle Paperwhite comes with an IPX8 rating. This means the Kindle Paperwhite is water resistant shouldn’t be affected with a few splashes of water.

Furthermore, the Kindle Paperwhite can sustain an accidental immersion in up to two meters of fresh water for up to 60 minutes, and up to 0.25 meters of seawater for up to 3 minutes.

What is the Battery Life of the Kindle Paperwhite?

According to Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite can be used for up to 10 weeks on a single charge. This calculation is based on lab conditions of 30 minutes of everyday reading on light setting of 13 points.

However, a more real-world setting indicates that the Kindle Paperwhite can easily last 1.5 to 2 months on a single charge when used only for basic reading with wifi turned on occasionally to download books.

Can You Read on the Kindle Paperwhite in the Dark?

The Kindle Paperwhite is perfectly suited for reading in the dark or at nighttime. It comes with the adjustable warm light feature that makes reading on a Kindle easy on your eyes in the dark. Furthermore, you can also use the dark mode feature on the Kindle to easily read at night.

Can You Read on the Kindle Paperwhite in Direct Sunlight?

You can comfortably read on the Kindle Paperwhite outdoors or under direct sunlight as the Kindle Paperwhite is equipped with 17 LEDs in the front light. This makes reading on a Kindle really crisp and clear even in direct sunlight!