Gadgets
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Review: Should You Buy It?
"The best ebook reader for most people." — PCMag
No single aggregate score — here's what the reviewers agree on, below.
The short version
PCMag, WIRED and CNET agree that the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite is the sensible Kindle for most readers. Its crisp 7-inch display, faster page turns, improved contrast and waterproof design make reading more comfortable without pushing into premium-tablet pricing. The trade-offs are clear: the standard model shows lock-screen ads unless you pay more, there are no page-turn buttons, and WIRED noticed lag while scrolling through menus and the library.
What reviewers loved
- The crisp 7-inch display fits more text than the entry-level Kindle, while improved contrast makes pages easier to read.
- CNET reports 25% faster page turns, giving the 2024 model a more responsive reading experience.
- The IPX8 waterproof design means it can be used by the pool, in the bath or at the beach with less worry.
- The adjustable warm-and-cool front light lets readers adapt the screen to daytime and evening reading.
- Reviewers found the larger screen, slimmer bezels and thinner chassis comfortable without making the device excessively heavy.
What held it back
- The standard model costs about $160 and includes lock-screen ads; WIRED says removing them raises the price to $180.
- There are no dedicated page-turn buttons, so all navigation happens through the touchscreen.
- WIRED found that scrolling through the library and menus could still lag despite the faster page turns.
- Wireless charging, 32GB of storage and automatic light adjustment require the $199.99 Signature Edition.
Buy it if you want a waterproof, easy-to-read Kindle with a larger screen and faster performance than Amazon's basic model.
Skip it if you already like your current Paperwhite, require physical page-turn buttons or object to paying extra to remove lock-screen ads.
What the reviewers say
PCMag calls the 2024 Paperwhite the best ebook reader for most people, praising its crisp 7-inch display, speedy performance and waterproof body. CNET reaches a similar verdict and highlights 25% faster page turns, slightly better contrast and the larger screen.
WIRED rates the Signature Edition 8/10 and says the regular Paperwhite is enough for readers who do not care about wireless charging or automatic brightness. Its reviewer also flags the price increase, missing page-turn buttons and lingering menu lag. CNET gives the Paperwhite 8.9/10 but likewise considers it somewhat pricey.
⚙ Best settings — dial it in
There are no universal calibration values in the supplied reviews. These setup choices from CNET are useful, particularly for Signature Edition owners and audiobook listeners. For fully calibrated values, see CNET.
| Front light | Use the Signature Edition's auto-adjusting front-light sensor when reading across changing lighting conditions. |
|---|---|
| Audible playback | Pair Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker to listen to Audible audiobooks. |
| Accessibility | VoiceView can provide spoken navigation and text-to-speech through Bluetooth audio; CNET notes that this feature is English-only. |
The competition
Amazon Kindle
The cheaper choice for readers who cannot stretch to the Paperwhite, but CNET still ranks the Paperwhite as the stronger overall e-reader.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Costs $199.99 and adds 32GB of storage, wireless charging, no lock-screen ads and an auto-adjusting front light.
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
Costs $279.99 and adds a color E Ink display, which PCMag says makes it better suited to comics.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if you are buying your first Kindle or moving up from the basic model. The professional reviews consistently place the 2024 Paperwhite at the sweet spot of Amazon's range: a sharp 7-inch screen, responsive page turns, adjustable lighting and waterproofing without the Colorsoft's higher price. Existing Paperwhite owners may find the changes too incremental, and shoppers who want the standard model without ads should compare its $180 price with the $200 Signature Edition. RightWei summarizes independent reviewers' hands-on tests and does not test units itself.