Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite: Which Should You Buy?
The standard 6-inch Kindle against the 7-inch waterproof Paperwhite, one step up the Kindle range.
Amazon Amazon Kindle (newest gen) – Lightest and most
Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (newest gen) – Our fastest
Side by side
| Amazon Kindle (newest gen) – Lightest | Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (newest gen) – | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | See on Amazon → | See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6 | ★★★★★ 4.5 |
| Review count | 22,546 | 17,370 |
| Brand | Amazon | Amazon |
| Highlights |
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Our verdict
Buy the Paperwhite if you read in the bath, by the pool or in bed at night: it is the one with the larger 7-inch screen, an IPX8 water rating, an adjustable warm light and a longer battery claim. Buy the standard Kindle if you mainly want a light, pocketable reader for commutes and you will not get it wet. Both use a 300 ppi display and 16 GB of storage, so text sharpness is not what separates them. The Paperwhite sits higher in the range, and the extras are what you are paying for.
Which one is for you?
- Commuters and occasional readers who want the lightest, most compact Kindle and will keep it dry. Read our full look at the Amazon Kindle (newest gen) – Lightest →
- Heavy readers, holiday and bath readers, and anyone who wants a warm amber light for night reading. Read our full look at the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (newest gen) – →
What actually differs
Wikipedia's spec table lists the 6-inch Kindle at 1072 x 1448 pixels and the 7-inch Paperwhite at 1272 x 1696, both at 300 ppi, both with 16 GB. So the standard Kindle is not blurrier; it is simply smaller. The Paperwhite gives you more text per page and fewer page turns.
The table also shows the Paperwhite carrying a larger battery (1,900 mAh against 1,040 mAh) and an IPX8 water rating, which the standard Kindle lacks. iFixit describes IPX8 as immersion in 2 metres of fresh water for up to 60 minutes.
Light and battery
The standard Kindle listing describes an adjustable front light (the listing says it is 25% brighter at maximum than before) and dark mode, and quotes up to 6 weeks of battery. The Paperwhite listing quotes up to 12 weeks and lets you shift the display from white to amber; iFixit confirms a built-in adjustable warm light.
Battery claims depend on reading time per day and light level, so treat both numbers as the maker's best case. The gap between them is still a fair guide to which lasts longer.
Size, weight and charging
The listing markets the standard model as its lightest and most compact Kindle, and that is its real selling point: it is the one that disappears into a coat pocket. The Paperwhite has thin bezels and a flush front, but the extra screen area makes it the bigger device. Both charge over USB-C according to the listings and iFixit.
Who should skip both
If you read mostly library or non-Kindle formats, or dislike the Kindle ecosystem, look at a Kobo instead: the Kindle vs Kobo Clara BW page covers that route. More e-readers are in the e-reader category.
A Kindle Unlimited subscription is optional, per the listings; it adds a library to borrow from but is not needed to read books you buy.
Questions people ask
Is the Kindle Paperwhite worth it over the basic Kindle?
Yes if you want waterproofing, a larger 7-inch screen or a warm light. If you only read dry, in daylight or with a lamp, the standard Kindle does the core job with the same 300 ppi sharpness.
Is the standard Kindle waterproof?
No. Wikipedia's spec table lists no water rating for it, while the Paperwhite is rated IPX8.
Which Kindle has better battery life?
The Paperwhite. The listing quotes up to 12 weeks for it and up to 6 weeks for the standard Kindle, both under the maker's reading conditions.
Do they have the same storage?
Both listings show 16 GB, which the listings say holds thousands of books. Wikipedia notes a 32 GB Paperwhite Signature Edition also exists.
What is the screen size of each?
The standard Kindle has a 6-inch display. The Paperwhite is 7 inches on Wikipedia's table, although iFixit also mentions 6.8 inches in its intro, so sites differ on the exact figure.
Sources
Prices are pulled live from Amazon.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in eBook Readers & Accessories or see the whole Electronics department. New to the category? Start with our buying guide.