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Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle including Kindle Paperwhite - Wifi, Ad-supported, Amazon Leather Cover, and Power Adapter
Purchase options and add-ons
- Kindle Paperwhite – Now with a 6.8” display and thinner borders, adjustable warm light, up to 10 weeks of battery life, and 20% faster page turns.
- Purpose-built for reading – With a flush-front design and 300 ppi glare-free display that reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight.
- More books in more places – Store thousands of titles, then take them all with you. A single charge via USB-C last weeks, not hours.
- Easy on the eyes – Now with adjustable warm light to shift screen shade from white to amber.
- Waterproof reading – Built to withstand accidental immersion in water, so you’re good from the beach to the bath.
- Find new stories – With Kindle Unlimited, get unlimited access to over 2 million titles, thousands of audiobooks, and more.
- Go hands free – Pair with an Audible subscription and Bluetooth headphones or speakers to listen to your story.
Lose yourself in a book—
wherever, whenever
Kindle Paperwhite is thin, lightweight, and travels easily so you can enjoy your favorite books at any time. With our signature 300 ppi glare-free Paperwhite display—now 10% brighter at its max setting—you can read in any light. And now, a single battery charge via USB-C lasts up to 10 weeks. Battery life may vary depending on use.
Make a splash
With the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite, you’re free to read and relax in more places—from the beach to the bath. Kindle Paperwhite is IPX8 rated to protect against 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. Learn more about waterproof features.
Goes beyond
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Your reading experience, reimaginedEnjoy an improved Kindle reading experience with the latest software updates. Now with easy access to your device Settings and bottom navigation to switch between Home, Library, or the book you are currently reading. A new Library experience helps you find your favorite books with ease, and a new home experience helps you discover your next read by genre and category. Learn more about the latest Kindle software update. |
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Better together
Our covers are designed by Amazon to perfectly fit your Kindle, thin and lightweight design allows for hours of comfortable reading. They automatically put your Kindle to sleep when closed and wake upon opening, making it easy to get back to your story. Shop Kindle accessories.
FABRIC COVER
Designed by Amazon to perfectly fit your Kindle, these slim, form-fitting covers attach securely and fold back for one-handed reading. Shop fabric covers
GLASS SCREEN PROTECTOR
Ultra-clear and scratch resistant glass provides protection without compromising the display.
Shop glass screen protector
LEATHER COVER
Textured natural leather cover with microfiber interior protects your display from scratches. Cover folds back for easy one-handed reading. Shop leather covers
Every day is an earth day
You don’t have to be an environmental scientist to make sustainable choices. We considered sustainability in the design of this Kindle device. Here’s how:
Materials
60% post-consumer recycled plastics in device
70% recycled magnesium in device
Device Packaging
95% of this device’s packaging is made of wood fiber-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.
Part With Purpose
There may come a time when you want to trade in or recycle your device. Explore options with Amazon Second Chance.
Compare Kindle e-readers
Price | From: $99.99 | From: $129.99 | From: $189.99 | From: $254.99 |
Ratings | 4.7 out of 5 stars (16,964) | 4.7 out of 5 stars (52,311) | 4.7 out of 5 stars (24,922) | 4.2 out of 5 stars (5,719) |
Display Size | 6" glare-free | 6.8" glare-free | 6.8" glare-free | 10.2" glare-free |
Storage | 16 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB |
Resolution | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi |
Front light | 4 LEDs | 17 LEDs | 17 LEDs | 35 LEDs |
Writing Capability | ||||
Included Battery Free Pen | ||||
Weeks of battery life | ||||
Audible (via Bluetooth) | ||||
Parental Controls | ||||
Cover | Sold separately | Sold separately | Sold separately | Sold separately |
Flush-front design | ||||
Waterproof (IPX8) | ||||
Adjustable warm light | ||||
Auto-adjusting light | ||||
Automatic rotating page orientation | ||||
Page turn buttons | ||||
Wireless charging | ||||
Wifi Connectivity | Wifi | Wifi | Wifi | WiFi |
Color | Black or Denim | Black | Black | Tungsten |
Warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
Technical Details
Kindle Paperwhite
Display |
Amazon's 6.8” Paperwhite display technology with built-in light, 300 ppi, optimized font technology, 16-level gray scale. |
Size |
6.9” x 4.9” x .32” (174.2 x 124.6 x 8.1 mm). |
Weight |
7.23 oz (205 g). Actual size and weight may vary by configuration and manufacturing process. |
System Requirements |
None; fully wireless and doesn't require a computer to download content. |
On-Device Storage |
8 GB; holds thousands of books. |
Cloud Storage |
Free cloud storage for all Amazon content. |
Battery Life |
A single charge lasts up to ten (10) weeks, based on a half hour of reading per day with wireless off and the light setting at 13. Battery life may vary depending on use. Audible audiobook streaming over Bluetooth will reduce battery life. |
Charge Time |
Fully charges in approximately 5 hours from a computer via USB cable; Fully charges in less than 2.5 hours with a 9W USB power adapter. |
Wi-Fi Connectivity |
Supports 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) wifi networks. |
Accessibility Features |
VoiceView screen reader, available over Bluetooth audio, provides spoken feedback allowing you to navigate your device and read books with text-to-speech (available in English only). Kindle Paperwhite also includes the ability to invert Black and White, adjust font size, font face, line spacing and margins. Learn more about Accessibility for Kindle. |
Content Formats Supported |
Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX). |
Documentation |
Learn more about Kindle devices with our Quick Start Guide and Kindle User Guide. |
Warranty and Service |
1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 1-year, 2-year or 3-year Extended Warranty available for U.S customers sold separately. Use of Kindle is subject to Amazon's Conditions of Use and the terms found here. |
Included in the Box |
Kindle Paperwhite, USB-C charging cable and Quick Start Guide. |
Waterproofing |
Waterproof (IPX8), tested to withstand immersion in 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes. Learn more about the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite. |
Available Colors |
Black, Denim, and Agave Green |
Generation |
Kindle Paperwhite (11th Generation) - 2021 release. |
Software Security Updates |
This device receives guaranteed software security updates until at least four years after the device is last available for purchase as a new unit on our websites. Learn more about these software security updates. If you already own a Kindle, visit Manage Your Content and Devices for information specific to your device. |
Looking for specific info?
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the readability, brightness, size and color of the Kindle. For example, they mention it's easy to read in daylight, great to read at night and the back lighting is perfect. They appreciate the warm light feature and the various light colors and intensities. Customers are also impresseded with the book quality, saying it'll last forever and be better than actual paper books.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the book quality of the e-reader. They say it's better than actual paper books, works just fine for all readers, and is an extremely polished device for reading digital books. Customers also mention that the battery lasts forever and is better than their last kindle.
"...Very high-quality. Actually makes holding onto the Kindle easier than without it. It also allows use of the Kindle without a screen protector...." Read more
"...more options for the UI, and what we have is an extremely polished device for reading digital books...." Read more
"...The shopping experience is much better. The display and performance are just fine...." Read more
"...I also don't like the choices for the cases, they seem cheap, not glam enough for me....We all know they make there money adding better features as..." Read more
Customers find the book reader easy to read in daylight, at night, and while commuting. They say the screen is clear but not distracting, and is very similar to reading a physical book. Customers also mention that the device is easy on their eyes.
"...The screen mimics the size of a paperback, and allows you to read it in direct sunlight or a darkened room...." Read more
"...I love that it’s waterproof and I can literally read anywhere including at night and not have to worry about waking my husband up with a light...." Read more
"Easy to read. My personal reading." Read more
"...The screen itself is more matte than shiny, easy to wipe off, clear but not distracting, and fully able to replicate a physical book with its..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the battery life of the book reader. They mention that it holds its charge well, and can last up to 2 weeks depending on how they use it.
"...The battery last forever and it’s a great money saver in the long run for someone who doesn’t have room for physical copies of books." Read more
"...Battery life seems improved. I wouldn't call it all that great on full brightness, but it's definitely an upgrade from anything before...." Read more
"...It's easy to use, great size, and holds battery well. I did have to reboot it when I first got it set up but then it worked perfectly since then." Read more
"...It's thinner than ever, very light and the battery life is amazing...." Read more
Customers like the size of the book reader. They say it's just right for them, and it balances size, visibility, and portability. Some mention that the screen mimics the size a paperback. Overall, most are happy with the size and convenience of the product.
"...1- the screens are slightly larger, and the illuminated portion is not framed by the plastic frame...it is more like an iPad, so dust and crumbs do..." Read more
"...I love it! It is so easy to use, light and easy to hold. The size is just right for my and the paperwhite is so much easier on my eyes...." Read more
"...I needed a new one and this one didn't disappoint. It's easy to use, great size, and holds battery well...." Read more
"...Still learning navigation. Nice size to take anywhere." Read more
Customers like the portability of the book reader. They mention that it is super lightweight, easy to carry, and fits in a purse. Some say that the weight and feel are exceptional, and the battery life is amazing.
"...a cover, but this leather Kindle cover is nicely designed, sturdy and light. Very high-quality...." Read more
"...I love it! It is so easy to use, light and easy to hold. The size is just right for my and the paperwhite is so much easier on my eyes...." Read more
"...+ UI improvements+ Weight and feel are exceptional- Screen has uneven area with color temp on high brightness-..." Read more
"...As usual, it was a bargain. It's thinner than ever, very light and the battery life is amazing...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the brightness of the Kindle. They mention that the back lighting is perfect, the soft light makes a difference when reading, and the warm light feature is easy to use. They also mention that there are 24 gradations for both brightness and warmth, from off to mango warm.
"...There are 24 gradations for both brightness and warmth, from off to mango warm, and they make a tangible and visible difference in proper aesthetics..." Read more
"...The backlight is perfect -- I can use it in the sun or turn it down to avoid disturbing my sleeping partner...." Read more
"I have loved my Paperwhite! It is amazing out in the sun, looks just like a real book. There is no glare...." Read more
"...Read in the dark, at the beach or any place, the back lighting is perfect. Love it!" Read more
Customers like the color of the book reader. They say it has various light colors and intensities, and the cover is exactly the color pictured. Customers also say the color temperature of the screen can be adjusted from bright white to a softer more. They mention that the adaptable screen light polishes the lighting and page turning.
"...3- you can adjust the color temperature of the screen from bright white to a softer more yellow tone if you like...." Read more
"...The color options are great, but after some use there still seems to be a portion equating to about the bottom half of the screen on mine that is a..." Read more
"...The cover is exactly the color pictured, kind of a red wine shade. She likes it a lot…subtle but attractive." Read more
"...I also don't like the choices for the cases, they seem cheap, not glam enough for me....We all know they make there money adding better features as..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of use of the book reader. Some mention that it is easy to use, light and easy to hold. They say it is convenient method both for publishers and readers. They also mention that the UI details are easy to spot in the included pictures with various lighting. However, other customers say that the general headings are not intuitive, requiring dedicated searches. They find the device to be too complicated to operate and take a surprisingly long time to set up.
"...I love it! It is so easy to use, light and easy to hold. The size is just right for my and the paperwhite is so much easier on my eyes...." Read more
"...Updating the firmware was painless for me past having to click no thanks for all the subscriptions Amazon wants to get you hooked on. No thanks...." Read more
"...I needed a new one and this one didn't disappoint. It's easy to use, great size, and holds battery well...." Read more
"...and boldness are hidden under general headings that are not intuitive, requiring dedicated searches to adjust the display...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
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1- the screens are slightly larger, and the illuminated portion is not framed by the plastic frame...it is more like an iPad, so dust and crumbs don't accumulte in the crevices.
2- the screens are more responsive than the older ones.
3- you can adjust the color temperature of the screen from bright white to a softer more yellow tone if you like.
4- the basic memory has been upgraded to 8G, which is a lot of books if you ever decide to go "off the grid" and take your book collection with you. I downloaded every Stephen King book I own (a LOT) on the old Kindle and it barely put a dent in the storage.
5- the software is more evolved than the older version, and doesn't require monthly reboots. We haven't had to do a reboot with the new ones in six months.
6- the Wi-fi version connects seamlessly with our router, and allows quick searches of terms or references via the internet.
7- the new Kindle will display basic pictures as viewable items. The maps from "The Lord of the Rings" appeared as small smudges on the older version. This is a huge improvement.
The new Kindle has certain things I don't like-
1- the basic controls for brightness, font, font size, brightness, and boldness are hidden under general headings that are not intuitive, requiring dedicated searches to adjust the display.
2- the Library setting has been 'unimproved' and forces you to have pictures of book covers along with titles. This uses a lot of space and crowds the pages when you are simply searching for a title or author. You can make the book covers smaller, but the 2014 version was far superior.
3- the new Kindle came with an active setting that caused other readers' highlighted sections to appear in books I had just purchased. Call me old-fashioned, but if I want a section highlighted, I'll do it myself. That's the purpose of reading a book rather than CliffsNotes. This can be turned off.
Things I don't care about-
1- the ad-Supported lockscreen. I was too cheap to pay extra to avoid book ads when I swiped to unlock the Paperwhite because the tenth of a second it took to drag my thumb across a 4" screen didn't really put me off. However, I've come to realize that most of the ads are now showing genres reflective of what my wife and I read, and are actually beneficial to finding new books by authors we like. But I don't think I'm gonna change my mind about the text controls.
The paperwhite is the closest thing to reading a physical book without needing two hands to hold it. The screen mimics the size of a paperback, and allows you to read it in direct sunlight or a darkened room. The battery will usually last me for a couple of weeks dedicated reading before needing a recharge, the white screen will not keep you awake, and you can carry your entire library if you're hiking the Appalachian Trail (and have a USB-c compatible power supply).
Summary:
+ Best screen of any Paperwhite or Kindle released to date
+ Best response time of any Paperwhite or Kindle
+ UI improvements
+ Weight and feel are exceptional
- Screen has uneven area with color temp on high brightness
- Expensive
- Previous Kindles still do things in much the same way
Coming from the 7th gen Kindle, this is a gigantic improvement on all fronts. The Paperwhite 2021 also handily beats the pulp out of the Paperwhite 2018 version due to its new LED array, and for my money it's a better choice than the Oasis 3 as well due to ergonomics. Add in some extra screen real estate compared to previous Paperwhites, a much nicer bezel, a few more options for the UI, and what we have is an extremely polished device for reading digital books. It's never going to make me switch totally from physical, but I will definitely be using this to read a lot more than my previous Kindle.
The screen here is nearly perfect, and it will be the main factor attracting those coming from the previous 2018 model. If things were cheaper, this would be an essential upgrade for most people. I would not do without it if given the choice. Feel free to browse all the negative reviews from 2018. They were all right. But now it seems Amazon has finally finished their beta device. The screen itself is more matte than shiny, easy to wipe off, clear but not distracting, and fully able to replicate a physical book with its expanded dimensions. The Oasis 3 for instance irritates me with its form factor. The Paperwhite 2018 has an ugly bezel as well. This is exactly what I wanted out of an E-Reader.
The Paperwhite 2021 is lit by 17 LEDs compared to 5 LEDs in the 2018 model, which leads to vastly superior balance. There are 24 gradations for both brightness and warmth, from off to mango warm, and they make a tangible and visible difference in proper aesthetics related to actual physical books. The color options are great, but after some use there still seems to be a portion equating to about the bottom half of the screen on mine that is a very slightly greener hue as opposed to a warmer hue on top. Very hard to pick up for some people, but it's worth noting for users that want to use this on high brightness. I usually only use around 6-12 brightness to get proper coloring, and it's not really noticeable in lit rooms with these settings. I usually use the lovely dark mode at night, so in the end I'll say this issue really doesn't affect me much.
Make no mistake, though, the 2018 Paperwhite had an awful screen, with a horrendous LED array, and this one is a massive upgrade. This 2021 version still has a fully stable lighting array that doesn't evoke a poor production run or haste in design, yet it's not perfect either. Blacks could definitely be deeper with an OLED screen or something of the sort. Dark Mode still looks good, but on higher brightness it appears a little too grey. Overall, I am satisfied at the advances that have been made, and my usual settings all look fantastic and so much better than anything before.
6.8 inches of screen along with 300 PPI is definitely enough to satisfy most demands for resolution, and the extra space may be convincing for one to switch from physical books. The bezel itself also looks properly designed finally. That alone is also another huge deal. The sides are thin, the screen is the main attraction, and there is no awkwardness in reading versus a real book. All additions that make this is a positive buy over the other Kindles.
There is an extremely tiny trail of adhesive in one corner and edge at the very bottom right near the backing material and black area of the bezel. Pretty minor all told. Most won't even notice things like this, and most Kindles will probably have such a minor flaw. Compared to the 2018 version, this thing seems like an actual professional product.
The UI responsiveness was another issue in previous models, and I am happy to report this one is very fast. Massively faster than my 7th gen, and a decent improvement over the older model. The Paperwhite 2018 uses a Freescale/NXP i.MX6 SoloLite 1 GHz processor. Not terrible, but also not quite enough to match the newer NXP i.MX7D 1 GHz chip used in the Oasis 3 and this model. Again, a more refined version at every level compared to the older Paperwhite.
For memory and storage, I can't see many people needing more than 8GB. I did fine on my last Kindle with much less. Unless you plan on starting a small library, 8GB of memory is a perfect fit for anyone's lifetime.
As for the user interface, major changes have resulted in a much better flow in overall design for most Kindles from 2015 onward. The swipe down mechanic is leagues better than anything they've had before. The library UI that you tap in the upper left is again fast and finally consistent. These UI details are easy to spot in the included pictures with various lighting values. But they are available to most users outside of this product.
Response and animation are a cut above their predecessors, and that should not be understated. I finally feel the Kindle is quick enough for my needs with digital reading. My 7th gen was abysmal. The 2018 version was slightly problematic. The newer page turn animation, however, was not to my liking, and I ended up sticking with the normal style. As a plus, the web browser is snappy and usable for those that need to quickly look something up on a search engine. Exiting in and out of menus is a breeze, and opening or downloading books was efficient. I still wish there was a download all option, so I will be downloading from the website instead.
And speaking of default, the designers have made sure that this Kindle is ready to use without even touching a setting. They clearly invested a lot in understanding how people want their Kindle to look. I found almost all default options to be optimal. I added one step to boldness in fonts, and have toyed with the variable warmth quite a bit. Bookerly is a great font for reading, but there are obviously other options if you prefer. These things are basically as good as they need to be on this digital reader. More improvements with font selection could be possible, but are entirely superfluous to the current experience.
Updating the firmware was painless for me past having to click no thanks for all the subscriptions Amazon wants to get you hooked on. No thanks. No issues with connections or anything of the sort. Charging works perfectly via USB-C, a far better connector than the micro version. Adding and subtracting to the library was fast and convenient.
Aesthetics and materials are premium for the most part. Other than the aforementioned pinprick trail of adhesive, there were no outright imperfections that I can see. I don't really like the Oasis 3, but it's definitely similar to that version, with a better form factor.
The leather case included with this bundle is what it is: completely overpriced but nearly mandatory for the perfect feel and weight. I can't stand the feel of the device without the included case. I highly recommend the bundle. The aesthetics look nice, and overall it's mostly the same as my last one. A bit easier to get in and out compared to 7th gen.
At the heart of it all, this is still just another updated version of the Paperwhite. But it could be mandatory because it polishes the lighting and page turning to a degree that makes the old devices feel awkward. I don't see myself getting another one for a decade. And that leaves two questions remaining: How is the battery life, and is this worth the upgrade if you own the 2018 version...
Battery life seems improved. I wouldn't call it all that great on full brightness, but it's definitely an upgrade from anything before. Battery life is critical, I have run into few issues with my normal settings. Right now, I can see that it drains decently fast on max brightness, but it also has an array of 17 LEDs lighting it. On lower brightness, it appears to be very conservative with battery life, much the same as last time but probably better. It's tough to say when you are comparing older batteries to newer ones. This will be an ongoing process to be updated in the review every now and then. On the lowest brightness it is off of course, for those that prefer the older Kindle experience and extended usage without a charge. This produces a charge that lasts a very long time.
For me I see no reason to keep Wi-Fi on, and the complaints about that particular setting, coming from 2018, seem slightly obtuse. Shut it off when your library is downloaded. Problem solved. With full brightness, you aren't going to get a ton of life, but I also recommend against full brightness as it doesn't really resemble paper at that point. On medium settings, which I prefer, battery life seems completely acceptable and better than before.
If you are currently using a device below the Paperwhite 2018, then definitely you could think about an upgrade if you are in the market for a new E-Reader. I cannot overstate how much better this is than my 7th gen. I rarely even used that model, and I will definitely be clocking in some time with this one due to the screen and response time. It's a huge motivating factor to actually take out my Kindle now. Previous versions do not match up, and this is the first time I can say I am impressed by a Kindle.
Coming from 2018, I would say this is a fairly huge upgrade, and most will want to eventually make the change. The screen is too versatile to pass up, and the faster response time basically nails the previous version in its coffin. I don't think an immediate upgrade is necessary, but most will want this as their baseline going forward. The 2018 version has too many issues, and this fixes most of them.
Economically, this might not be an option for many. To somewhat help out, you definitely will want to get this in the bundle with the leather case, which I included a picture of at the bottom. It's a nice case, way too expensive by itself, and kind of mandatory in my experience. The bundle also includes a trade-in option. Definitely DO NOT buy the case separately. No need to give Amazon any more of your money than necessary.
Outside of that you can be sure I will remain critical of this device. If anything goes wrong, becomes damaged or defective, I will immediately add that info to my review. No shilling is allowed here. Freezes have gone completely away as of the recent firmware update in 1.14.1.1.
For those on the fence, it is best to wait a few months to see how things turn out. For now, I enjoy the device and have only a few issues. Going forward I hope to actually use a Kindle consistently for the first time. If I rated the Paperwhite 2018 one star, then this one is around four stars. A worthy upgrade for anybody in the market. Will it replace my physical collection? Never. Paper lives on forever.
"A beggar's book outworths a noble's blood."