Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
If you are an avid reader, buying the best Kindle for your needs in 2025 is one of the smartest digital buys you can make. Whether you are simply an occasional reader, a student struggling with assignments, or a graphic novel reader, there is a Kindle that can improve your reading experience.
With crisp E Ink screens, long battery life, and lightweight design, Kindle lets you eliminate the clutter of physical books while still enjoying reading. In 2025, Kindle has evolved with models offering color displays, waterproofing, and even writing features.
In this guide, we will outline the best Kindles of 2025. For each product listed, we will review the features, performance, and value to help you choose the best e-reader reading lifestyle.
Table of contents
Amazon Kindle (12th Generation)
Best for: first-time users and casual readers
Price: $110. Available at Amazon
The latest version of the Amazon Kindle has the lowest price of all Amazon’s Kindle products, but don’t let the price fool you. This latest model has a high-resolution 300 ppi display that is a real upgrade and makes letters sharper and easier to read.
The 6-inch screen is compact yet comfortable, perfect for commuting or bedtime reading. It supports dark mode and has adjustable front lighting, making it usable day or night.
What really makes the 12th-gen Kindle shine is its portability. At just under 6 inches, it fits in a back pocket or purse. Amazon claims it can last up to six weeks on a single charge, and in real-world testing, that figure holds up with light to moderate use. It’s the perfect entry point for anyone unsure if they need a premium model.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Best for: Avid readers who want bigger screens and better lighting
Price: $150 Available at Amazon
The Paperwhite has never been anything but a fan’s favorite in the Kindle lineup, and the new 2024 model extends that greatness even further. It features a 6.8-inch screen with a 300 ppi resolution, waterproofing, and the ability to read anywhere, from the bath or poolside to even during a rainstorm, as well as adjustable warm lighting, which can help ease the strain on the eyes during nighttime reading.
The latest version features more responsiveness for even faster page turns, which frequent readers will appreciate. Battery life stretches to 10 weeks depending on usage, with a larger screen meaning you’ll have to flip the page less. For readers looking to spend less and still get a more immersive experience than the luxury models, the Paperwhite is the sweet spot.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
Best for: Comic lovers, students, and fans of visual reading
Price: $280. Available at Amazon.com
The Kindle Colorsoft is Amazon’s first color Kindle, which makes a huge difference. It uses E Ink Kaleido color technology to bring comic books, graphic novels, and highlight color. It has a 7-inch screen that features 300 ppi for black and white and 150 ppi for color, which is the average for color e-readers.
The Colorsoft lasts up to eight weeks on a full charge and comes with wireless charging, unlike other Kindles. The Colorsoft has 32GB of storage, which is a lot of room for thousands of books, PDFs, and some magazines. If color is preferable for your reading or annotating, the Colorsoft is well worth it. It is a bit expensive, but the quality and added features back up the cost.
Rakuten Kobo Clara BW
Best for: Users outside Amazon’s ecosystem
Price: $120 Available at: Kobo.com
Kobo continues to offer brilliant options for readers who don’t want to go with the Kindle family. The Kobo Clara BW is a solid choice in 2025. It has a 6-inch screen with 300 ppi along with Comfort Light PRO that allows the user to adjust brightness and color temperature.
What sets Kobo apart is that it supports EPUB files and has easy access to OverDrive books, which makes checking out library books much easier. Anyone who checks out eBooks from public libraries will be impressed with how convenient the eBook exchange is. The device also supports Pocket, so you can send web articles to read later. It’s a feature-rich alternative at a comparable price to the base Kindle.
Kobo Libra Colour
Best for: Visual readers and those who love annotation
Price: $230 Available at Kobo.com
The Libra Colour raises the bar for Kobo by adding color E Ink on a 7-inch screen. It works with the Kobo Stylus 2 (sold separately for $70), which lets you highlight text and add handwritten notes right on the page. The 300 ppi for B&W and 150 for color are on par with the Kindle Colorsoft, and the overall experience is nearly the same.
The Libra Color is waterproof and has built-in Dropbox integration, which makes it easy to transfer files. It includes physical page turn buttons, which are much more natural than swiping for a lot of readers. If you are looking for a premium color experience without being locked in to an Amazon ecosystem, the Libra Color is your best pick.
ReMarkable Paper Pro
Best for: Writers and editors who want e-notes with reading
Price: $449 (with Marker Plus) Available at: Remarkable.com
The ReMarkable Paper Pro is not a conventional e-reader. It is particularly designed for writers, thinkers, and other kinds of creatives who want to interact with their content. The Paper Pro has an 11.8-inch screen, the largest on this list. The color fidelity is very limited (approximately 8 colors), but the experience of putting ink on “paper” is second to none.
You can annotate books and draw and write directly on PDFs. The e-paper display is gentler on the eyes than electronic screens, and the complete lack of ghosting allows you to feel like you are writing on paper in real-time. The battery life is around 2 weeks, which is fair for this size of display and amount of usage. The Marker Plus pen, which is included, adds features like an eraser tip to create more natural note-taking.
While it is not for casual readers, the ReMarkable Paper Pro is a go-to tool for professionals such as editors, students, and anyone who reads and writes a lot. If you like precision and interactivity in your work, this is the tablet to beat.
Looking for Kindle deals or accessories? Visit Amazon Kindle Store for the latest bundles, cases, and discounts.
Amazon Kindle Oasis (2023)
Best for: Premium readers who love ergonomic design
Price: $250. Available at Amazon
Even though it was technically released in 2023, the Kindle Oasis is still one of the best e-readers available in 2025. It boasts a 7-inch 300 ppi screen with auto-brightness, warm light, a luxurious aluminum body, and an asymmetrical shape that is designed for comfort, with physical page-turn buttons that allow for more efficient one-handed reading.
It has an IPX8 waterproof rating, and you can connect it to Audible via Bluetooth – extremely versatile! The battery life is around six weeks, and the interface is still one of the snappiest displays of the Kindle family.
Furthermore, it has a page refresh option to reduce ghosting, and a unique tapered back shape that adds a nice feel and grip for reading. Although newer models have come and gone since 2023, many a Kindle loyalist would argue that the Oasis is still the classiest e-reader ever made. If comfort and aesthetics are important to you, the Oasis provides a most enjoyable reading experience that is worth its higher price tag.
The Best Kindle for You in 2025?
Choosing the best Kindle in 2025 depends on your needs. For general reading, the 12th-gen base Kindle is unbeatable in value and ease of use. The Paperwhite suits avid readers who enjoy a bigger screen and warmer lighting. For visuals and comics, go with the Kindle Colorsoft or Kobo Libra Colour. The Kobo Clara BW is perfect for library lovers, and the ReMarkable Paper Pro serves professionals who combine reading and note-taking.
Whatever you choose, remember that the best Kindle is the one that fits your reading life. Visit Inside Tech World for more reviews, tips, and reader guides updated weekly.
FAQs
- Do all Kindles support audiobooks?
Most Kindles support Audible via Bluetooth, but you’ll need wireless headphones or speakers to listen.
- Can I read library books on a Kindle?
Yes, you can borrow eBooks through the Libby app or OverDrive, though Kobo has smoother library integration.
- Is Kindle good for reading PDFs?
Kindles can open PDFs, but larger models like the Kindle Scribe or ReMarkable handle them better.
- Do Kindles need Wi-Fi all the time?
No. Once you download books, you can read them offline anytime.