Every current Kindle compared, with a clear recommendation for each type of reader.
Amazon completely redesigned the Kindle family in October 2026: every model is now thinner, with a flush-front display, and the range goes from a $149.99 pocket-sized Kindle to a $629.99 color Scribe. If you just want the short version:
One thing to know before you buy: no Kindle opens EPUB files directly. That is not a reason to avoid Kindle — with EPUBKit's free EPUB to Kindle converter you can convert any EPUB and send it to your device in seconds.
| Model | Price | Screen | Storage | Battery | Waterproof | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle | from $149.99 | 6" glare-free, 300 ppi | 16 GB | Up to 6 weeks | No | No |
| Kindle Aluminum | from $189.99 | 6" glare-free, 300 ppi | 32 GB | Up to 6 weeks | No | No |
| Kindle Paperwhite | from $199.99 | 7" glare-free, 300 ppi | 16 GB | Up to 12 weeks | Yes (IPX8) | No |
| Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition | from $249.99 | 7" glare-free, 300 ppi | 32 GB | Up to 12 weeks | Yes (IPX8) | No |
| Kindle Colorsoft | from $289.99 | 7" color E Ink | 16 GB | Up to 8 weeks | Yes (IPX8) | Yes |
| Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition | from $319.99 | 7" color E Ink | 32 GB | Up to 8 weeks | Yes (IPX8) | Yes |
| Kindle Scribe (no front light) | from $429.99 | 11" glare-free, 300 ppi | 16 GB | Weeks | No | No |
| Kindle Scribe | from $499.99 | 11" glare-free, 300 ppi | 32 GB | Weeks | No | No |
| Kindle Scribe Colorsoft | from $629.99 | 11" color E Ink | 32 GB | Weeks | No | Yes |
Prices are Amazon's official list prices in the US. Kindles are frequently discounted, so the price you see on Amazon may be lower.
Best for: Readers who want the smallest, lightest Kindle that fits in a pocket.
Check price on AmazonBest for: Same pocket-sized Kindle with a premium aluminum back and double the storage.
Check price on AmazonBest for: Almost everyone. The sweet spot of screen size, battery, waterproofing and price.
Check price on AmazonBest for: Heavy readers who want auto-brightness, dock charging and more storage for audiobooks.
Check price on AmazonBest for: Comics, graphic novels, cookbooks, travel guides and anyone who wants color covers and highlights.
Check price on AmazonBest for: Color reading with the premium extras: aluminum body, auto light, dock charging.
Check price on AmazonBest for: Note-takers and students who read in daylight and want the cheapest way into the Scribe.
Check price on AmazonBest for: Reading and handwriting in one device: PDFs, notebooks, annotations, with a front light for night use.
Check price on AmazonBest for: Artists, planners and anyone who wants color pens, highlights and sketches on a paper-like screen.
Check price on AmazonGet the Kindle Paperwhite. The 7-inch screen shows more text per page, the warm light makes night reading comfortable, and the battery lasts up to three months. It is the Kindle most people should buy.
Get the Kindle. Same sharp 300 ppi text as the Paperwhite, 16 GB of storage, and it fits in a jacket pocket. You give up the warm light and waterproofing, which many readers never miss.
Get a Paperwhite or Colorsoft. They are the only waterproof Kindles (IPX8). The basic Kindle and the Scribe are not.
Get the Kindle Colorsoft. The color E Ink screen is soft and paper-like, not a glowing tablet. Text is slightly less crisp than on the Paperwhite, so it is worth it only if color matters to you.
Get the Kindle Scribe. The 11-inch screen shows a full page, the pen never needs charging, and you can import documents from Google Drive or OneDrive. Choose the front-light version if you will use it at night.
Get a Signature Edition. The 32 GB holds hundreds of audiobooks, the auto-adjusting light adapts to any room, and the dock charging means you never hunt for a cable.
No, and this is the most common surprise for new Kindle owners. EPUB is the standard ebook format used by almost every store and library outside Amazon, but Kindle devices only open Amazon's own formats, AZW3 and the older MOBI.
The fix is simple and free. Upload your EPUB to EPUBKit's EPUB to Kindle converter, get an AZW3 file that keeps your formatting, chapters and images, and send it straight to your Kindle's email address with one click. It works with every model in this guide, including the new 2026 lineup.
The Kindle Paperwhite. It has a 7-inch glare-free screen, warm light, waterproofing and up to 12 weeks of battery for $199.99. Most readers do not need anything more.
Not directly: Kindle does not open EPUB files. Convert the EPUB to AZW3 with EPUBKit and send it to your Kindle wirelessly. It works on every model in this guide.
Only if you read comics, graphic novels, cookbooks or illustrated books. For plain novels the Paperwhite is sharper for text and $90 cheaper.
The Signature Edition adds 32 GB of storage, an auto-adjusting front light, an aluminum back, dock charging and double-tap page turns for $50 more. The screen and battery are the same.
Yes. The prices in this guide are Amazon's official list prices. Kindles are regularly discounted during Prime Day, Black Friday and holiday sales, so always check the current price on Amazon.