Which Kindle Should You Buy in 2026?
The Kindle Paperwhite ($200) is the best Kindle for most people. The base Kindle ($150) is the cheapest and smallest, the Colorsoft ($290) adds a color screen, and the Scribe ($400) is for note-takers.
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Quick answer
The Kindle Paperwhite ($200) is the best Kindle for most people. The base Kindle ($150) is the cheapest and smallest, the Colorsoft ($290) adds a color screen, and the Scribe ($400) is for note-takers. Best Kindle: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, $200. Cheapest Kindle: Amazon Kindle (2026), $150. Best color Kindle: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, $290.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Kindle | Amazon Kindle Paperwhite | most readers | $200 |
| Cheapest Kindle | Amazon Kindle (2026) | the cheapest, smallest Kindle | $150 |
| Best color Kindle | Amazon Kindle Colorsoft | comics and color covers | $290 |
| Best for notes | Amazon Kindle Scribe | note-takers and students | From $400 |
This guide draws on WIRED’s[1] Kindle guide and Wirecutter’s[2] e-reader guide, both updated October 2026, with prices checked October 2026. Amazon raised most Kindle prices by $40 this year, citing memory costs, and announced new 2026 Paperwhite and Colorsoft models that go on sale October 28. If you don’t want to be tied to Amazon’s store, see best e-readers, which includes Kobo and Boox.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Model | Price | Screen | Storage | Battery | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle (2026) | $150 | 6-inch, 300 ppi | 16GB | Up to 6 weeks | No |
| Kindle Aluminum (2026) | $190 | 6-inch, 300 ppi | 32GB | Up to 6 weeks | No |
| Kindle Paperwhite (2024) | $200 ($250 Signature) | 7-inch, 300 ppi, warm light | 16GB | Up to 12 weeks | Yes, IPX8 |
| Kindle Colorsoft | $290 | 7-inch color (150 ppi color) | 16GB | Up to 8 weeks | Yes, IPX8 |
| Kindle Colorsoft Kids | $300 | 7-inch color | 16GB | Up to 8 weeks | Yes, IPX8 |
| Kindle Scribe (2nd gen) | From $400 | 10.2-inch with pen | 16–64GB | Up to 12 weeks | No |
The picks in detail
1. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Best for: most readersWIRED’s[1] best Kindle and Wirecutter’s[2] upgrade pick has a 7-inch screen with warm light, the highest contrast of any Kindle, IPX8 waterproofing and up to 12 weeks of battery. It costs $200, or $250 for the Signature Edition. A 2026 Paperwhite at the same $200 price goes on sale October 28.
Price (Oct 2026): $200 Source
Pros
- 7-inch warm-light screen
- Waterproof
- Up to 12 weeks of battery
Cons
- $40 more than last year
- A new model arrives Oct 28
2. Amazon Kindle (2026)
Best for: the cheapest, smallest KindleWirecutter’s[2] top e-reader pick is the base Kindle: a 6-inch, 300 ppi screen, 16GB and USB-C, at $150. The 2026 version keeps the price and adds a flush front and a side power button, with up to six weeks of battery. The Kindle Aluminum ($190) doubles storage to 32GB and has no ads by default. Neither is waterproof.
Price (Oct 2026): $150 Source
Pros
- Smallest and lightest Kindle
- Sharp 300 ppi screen
- Cheapest model
Cons
- Not waterproof
- No warm light
3. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
Best for: comics and color coversThe Colorsoft has a 7-inch color E Ink screen (300 ppi in black and white, 150 ppi in color), IPX8 waterproofing and up to 8 weeks of battery, for $290. The Colorsoft Kids is $300. A 2026 Colorsoft at $290 is on preorder.
Price (Oct 2026): $290 Source
Pros
- Color screen
- Waterproof
Cons
- Color is lower resolution
- Shorter battery than the Paperwhite
4. Amazon Kindle Scribe
Best for: note-takers and studentsWIRED’s[1] pick for students and note-takers is the 2024 Scribe, with a 10.2-inch screen and an included pen, from $400. Newer Scribe models cost $500, and the Scribe Colorsoft costs $630. Scribe prices didn’t rise this year.
Price (Oct 2026): From $400 Source
Pros
- Large 10.2-inch screen
- Pen for notes
- Prices didn’t rise
Cons
- Heavy (15.3 oz)
- Not waterproof
Also considered
Kindle Kids editions: Wirecutter[2] says the Kids version costs $20 more and adds a cover, a longer warranty, no ads and six months of Amazon Kids+. The 2026 Kids editions start at $180.
Kobo Clara BW: Wirecutter’s non-Amazon pick at $160, with built-in OverDrive library borrowing. See best e-readers.
The new 2026 Kindles
Amazon announced new versions of the Kindle ($150), Paperwhite ($200) and Colorsoft ($290). The base Kindle and Kindle Aluminum are out now. The Paperwhite and Colorsoft go on sale October 28. Their Signature Editions add an aluminum back, an accelerometer, auto-adjusting light, 32GB and no ads, for $50 more (Paperwhite) or $30 more (Colorsoft). Wirecutter[2] suggests waiting for a sale.
Why Kindles cost more now
WIRED[1] reports Amazon raised prices by $40 on the Kindle, Paperwhite and Colorsoft, and by $50 on the Paperwhite Signature, citing memory and storage costs. Scribe prices didn’t change.
Library books on a Kindle
Kindles can borrow library books through Libby in the US. Kobo e-readers have OverDrive built in. Compare them in best e-readers. For a full tablet, see best budget tablets.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kindle should I buy?
Is the Kindle Paperwhite worth it over the base Kindle?
Should I wait for the 2026 Paperwhite?
Are Kindles waterproof?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- WIRED: The best Kindles (Oct 2026) (wired.com)
- Wirecutter: The best e-readers (Oct 2026) (nytimes.com)
Related
Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon refreshed both e-readers in October 2026. The $50 step up to the Paperwhite buys a larger 7-inch screen, waterproofing, adjustable warm light and twice the quoted battery life.
comparisonKindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Colorsoft
The two share a 7-inch, 300ppi waterproof screen and warm light. The $289.99 Colorsoft adds a 150ppi color mode for comics, illustrated books and color highlights, but it costs $90 more and gets 8 weeks of battery instead of 12.
comparisonKindle vs Kobo
Get a Kindle if you buy from Amazon or use Kindle Unlimited. Get a Kobo if you borrow library books, want native EPUB support, or don’t want to use Amazon.
best ofBest Kobo E-Reader to Buy in 2026
WIRED’s best e-reader overall is the $259.99 Kobo Libra Colour. Wirecutter picks the $159.99 Kobo Clara BW for people who don’t want Amazon. The 10.3-inch Elipsa 2E is for note-taking.
best ofBest E-Readers of 2026
The base Kindle is Wirecutter’s top e-reader, and the Paperwhite is the upgrade. If you don’t want Amazon, WIRED picks the Kobo Libra Colour, with page buttons and built-in library borrowing.
best ofBest Budget Tablets Under $600
Price-first tablet picks under about $600: which base iPad, Galaxy Tab and iPad Air configs make sense when the budget is the constraint.
best ofBest Tablets of 2026
The base iPad is still the tablet most people should buy. Apple raised iPad prices in June 2026, so watch for retailer discounts before you pay list.
best ofBest Tablets for Students
Student-focused tablet picks for notes, keyboard cases, battery life and school apps—not just the cheapest sticker price.