E-readers · Ranked #3 of 11 · Best everyday e-reader

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

85
Highly rated
Average of 4 professional reviews
4 of 4 recommend it · one critic is far keener
Where the 4 reviews landedRange 79–100
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 84.8 · 3 printed, 1 estimated · printed scores only: 87

Woman & Home's review has no printed score; we read it as 100/100. The other 3 average 80.

Photo coming

4 professional reviewers tested the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, and 4 recommend it. Most praised: picture quality and performance. Most common complaint: price.

Reviewed by Woman & Home, WIRED, Expert Reviews and 1 more

The catch: Touch-only controls, and ads unless you pay to remove them.

Early score: only 4 professional reviews so far. Expect it to move as more reviews come in.

Most reviews found were of older Paperwhite generations.

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What 4 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 100
    Woman & HomeHands-on review · 2024

    A self-confessed print loyalist was won over by this light, waterproof e-reader that makes reading easy anywhere, with the upfront cost the only real drawback.

    Read Woman & Home review
  2. 80
    WIREDHands-on review

    A refined e-reader with a larger, higher-contrast screen, faster page turns and longer battery life.

    Read WIRED review
  3. 80
    Expert ReviewsHands-on review · 2024

    Still the go-to touchscreen e-reader with a great reading experience, but the changes are too small for 2021 owners to bother.

    Read Expert Reviews review
  4. 79est.
    Linus Tech TipsNo printed score · Video review · 2014

    The Kindle Paperwhite offers a superior reading experience compared to physical books and tablets, thanks to its high-resolution display and convenient features like the built-in dictionary.

    Read Linus Tech Tips review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

Watch a video review

From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.

What critics praise most

Picture quality3 of 4
Performance2 of 4

What critics dislike most

Price2 of 4

Other e-readers critics rate highly

Kobo Clara ColourImage: Kobo
Top pick, narrowlyKobo Clara Colour11 reviews · one critic disagrees86
reMarkable Paper Pro MoveImage: reMarkable
Best pocket e-ink notebookreMarkable Paper Pro Move4 reviews · broad agreement86
Kobo Libra ColourImage: Kobo
Most reviewed pickKobo Libra Colour15 reviews · broad agreement84
reMarkable Paper PureImage: reMarkable
Best paper-like note-takerreMarkable Paper Pure7 reviews · broad agreement83

Compare the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite with another product →

Common questions

Is the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite worth it?

Most critics think so: 4 of 4 recommend it. Touch-only controls, and ads unless you pay to remove them.

Do critics agree about the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite?

One critic is far keener: scores range from 79 (Linus Tech Tips) to 100 (Woman & Home), a spread of 21 points across 4 reviews. Woman & Home's review has no printed score; we read it as 100/100. The other 3 average 80.

What do critics dislike about the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite?

Price (2 of 4 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite?

The Kobo Clara Colour (critic score 86), top pick, narrowly.