Kindle and where to buy

It's got the same basic look as previous Kindles and Kindle Paperwhite models, a matte black shell and an e-ink screen, but this time it's larger, with a 6. The bezels are also smaller, so the device didn't have to grow too much to accommodate the growth from a 6-inch panel. While it's still a super-sharp ppi display, it's now supported by an array of 17 LED backlights, for incredibly even lighting. And it's still got a great waterproofing IPX8-rated protection. It's a welcome change if only for the reversible port.

Faster charging doesn't appear to be on the table, but the microUSB port has been around for way too long, and is often fragile, so we're happy to see it go. That said, it's gained one of the Oasis' once unique features: display warmth. Our testing of the Paperwhite 's waterproofing included a 20 minute bath in our sink. It worked just as well as it did before when we took it out.

Rather spend your money on more books? This E Ink device is lightweight and easy to use for hours, and its chassis is no weaker than that of our top pick, the Paperwhite. The regular Kindle also has a touch-screen display, and those ensconced in the Amazon ecosystem can benefit from Goodreads integration and FreeTime Unlimited. The Kindle's front-facing lighting finally brings it closer to parity with the Paperwhite.

We're guessing most bookworms also like to read in the dark and may not want to disturb a sleeping partner by turning on a bedroom light. Overall, this is the best Kindle for those on a budget, as well as those voracious readers who would rather spend on books themselves, and not hardware.

Now that some folks are moving from physical books, these things don't grow on trees anymore. Read our full Amazon Kindle review. Kids will like it for the colored cases, while parents will love Amazon's 2-year no-questions-asked warranty. Even better, there are no lock screen ads.

In fact, the Kids Edition is so close to our ideal Kindle interface, we wish Amazon would offer it as a mode for adults who just want to read the book, and not dabble in the Goodreads community. Otherwise, the Kindle Kids Edition is the same tablet as the Kindle. You get the same 6-inch, ppi display and front lighting, and the display is still inset, not flush with the frame.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Kids Edition review. The new Kindle Oasis still offers Amazon's most luxurious reading experience, with its machined aluminum back, larger screen, physical buttons, automatic lighting adjustments and very well-lit screen using 25 LEDs — screams "first class.

The device also supports Audible's audiobooks, as long as you've got a Bluetooth device handy. The Oasis's curved back and physical buttons give you an easier way to get a grip and a way to read your book without tapping the screen. While the Oasis is the best Kindle for those who can splurge, we just wish it didn't cost nearly twice as much as the Kindle Paperwhite. It's the Kindle with more effort put into its design, losing the simple and utilitarian aesthetic of the regular Kindle and the Paperwhite.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Oasis review. Let's start with your budget, as that's the easiest way to make this call. Its lighting is good enough for a handful of situations and its battery life is nothing to sneeze at. If money is no option, then you're going to be choosing between the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis, and this is sort of tough. If you prefer your devices to be built with a harder plastic, that still feels reliable, then you've probably got the Paperwhite in mind.

It offers the same water resistance as the Oasis, and is similar in many regards. The Kindle Oasis comes with new features like a warm light you can turn on to reduce eye strain, a more lightweight design, and improved back-lighting, to make it a more useful device to read on although some may consider the upgrade a little small.

It also comes with all the distinct features of the Kindle Oasis range — it's got a large, high-quality display, a 'ridge' design that gives makes the ereader easy to hold at a range of angles, and it comes with plenty of storage space to save as many books as you need. If you're willing to splash on the best Amazon Kindle ereader with all the latest bells and whistles in terms of tech, this is the device to consider.

Read the full review: Amazon Kindle Oasis. James is Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones.

James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. Be sure to follow him on Twitter for all the latest smartphone news. North America. Included in this guide: 1. Ereaders are electronic reading devices meant to replicate the feeling of reading a book on a slim screen with storage for hundreds of texts within, and Amazon's Kindle line is the top choice for many budding book fans.

Amazon Kindle. Specifications Screen size: 6-inch. Screen type: Pearl e-paper. Storage: 4GB. Resolution: ppi. Weight: g. Backlight: yes. Touchscreen: yes. Battery life: up to four weeks. Reasons to avoid - Screen could be better - Not waterproof. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite.

Read our full review to find out whether it cuts the mustard. Kindle Paperwhite The mid-range Kindle packs a lot of the features seen on the higher-end Oasis but comes in at nearly half the price. Our full review finds out if this mid-tier option is the one to plump for. Kindle Oasis With a myriad of high-end features, the Kindle Oasis should be the ultimate ereading experience. Find out if it lives up to these expectations in our full review.

Kindle ebook readers use e-ink screens designed to closely imitate the look of printed text in a paperback. E-ink requires very little battery power to display text, which means that the average battery life of an ebook reader is much longer than a tablet.

Some ebook readers can run for weeks at a time without a charge, although using the built-in light available on the Oasis and Paperwhite models will reduce this somewhat. Kindles, and all other E Ink-based devices, are limited to greyscale, meaning they'll only display white and various shades of grey.

Find out more on Amazon's Kindle range over on our Kindle reviews page. Kindles can only open ebooks in Amazon's exclusive AZW format.

This means only books bought from Amazon can be read on a Kindle. Other ebook readers, such as those made by Kobo, can open Epub files, which is an open standard and can be used for buying books from third-party stores as well as 'borrowing' titles from your local library using Overdrive. The Paperwhite and Oasis models are are available in two different versions: a wi-fi-only model or a variation with access to wi-fi and 4G internet.

Yes, both the Paperwhite and Oasis support audiobooks from Audible. If you switch from reading to listening, your progress will be synchronised so you can seamlessly carry on from where you left off. However, both devices only support Bluetooth headphones; there's no headphone jack on either device. Both devices also support text-to-speech if no audiobook is available. With smartphones and tablets becoming ever more popular, and most offering a variety of ebook reader apps, you might be tempted to opt for an ebook app rather than forking out for a separate device.

Though tablets and smartphones aren't as comfortable to use for long periods of time as an ebook reader they're heavier and have glaring LED screens , they should still be fine for shorter stints. Both Amazon and Kobo smartphone apps so you can access your library from any device.