Kindle Paperwhite 16GB review
Twelve weeks of battery and no notifications, which is the entire argument for it over a tablet.
The verdict
Give the Paperwhite to anyone who reads, because it is one of the few gifts in this price range that gets used every single day and needs almost no setup. Skip it for someone deeply invested in library borrowing outside Amazon's ecosystem or who buys books from other stores, where a Kobo handles those formats more gracefully.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB, without lockscreen ads, Black
~$220
A 7 inch glare-free e-reader with a higher contrast display, adjustable warm light and up to 12 weeks of battery, without lockscreen advertising.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Display | 7 in next-generation Paperwhite, higher contrast ratio, 25% faster page turns |
|---|---|
| Storage | 16GB |
| Battery | Up to 12 weeks on a single USB-C charge |
| Light | Adjustable from white to amber |
| Distractions | No social media, notifications or apps |
| Advertising | This version ships without lockscreen ads |
Specifications above come from Amazon's published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Twelve weeks of battery means it is never flat when they want it, which is the practical difference between an e-reader and a tablet.
- A glare-free screen works in direct sunlight, which is where most holiday reading happens.
- The amber warm light makes it comfortable to read in bed without the blue-heavy glow of a tablet.
- Choosing the version without lockscreen ads is worth doing on a gift. Nobody wants to unwrap advertising.
- It has no apps and no notifications, and that absence is the feature. It is the rare device that makes people read more.
Where it falls short
- It ties the reader to Amazon's store by default. Books bought there stay there, and that is a long-term commitment made on their behalf.
- Library borrowing works well in some countries and poorly in others, and a Kobo handles the common open ebook format more directly.
- It is monochrome. For comics, graphic novels, cookbooks or anything illustrated it is the wrong device.
- 16GB is generous for books and irrelevant if they mostly listen, because audiobooks are large.
- A case is effectively required and is not included, which adds to the real price of the gift.
What owners report
E-reader owner reports are unusually positive and unusually consistent: people who receive one read more. The recurring complaints are about the store rather than the hardware, and specifically about being locked into one bookseller. That trade is the whole subject of our Kindle versus Kobo comparison, and the answer depends on whether the recipient borrows from a library and where they already buy books.
The second theme is the ads version. Amazon sell the same hardware with and without lockscreen advertising, and the difference is a few dollars. On a gift, buy the version without, because a device that shows advertising when it wakes is a strange thing to unwrap.
The third is that a case is close to mandatory and is not included. Buying one alongside makes the gift complete on the day rather than a week later.
Who it suits
- Anyone who reads regularly, in almost any circumstance.
- Travellers, commuters and people who read in bed.
- Someone with failing eyesight who would benefit from adjustable text size.
Who should skip it
- Readers of comics, graphic novels or heavily illustrated books.
- People who borrow heavily from libraries in countries where Kindle library support is poor.
- Anyone who already reads happily on a phone and has said so.
Alternatives worth considering
Kobo Clara Colour Colour eReader, 6 in Kaleido 3
~$160
A colour E Ink screen for comics and illustrated books, waterproof, and far friendlier to library borrowing and open ebook formats.
Check price on AmazonAURA HD Digital Picture Frame, Carver Mat
~$179
If they do not read but you want something that gets looked at every day, a frame preloaded with photos is the equivalent gift.
Check price on AmazonBose QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
~$249
If they consume books by listening rather than reading, headphones do more for them than any e-reader.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Kindle or Kobo: which is the better gift?
Kindle if they already buy from Amazon and want the simplest possible experience. Kobo if they borrow from libraries, buy from other stores, or want colour. The hardware is comparable; the ecosystem is the real decision and it is not easily reversed later.
Should I buy the version with or without ads?
Without, on a gift. The hardware is identical and the difference is a few dollars, and a device that displays advertising on its lockscreen is an odd thing to hand someone.
Can you borrow library books on a Kindle?
In some countries yes, through the library's own service, and in others the support is poor or absent. Check what is available where the recipient lives before deciding, because for heavy library users this is the whole decision.
How long does the battery really last?
Amazon quote up to 12 weeks, which assumes modest daily reading at a low brightness. Heavy reading with the light turned up is more like two to three weeks, which is still far beyond any tablet.
Does it need a case?
Effectively yes, and one is not included. The screen is glass and it lives in bags. Budgeting for a case turns this from a device into a finished gift.
Keep reading
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.