The best Kindles and e-readers

The sweet spot of the range: a bigger 7-inch screen, warm light for bedtime, fast page turns and waterproofing for the bath.

• 7-inch 300ppi glare-free screen
• Adjustable warm light
• Waterproof
• Up to 12 weeks per charge
• USB-C

What owners say: Owners find it easy to set up and hold, with a clear screen and quick page turns, though views on battery life and value are mixed.

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A closer look: Turn up the warm light in the evening for a softer, amber page that’s gentler at bedtime. It’s thin enough for a coat pocket and happy by the pool or in the bath. This version shows offers on the lock screen; a version without ads costs a little more.

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The lightest, smallest Kindle, at 158g, with a sharp 6-inch screen and a front light for reading in the dark.

• 6-inch 300ppi glare-free screen
• 158g
• Adjustable front light and dark mode
• Up to 6 weeks per charge
• 16GB

What owners say: Owners love how small and light it is, easy to use one-handed and clear in any light, though battery life gets mixed reports.

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A closer look: At 158g it’s lighter than most paperbacks and slips into a small handbag. It isn’t listed as waterproof, so keep it away from the bath. A lovely first e-reader for someone who reads on the train or in bed.

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The main alternative to a Kindle: a 6-inch waterproof reader with adjustable warm light, made partly from recycled and ocean-bound plastic.

• 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 screen
• ComfortLight PRO warm light
• IPX8 waterproof
• 16GB, about 12,000 ebooks
• Recycled and ocean-bound plastic

What owners say: Owners like its crisp, bright screen and quick page turns, its glare-free light in sunshine and its pocketable size.

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A closer look: It reads EPUB ebooks from lots of shops, not just one store, which suits people who buy books in different places. It’s waterproof to IPX8, so a dip in the bath is fine. It also plays Kobo audiobooks through Bluetooth headphones.

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Everything the Paperwhite does, plus a light that adjusts itself to the room, wireless charging, 32GB and no ads.

• 7-inch 300ppi screen
• Auto-adjusting front light
• Wireless charging (dock sold separately)
• 32GB, no ads
• Waterproof

What owners say: Owners find it easy to use, with a crisp screen, comfortable one-handed and excellent battery life, though a few notice a slightly yellow tint.

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A closer look: The self-adjusting light is the real difference day to day: it dims as the room gets darker, so bedtime reading needs no fiddling. Wireless charging needs a separate dock, so budget for one if that’s the appeal. A treat for a heavy reader.

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A proper Kindle with a cover, six months of Amazon Kids+ books and a two-year promise to replace it if it breaks.

• 6-inch glare-free screen
• Cover included
• 6 months of Amazon Kids+
• 2-year replacement guarantee
• No apps, videos or games

What owners say: Owners find it easy to use, a good size for small hands and good on battery, though some find it slow and the book selection limited.

Heads up: After the first six months, Amazon Kids+ is a paid subscription.

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A closer look: It only does books, so there are no games or videos to wander off to mid-chapter. Kids+ books are picked by age range, from 3 to 12. The cover helps with knocks, and the two-year guarantee covers breakages.

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