Amazon has kicked off their two-day Prime Day sales event and, as expected, they’ve got great deals on their own smart devices. For anyone looking for a Kindle e-reader, this is a fantastic time to get a good price on an excellent device.
Kindles have been the leader in e-reading devices since they were introduced. They weren’t the first e-readers, but they brought the technology to the masses, to the point where they’re practically synonymous with the entire product line (like Band-Aids).
There’s a good reason why they’ve maintained their popularity—Kindle e-readers are easy to use and have some of the most impressive feature sets in the category, providing an experience that’s as good or better than reading a physical book. The hardware is also updated almost annually, so the devices on offer are constantly improving.
But with every Kindle on sale, how do you choose which one to buy? Do you just get the cheapest one? You can, but you might miss out on features that are important to you. Do you go with the most expensive? Sure, but you might waste your money on things you don’t need.
Let’s break down the difference between the Amazon Kindle e-readers that are on sale this Prime Day.
Amazon Kindle
With a 6″ screen and a 300 ppi high-res, glare-free display, the standard Kindle e-reader has a fantastic screen that’s easy on the eyes. It has four front-facing LEDs that are user adjustable, so you can raise or lower the screen brightness as needed. It has the dimensions of a paperback, but is less than half an inch thick, making it way more portable than your collection of deckle-edged COTR novels. And at 15% off for Prime Day, it’s less than $90, which is an impressive bargain.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
So what’s so good about the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite that you’d pay $50 more? At $134, it’s just 10% off, not nearly as good of a bargain as the standard Kindle. However, if you’re a fan of reading at the beach or by the pool, the Paperwhite has something that the normal Kindle doesn’t. It’s waterproof! It’s also much easier on your eyes with a 6.8″ screen and 17 LEDs (so you have more control over illumination levels). The Paperwhite can also shift the temperature of the screen warmer in low light so that you’re not screwing up your sleep cycle with blue light.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature
Of course, all of these devices are outshone by the Paperwhite Signature Edition which adds auto-adjusting LEDs to the mix. Once you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to use an e-reader that doesn’t have it. It also adds wireless charging in addition to the standard USB-C charging and has double the storage space at 32GB. The problem is that Amazon has barely discounted the Signature Edition for Prime Days, knocking only off $10, a paltry 5%. While the Signature Edition is no doubt a luxurious e-reader, it’s hard to justify the $45 price jump over the Paperwhite, much less the $67 difference over the original Kindle.
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Then there’s the Kindle Scribe, an e-reader and digital notebook (much like my beloved reMarkable 2). It actually has a substantial discount for Prime Days: 34%, bringing the total price down to $234. In addition to being able to take handwritten notes and make markups with the included pen, you have an enormous 10.2″ display, a massive month-long battery, and 35 LEDs. If you’re looking for the biggest display and the most functional versatility, this is the Kindle you’re looking for. The only problem is that the device itself is quite large. As thin as it is, this isn’t a Kindle you’ll be slipping into your bag as you head to the beach.
Get An Even Deeper Discount With a Trade-In
Amazon’s Prime Day deals on Kindles are a bit of a mixed bag, then. But what if you could make your own deal?
On every Kindle page, there’s a Trade-In link that gives you quick access to all of your eligible Amazon smart devices. Yes, even that forgotten Fire Stick that you have moldering in a drawer will net you 20% off a new device, plus a trade-in credit based on the type of device you’re sending in. It’s a great way to bypass all the Prime Day theatrics and go straight to the best Kindle deal on the site. Even better? The 20% trade-in discount stacks with Prime Day deals!
The only catch is that you’re limited to 4 of these deals per year—once per quarter. The good news is that we’re at the beginning of Q3. So unless you traded in a device at the beginning of July, you should be good to go!
Which To Choose?
For my money, the Kindle Paperwhite strikes the best balance between value and features. The larger screen, added waterproofing, additional LEDs, and warm lighting make for the perfect book companion. Plus the Paperwhite’s display is flush with the body of the device, so it’s smooth under your fingers.
That said, if you’re just looking for an inexpensive e-reader, the standard Amazon Kindle provides an excellent experience. At just $84, it’s a great bargain.
Whichever you choose, you’ll want to act fast. Prime Day deals only last until midnight on July 17.
