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Black Friday guide

Head-to-head · spec by spec, a verdict per need

Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite 2026

Choose the Amazon Kindle (2026) if you want the lower RRP and a lighter reader at 150 g, with a glare-free 300 ppi screen and up to 6 weeks of battery.

See which one is for youCompare side by sideAffiliate

For £50 more, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite adds IPX8 waterproofing for the bath, a light that warms from white to amber and up to 12 weeks on one charge. A new Paperwhite is due on 11 November 2026, so if you are not in a rush, it is worth the wait.

By , Editor✓ Updated

Kindle (2026, 16GB)Image: AmazonSee it on Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)Image: AmazonSee it on Amazon

Which one is for you?

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Which pick suits which need
Ifyou want the lower RRPKindle (2026, 16GB)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want the smallest, lightest reader for a bag or pocketKindle (2026, 16GB)See it on Amazon
Ifyou read in the bathKindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)See it on Amazon
Ifyou read in bed and want an adjustable warm lightKindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want the longest battery life between chargesKindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want a bigger 7-inch screenKindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)See it on Amazon

At a glance

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  1. 1★ Top pick

    Amazon

    Kindle (2026, 16GB)Best for lower RRP, light and compact

    The lighter, lower-priced Kindle that slips into any bag

    See it on Amazon
  2. 2

    Amazon

    Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)Best for waterproof, warm light

    Read in the bath, then by warm amber light at bedtime

    See it on Amazon

Side by side

From the makers' and retailers' published factsAffiliate
The picks side by side
PickBest forPriceThe fact that sets it apartWhere to buy
Kindle (2026, 16GB)lower RRP, light and compact£134.99It has a 6-inch glare-free, 300 ppi display with adjustable brightness, 16 GB of storage and up to 6 weeks of battery on one charge.See it on Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)waterproof, warm light£184.99It has a 7-inch Paperwhite display at 300 ppi with a built-in front light, and you can adjust the display from white to amber.See it on Amazon

Prices from the maker or retailer named on each pick below, checked 26 October 2026. A dash means the price changes too often to quote: tap through for today's.

Get the Kindle that fits how you read, whether that is a small, light everyday reader or one that goes in the bath and handles night reading. This guide is for UK shoppers choosing between the basic Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite. Three things decide it: waterproofing, the warm light and size and weight.

Both in detail

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Kindle (2026, 16GB)
Image: Amazon

1★ Top pickBest for lower RRP, light and compact

Kindle (2026, 16GB)

The lighter, lower-priced Kindle that slips into any bag.

What it is
Kindle is a thinner, lighter e-reader with a 6-inch glare-free screen and 16 GB of storage. Its battery lasts up to six weeks on one charge.
Perfect for
This one suits anyone who wants a light, compact Kindle to carry every day.
Why we picked it
Amazon says books open 30% faster than on the previous Kindle, so you spend less time waiting and more time reading. You can also add the Kindle Click wireless page-turn remote, sold separately, if you like turning pages without touching the screen.
What's new
A thinner, lighter, faster redesign of the basic Kindle; Amazon says books open 30% faster than on the previous Kindle.
Price
£134.99 (argos.co.uk, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It has a 6-inch glare-free, 300 ppi display with adjustable brightness, 16 GB of storage and up to 6 weeks of battery on one charge.
  • Amazon says books open 30% faster than on the previous Kindle, and the redesign is thinner and lighter.
  • It works with the Kindle Click wireless page-turn remote, which is sold separately.
  • Argos lists it at 150 g and 15.27 × 10.79 × 0.68 cm, and Amazon gives it a 1-year limited warranty.

The catch: It has no adjustable warm light and no waterproofing.

Check today's price on Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)
Image: Amazon

2Best for waterproof, warm light

Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 16GB)

Read in the bath, then by warm amber light at bedtime.

What it is
The Kindle Paperwhite is a 7-inch e-reader with a built-in front light you can change from white to amber. A single USB-C charge lasts up to 12 weeks, so it is ready whenever you are.
Perfect for
It suits you if you read in the bath, or want a warm amber light for night reading.
Why we picked it
Water is where it pulls ahead. It can withstand immersion in 2 metres of fresh water for 60 minutes, so a splash or a slip into the bath is no drama. Add the amber setting and it suits bedtime reading as well as bath time.
Price
£184.99 (argos.co.uk, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It has a 7-inch Paperwhite display at 300 ppi with a built-in front light, and you can adjust the display from white to amber.
  • It is rated IPX8, tested to withstand immersion in 2 metres of fresh water for 60 minutes.
  • A single USB-C charge lasts up to 12 weeks.
  • Argos lists it at 211 g and 17.67 × 12.76 × 0.78 cm, with a 1-year manufacturer's guarantee.

The catch: It is bigger and heavier than the basic Kindle, at 211 g and 17.67 × 12.76 cm against 150 g and 15.27 × 10.79 cm.

Check today's price on Amazon

What we left out, and why

  • Kindle Paperwhite (2026, 7-inch, 16GB): Amazon UK lists it for pre-order with a release date of 11 November 2026, so it is not in stock today.
  • Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB): It adds 32GB of storage, wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light, so it sits above the standard Paperwhite.
  • Kindle Colorsoft: It has a 7-inch colour display at 150 ppi in colour (300 ppi in black and white), and Amazon rates battery at up to 8 weeks.
  • Kindle Scribe (11-inch, with Premium Pen): It is an 11-inch note-taking reader with a pen, a different kind of device from a book-first Kindle.

How we chose

Our buying criteria

Every pick had to earn its place with facts you can check. For e-readers, that comes down to screen sharpness, light, waterproofing, battery life and weight. Sharpness is measured in ppi (pixels per inch), and both picks hit 300 ppi, so text looks crisp on either. IPX8 is the grade for full immersion: Amazon tests the Paperwhite in 2 metres of fresh water for 60 minutes. Warm light means the front light moves from white to amber. Every figure comes from Amazon's UK pages or Argos's listings, and each reader shows its catch.

  • Screen size: 6-inch against 7-inch, both at 300 ppi.
  • Light: both have a front light, but only the Paperwhite has a warm light you can adjust.
  • Waterproofing: only the Paperwhite is IPX8.
  • Battery and weight: up to 6 weeks on the Kindle, up to 12 weeks on the Paperwhite, and 150 g against 211 g.

How we choose every pick

Your questions, answered

Is the Kindle Paperwhite waterproof?
Yes. The Kindle Paperwhite has IPX8 water protection and can handle immersion in 2 metres of fresh water for 60 minutes. The basic Kindle (2026) is not waterproof, so the Paperwhite is the one to get if water protection matters to you.
How long does the battery last on a Kindle and a Paperwhite?
Want the longest battery? The Kindle Paperwhite lists up to 12 weeks on a single charge via USB-C. The basic Kindle (2026) lists up to 6 weeks on one charge.
Does a Kindle have a warm light for night reading?
Want a warm light for night reading? Get the Kindle Paperwhite. It lets you shift the screen from white to amber. The basic Kindle (2026) has no adjustable warm light, according to Amazon's comparison table.
Do I need Kindle Unlimited to read on a Kindle?
No. You can buy books one at a time in the Kindle Store. Kindle Unlimited is an optional subscription for reading from a big library: here is how its free trial works.
What does "with ads" mean on a Kindle?
It shows Amazon's offers on the lock screen and as a small banner on the home screen, never inside your books. Both picks here are the lower-priced "with ads" versions.
Is a new Kindle Paperwhite coming?
Yes. As of 26 October 2026, Amazon UK lists a new 7-inch, 16GB Kindle Paperwhite for pre-order, out on 11 November 2026. We will update this comparison when it lands.

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