Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) Review: The e-reader to buy
Verdict
If you want an e-reader and so the Kindle Paperwhite 2021 is the 1 to get – it's equally simple as that. It'south well priced, features a bang-up screen and finally comes with USB-C charging.
Pros
- USB-C
- Excellent screen
- Durable design
Cons
- Not much support for content that isn't from Amazon
- Physical buttons for flipping pages would be welcome
Availability
- UK RRP: £129.99
- USA RRP: $139.99
- Europe unavailable
- Canada unavailable
- Australia unavailable
Key Features
- USB-C Finally, the micro-USB port has been ditched
- Updated display Larger half-dozen.viii-inch screen with more than LEDs
- Faster processor Everything feels a whole lot snappier
Introduction
It's been a long time coming, only Amazon has finally updated the Kindle Paperwhite – and information technology's nifty.
The Kindle Paperwhite 2021 (or Kindle Paperwhite half dozen) sits in the middle of Amazon'southward Kindle line, although I'd say information technology's a much better buy for only most anyone than the pricier Kindle Oasis.
It's too a worthy upgrade over the outgoing model that's been on shelves for more than than three years. Information technology features a bigger screen, longer battery life, USB-C, a greater number of LEDs and a new interface.
Amazon has released two models of this new Paperwhite, The regular model is reviewed below, merely at that place's a pricier version too that adds in a few extra features similar wireless charging. We've reviewed the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition as well.
Design and Screen
- The biggest display on a Kindle Paperwhite
- Merely bachelor in black
- IPX8 rating for water-resistance
Amazon hasn't played around too much with the blueprint of the previous Paperwhite, simply the company has done enough to modernise the device with this new version. It is still function over form though, and for a device that's meant to be the complete contrary of flashy, that'southward very much welcome.
The biggest change here is the bigger monochrome E Ink screen, which now spans 6.8 inches as opposed to half dozen inches. It makes for a larger overall device, which could put off some. For me, however, it's a worthwhile upgrade. Paired with slimmer bezels, the new screen makes for a more comfortable read and it looks a whole lot nicer, too.
Much of the e-reader is constructed from polish, matte plastic that curves at the edges. Information technology'due south light, easy to agree in 1 paw for extended reading sessions, and retains the IPX8 water-resistance rating. This means it should happily survive an accidental tumble into a bath or swimming pool, even if it isn't resistant to dust.
Going with a plastic body makes sense, with the softer experience of the Paperwhite far more welcoming than the harsh metal of the Kindle Oasis. The black color does pick up greasy smudges easily though, so information technology would take been nice to see a couple more than color options available.
Buttons are kept to a minimum – a minimum of simply one. There's a power central on the bottom and nada else. I bemoan the lack of any physical folio-turning buttons hither, and while the touchscreen is responsive, the tactility of physical buttons to flip through a book is sorely missed.
I question the position of the ability button, also, since it's easy to knock when resting the Kindle downwardly. This is a small event, but when there's only one button, information technology needs to exist placed properly.
The rest of the Paperwhite 2021 is minimal and clean. In that location'south some Kindle branding on the front and the Amazon 'smile' logo on the rear, simply zippo besides egregious. Importantly, the eastward-reader feels durable and shouldn't become scuffed too easily if it's thrown into a full rucksack. If you lot want some more protection for the screen, though, Amazon has a few case options available.
The screen itself remains the real reason to pick upwardly a Kindle over simply using a tablet or large phone for reading. The Due east Ink tech is much kinder on the optics and feels far closer to reading from actual paper than a typical LCD or OLED. There'southward no glare, either – which isn't the experience you lot'd have trying to read on an iPad in the middle of a sunny twenty-four hours. The lack of colour does mean this east-reader isn't platonic for comics or cookery books, however.
The 6.eight-inch screen is pin-sharp thanks to a 300ppi resolution, plus the Kindle has a light for night-fourth dimension reading that introduces the warm light feature from the Haven to the Paperwhite line for the showtime fourth dimension. This turns the display orange, another trick that helps it experience more comfy to use later at nighttime.
At that place are more LEDs surrounding the display this time round (17 equally opposed to 5), resulting in a more even glow. The previous Paperwhite had a tendency to display patches of brighter light, but this isn't an consequence I've seen here. It also looks a little brighter than the previous version.
Performance
- Faster than the previous Kindle Paperwhite
- 8GB of storage (or 32GB, if you go for the Signature Edition)
- No cellular option here
Amazon is touting some big upgrades to performance for this new version of the Paperwhite, and the claims about '20% faster' page turns certainly matches my experience using the e-reader over the by week.
Everything on this new model feels snappier than on the previous model. The Kindle Shop – which took an age to open before – bursts into life quickly and flipping through pages is a lot more fluid. Not quite to smartphone or tablet levels, but there's a lot less waiting around.
Amazon has finally updated the software on the Kindle and the new UI is a big comeback. Multiple entries in a single book series are at present combined to make them easier to skip through, while the quick settings are a little akin to what you'd find on a phone. Everything just feels a fiddling more modern, too.
The rest of the characteristic-set here is very like to the approachable model, and non too dissimilar to the pricier Oasis. As with all of Amazon's hardware, you really demand to be in the ecosystem to fully appreciate it. If yous want to read books, they really need to be bought from the Kindle Store, and you can only stream audiobooks to a set of wireless headphones if they've been bought through Amazon's Audible.
On starting upwards the device for the get-go time, you're asked to sign in to your Amazon account, then given the option to sign upward for a Kindle Unlimited account. Note that if you choose the 'with Special Offers' version of the Paperwhite, yous'll also be served up ads rather than book covers on the lock screen.
Of class, this tight Amazon integration has its benefits. If you've got a huge drove of Kindle books and Aural audiobooks, they'll all exist instantly accessible. Amazon'southward Kindle bookstore remains splendid, too, both for big-proper noun titles and smaller self-published ones. If you're staunchly against the brand, preferring to get your books from a digital library (such as Libby), or you desire to upload your ain ebooks, then you might exist better off looking at a Kobo.
There are actually 2 versions of this Paperwhite. The standard one I'm reviewing here and the Signature Edition. The latter features all the bits I've mentioned in this review, just information technology quadruples that 8GB of internal storage to 32GB, adds an ambient light sensor alongside support for wireless charging.
Most will exist fine with this basic version, although that extra storage could be welcome if yous plan to store lots of Aural audiobooks offline. A ten-60 minutes audiobook takes up roughly 300MB, while something a little more epic tin easily hitting 500-600MB. For books, though, that 8GB is more plenty.
Battery Life
- Will last weeks, rather than days
- Now uses USB-C
- No charging block included, but a cable
For me, the biggest update to the battery on this Kindle Paperwhite 2021 is the switch to USB-C from the aged micro-USB port that features on all other Kindles. Micro-USB was antiquated when the previous Paperwhite was released in 2018, and it'south positively prehistoric now.
This might seem minor, but for me, being able to finally ditch that micro-USB cablevision and charge the Paperwhite with the same cable every bit a laptop, Nintendo Switch or pair of earbuds is just most worth the upgrade solitary. USB-C also enables faster charging, with a full charge taking less than 2.v hours.
With the bigger size comes a bigger battery. Amazon claims the Paperwhite 2021 can last for 10 weeks, but that'south with thirty minutes of reading a day, with the wireless features disabled and the e-reader set to a mid-level effulgence.
I charged the Kindle Paperwhite 2021 to 100% as presently every bit I'd unboxed it, and a week subsequently battery ability has dropped to 75%. That's with Wi-Fi on all the time and about an hour or so of reading at day at varying levels of brightness.
E ink only really consumes a lot of power when its being used, so you'll drain through the bombardment quicker if you're navigating the store or flipping through books apace.
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Should you buy it?
You want the best reading device The Kindle Paperwhite is purely for reading, and it's the all-time device around for doing that.
You desire something with a broad range of skills Plenty of tablets offer a decent reading experience, along with the other benefits of a colour display and apps.
Terminal thoughts
My merely real criticism of the Kindle Paperwhite 2021 is how tightly it'south integrated into Amazon'due south services. If you're fine with that and so this is a well-nigh-perfect product.
The large upgrades hither are all welcome, from the faster operation to the switch to USB-C and the larger display.
If you've been looking for an upgrade to an ageing Kindle, or y'all've nevertheless to take the e-reader plunge, this is the best around.
How we test
Nosotros test every e-reader we review thoroughly. We use the device over the review menses. Nosotros'll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a production.
Used as our main device during test menses
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FAQs
Does the Paperwhite show ads?
You tin buy the Kindle Paperwhite (2021) either with ads or without. It's a £10/$twenty difference.
Is there a charger included?
Yous only go a cable in the box, no charging plug.
Is there a 4G option?
The only Kindle with cellular is the Oasis.
Total specs
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Jargon buster
mAh
An abbreviation for milliampere-hour and a way to express the capacity of batteries, especially smaller ones in phones. In most cases the college the mAh, the longer the battery will concluding but this isn't always the case.
Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-2021
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