If you’re still chugging along with an old Kindle or relying solely on the Kindle app for your phone, it’s time to give serious consideration to a standalone e-reader — specifically Amazon’s 11th-generation Kindle. Newly refreshed for 2024, it offers a couple iterative improvements and one very surprising one: the screen. Set side-by-side with the also-new Kindle Paperwhite, it’s quite clear which has the brighter, whiter display. That’s surprising — but is it actually better? And should you wait for Amazon’s first-ever color Kindle, which is just around the corner? Here’s my Kindle 11th-generation review.
Read more: The best e-reader for 2024
Along the way you have the option of creating up to four child profiles, each with individual content, reading goals, progress tracking and so on. Amazon does have newly refreshed Kindle Kids models as well, but I appreciate having kid-friendly options available here in case you want to share a single device.)
I also appreciate Amazon’s efforts toward sustainability: The Kindle is sourced and built with 75% recycled plastics and 90% recycled magnesium, and its packaging is 100% recyclable.
Kindle 2024: Any reasons not to buy it?
My complaints with the Kindle 2024 are few. It still doesn’t have the Paperwhite’s flush-front screen, but that doesn’t bother me when I’m reading. My real gripe: No physical page-turn buttons. I want them, readers want them, but Amazon has, for the moment, banished them from all Kindle devices. (If that’s a must-have for you, check out the Boox Go 7 and Kobo Libra Colour — both of which have color screens as well!)
Meanwhile, the nature of an e-ink screen is that it doesn’t respond to taps and swipes as smoothly as phones and tablets do. There’s still a slight delay, and sometimes a little screen-flash as well, especially when scrolling. And while the Kindle’s overall interface has improved a lot in recent years, it’s still a bit unintuitive in places.
This is not a waterproof device, though that’s an issue only if you like to read in the tub (and you’re something of a klutz). If you want that protection, you’ll have to choose a Kindle Paperwhite instead.
At $110, the Kindle 2024 is priced $10 higher than the Kindle 2022. However, the latter (like most Amazon devices) went on sale with clockwork regularity, and this one undoubtedly will as well. My guess is you’ll routinely see it selling for $80-90 — occasionally even less, like during Prime Day or Black Friday. If you’re not in a rush, I strongly advise waiting for the next sale.
Even if you end up paying full price, this is a great e-reader, one I highly recommend for anyone who loves books.
