The Ultimate 2023 Kindle Shopping Guide: A Perfect Kindle for Every Reader

Welcome to The Book Nanny, where we tackle real book-lover dilemmas. If you’ve ever battled to fit a large fantasy novel in your bag or juggled a stack of library books threatening to topple, this 2023 Kindle Shopping Guide is for you.

Why do you need a Kindle? Because it simplifies your reading life. Say goodbye to space woes and overdue fees. We’ll explore the Kindle lineup and let you know which accessories you actually need, which features to prioritize, how to get the best deals and other FAQs.

Now, let’s dive deeper into why you should consider a Kindle. There are so many practical benefits that are easy to overlook. As someone who questioned whether I could have the same reading experience from a device verse paper, my perspective shifted drastically when motherhood brought a unique set of challenges.

eBook vs Print – Why I made the switch

Growing up I was 100% a print-books-only person. I practically lived at my school library and would visit the city library at least once a week. The library was a safe place and my hangout spot. I knew where all the comfy chairs were and where to find all my books. Sometimes I spent hours just browsing the shelves. Reconnecting with old favorites and discovering the new releases. 

Things changed when I had my first child. Sleeplessness, a hormonal whirlwind, and living life in three-hour chunks were rough. What made it even harder was that I hadn’t read a book in about three weeks. It wasn’t a lack of time; I had all the time to spare while breastfeeding, but reading one-handed was impossible. I gravitate towards longer books so they last me a few days, but I can’t hold a 400- or 500-page book open with one hand. Good luck trying to hold a book and turn the pages one-handed. It doesn’t work!

How I Became a Lover of eBooks

Discovering ebooks saved my mental health. I could read all the books to my heart’s content one-handed. I never had to worry about starting in the wrong place or someone pulling out my bookmark. And the best part is I didn’t have to try and get out the door with a newborn to check out a book. I could check one or five out on my phone, while nursing in my bathrobe at two in the morning.

Suddenly my world was opened to new possibilities. Plus, I can put my device in my pocket and don’t have to juggle a book and a baby. Later, I got a Kindle. To this day, I wonder why it took me so long to get one. So, learn from my mistakes and get yourself a Kindle sooner rather than later!

Kindle vs Kobo: Which one is the best?

Kindle and Kobo are two leading eReader brands, sharing similar specs like e-Ink displays, screen sizes, storage capacity, and battery life. The main difference is where you access your books and their price points.

Kindle: All Kindles seamlessly integrate with the Amazon storefront. You can also load books via email or their mobile app, making reading different book formats simple. Kindle eReaders tend to be more budget-friendly.

Kobo: Kobo eReaders connect to Overdrive, the online library app. This means you can borrow library books directly from your Kobo device without the need for additional mobile apps. Remember that Kobos typically come at a slightly higher price point, and accessories like cases can be less readily available.

My preference leans towards Kindle due to its affordability and access to Kindle Unlimited, which provides a vast library of books. However, if your area boasts an extensive online library collection, a Kobo might be a better choice for you. It ultimately comes down to your reading habits and preferences. Kindle also has two designs for Kids. Learn more about them below.

Kindle Model Breakdown

1. Kindle (2022)

Display: 6.0″ glare-free, high-resolution display, easy on the eyes for long reading sessions.

Lighting: Front light and dark mode for comfortable reading in any lighting.

Battery Life: Up to six weeks on a single charge, so you can read more and charge less.

Storage: 16 GB of storage to hold numerous books.

Color Options: Available in two colors: black and denim.

Who Is It For?

– Perfect for those new to eBooks, budget-conscious readers, and travelers looking for a compact and affordable eReader.

Shop this Kindle on Amazon.

2. Kindle Paperwhite

Display: 6.8-inch display with adjustable warm light for a comfortable reading experience.

Waterproof: Take it to the pool or bathtub; it’s designed to withstand water.

Lighting: Additional LEDs for better front light uniformity.

Battery Life: Up to 10 weeks of reading on a single charge.

Storage: Choose from 8GB or 16GB storage options.

Color Options: Available in three stylish colors: Black, Denim, and Agave Green.

Who Is It For?

– Ideal for readers who enjoy reading around water and appreciate customizable lighting. Also, perfect for those with older eyes who need ample light for reading.

Shop this Kindle on Amazon.

3. Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

All Paperwhite Features Plus:

Auto-Adjusting Light Sensors: Enjoy optimal brightness without manual adjustments.

Storage: Generous 32GB storage capacity.

Battery Life: Up to 10 weeks on a single charge.

Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless charging capability.

Waterproof Reading: Designed for worry-free reading near water.

Color Options: Available in Black, Denim, and Agave Green.

Who Is It For?

– Avid readers who frequently read near water and appreciate wireless charging convenience.

Show for this Kindle on Amazon.

4. Kindle Oasis

Display: 7″ screen and a sleek ergonomic design.

Light Sensors: Auto-adjusting light sensors for an optimal reading experience.

Waterproof: Enjoy reading by the water without worries.

Page Turn Buttons: Ergonomic page turn buttons for one-handed reading.

Battery Life: Up to 6 weeks on a single charge.

Storage: Choose from 8GB or 32GB storage options.

Color Options: Available in Graphite and Champagne Gold.

Who Is It For?

– Perfect for avid readers reading multiple hours a day who value ergonomic design and reading in various positions. Plus, it’s waterproof!

Shop this Kindle on Amazon.

5. Kindle Scribe

Display: The largest Kindle display at 10.2 inches.

Versatile Use: More than an eReader, it functions as a digital notebook and pen for journaling, sketching, note-taking, etc.

Convert Handwritten Notes: Easily convert handwritten notes to text and share them with contacts.

Annotation: Annotate like you would with a paper book.

Document Handling: Import and markup documents.

Storage: Available in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB options.

Who Is It For?

– Perfect for someone looking for a versatile eReader that doubles as a digital notebook and note-taking tool. Annotate and mark up documents while still reading your favorite books. If you are a business professional or college student who needs to do a lot of reading and likes making notes on documents this is the model you need.

Shop this Kindle on Amazon.

Kindles for Kids

Amazon has come out with two Kindles designed for children. They are the Kindle Kids (2022) and Kindle Paperwhite Kids. It is essentially the Kindle (2022) and the Kindle Paperwhite but with kids designed perks. Each Kindle Kids and Kindle Paperwhite Kids includes a case, one year of Amazon Kids+, and a two-year worry-free guarantee. 

When your child is older, you can turn the parental features off, and it functions like a standard Kindle. Amazon Kids+ is similar to Kindle Unlimited, but the kids have access to books, audiobooks, and comics according to the reading level set by the parents. Parents can also track how much their children are reading and see the titles through the Parent Dashboard. Check out this page for more information about Kindle Kids.

Where to scrimp and where to save: Which features are worth it?

Now that I’ve drowned you in specs, let’s talk about what these actually mean and whether or not you need these features.

Backlight: How much light do you need?

Each device has built-in backlights to illuminate the words without a glare. You do not need to use the backlight, but it is helpful in lowlight situations, reading in the dark, and for eyes who use reading glasses. The Paperwhite has four times the number of LEDs, compared to the basic Kindle. More LEDs mean better light distribution and a brighter screen. 

If you are a set-it-and-forget-it kind of person, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature and Kindle Oasis are the best fit for light management. These two automatically adjust the backlight depending on the environment.

Kindle Battery Life: Does the battery actually last that long?

All models, except for the basic Kindle 2022, have up to 10 weeks of battery life. The basic model has 6 weeks of battery. However, it is also smaller and lighter. The battery in my Kindle lasts a long time. I can go about 3 weeks between charges while reading over 3 hours a day while having the backlight and Wi-fi on. 

The key to getting the battery to last on any of these models is using airplane mode (no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) and turning off the backlight. It isn’t an ideal reading experience, but it means traveling without another power cord.

If you are an avid reader an hour or more a day, I would splurge on a bigger battery.

Storage Space: Is 8 GB enough space for all my books?

Yes! Yes! Yes! Each GB can hold about 500 books. An 8GB Kindle can hold between 2,000 and 3,000 books including all the operating software. If you tend to read more comic books or listen to audible audiobooks, you should size up. Comic books and audiobooks will take up more space.

What if I still run out of space on my Kindle?

On the off chance you manage to fill up your library with thousands of books, you can remove the download of any books from your device. They aren’t gone forever and will stay on your Kindle cloud until you are ready to read again. The cloud will keep your progress so you can start in the same spot when it’s redownloaded.

What are Lockscreen ads and is it worth it to pay to not have them?

The Lockscreen ads are exactly what they sound like. They are an ad that pops up whenever you lock your Kindle. I don’t find them annoying. They are there until you push the button and swipe the screen to unlock the device. 

You can make them personalized, and Amazon will suggest the next books in the series you are reading or popular books in the genres you like. I turned off the personalized ads and have just generic ones pop up. Because I also have children and never know when they will decide to walk off with my book, I have the filtered ads on so nothing weird pops up.

Can I remove the lock screen ads later?

If you get a device with lock-screen ads and decide you no longer want to look at them, you always have the option to pay $20 to have them removed for life.

Do I have to get Kindle Unlimited for my Kindle?

Kindle Unlimited is Amazon’s subscription reading service that gives readers access to millions of books and audiobooks. Kindle Unlimited is not required for a Kindle device, however, it is a convenient and cost-effective way to read books. It’s cheaper than purchasing three books a month, and you have unlimited reading.

Each new device comes with a free three-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited that I would take advantage of. You can cancel Kindle Unlimited later if you decide you don’t like it. 

Where Can I Get Kindle Books?

Are you wondering how to fill your digital shelves after purchasing a Kindle? Here are some of the easiest places to get books to read.

• Kindle Store – build your personal digital library
• Kindle Unlimited – library monthly subscription
• Prime Reading – Free book subscription included with an Amazon Prime account
• Local Libraries via Libby – free books through your local library

For more help getting started check out my guide to eBooks for beginners. It walks you through some of the popular formats and some of the big apps out there for reading and finding books.

How do I upload any PDF or EPUB to my Kindle?

1. Find and download a copy of the document or book you want to send to your Kindle on your phone. (It is easier to transfer from a phone instead of a computer.)
2. Open your download folder and click the share button. 
3. Select the Kindle app option. 
4. Then enter the title and author name before it is uploaded to your Kindle. 

What Accessories do I need for my Kindle?

You will need the basic accessories of a power adapter, a cover, and a screen protector. Remember that covers and screen protectors are model-specific. This page has an easy way to find accessories for your model.

Power Adapter

Each Kindle comes with a charging cable. Amazon stopped including the power adapters to make packaging smaller. I recommend getting a 9V power adapter. 

Wireless Charging Dock

For the Paperwhite Signature, make sure to get the Kindle-specific charging dock. It will have the charging coil correctly placed for optimum charge.

If you go for the wireless charging option, make sure your case is 4 mm or thinner so you can charge with the case attached.

Cover

I prefer the origami covers because they are sleek and lightweight, have the magnetic wake/sleep function, and have a stand. This is the exact case I have on my Kindle and I love it!

Screen Protector

Screen protectors are a must for all of the flush-front designs (all except the basic Kindle). This is a glare-free screen protector that keeps the matte reading experience while also giving you one extra layer of protection.

How to Secure Great Deals on Kindles

Do you have your model picked out but don’t want to break the bank? We’ve got you covered with three savvy strategies to make your Kindle purchase a pocket-friendly experience.

Amazon’s Bargain Days:

Kindles aren’t pocket change, so why not catch them during Amazon’s major sales events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday? These days are your golden ticket to scoring a Kindle at a price that won’t leave your wallet weeping.

Certified Refurbished Devices:

Amazon’s Certified Refurbished Amazon Devices are the unsung heroes of savings. Each device undergoes a meticulous check to ensure it’s in top-notch condition. Plus, with a solid 1-year limited warranty, you can trust you’re getting quality. Best part? These discounted Kindles are up for grabs all year round.

This page is hard to find on the Amazon website because they prefer consumers to but new and pay more.

Trade-In for Bonus Benefits:

Do you have an old Kindle collecting dust? Don’t toss it – trade it! The process is a breeze, offering you a gift card credit and a sweet 20% discount on your next Kindle. Even if your old one has seen better days, it’s still eligible for a trade-in, giving you a little extra in return. Check your trade-in value here and give your old companion a new purpose.

Time to start your Kindle Journey

Guess what? You made it through this 2023 Kindle Shopping Guide and now know everything you need to purchase the perfect eReader for you or a loved one. Take advantage of the upcoming Amazon sales with exclusive deals, and certified refurbished options, or give your old Kindle a new life with the trade-in program. 

Drop any questions in the comments you have. I’ll try my best to answer.

Merry Christmas and Happy Reading!