Ereader Showdown: Amazon Kindles Comparison
Amazon has somehow managed to create four different models of its Kindle e-reader. Each of the four models has its own strengths and weaknesses, so if you are looking to purchase one or more advanced models, let’s take a look to make your purchasing decision easier.
Applicants
It’s no secret that Amazon has an e-book lock. The Kobo and Nook still exist, of course, but the Kindle dominates the e-book space. Here’s a quick overview of the four models available right now:
- Kindle : Amazon’s basic Kindle retails for $ 79.99. It’s almost the simplest e-reader you can get, which means it doesn’t have built-in backlighting and at 167 ppi, this Kindle has the lowest resolution available.
- Kindle Paperwhite : The Paperwhite is $ 119.99. It features four backlit LEDs and a 300 ppi screen.
- Kindle Voyage : The Voyage was Amazon’s first foray into the luxury Kindles and is priced at $ 199.99. It has six LEDs and an adaptive light sensor for backlighting, and an on-body touch sensor for switching pages.
- Kindle Oasis : The Oasis is the newest Kindle model at an insane $ 289.99. That $ 300 gets you a 10-LED powered backlight, hardware buttons to turn pages, and a charging cover that keeps your Kindle running for months on a single charge, not weeks.
All four models have access to the Amazon Kindle bookstore and use Amazon’s Whispersync technology to sync reading with the Kindle and Audible mobile apps. They each have 4GB of storage and the same software . They each have the same battery life, which usually lasts a few weeks, with the exception of the dedicated Oasis charging cover. All four models also require a one-time payment of $ 20 to get rid of the “specials” ads on the splash screen. The user interface is the same on all models, so only the hardware is really different.
Features of the model that distinguish each Kindle
You e-book readers would not think that you will find a lot of distinguishing features between the models, especially if they all belong to the same company. However, Amazon has figured out a way to make each of these models work on their own.
A basic Kindle is exactly what you think of when you think of an e-reader. It’s small, has an e-ink display, and has a touchscreen for flipping through pages, shopping at the Amazon store, and browsing your library. It is the only model with a 167 PPI screen, which means it is the worst of all screens.
The Paperwhite is essentially a regular Kindle with a better backlit display. The Paperwhite has a 300 ppi screen, the same as the Voyage and Oasis. It also features a four-LED backlit display. Nothing special about that, but the improved resolution and backlighting makes reading on the Paperwhite a much more enjoyable experience. Backlighting means you can read in dark areas without carrying a nasty reading lamp, and the improved resolution clears up text a bit.
Voyage is an improved Paperwhite. It has the same backlit display but houses six LEDs to provide a more even distribution of light across the display. This display features an adaptive ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness based on the light around you. Voyage also has a feature that Amazon calls “PagePress,” which allows you to flip through pages by touching the body instead of touching the screen.
The oasis here counteracts this trend a little. This is not exactly the best version of Oasis, it is a separate e-book. The Oasis has the same 300ppi screen as the Paperwhite and Voyage, but its 10 LED lights provide even illumination across the entire display, wherever you are. This display does not include the Voyage Adaptive Ambient Light Sensor, so you will have to manually adjust the brightness in direct or low light. Oasis also comes with the previously mentioned charging case. More importantly, the Oasis is the only Kindle with physical buttons for turning pages. It also has an orientation sensor, so you can flip the device over for easy left-handed or right-handed reading.
If you don’t have constant Wi-Fi access, Paperwhite , Voyage and Oasis are available in 3G options. The basic Kindle is only available as a Wi-Fi model. However, the 3G models are much more expensive: $ 189.99 for the Paperwhite, $ 289.99 for the Voyage, and $ 359.99 for the Oasis. If you don’t have Wi-Fi access at all, 3G models are probably not needed by most people.
The size and shape are mostly the same except for the Oasis.
In terms of looks, the Kindle, Paperwhite, and Voyage are relatively similar in design, size, and weight. The oasis is the only one that really looks different.
There are slight discrepancies between the models. For example, the basic Kindle weighs just 6.7 ounces, while the Paperwhite weighs 7.2 ounces. The Voyage has touch-sensitive buttons on the sides of the case for flipping through pages, it’s about 0.3 inches shorter than the other two, but overall it looks pretty much the same as the Paperwhite at first glance. All three are fairly lightweight, easy to hold with one hand, and fit easily into small bags. Heck, they’re small enough for you to tuck one into the back pocket of a pair of jeans if you need to.
The oasis here is a strange duck. First, it comes with its own magnetic leather charger. It’s removable, but it’s also packed with the reader itself, so you get it whether you want it or not. Without the case, it is slightly lighter than the other Kindles at 4.6 ounces. At 5.6 inches tall, the Oasis is nearly a full inch shorter than the others. The Oasis tapers at the sides to make it easier to grip with one hand, and is the only Kindle with physical buttons on the side for flipping through pages. No case. The Oasis is ultralight, which means it’s a little easier to hold, but none of the Kindles are heavy or bulky.
Verdict: Paperwhite is a model for everyone, Oasis is good for wealthy people
For most people, the Kindle Paperwhite is the perfect combination of a reasonable price and useful features. The backlight is a big improvement over the basic Kindle and makes reading much more enjoyable. Screen resolution is a big improvement and is well worth the extra cost for the Paperwhite over the base Kindle. Wirecutter recommends this , as does CNET , PC Mag, and TechRadar . If the $ 120 price tag is a little overpriced, you can usually find it refurbished or used for a lower price.
But we cannot say the same about Voyage or Oasis. These are luxurious Kindles at luxurious prices. That doesn’t mean they aren’t great, but it’s hard to justify the price tag if you don’t have money falling out of your pocket.
If the money hadn’t gone up, our friends at Gizmodo say the Oasis is the best e-book available right now, but they also point out that it’s odd that the Oasis doesn’t include the Voyage ambient light sensor. Conversely, Voyage (which Gizmodo also named the best e-book at the time ) almost doesn’t justify the price when compared to the Paperwhite. The ambient light sensor is a great addition if you are reading in different places, but it doesn’t cost the extra $ 80. Likewise, the haptic feedback on the case is comfortable, but it doesn’t work as well as it should, and that’s not just in the sense that you can also just slide your finger half an inch to touch the screen.
With that said, both Voyage and Oasis are luxury Kindles, but worth buying right now. Oasis wins easily here, with recommendations from PC Mag , Gizmodo , Time, and Wired . So, if you are looking to spend an absurd amount on an e-book, choose Oasis over Voyage.
For the rest of us, Paperwhite is the clear winner.