It's been over 11 years since the original Amazon Kindle e-reader was launched. Each new generation brings new features and a better experience for e-book lovers.
ContentsShared FeaturesKindle Oasis 2019 EditionKindle Oasis 2017 EditionKindle PaperwhiteKindle Base ModelKindle Voyage (Now Discontinued)Which Kindle is Best?If you're looking to buy a new Kindle, you're spoiled for choice. From the base model Kindle to the Kindle Oasis, which is better? This comparison will help you make a more informed decision.
Buying a Kindle means buying into the Amazon Kindle ecosystem. Whichever model of Kindle you choose, you have access to millions of ebooks on the Kindle Store.
All models have Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you can download your ebooks wherever you are connected. The 2019 Edition Kindles also offer Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect to headphones and speakers to listen to Audible audiobooks.
You can also choose to purchase one of these discounted Kindle models by choosing to purchase the "Special Offers" edition of your Kindle model. For a lower price, you accept an advertisement on your Kindle screen as soon as it is locked. It's a small concession, and you won't see any ads while you read.
Amazon Prime subscribers can also take advantage of the Kindle Lending Library, where you can "borrow" one ebook per month.
Premium is the buzzword for the best and most expensive Kindle model – the Kindle Oasis. Pair an Oasis with the "fitted covers" provided by Amazon and you have an e-book reader that starts to look more like a traditional book.
There isn't much of a difference between the 2017 edition and the 2019 Oasis edition, with the display proving to be the most obvious upgrade. The 2019 Kindle Oasis, as mentioned, comes with the new “Paperwhite” screen, but the 2017 edition still has a 7-inch screen with 300 PPI resolution.
The older Oasis doesn't have the warm light sensor, but otherwise they're the same size and design. Most of the features that make the 2019 Oasis a good buy are in the 2017 edition if you can buy it at a discount.
The Kindle Paperwhite sits like the mid-range Kindle. It's not as premium as a Kindle Oasis, but it offers more for e-book lovers than the base Kindle model down below.
It has a display resolution of 300 PPI and is anti-glare like the Oasis. The screen is slightly smaller than the Oasis at 6 inches (versus seven for the Oasis). It's waterproof, has five backlight LEDs, and comes with either 8GB or 32GB storage.
You can also pair the Paperwhite with a Bluetooth speaker or headset to give you access to audiobooks through Audible, owned by Amazon. It is also the first Kindle model with a 4G compatible edition available.
The base model Allumer has changed since its launch 11 years ago. Ditching the keyboard in 2011, the Kindle has gained more features while decreasing in size and weight ever since. The latest version of this Kindle was launched in 2019.
It's the most basic model for a reason – it offers a smaller 6-inch screen and a lower resolution of 167 PPI, compared to more advanced models. Older Kindles do not have a backlight, but the new 2019 edition of the basic Kindle now includes a backlight with 4 LEDs.
Amazon rates the base Kindle with "weeks" of battery life. Like the rest of the Kindle models, you can also connect to a Bluetooth speaker to enjoy Audible e-books. However, this is only available on the 2019 edition.
The Kindle Voyage sits as a premium Kindle model. Thinner than the Paperwhite and with an overall more premium design, the Voyage competed directly with the Kindle Oasis and was eventually discontinued in the summer of 2018.
However, it is still available for sale on Amazon as "Certified Refurbished" for the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite.
As mentioned, the Voyage is a lighter and thinner version of the Paperwhite. It has a screen size and resolution that matches the Paperwhite. The Voyage has a higher quality glass screen, compared to the plastic used on the Paperwhite.
It has LED lighting, but uses six LEDs instead of four and includes an adaptive sensor to change your lighting to suit your environment. The Voyage also includes haptic feedback controls on the side called PagePress, which vibrate slightly when pressed to move to the next page.
Although discontinued, the premium finish makes a refurbished Voyage a good alternative to the current Paperwhite.
Each Kindle model is aimed at a specific audience. The Kindle Oasis is a deluxe model with the most advanced features (and the highest price), while the base model Kindle is a simple, clean e-reader for everyday use. The Paperwhite falls in the middle and might be the best compromise between features and price.
Remember, if you're looking for an e-reader but want to avoid buying from the Amazon ecosystem, there are some great Kindle alternatives you can choose to buy instead.
Image credit:Origami Portrait, Kindle Oasis, Kindle Oasis 2019
