Basic Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite?

Same here but they are pricey!

I have both (both 11 gen). I would not bother with a paper white. I prefer the smaller size of the basic and don’t really use any of the paper white features that make the additional cost worthwhile.

Thank you! I had no idea, my OH has always bought my Kindles as gifts, which is very thoughtful. But he's not a reader, so would never think about reading in sunlight.

I have the basic and I love it but if I was going to buy another one I’d go for a colour one. I find it hard to recognise the covers of books I’ve seen in the book shop in the kindle store as they’re all black and white on the normal one and that annoys me, but maybe that’s just me!

The only Kindles you can’t use in bright sunlight are the Kindle Fire models, because the Fire is actually a tablet rather than an e-reader.

All the other models are designed to be used in the same conditions you’d read an ordinary book in, including bright sunlight. The screen and lighting aren’t anything like a tablet.

The basic Kindle is much bigger than a phone, and it's big enough. I have an older paperwhite that's the same size as the basic Kindles and it's great. You can adjust the text size, spacing, lighting brightness - I have mine fairly dim so it looks like normal paper in the daytime but I can read at night.

The main advantage of paperwhites is that they're waterproof, I use mine at the spa and beach a lot so don't have to worry about it getting wet.

Don't worry about more storage or longer battery life, both are plenty on even the basic model. Although you might find that the discount on the paperwhite is much bigger, closing the gap in price quite a lot.

The models have converged a lot over the years. Both have lighting built in now, and both are the same resolution but the Paperwhite also has warm lighting and waterproofing. Other than the size they’re the only differences. I just went for a Paperwhite because of the waterproofing but I prefer the size of the original and if that were waterproof or I didn’t have a young child who might splash it on holidays I would have got that. It replaced my 2011 Kindle which didn’t have any lighting and I was also able to read in the sun with that as well.

When I was buying I watched a lot of YouTube comparisons and seeing them next to each other useful.

Go into Currys and hold them both before you buy one so you can feel the difference.
I have a paper white and love it. Not had a standard one for many years.

Paper white works well on the beach regardless of the brightness of sun, works well at night and doesn't need another light.

I have a pop socket on the back so can use easily with one hand or can prop it up with no hands

I adore my paperwhite. I have used a basic Kindle for a bit and it was fine but I prefer the adjustable backlight colour of the paperwhite. If you've got small hands then the basic Kindle might suit you a bit better.

Love my Paperwhite. This weekend I was reading in the pool in 38C heat and bright sunshine so no problem reading in any level of light. I use a book type cover and still don't find it bulky (less bulk than a paperback).

I have one of the newer front lighted paperwhites. 7" so bigger than my old paperweight but ok with one hand in bed. Adjustable brightness but also you can to e down to warmer colour of light. I live it

Love my Paperwhite. Feels like reading paper to me. Love that it's waterproof because I like to read in the bath. And the matte screen is great in sunlight. Depends where you're likely to read it, I suppose!

I have a paper white. It fits in my back jean pocket. Love it. Many books are bigger and heavier. So it’s not that hard to hold.

I have a paper white signature edition which has the auto adjust backlight. I absolutely love it but I read a lot, if I didn't read so much I would probably go for a basic as it does feel nicer to hold.

Loved my basic kindle - it died recently and I was generously gifted a paper white recently .

apart from being a bit bigger I really can’t see the difference between them but I know the paper white is much much more expensive.

have used both indoors and out doors in the sun and in the dark at night.

if I had to replace again today - I personally would but the basic kindle as can’t see what all the extra Money is buying.

checkout the kids ones too as previously I bought a kids kindle - it was identical to a normal kindle but had a 2 year rather than 1 year guarantee. Also kids unlimited for a year for free.

Another vote for paper white, totally worth it if you are going to read outside in the sun. I take mine on holiday and it's waterproof so I don't need to worry about it getting splashed around the pool. It doesn't feel big at all. I've had mine 5 years and it's still going strong.

I love my paperwhite. Used to have a basic one but wouldn't go back to it.

Consider a kobo too. You can get books from the library (and buy). I haven’t bought a book for ages!

I have a PW and I love it. I spent extra for the signature edition (wireless charging + more storage. I read manga/comics as well which take up more room than regular books). It's a good size and isn't heavy. I have a popsocket on the back to make holding it with one hand easier. I got it 3 years ago and it's still going strong and the battery is still good.

I'm not sure if the Basic is water resistant, but the PW I have is so it's nice to have the option to use it while in the bath. I'd rather drop my Kindle in vs my phone as it's a lot cheaper to replace if the water resistance fails.

Amazon should have a comparison chart, so use that to see the difference in features and weigh up if you think the PW is worth the higher cost.

How is the PW different if they both have back lights? I was given mine so didn't have this dilemma.

I've had both and prefer the basic. They have backlights too so you can read in the dark with them.

It feels very different to holding my phone as it's a lot wider despite being the same height.

It’s a lovely size. I read on my phone before my Kindle and it’s not like that at all.

Could you manage a trip to JL or something to hold both?

Or if you can, order both and see what size you prefer then return the other.

The paperwhite is great for reading in bed and does not keep any other person in the room awake with its light

I have the basic. It has the backlight on it which is great for reading at bedtime. The screen size is perfect, much bigger than my phone, but not too big to slip into my handbag.