Kindle, kindle paper white or kindle fire?

[surlycurly]

I'm away on a holiday that will
Include a lot of travelling and I don't have much room in my luggage for books. I had a kindle years ago and decided to look for a new one and I'm baffled. Lots of choice and a huge variety in price. I don't have a huge budget and mainly just want it to read. Although having the fire might be good for internet access to watch movies etc. I'd love to hear some opinions please (and yes I love books the best but I simply can't carry them).

Everyone on here hates them but my Kindle Fire has been a revelation, as I use it with with Libby to access free library ebooks. Haven't paid for a book in years now. The screen can be a bit annoying when it's bright sunshine but switching between black text/white page and white text/black page helps. If you go for a normal kindle make sure it's back lit so you can read at night without disturbing anyone.

Thank you- that's really helpful. I know it sounds daft but can you access emails etc with it? Just in case I lose my phone etc!!!

Yes it's basically a tablet so will work with WiFi as a browser, with other apps etc. Get the best spec you can afford though as they're quite slow (DD has a newer one and it's noticeably quicker). I think there is an Amazon Prime Day coming up soon in July when all kindles are likely to be half price or heavily discounted.

If it is for reading and you already have a phone, not a Fire because of screen glare. It’s a basic tablet - bigger screen but akin to reading on an iPad or phone.
the main difference between the paperwhite and normal is that the paperwhite has a very subtle gentle backlight that enables reading in the dark. I really value that for times I have insomnia. If you’re only going to read in the daytime a normal kindle would work fine

Just get the kindle app on your phone. That's what I do these days. I've also joined the library and have the app for their ebooks and their audio books.

If you want a (pretty basic and limiting) tablet that you use for reading then go for a fire. However, if it is really for reading then a paper white every time. No glare, but a wonderful glow so that you can read at night or comfortably in the sun etc.

I have both. I like to lie on my stomach to read in bed so the Fire is fine for that. I have a paperwhite for travelling and post surgery as you can hold it much more easily because it is so light.

Paperwhite has been a game changer for me. I travel a lot and just load it up with books. You can get books free from your local library. At the moment we have Kindle Unlimited (shared with DD) so we are getting loads of books free of charge. I keep a list on amazon of books I want and wait for them to come down in price. I fits in even a small handbag.

Kobo, then you can borrow epub books from the library

I have two. A standard (and really cheap) kindle for by the pool in case it gets nicked. A paper white for reading at home at night so that I don’t disturb anyone.

Kindle Paperwhite all the way for me. Reading it outside in the sun is a game changer as my phone/tablet never gets bright enough (I'm presuming because the kindle is backlit). Reading it in bed is a joy and it's light to hold.

I HATED the Fire tablet and was secretly delighted when my youngest dropped it and smashed the screen after 2.5 years of misery. I then promptly went back to a Samsung tablet. I'm sure the Fire tablet is great for some people, it was too locked down for our needs.

Kindle paperwhite, for reading in the bath.

This ^^

The paperwhite is a game changer. I like to read in bed, but don't want to keep DH awake. It is light and easier to hold than a book, you can change the brightness and font size, you can read it in daylight as there is no glare and the battery lasts for ages (much much longer than on a Kindle Fire).

I have a paper white, soon to get the paper white signature, and I absolutely adore it. Kindle fire is limiting if you’re considering it as a tablet, it’s cumbersome and heavier than a paper white. The battery on a paper white will last weeks and is perfect for reading at night due to the adjustable backlight. I hold my kindle with one hand to read and a fire would be too heavy for that, it’s also not as nice an experience reading on a fire.

I have my phone to watch videos if needs be or access the web, a fire would just be a slightly larger screen but much more limiting.

I think the Kindle Fire is a bit 'jack of all trades, master of none' as in it's a pretty crap tablet that's not great as an ereader either. But it might be useful as a second device in case something happens to your phone, but I usually plan for that by having printouts of key documents (boarding passes, accommodation details, travel insurance etc).

But if you just want something to read, even the cheapest Kindle now has a light or the Paperwhite version is waterproof which is good if you read in the bath, at the spa, or on the beach and you want to be able to rinse the sand off.

I've looked at the more expensive ones with extra features and not thought them worth the extra. To me, the value is in the simplicity and the more basic ones being good at their main purpose, reading. Plus the long battery life.

If you don't want to spend a lot, you could look for a second hand one on ebay or wait for one of Amazon's regular 'deal days'.

I always get books on 99 p deals, so the cost of books isn't really a consideration for me.

I used to have a Fire but it wasn't great either as an ereader or a tablet. I now have a paperwhite and love it. The battery life is great, especially if you put it on flight mode when you aren't downloading.

I also only really buy books on offer at 99p but may lash out 1.99 if it's really good. There are some really good buys over a range of genres ad I struggle to keep my not read yet list below 30.

The basic Kindle is absolutely great. I have one that I bought about 3 years ago, it's wonderful.

Personally I think the Paperwhite is a bit of a rip off - you won't notice the slight difference in resolution and unless you're planning on dropping your Kindle in the bath, it's pretty pointless. And the light on the normal Kindle is perfectly good and adjustable.

Considering Paperwhite is almost double the price it's just not worth it at all.

I also have a Kindle Fire but I never use it - it's a bit of a weird hybrid - there are much better tablets out there and also much better e-readers.

So yes - basic Kindle all the way!

I agree with all of this - but the basic Kindle does it all for around half the price of the Paperwhite. Paperwhite really doesn't bring much else to the table.

Sometimes the Paperwhite is on offer for barely any more than the most basic Kindle and it being waterproof so I can read it while in a hot tub at the spa makes it worth it for me.

I have a basic kindle and love it. I researched kindles last year, because like you, It’s couldn’t work out what was best to get. From what I could see, there wasn’t enough enough benefit (to me) to pay extra for the paper white. I spent some time reading comparison reviews. The basic kindle is backlit and does everything I want it to do.

I prefer the larger size of the paper white and also the warm light as find it easier when reading at night. Some people aren’t too bothered by that but it’s worth noting for anyone trying to choose between them.

Paperwhite everytime. For reading they are fantastic. So much better than a phone.

I love my paperwhite!

Ah I didn't realise it had a warmer light, I guess that might be good, although that and extra 0.8" is still not worth an extra £75 to me.

I've never found the light on my Kindle uncomfortable, even in a dark room, as the brightness is fully adjustable. I often read when my partner is sleeping.

People often seem to think the basic Kindle isn't as good so they buy the Paperwhite, but really it's very similar in terms of both reading experience and battery life. I'd always recommend it unless you are desperate for one of the very few specific features that the Paperwhite has.