eReaders Throughout the Years: Kindle Paperwhite

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If you are new to this series of posts you can check out my original post here, my Kindle Fire review
here, and my Kindle Oasis review here. Today I am going to be talking about  my current eReader, the ever popular Kindle Paperwhite. And this review is coming just in time for Amazon Prime Day where there are sure to be deals on the device

This model is Amazon's best selling Kindle and I was originally skeptical to try it out. When I was originally shopping around for a Kindle, and selected the Oasis, the Paperwhite was not waterproof and had few features that made it stand out. It was a solid device for sure, but nothing spectacular. But with the unveiling of the 2019 edition my interest was piqued. There were new features that made it competitive and I was more than a little excited to receive one for Christmas. 

From Amazon.com

This device is now waterproof! You no longer have to spend the extra to purchase an Oasis to get a
waterproof Kindle. I have accidentally dipped this in both bath water and pool water with no consequences as well as had my dog drool on it. It was fine in all scenarios. Though do be careful because I have noticed water droplets can turn the page of your book, which is not terrible but can be annoying. 

If you have sensitive wrists or are an arthritis sufferer, I would definitely recommend the Paperwhite over the Oasis. According to the weights listed on Amazon's website the weight of a Paperwhite is 6.4 ounces while the Oasis is 6.6 ounces. These seems completely negligible. So slight you shouldn't notice it. However, that does not seem to be the case. Multiple reviews for the Oasis point to fatigue after holding for any length of time. Despite its ergonomic shape, it is tiring to hold. I do not suffer from arthritis but even I noticed this. I have never had this issue with my Paperwhite and find it quite comfortable to hold unsupported for greater lengths of time. The extra inch of screen space on the Oasis also does not really affect my reading experience. The resolution is the same between the two devices at 300 ppi. 

Battery life is not fantastic but it is better than what I was experiencing on my Oasis. I read thick books. Most of the books I read range from 500 to 1200 pages. When reading on my Oasis I typically have to charge halfway through a 600 page book. This is not terrible, but it was annoying and I was frequently having to charge daily and take breaks from reading for that purpose. With daily use and reading larger books, my Paperwhite lasts about a book and a half or 1-2 weeks without needing a charge. This does dip down to about 3-4 days when I am reading quite a lot, such as when on vacation, but even then this is a vast improvement. Charging on both devices is not a drawn out procedure and is usually done within an hour.

A winning feature of this Kindle over the more expensive Oasis is the rubber backing. While this might
not be as sleek as the metal of the Oasis, it is grippier by far. In the ten months that I have had this device I cannot remember a time of it slipping out of my hands. Nor do I hate picking it up in cold weather. Despite its grippy softness, the back is actually pretty durable. I have only scratched it once with a freshly cut key. I was initially devastated, thinking I had completely ruined it, but with running my thumb back and forth over the scratch it quickly smoothed out and nearly vanished. And if you are a fan of customizing your devices, Amazon has added more colors to choose from compared to previous generations. Now you can choose from black, plum, sage, and
twilight blue. Mine is blue.

From Amazon.com

The Paperwhite is also fairly affordable. It's regular price for 8GB capacity, ads turned on, and WIFI connectivity is $129.99. Plus there are often sales (such as Prime Day) that bring the price down even farther. Turning off the ads, increasing your storage, and opting for cellular connectivity will bring your price up to $249.99 but that is entirely up to your needs. I have hundreds of books and audiobooks stored on 8GB with no issues and have not had any issues with only being able to connect to WIFI. If you're curious about the ads, check out my Oasis review here.

Now the one minor complaint I have in regards to the design of this device is something I have seen
echoed in numerous other reviews: the position of the power button. Rather than being placed along the top or side it is on the bottom right next to the charging port. This seems like nothing until you attempt to rest your Kindle on something. Then you have accidentally locked or powered off your device. I have grown accustomed to it and know now not to set it down that way, but it was annoying at first.

So in short, the Paperwhite is made of cheaper materials. Which is not a bad thing. It is why it is so light and portable. Throwing this in my purse is no hassle and certainly is not going to hurt my back. It is a sturdy, reliable device that I highly recommend for anyone looking for an eReader. In my opinion it is the best option for those that are looking for a dedicated eReader that has all of the desired features while also being economical. I certainly love mine.

Happy reading!