Shop TODAY is a team full of book lovers, no matter the genre. From romantasy to memoirs, political non-fiction to jaw-dropping thrillers, we never shy away from sharing a good book recommendation or visiting our local bookstores.
We're also a team full of travelers, which makes the Amazon Kindle the perfect device to make reading on-the-go a breeze — no matter if you're going on a road trip, an international flight or even just your daily morning commute.
There's multiple variations of the Kindle, from a children's version that allows parents to monitor screen time and establish settings, to the brand's first-ever color version that lets you annotate and highlight in color.
Why I tried the Kindle Paperwhite
Shortly after moving to New York, and per the recommendations of many co-workers, I bought a Kindle during Amazon Prime Day to make reading on-the-go easier. In high school I had owned a Nook, Barnes and Nobles' e-reader, yet it had served as more of a tablet than a reading device for me.
In my search for an e-reader, I was looking for something opposite of that. I wanted something that would have limited capabilities in terms of social media and app usage and instead be primarily a device for reading and downloading books.
Why I like the Kindle Paperwhite
Not only does the Kindle make it easier to travel with a stocked library of books, this version of the device has an adjustable warm light setting, which makes it easier on the eyes when winding down for bed or on a nighttime flight.
The screen is adjustable
"The glare-free screen is impressive, too," adds associate editor Shannon Garlin. "It has different modes for your preference, I love the nighttime mode for when I'm trying to go to sleep without too much light stimulation."
It fits in any bag with ease, including belt bags and the front pocket of my carry-on duffel bag. Plus, it lasts for multiple weeks at a time off a single charge, meaning you don't have to pack extra chargers when going on a trip, or worrying about having to charge it every night.
"It’s so lightweight and does exactly what I need it to — makes it easy to read on the go," says associate editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson, who also owns the Kindle Paperwhite. "I love to bring it with me on vacation because it doesn’t take up much room and I can read more than one book! Perfect for reading on the beach."
You can actually save money by using it
It's super easy to sync with other apps, such as Amazon Prime and Libby, even if it doesn't have full tablet capabilities.
"As someone who travels often, commutes to work regularly and lives in a small NYC apartment, the fact that it’s easy-to-handle on the go and that it saves me living space (my shelves are already too full!) have totally won me over," says partnerships associate editor Erica Marrison. "Plus, connecting it to the Libby app is going to save me a ton of money on books. Through Libby, I’m connected to my local library, so I can take books out as I please — pressure-free."
Plus, Kindle users (or those who have the Kindle app) can sign up for Kindle Unlimited, a virtual library that houses thousands of e-books, audiobooks and magazines that users have access to for $11.99 a month.
"If you’re an avid reader, Kindle Unlimited is very much worth the money," says Stewart-Jackson. "When I was devouring 10+ books a month, Kindle Unlimited was one of the most cost-effective tools I could’ve used (outside of my local library). With access to thousands of books (many of which are always trending on TikTok) at just $12 a month, it’s perfect for always staying up to date on the latest BookTok convos."
What to consider
After time, the long battery life shortens, meaning you have to charge it more often than before. Plus, the device itself becomes slower, leading to lags.
There are multiple versions of the Kindle, so the Paperwhite version might not be the best one for you. There's more basic versions, and more upgraded versions of the e-reader to explore below.
Other Amazon Kindles to consider
For young readers:
Parents can rest assured knowing their children are focused on reading with this tablet, not social media or gaming apps. With parental control settings that control time spent on the e-reader, it also comes complete with a subscription to Amazon Kids+, that offers a library full of kid-appropriate novels to choose from.
Another take on the classic version:
This Kindle features wireless charging, up to 12 weeks of battery life off a single charge and almost double the amount of storage compared to the regular Paperwhite Kindle.
New and improved:
The new and improved version of Kindle's Colorsoft device is worth the splurge. Have a big time bookworm on your list? They can have their entire library within reach no matter where they are — ad-free, and in full color.
For gifting purposes (or treating yourself):
This Kindle was one of Shop TODAY's Gifts We Love in 2024, due to the fact that it's a lightweight library that you can fit in any purse, duffel, carry-on or slip into a stroller pocket for reading at the park.
For the note taker:
This iteration of the well-loved device allows you to take notes in the margins of your favorite stories, highlight key takeaways in textbooks and can then summarize notes for you to look back on. If you're looking for a newer version of the Kindle Scribe, you don't have to wait long — a thinner, lighter version is launching on Dec. 10!
Popular Amazon Kindle books to shop
Freida McFadden has risen to popularity recently with her multiple mystery books that reviewers say are so good, that they’re pulling all-nighters to finish them.
Popularized on BookTok, Sarah J. Maas is also popular within the Shop TODAY team, with Garlin admitting that she’ll be shopping this popular series after finishing “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” also by Maas.
The Kindle version of this novel is currently less than $10; all you need to do is download it for an immediate read.
Have you yet to read the novel inspired by the Amazon TV series? Now you can for less than $9. The story follows Daisy Jones, and the rise and fall of a ‘70s rock group that meshes themes of love, heartbreak and family.
ICYMI: Tennis is having a moment right now. For a book that combines the love of the sport, romance and family dynamics, reach for this one from Taylor Jenkins Reid.
For those looking for a novel that combines sci-fi and romance, look no further than "Dark Matter,'' by Blake Crouch. As a novice sci-fi reader, I recently read this novel and found it easily digestible, thanks to the romance subplot and highly detailed chapters.
Why trust Shop TODAY
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers. In this case, our editors jumped at the chance to share why they love their Kindles and the reasons why they sometimes prefer an e-reader over a physical book.
Sierra Hoeger is an associate editor for Shop TODAY. She has been with the team for a little over two years, covering a wide range of topics including fitness and lifestyle, beauty, travel and more. She currently runs our Shop TODAY team’s book club and has read over 27 books already in 2024.
