Find out which 2026 Kindle matches your reading style (and your TBR)

Picture the scene. It's 11pm, you've got one more chapter to go (sure), and your phone is balanced on the edge of the bath at a deeply worrying angle because your paperback went for a swim last time. Babe, it might be time for an e-reader. Or an upgrade.

Good timing, then, because Amazon has just refreshed its whole Kindle family. There are six new models, a new range of colours, aluminium backs and a remote you can use to turn the page without taking your hands out of the duvet. That's a lot to choose from, so we've done the reading so you can get on with yours.

Below, we've broken down every new Kindle, plus a couple of older models that are still well worth a look if you'd rather spend the difference on actual books. Get comfy. Bath optional.

(A quick heads up, ladies: this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.)

The quick version (for the skim readers)

Need to get back to that final chapter, fast? Here's the cheat sheet:

• Best starter e-reader and small-bag compatible: Kindle
• Best all-rounder: Kindle Paperwhite
• Best for treating yourself: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
• Best for cover lovers, illustrations and annotations: Kindle Colorsoft
• Best for ultimate-treat-yourself readers: Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
• Best value from the previous generation: Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

The new Kindles

Kindle

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The cutest new addition and the perfect place to start if you're new to e-readers. Amazon is calling this the most pocket-sized Kindle it's ever made, with a new flush-front screen that runs edge to edge, so it looks much sleeker than older versions. Books open around 30% faster too, which matters more than you'd think when you're mid-commute and need to know what happens next before your stop.

It doesn't have warm light or the bigger screen of the Paperwhite, but if you mainly read on the go and want something that disappears into your tote, this is your girl. It also comes in Ube, a gorgeous lilac-purple, which will complement anyone firmly in their burgundy era (IYKYK).

At a glance:

• Screen: 6-inch, black and white, 300 ppi
• Storage: 16GB
• Battery: Up to 6 weeks
• Warm light: No
• Waterproof: No
• Colours: Ube, Graphite
• Price: £134.99 / $149.99
• Available: now

Perfect for: Commuters, handbag only girlies and first-time e-reader owners.

Kindle with Aluminium Back

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The same pocket-sized Kindle, wearing its out-out top. You get double the storage (so room for even more impulse 99p deals) and a matte, 80% recycled aluminium back in Alpine Sky or Seaglass Green. It's the same reading experience, just a bit more polished, so it comes down to whether you want the extra space and that premium feel (or just a colour that matches your mood.)

At a glance:

• Screen: 6-inch, black and white, 300 ppi
• Storage: 32GB
• Battery: Up to 6 weeks
• Warm light: No
• Waterproof: No
• Colours: Alpine Sky, Seaglass Green
• Price: £169.99 / $189.99

Perfect for: Anyone who wants a smaller Kindle but likes a more premium feel and colour options.

Kindle Paperwhite

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The Paperwhite has been Amazon’s bestselling Kindle model for a reason, and now there’s even more reasons it deserves a place in your tote or backpack. It now has the biggest screen a Paperwhite has ever had, Amazon's highest contrast yet (think deep blacks and crisp text), and it's thinner and lighter than the last version.

Crucially, it's waterproof, so bath reading, pool reading and "accidentally dropped it in the sink when the MMC growled" reading are all covered. Add adjustable warm light for late-night reading and up to 12 weeks of battery, and you've got a Kindle that can come on holiday and help you finally make a dent in your TBR, even if you forget the charger.

At a glance:

• Screen: 7-inch, black and white
• Storage: 16GB
• Battery: Up to 12 weeks
• Warm light: Yes, adjustable
• Waterproof: Yes
• Colours: Graphite
• Price: £184.99 / $199.99
• Available: Preorder now, shipping from November 11 2026

Perfect for: Bath readers, Reading Retreat regulars… pretty much everyone if the price is right. 

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

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The Paperwhite, but with main character energy. You get 32GB of storage, an aluminium back, a front light that adjusts itself to your surroundings (no more blinding yourself when the bedroom lights go off) and a new double-tap to turn the page. It also charges on a dock, so it can sit looking pretty on your bedside table between chapters, in either Graphite or Seaglass Green.

None of these extras are essential, but all of them are lovely. If you read multiple times a day, every single day, it gets very easy to justify (and trust us, we have.)

At a glance:

• Screen: 7-inch, black and white
• Storage: 32GB
• Battery: Up to 12 weeks
• Warm light: Yes, auto-adjusting
• Waterproof: Yes
• Extras: Double-tap page turns, dock charging (dock sold separately)
• Colours: Graphite, Seaglass Green
• Price: £229.99 / $249.99
• Available: preorder now, shipping from November 11 2026.

Perfect for: Daily readers who've earned a little luxury (that's you!)

Kindle Colorsoft

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Here's where things get serious for cover lovers, fantasy girlies and quote-highlight queens. The Colorsoft has a completely redesigned colour screen that Amazon says is paper-like and easy on the eyes, without the harsh glare of a tablet. That means you can enjoy the covers you fell in love with on the grid, get immersed in fantasy maps and imagery, try graphic novels and manga and colour-code your highlights (yes, really).

In black and white it's just as sharp as the Paperwhite, it's waterproof and it has warm light, so it does everything the Paperwhite does with a new world of colour on top. The trade-off is battery life, which is shorter, though eight weeks is still more than enough for most of us to make it through a full re-read of the Maasiverse… maybe.

At a glance:

• Screen: 7-inch, colour (300 ppi in black and white, 150 ppi in colour)
• Storage: 16GB
• Battery: Up to 8 weeks
• Warm light: Yes, adjustable
• Waterproof: Yes
• Colours: Graphite
• Price: £259.99 / $289.99
• Available: Preorder now, shipping from November 11 2026

Perfect for: Cover lovers, fantasy and romantasy fans, comic and manga readers, and the highlighter-happy annotators.

Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition

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The top of the range. It's the Colorsoft with all the Signature extras: 32GB of storage, an auto-adjusting front light, double-tap page turns, dock charging and an aluminium back. It also comes in Fig, a deep berry shade making its e-reader debut, which might just be the chicest Kindle colour ever.

At a glance:

• Screen: 7-inch, colour
• Storage: 32GB
• Battery: Up to 8 weeks
• Warm light: Yes, auto-adjusting
• Waterproof: Yes
• Extras: Double-tap page turns, dock charging (dock sold separately)
• Colours: Graphite, Fig
• Price: £289.99 / $319.99
• Available: Preorder now, shipping from November 11

Perfect for: The book girlie who wants it all, and wants it in Fig.

Kids editions and Kindle accessories

Raising a little bookworm? There are now Kids versions of the Kindle, Paperwhite and Colorsoft, starting from £159.99. Each comes with a kid-friendly cover and 12 months of Amazon Kids+ included.

And for the accessory girlies:

• Kindle Click (£31.99 / $34.99): A little Bluetooth remote that turns the page for you. It works with 2024 models onwards and is a game-changer for reading under a blanket or holding a cup of tea.
• Page-Turn Cover (£74.99 / $79.99): A magnetic cover with physical page-turn buttons, for the Signature Editions only.
• Charging Dock (£37.99 / $39.99): The handy charging dock for the Signature Editions.

And whichever Kindle you go for, a few e-reader stickers will stop it looking like everyone else's on the sun loungers - you'll find one to fit your mood and your TBR vibe over at the Ladies Who Lit shop.

Should you buy last year's Kindle model instead?

Here's the thing: a new Kindle launch is often the best time to pick up an older one. Last year's models are still brilliant, and if the price drops, you've basically funded your next three book hauls.

Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

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The previous Paperwhite was already a 7-inch, waterproof, warm-lit dream with up to 12 weeks of battery. The new one is thinner, lighter and has better contrast, but unless you're reading side by side, you won’t sweat the difference. If you can find this one discounted, it's the best-value Kindle around.

At a glance:

• Screen: 7-inch, black and white, 300 ppi
• Storage: 16GB
• Battery: Up to 12 weeks
• Warm light: Yes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Price: £199.99 / $199.99

Perfect for: Readers who want an upgrade but also want to spend the difference on books.

Kindle Colorsoft (2024)

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The original Colorsoft brought colour to the Kindle family for the first time, and it's still a lovely reader. It's worth knowing that some early owners reported a yellowish tint at the bottom of the screen, which Amazon addressed with updates. The new version's redesigned screen is a real step up, so we'd only go for this one if the discount is a good one.

At a glance:

• Screen: 7-inch, colour
• Storage: 16GB
• Battery: up to 8 weeks
• Warm light: Yes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Price: £144.99

Perfect for: Colour-curious readers who want a bargain.

So, which Kindle is right for you?

Still torn? Ask yourself these questions.

Do you read in the bath, by the pool or on the beach?

Go Paperwhite or Colorsoft. Both are waterproof, so splashes and sunscreen fingers are no big deal.

Do you love a gorgeous cover, graphic novel or illustrated book?

It's the Colorsoft, no question. Black and white might not do those incredible fantasy maps and illustrations justice.

Is it mostly going in your handbag?

The 6-inch Kindle is tiny, light and happy to come everywhere with you.

Do you read late at night?

Warm light is your friend, so look at the Paperwhite or Colorsoft. If you hate fiddling with settings, the Signature Editions adjust themselves.

Is the Signature Edition worth the extra?

If you read daily, probably yes. Auto-adjusting light and double-tap page turns are small things that add up. If you're a holiday-only reader, maybe save your money for your beach read haul.

On a budget?

Keep an eye on last year's Paperwhite. It's still one of the best e-readers you can buy.

Our verdict

For most readers, the new Kindle Paperwhite is the sweet spot. It's big enough, bright enough, waterproof and lasts for weeks on a single charge. If you want something extra special, the Colorsoft Signature Edition in Fig is the one we'll be adding to our wishlists.

Whichever you choose, the most important thing is what you read on it. Need some ideas to fill your new Kindle? Take a look at our 8 books to get you back into reading or find your next read with how to choose books that match your mood.

Happy reading, ladies - hope to catch you and your new Kindle on a Reading Retreat soon!