The Kindle Paperwhite has been refreshed for 2026 — is it still a good buy?

The Paperwhite sits in the middle of Amazon's Kindle e-reader range, and it's one of the many models to have have been blessed with a 2026 upgrade.

This is the Kindle I'd probably recommend to most people.

For me, it's worth the extra spend compared to the classic, 6-inch Kindle , thanks to upgrades like a larger screen, waterproofing, and the option to change the color temperature on the backlight.

Pricier models offer more advanced features, but they're more niche and won't be necessary for many readers.

If you're thinking of buying a Kindle Paperwhite, you've come to the right place.

Below, you'll find everything you need to know to figure out if this is the best e-reader for you.

I'll cover exactly what's been upgraded from the the previous, 2024 version, and where the strengths and weaknesses are compared to the other options in the Kindle lineup.

I'll also round up all the different iterations of the Paperwhite, so you can browse your options and see their current prices.

Let's get started...

Kindle Paperwhite — overview The model up from the classic Kindle is the Kindle Paperwhite.

It's still a black-and-white Kindle, but it has a larger screen (7-inches diagonally), and offers several features that are absent from the base model, namely IPX8 waterproofing — which is enough to survive in 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes — and the option to switch between warm or cool backlight options.

A warm backlight might be a more soothing option if you regularly read on your Kindle when trying to wind down to sleep at night.

You can choose between versions with or without homepage adverts.

In the US lineup there are also Signature versions.