Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Kindle Paperwhite

$129.99

The Kindle Paperwhite is a popular e-reader from Amazon, featuring a glare-free display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Its adjustable backlight allows for comfortable reading day and night.

Our take

Perfect for bookworms who love tech.

Alright, so let's talk about the Kindle Paperwhite. This thing is kind of like a magic book that can fit in your bag, and if you're a bookworm, that's a big deal. The screen is a huge win because it feels almost like reading off paper, which is pretty wild for a digital device. You can take it outside, and no, the sun won't turn it into a mirror. Trust me, reading in the sun with no glare is a game changer. It's like having a lightweight library in your hands, which is both cool and a bit overwhelming because of the choices.

Now, the battery life is something to write home about. We're talking weeks without needing to charge it, folks. That's right, weeks. It’s like it runs on magic or something. But here's me being skeptical: the charging cable is still micro-USB, which feels a bit like using a VCR in the age of streaming. Why not USB-C? It’s 2023, and most other devices have moved on. It's not a dealbreaker, but it feels like they’re a bit behind the curve on that one.

The design is pretty sleek—minimalist, if you like that sort of thing. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. The screen is flush with the bezel, which is nice because it makes swiping pages feel smooth. No more accidental page flips because your thumb brushed the edge. However, if you're used to reading in the bath or by the pool, the waterproof feature is reassuring. You won’t ruin it with a splash, but I’d still be careful. It’s water-resistant, not invincible.

The storage capacity is solid, letting you pack a ton of books. The Kindle store is right there, making it dangerously easy to buy books on a whim. But, heads up, not all formats are Kindle-friendly. If you have a bunch of epub files, you'll need to convert them, which can be a hassle. It’s a bit of a pain that Amazon tries to keep you in their little ecosystem, but if you mostly buy from them anyway, it’s no biggie.

Overall, the Kindle Paperwhite is a pretty handy gadget if you’re an avid reader. It’s not perfect, but it’s close if you’re looking for something that mimics the feel of real books while packing in a lot more convenience. If you can live with the quirks—like the charging port and file format issues—it’s a solid investment for your reading life. So, if you’re tired of lugging books around or running out of shelf space, this might just be your new best friend.

Free with premium options

Free with In-App Purchases