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The Kindle Experience
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All the Books You Love
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Kindle Owners' Lending Library
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Features
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Featured Accessories
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Technical Details
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| Kindle E-reader Family | Kindle Fire Family | ||||||||||||
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| Kindle Paperwhite 3G | Kindle Paperwhite | Kindle | Kindle Keyboard 3G | Kindle DX | Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G | Kindle Fire HD 8.9" | Kindle Fire HD | Kindle Fire | |||||
| $179.00 | $119.00 | $69.00 | $139.00 | $379.00 | $499.00 | $299.00 | $199.00 | $159.00 | |||||
| Screen Size | 6" | 6" | 6" | 9.7" | 8.9" | 7" | 7" | ||||||
| Display Technology | Paperwhite Built-in light | E Ink Pearl | E Ink Pearl | E Ink Pearl | HD LCD | HD LCD | LCD | ||||||
| Resolution/Pixel Density | 212 PPI | 167 PPI | 167 PPI | 150 PPI | 1920x1200, up to 1080p HD |
1280x800, up to 720p HD |
1024x600 | ||||||
| Audio | - | - | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers | Dolby Audio, dual stereo speakers |
Dolby Audio, dual-driver stereo speakers |
Stereo speakers | ||||||
| Connectivity |
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- Wi-Fi |
Free 3G + Wi-Fi |
Free 3G - |
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- Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi |
- Wi-Fi |
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| Storage | 2GB on device Plus free cloud storage for all Amazon content |
2GB on device Plus free cloud storage for all Amazon content |
4GB on device Plus free cloud storage for all Amazon content |
4GB on device Plus free cloud storage for all Amazon content |
16GB or 32GB on Wi-Fi device 32GB or 64GB on 4G device Plus free cloud storage for all Amazon content |
16GB or 32GB on device Plus free cloud storage for all Amazon content |
8GB on device Plus free cloud storage for all Amazon content |
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| Dimensions | 6.7" x 4.6" x 0.36" | 6.5" x 4.5" x 0.34" | 7.5" x 4.8" x 0.34" | 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38" | 9.45" x 6.5" x 0.35" | 7.6" x 5.4" x 0.4" | 7.44" x 4.72" x 0.45" | ||||||
| Weight |
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5.98 oz | 8.7 oz | 18.9 oz | 20 oz | 13.9 oz | 14.1 oz | ||||||
| Processor | - | - | - | - | Dual-core, 1.5GHz OMAP4470 |
Dual-core, 1.2GHz OMAP4460 |
Dual-core, 1.2GHz OMAP4430 |
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| Battery Life | 8 weeks wireless off |
4 weeks wireless off |
8 weeks wireless off |
3 weeks wireless off |
- | 11 hours continuous use |
8.5 hours continuous use |
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| Web | Experimental browser |
Experimental browser |
Experimental browser |
Experimental browser |
Cloud-accelerated browsing using Amazon Silk |
Cloud-accelerated browsing using Amazon Silk |
Cloud-accelerated browsing using Amazon Silk |
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| Interface |  2-point multi-touch |
 5-way controller |
 Keyboard |
Keyboard |
 10-point multi-touch |
10-point multi-touch |
2-point multi-touch |
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Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
216 of 227 people found the following review helpful
By Aaron Ueland
Configuration:Kindle with Special Offers
I travel for work. More and more, I find myself leaving the Kindle Fire at home and traveling with just an e-ink Kindle. So when I broke my Kindle 3, I decided to replace it with this entry level Kindle (without special offers).
What's good:
* Smallest, lightest e-ink Kindle available.
* Still has the page turn buttons!
* Like all the e-ink Kindles, this thing has amazing battery life.
What's just OK:
* Only 2GB memory. More is better. Then again, after two years of buying books I'm nowhere near filling this thing up.
* Text entry using the 5-way switch works, but that's about all. I'm surprised it works well enough that I can't consider it a negative.
What's not so good:
* The lighted cover costs nearly as much as the Kindle! Anyone thinking of picking up this Kindle and the lighted cover should look at the new paper white models with integrated frontlight.
The new Kindles look awesome. But they don't take anything away from this Kindle. It may not have some of the bells and whistles of the other models but it also costs quite a bit less. The Kindle is exactly what I need for traveling. It works wonderfully as a basic, no-frills e-reader. Reviewing it as such, I have to give it five stars.
What's good:
* Smallest, lightest e-ink Kindle available.
* Still has the page turn buttons!
* Like all the e-ink Kindles, this thing has amazing battery life.
What's just OK:
* Only 2GB memory. More is better. Then again, after two years of buying books I'm nowhere near filling this thing up.
* Text entry using the 5-way switch works, but that's about all. I'm surprised it works well enough that I can't consider it a negative.
What's not so good:
* The lighted cover costs nearly as much as the Kindle! Anyone thinking of picking up this Kindle and the lighted cover should look at the new paper white models with integrated frontlight.
The new Kindles look awesome. But they don't take anything away from this Kindle. It may not have some of the bells and whistles of the other models but it also costs quite a bit less. The Kindle is exactly what I need for traveling. It works wonderfully as a basic, no-frills e-reader. Reviewing it as such, I have to give it five stars.
145 of 154 people found the following review helpful
By T. Wicker
I bought the first Kindle when it came out and, while I liked it, I didn't use it that much because the page turn buttons could be too easily triggered, and the cover was somewhat clumsy to use. The second generation Kindle was a lot better, but I still preferred to read physical books with the Kindle being a solution for being able to have books available without taking up any more space (I still buy physical books, but most are donated to the local library, Salvation Army, etc. after I've read them).
Next, about a year after it came out, I bought what Amazon called the "Kindle Keyboard" and was hooked! I began using the Kindle as a preferred reading medium over physical books and thought that the Kindle Keyboard couldn't be improved upon (I've since given a couple as gifts). I liked the storage capacity, the 3G capability and thought I wouldn't want to be without the keyboard. After reading more than seventy books on it I couldn't imagine trying a Kindle with less memory and only Wi-fi.
I was wrong.
I ordered this "4th Generation" Kindle earlier this year, thinking I'd have it for a backup to my Kindle Keyboard. Instead, it has become my much-preferred device. Storage room? With the cloud, it's really not an issue. I keep a few reference books on both of my current Kindles (the Keyboard and this one) as well as what I'm currently reading. I haven't had any problem with coming close to exceeding the storage capacity. While it would be nice to have 3G, it's not a deal-killer at all. I've already read close to 50 books on this Kindle and I've only found myself without easy access to Wi-fi once. When I'm close to finishing a book, I plan ahead and download a new one (or two) so that I'm ready wherever I happen to be.
I also thought the cover for the Kindle Keyboard was better, but have found that I like the (Amazon official) cover for this one every bit as much or better. I don't need an elastic band to hold it closed (thought I wanted this, but it is really a non-issue). I flip it open, flip it closed, leave it folded back and just generally don't worry about it. That's what a cover should be - unobtrusive.
The thing that makes this Kindle a real winner is its size and simplicity. It's easy to read one handed in any of the chairs in our house, at the island in the kitchen, at a restaurant at lunch or while lying in bed. It fits easily in my pants pocket, in a briefcase, laptop case, accordion file, sportcoat pocket, etc.
The battery life (with "airplane mode" on - meaning Wi-fi off) is fantastic. I read anywhere from a couple of hours to as many as seven or eight hours per day and I generally can go three weeks (never less than two) between charges. I turn on Wi-fi (or turn off "Airplane Mode") to download new books or to allow sync'ing with other devices (I'll still use the Kindle app on the iPad when reading in the dark), and unless I forget and leave it on, the battery life is just fantastic. I also like the fact that charging just involves hooking it to a USB port on my laptop or desktop. I wouldn't mind having a way to know the percentage of battery life left, but estimating from the icon I'd say that I have at least 20% battery life and I've read several books since the last recharge going on three weeks ago now. Oh, and the time to re-charge from a depleted battery is only a couple of hours at most.
Will I try the new "Paperwhite" with 3G? Probably. Will I miss the page turn buttons? Maybe. Maybe not. I thought the 2nd gen Kindle was where I'd stop (I even thought about buying a second one because I "liked it best"). The same was true with the Kindle Keyboard. Again, I thought it was the best version and wouldn't be improved upon (and once again considered buying a backup in that version). Today, I'm on this product page because the announcement of the Paperwhite made me think that maybe I should buy another one of the "Kindle 4" devices as a backup.
Then I remembered the other two times I considered stocking up on the "tested and true" versions and decided to write this review instead. Maybe this will end up being my favorite Kindle. But if it doesn't, if the Paperwhite or even one of the Kindle Fires becomes a new favorite, I'll have paid my due respects to a device that has given me a great deal of pleasure.
I recommend this Kindle without reservation.
Next, about a year after it came out, I bought what Amazon called the "Kindle Keyboard" and was hooked! I began using the Kindle as a preferred reading medium over physical books and thought that the Kindle Keyboard couldn't be improved upon (I've since given a couple as gifts). I liked the storage capacity, the 3G capability and thought I wouldn't want to be without the keyboard. After reading more than seventy books on it I couldn't imagine trying a Kindle with less memory and only Wi-fi.
I was wrong.
I ordered this "4th Generation" Kindle earlier this year, thinking I'd have it for a backup to my Kindle Keyboard. Instead, it has become my much-preferred device. Storage room? With the cloud, it's really not an issue. I keep a few reference books on both of my current Kindles (the Keyboard and this one) as well as what I'm currently reading. I haven't had any problem with coming close to exceeding the storage capacity. While it would be nice to have 3G, it's not a deal-killer at all. I've already read close to 50 books on this Kindle and I've only found myself without easy access to Wi-fi once. When I'm close to finishing a book, I plan ahead and download a new one (or two) so that I'm ready wherever I happen to be.
I also thought the cover for the Kindle Keyboard was better, but have found that I like the (Amazon official) cover for this one every bit as much or better. I don't need an elastic band to hold it closed (thought I wanted this, but it is really a non-issue). I flip it open, flip it closed, leave it folded back and just generally don't worry about it. That's what a cover should be - unobtrusive.
The thing that makes this Kindle a real winner is its size and simplicity. It's easy to read one handed in any of the chairs in our house, at the island in the kitchen, at a restaurant at lunch or while lying in bed. It fits easily in my pants pocket, in a briefcase, laptop case, accordion file, sportcoat pocket, etc.
The battery life (with "airplane mode" on - meaning Wi-fi off) is fantastic. I read anywhere from a couple of hours to as many as seven or eight hours per day and I generally can go three weeks (never less than two) between charges. I turn on Wi-fi (or turn off "Airplane Mode") to download new books or to allow sync'ing with other devices (I'll still use the Kindle app on the iPad when reading in the dark), and unless I forget and leave it on, the battery life is just fantastic. I also like the fact that charging just involves hooking it to a USB port on my laptop or desktop. I wouldn't mind having a way to know the percentage of battery life left, but estimating from the icon I'd say that I have at least 20% battery life and I've read several books since the last recharge going on three weeks ago now. Oh, and the time to re-charge from a depleted battery is only a couple of hours at most.
Will I try the new "Paperwhite" with 3G? Probably. Will I miss the page turn buttons? Maybe. Maybe not. I thought the 2nd gen Kindle was where I'd stop (I even thought about buying a second one because I "liked it best"). The same was true with the Kindle Keyboard. Again, I thought it was the best version and wouldn't be improved upon (and once again considered buying a backup in that version). Today, I'm on this product page because the announcement of the Paperwhite made me think that maybe I should buy another one of the "Kindle 4" devices as a backup.
Then I remembered the other two times I considered stocking up on the "tested and true" versions and decided to write this review instead. Maybe this will end up being my favorite Kindle. But if it doesn't, if the Paperwhite or even one of the Kindle Fires becomes a new favorite, I'll have paid my due respects to a device that has given me a great deal of pleasure.
I recommend this Kindle without reservation.
631 of 718 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding Value at $69 with Improved Screen Compared to Prior Versions
September 8, 2012
Configuration:Kindle with Special Offers|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am writing this from the perspective of being a long-time experienced Kindle user vs. someone brand new. From an overall perspective, considering the pricing of the Kindle with Special Offers ("KSO") at $69 vs. higher amounts for the different flavors of Kindle available today, this one is a hands-down bargain. If you have wanted to get your kids a Kindle to encourage reading as well as sharing of books but hesitated because $139 to $400+ is a lot of money to risk with a child, maybe at $69 this is your price point.
From a size standpoint, the reading screen is the exact same size as the other e-Ink Kindles (with the larger Kindle DX as an exception). It is the same thickness as a Kindle Keyboard, but 1 inch less in length and 0.3 of an inch less in width than my Kindle 3 / Kindle Keyboard with ("K3G") I've had for about two years now.
While noticeably smaller than the K3G it is also significantly lighter than my K3G - 31% lighter at 5.98 ounces. This feels like a feather in your hands.
Opening up the box, the only thing that is included is the KSO, a USB cord that hooks up to your computer or a power plug (but no plug to plug into an electrical socket), and a one-fourth page instruction sheet that shows you what the various buttons do. It is a little annoying the included USB cord does not include an adapter plug to charge it into a wall socket: you either supply that yourself or plug it up, for example, into your computer to charge. I guess they had to cut 25 cents out of the manufacturing costs somewhere, and that was one of the places.
The right and left page turn buttons are on both sides of the Kindle which is pretty handy, and the only other buttons you have are the five way controller, back, menu, home, and a "keyboard" button to activate the keyboard.
In comparison to my K3G, the previous version of Kindle, a Kindle Touch, and a Kindle DX the letters on the screen are much, much darker and easier to read: the display is super-crisp and dark. Looking at the display side-by-side in the same location of an eBook against my K3G, the previous version of Kindle, a Kindle Touch, and a Kindle DX, the text on the KSO is much darker and reads a lot better. Each new version of the Kindle gets better and better with the fonts and screen display and this one is pretty darn good - you want to be able to read what you're supposed to, right?
As mentioned above, you press a special key to activate the keyboard. To change letters or numbers, you need to move the 5-way controller and individually pick your letters and numbers. I find that to be a little bit of a pain in the neck as you click a bunch of times to pick, for example the letter "l" then click a bunch more times to pick the letter "a." I don't use the keyboard very much, but that may bother some people who use the keyboard frequently. With this method, however, you run away from the graphite K3G issue of letters constantly being rubbed off and not being visible. I don't know why, maybe because of the lack of a keyboard, but you can't use the interactive games like Scrabble on this KSO like you can with the K3G - I am glad I cured my Scrabble addiction or I would be a little bummed.
If you like the text-to-speech feature of previous Kindle models or listened to music with your previous Kindle, please be aware there are no speakers nor is there a plug for headphones.
Web surfing speed with the wireless only on with my K3G is about the same as with the KSO - my usual test of the connectivity on a Kindle was hitting the main pages of the mobile websites of Fox News, CNN, and Google. I pushed "go" or "enter" buttons / icons at the same time on each and did not see a visible difference in the load speeds start to finish: I was about 50 yards away from my wireless router with a couple of walls in the way for the wireless test. I did try to check one of my Google email accounts on both but it crashed on both - that is a continuing problem checking email with your Kindle for over a year now, so much so that I really don't try to do it anymore (besides, I can do that on my other devices).
In comparison the previous version of Kindle this one is replacing, other than the crisper text / fonts from the improved screen display, and the $10 reduction in price to just $69, this new version of Kindle has the same technical specifications of the previous Kindle: same battery life, same size, same internal memory (2 gig). If you had a precious version of the Kindle this version is replacing, that means you can use the same cover as the previous version.
As a parent whose children can be hard on electronics I love this version, and think with this new $69 price point it will help to continue to explode the eBook revolution even faster as they get in more people's hands. If you have not purchased a Kindle before due to price, or maybe a relative or a friend has hesitated to get one this one is in your price zone, I would strongly recommend this one!
From a size standpoint, the reading screen is the exact same size as the other e-Ink Kindles (with the larger Kindle DX as an exception). It is the same thickness as a Kindle Keyboard, but 1 inch less in length and 0.3 of an inch less in width than my Kindle 3 / Kindle Keyboard with ("K3G") I've had for about two years now.
While noticeably smaller than the K3G it is also significantly lighter than my K3G - 31% lighter at 5.98 ounces. This feels like a feather in your hands.
Opening up the box, the only thing that is included is the KSO, a USB cord that hooks up to your computer or a power plug (but no plug to plug into an electrical socket), and a one-fourth page instruction sheet that shows you what the various buttons do. It is a little annoying the included USB cord does not include an adapter plug to charge it into a wall socket: you either supply that yourself or plug it up, for example, into your computer to charge. I guess they had to cut 25 cents out of the manufacturing costs somewhere, and that was one of the places.
The right and left page turn buttons are on both sides of the Kindle which is pretty handy, and the only other buttons you have are the five way controller, back, menu, home, and a "keyboard" button to activate the keyboard.
In comparison to my K3G, the previous version of Kindle, a Kindle Touch, and a Kindle DX the letters on the screen are much, much darker and easier to read: the display is super-crisp and dark. Looking at the display side-by-side in the same location of an eBook against my K3G, the previous version of Kindle, a Kindle Touch, and a Kindle DX, the text on the KSO is much darker and reads a lot better. Each new version of the Kindle gets better and better with the fonts and screen display and this one is pretty darn good - you want to be able to read what you're supposed to, right?
As mentioned above, you press a special key to activate the keyboard. To change letters or numbers, you need to move the 5-way controller and individually pick your letters and numbers. I find that to be a little bit of a pain in the neck as you click a bunch of times to pick, for example the letter "l" then click a bunch more times to pick the letter "a." I don't use the keyboard very much, but that may bother some people who use the keyboard frequently. With this method, however, you run away from the graphite K3G issue of letters constantly being rubbed off and not being visible. I don't know why, maybe because of the lack of a keyboard, but you can't use the interactive games like Scrabble on this KSO like you can with the K3G - I am glad I cured my Scrabble addiction or I would be a little bummed.
If you like the text-to-speech feature of previous Kindle models or listened to music with your previous Kindle, please be aware there are no speakers nor is there a plug for headphones.
Web surfing speed with the wireless only on with my K3G is about the same as with the KSO - my usual test of the connectivity on a Kindle was hitting the main pages of the mobile websites of Fox News, CNN, and Google. I pushed "go" or "enter" buttons / icons at the same time on each and did not see a visible difference in the load speeds start to finish: I was about 50 yards away from my wireless router with a couple of walls in the way for the wireless test. I did try to check one of my Google email accounts on both but it crashed on both - that is a continuing problem checking email with your Kindle for over a year now, so much so that I really don't try to do it anymore (besides, I can do that on my other devices).
In comparison the previous version of Kindle this one is replacing, other than the crisper text / fonts from the improved screen display, and the $10 reduction in price to just $69, this new version of Kindle has the same technical specifications of the previous Kindle: same battery life, same size, same internal memory (2 gig). If you had a precious version of the Kindle this version is replacing, that means you can use the same cover as the previous version.
As a parent whose children can be hard on electronics I love this version, and think with this new $69 price point it will help to continue to explode the eBook revolution even faster as they get in more people's hands. If you have not purchased a Kindle before due to price, or maybe a relative or a friend has hesitated to get one this one is in your price zone, I would strongly recommend this one!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Smaller but lack the text to speech
It might be newer but I really miss the physical keyboard and the text to speech function that, imperfect as it was it was soooo nice and useful when you wanted te listen to a... Read more
Published 59 minutes ago by A. Ercolani
1.0 out of 5 stars
Over Charging for Kindle Content
Amazon is selling Kindle downloads for $11.95 while selling the same book NEW in paperback for $4.50 WTF. I love the Kindle concept and own 4 of them. Read more
Published 12 hours ago by alps
4.0 out of 5 stars
Amazon please listen up!
A Kindle is a computer. A computer has files, files within files,etc. Why doesn't the Kindle allow for this? I need author files within genre files for example. Read more
Published 16 hours ago by RICHARD SPENGEL
4.0 out of 5 stars
white lines on screen
i have had my kindle for almost a year. i love it. simple because it is just for reading dont need all the other bells and whistles. Read more
Published 18 hours ago by marty overman
2.0 out of 5 stars
2nd Kindle
What happened??? I bought this second Kindle for home (I keep the old one at work) and I cannot get my books on it without downloading them to my computer first. Read more
Published 23 hours ago by Rebecca S Stahl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kindle is great!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my Kindle. I am an avid reader and resisted getting one for some time, but I am glad I did. It is very easy to use and reads well. Read more
Published 23 hours ago by R. Dary
2.0 out of 5 stars
No tuch screen anymore!!!
This upgrade is really a downgrade. I lost my kindle and had to order the new one. I got it fast but what an unpleasant discovery. Everything has to be done by time consuming keys. Read more
Published 23 hours ago by crises muppet
5.0 out of 5 stars
JIM
My son bought me a Nextbook (must be an off brand) at a discount store, were things that are outdated go to be sold. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Jim
2.0 out of 5 stars
BEWARE OF DARK BLACK COLOR
I really enjoy this Kindle. It's a great price and works just fine.
But beware of the dark black color! Read more
But beware of the dark black color! Read more
Published 1 day ago by Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars
Primer uso del kindle
El producto tiene un dise;o muy bueno, no molesta la vista y el navegador es muy util.
El tama;ano es perfecto para manejarlo con una mano, complio con las espectativas que... Read more
El tama;ano es perfecto para manejarlo con una mano, complio con las espectativas que... Read more
Published 1 day ago by yojanson
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