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Readers know all too well that there’s nothing like walking into a bookstore and picking out a fresh new book. I personally love the feeling of holding a book in my hands and flipping through the pages; however, buying so many books can start to add up and eat into your budget. Not to mention, they take up a lot of space. Like many avid readers, I’ve wondered if it’s worth it to buy an e-reader. As I’ve looked into more, I’ve had my eye on one of the most popular e-readers around: a Kindle. And with Prime Day coming up on Tuesday, June 23, I’m hoping to get a good deal on one.
Do Kindles go on sale during Prime Day?
Yes, Kindles typically go on sale during Amazon Prime Day, which makes it a great time to buy the e-reader. They’re one of the many Amazon devices that are usually discounted during the sales event.
Based on price history, I’m expecting to see discounts from around 20% off to just over 40% off. In 2025, TheStreet reported on the Kindle Colorsoft Prime Day deal that slashed the price by 42%. And during the summer, the basic Amazon Kindle was 18% off.
If you don’t want to wait until Prime Day and would rather beat the rush, there are currently early Prime Day deals on Kindle bundles. These picks come with extra accessories, like covers, power adapters, and bags, starting at just $147.
Kindle Essentials Bundle
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Bundle
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Bundle
Why a Kindle is a good investment
A Kindle is a great investment for readers, as they’re portable and can be more cost-effective than buying new hardcover or paperback books. The screens are 6 inches to 10.2 inches, so they’re small enough to fit in a bag or small backpack. The 6-inch to 7-inch Kindles are also around the same size or smaller than a standard physical book, minus the bulk of the pages.
With digital books, you can also store many titles in a Kindle, giving you access to multiple books in one e-reader. It’s a great feature if you like to rotate through a few books at once. Then there’s the cost-effectiveness of digital books. You can get free e-books from local public libraries through the Libby app, and there are thousands of free Kindle books available to read. If you buy digital books through the Amazon Kindle store, they are typically cheaper than physical books. New books can range from $10 to $40, but you can typically save money on digital Kindle versions.
Aside from the cost of the Kindle and the books you buy, you don’t need to pay for extra memberships or subscriptions. A Kindle can be used with a free Amazon account; however, there are benefits to paying extra. Amazon Prime members get Prime Reading for free, which gives you unlimited access to e-books and audiobooks in a rotating catalog, one free pre-release e-book every month, and a selection of magazines and comic books.
Kindle Unlimited, on the other hand, is an Amazon reading membership. It gives you access to millions of books, all of which don’t have due dates and are available as long as your membership is active. They’re compatible with Kindles, but can be used on any phones, tablets, or computers with the Kindle app. Kindle Unlimited is $11.99 per month, but you can typically get a 30-day free trial or three months of the membership for free when you purchase the e-reader.
Which Kindle should you buy?
The Amazon Kindle is the most basic model in the Kindle lineup, with the most affordable price of $110. With a 6-inch anti-glare screen and a weight of 5.56 ounces, it’s the most compact and lightweight Kindle. The 16 gigabytes (GB) of storage have the ability to hold thousands of books, and it has a battery life of up to six weeks. It also only has a black and white display with no color.
This Kindle is best suited for those who are looking for a budget-friendly e-reader that’s light and portable. It’s a great entry-level e-reader and a top pick for those who want simple functions and no frills.
Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is the next level up from the Amazon Kindle, and the most popular option at $160. It has a 7-inch screen with a glare-free black-and-white display and weighs 7.4 ounces, making it a little larger and heavier than the Amazon Kindle. This model is waterproof, so you can take it to the beach, by the pool, or even in the bath. It also has adjustable brightness and warmth settings to read in the sun or in a dimly lit room before bed comfortably. Plus, the long-lasting battery can last for up to 12 weeks. It shares the same amount of storage as the Amazon Kindle, though, at 16 GB.
This is a great Kindle for most readers who are willing to pay a little extra for features that the basic Kindle doesn’t have. It’s also a great pick for those who like to read while they travel, as it’s lightweight and waterproof.
If you want even more features, like wireless charging and more storage, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is a premium upgrade at $200.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition offers a color display, unlike the Amazon Kindle and Paperwhite, for $280. On the 7-inch glare-free screen with adjustable brightness settings, you can see book covers and images in books in full color, as well as highlight pages. It’s waterproof and has wireless charging capabilities. The battery can also last for up to eight weeks. This model has 32 GB of storage and wireless charging, but for a little less, you can opt for the standard Kindle Colorsoft.
This Kindle is best for readers who want to see their reading material in color and like to highlight. It can be a particularly good option for reading comic books and graphic novels. It can also be a good pick for textbooks, as you can highlight important information.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
At $400, the Amazon Kindle Scribe is the largest Kindle with one of the highest price tags. It’s packed with the most features, serving as both an e-reader and a digital notebook. With a 10.2-inch screen that has a paper-like feel, it’s easy to mark up documents and take notes. There’s even an AI feature that can convert handwriting into text, as well as summarize notes. The Kindle comes with a pen, too, so you don’t need to go out and buy extra accessories. It’s glare-free and easy to use both indoors and outdoors as well. The battery is also long-lasting, with up to 12 weeks of power before your next recharge.
The Amazon Kindle Scribe is best for notetakers and readers who prefer a large screen. It can be useful for students and working professionals who have to read and take notes on documents or textbooks. The Kindle is also a great option for anyone who wants to switch to a digital notebook rather than having the clutter of a physical notebook.
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Are Kindles worth it?
Kindles can be worth it for people who read a lot. They’re portable, give you access to many books in one e-reader, and can save you money on digital books, which are usually cheaper than physical books, and you can often get them on sale with daily Kindle deals.
If you don’t read often or you strongly prefer the feel of a physical book, you’re better off skipping getting the e-reader.
With Amazon Prime Day ahead, it’s a good time to narrow down your favorite pick and be on the lookout for potential deals during the big sales event.
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