Kindle Paperwhite review (7 inches - 2024 - 12th generation): The Best Kindle!

After years of reliable service, the Kindle Paperwhite returns in 2024 with a new, improved, and affordable version. Is the Paperwhite the best Kindle? That’s what we will discover in this comprehensive review.

Note: I purchased this e-reader for testing purposes.

Video Review of the Kindle Paperwhite 2024

For a quick overview of this e-reader and to see it in action, please watch this short video:

Overview and Technical Specifications of the Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite tested on this page is the new version released in the fall of 2024. It features a 7-inch black and white e-ink screen and is the 12th generation of Kindle.

Compared to the previous model, we now have a slightly larger 7-inch screen, up from 6.8 inches in the prior version.

This new Kindle Paperwhite fills the gap left by the discontinuing of the Kobo Libra 2, which has been replaced by a 7-inch color e-ink model called the Kobo Libra Colour (read the review here).

Even if it seems like a happy accident, this Paperwhite is now the only affordable 7-inch black and white e-reader available in the US.

The e-reader comes in a very lightweight and minimalist cardboard box that offers slight protection.

In my opinion, you should not let this box drop as it might damage the e-reader. Fortunately, this e-reader is delivered by Amazon in a larger box that adequately protects the e-reader and its packaging.

As with all e-reader brands, you’ll find the minimum essentials in the box:

• The e-reader
• A USB cable
• A mini getting started guide

The device features a USB-C port, allowing for fast charging by connecting to your smartphone charger or a computer. No wall adapter is provided with the e-reader.

In terms of handling, the e-reader feels very sturdy with smooth plastics that do not slip, making it easy to hold while reading a book.

The design is slightly different while still keeping the aesthetics of the previous version. In short, it has a pleasant style with one caveat: the power switch is still located on the bottom edge of the device. However, the button has been redesigned and it’s less likely that you’ll accidentally press it (like when resting the e-reader on your lap while reading seated).

The dimensions are slightly larger than the 11th generation Paperwhite, meaning older cases are not compatible with this device.

Here are the technical specifications of the Kindle Paperwhite:

eReader : Kindle Paperwhite

	Kindle Paperwhite
Image
Screen size	7"
Resolution	1680 x 1264 pixels
Color	No
Backlight	Yes
Waterproof	Yes
Storage	8 - 32 GB
Pen / Stylus	No
SD card	No
Ebook formats	Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, EPUB (converted), MOBI, PRC; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP
Blue light filter	Yes
Other	New version released in 2024
Review	Best value for the money Kindle eReader⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Link (where to buy?)	Check the price on amazon.com

How to Add eBooks to the Kindle Paperwhite?

Before diving into a good book, you’ll need to add digital books (eBooks) to your Paperwhite.

You have several options available to you.

First, if you already have a collection of eBooks in EPUB format, you’ll need to use Calibre software to transfer your EPUB eBooks to the Kindle Paperwhite.

To do this, connect the e-reader to your computer and follow the Calibre software's instructions. If you want to know more and learn how to use Calibre – which is free software – I’ve written an article on the topic (read it here).

Next, you can simply log into your Amazon account to purchase books directly on the Kindle e-reader. For this, your device must be connected to Wi-Fi, and you must have an Amazon account, which you do if you purchased this e-reader through the e-commerce site.

Then, you will find books to download (sometimes some are free, but most are paid) in the Kindle Store.

Now, you have other ways to enjoy Kindle eBooks:

• Prime Reading: If you are subscribed to Amazon Prime, you have access to a selection of thousands of books to read for free, including some bestsellers like the Harry Potter series.
• Kindle Unlimited Subscription: You can subscribe for $9.99 a month to gain access to a large library of books to borrow and read on your Kindle e-reader.

In any case, you will find plenty to choose from because the Kindle Store is undoubtedly the most comprehensive in the world, with nearly everything available.

If you are keen on foreign-language books, it’s also the best store in terms of the variety of books in English.

A Beautiful 7-Inch E-Ink Screen

The e-reader boasts a beautiful 7-inch screen that makes reading very comfortable.

It has a very crisp, high-definition display, and it's hard to do better today concerning monochrome e-ink (black, white, and 16 shades of gray).

In addition, it features effective lighting that is powerful enough to read in full sunlight without any issues.

The e-reader also offers adjustable color temperature lighting. This feature adds a yellow/orange "tint" to the lighting and helps mitigate the harmful effects of blue light, sometimes referred to as a “blue light filter.”

This is a function that allows for more comfortable reading at night or in challenging light conditions (which is often the case in public transport).

For those who wish, it is also possible to modify the display using the "dark mode" feature, which presents white characters on a black "page" (well, the screen). This is an option I use all the time to read at night in bed.

Thus, the screen is particularly well-executed, and the 7 inches diagonal really makes a difference compared to a 6-inch e-reader.

This e-reader is definitely worth considering if you want to display characters that are quite large.

Reading eBooks

As we have just seen, the screen does wonders when it comes to displaying text characters.

The reading experience with a Kindle e-reader is genuinely straightforward and user-friendly, and this Paperwhite is no exception.

Upon first use, a short tutorial guides you through the features, whether for navigating the e-reader or starting to read a book.

It’s super convenient, even for me as someone who tests numerous e-readers each year to offer regular reviews on world-of-ereader.com and my YouTube channel.

The Kindle offers plenty of options to customize your reading experience:

• You can choose the font and its size.
• Adjust the line spacing and margins.
• There is even a dark mode (white text on a black background).

Moreover, you have access to a dictionary, definitions from Wikipedia, and translation tools.

You can add notes, bookmarks, and check out information about your books. A nice bonus: the e-reader also shows you reading statistics, such as the time remaining to finish a book or chapter, which is very useful. It is as comprehensive as with Kobo, but more detailed than Pocketbook e-readers, which still lack detailed statistics.

In conclusion, this Kindle Paperwhite provides the best reading experience available on a 7-inch black and white e-ink screen.

Interface and Options

The great reading experience also comes from the high-definition e-ink screen and the easy-to-use software.

During your first use, you will be well guided through the menus. The home screen shows your current books and some recommendations.

It is good to note that my model displays ads to reduce the purchase price. These ads appear on the lock screen and the home screen but don’t bother me much. If they annoy you, you can pay a little extra for an ad-free version. No ads are displayed while reading eBooks.

You also have the option to customize several settings to tailor your e-reader to your preferences:

• Manage your account and Wi-Fi.
• Change device options: update, date, time, languages, dictionaries, storage, PIN protection, etc.
• Adjust screen and brightness.

While the options may be fewer than on other brands, like Pocketbook or Onyx, they cover the essentials.

However, the accessibility menu is not very useful in French, and you will have to switch the Kindle to English to access certain features (like voice-over on menus for visually impaired users), which is quite surprising and not very useful for French-speaking readers.

To download books, you will need a Wi-Fi connection. The e-reader charges using a USB-C cable and has satisfactory battery life: I was able to read for a week while only using about 30% of the battery (Wi-Fi off and brightness at minimum).

Comics and PDFs: The Best for Manga Under $180!

With its 7-inch black and white screen, this Kindle Paperwhite is well-suited for reading manga.

While it is possible to read Japanese comics with a 6-inch screen e-reader, you will be much more comfortable on a larger display.

Clearly, the best e-reader for manga at the moment would be a 7.8-inch e-reader – like the Pocketbook InkPad 4.

However, this Kindle Paperwhite also does an excellent job for a considerably lower price. This e-reader offers the best value for money for digital manga reading.

As for PDF documents, their display on a Kindle e-reader can vary depending on several factors, especially file size and the presence of images.

The PDFs I tested tended to load slowly, which can be a bit frustrating. Moreover, when attempting to open files larger than 100 MB, a noticeable slowdown occurs.

So, while you can read PDF documents on the Kindle, it may seem somewhat ancillary in practice.

But for manga available from the Kindle Store, the display is very fast! Just as Amazon claims on the sales page.

Conclusion: a great e-reader!

Unlike its younger sibling, the Kindle which you can read about in another review here, this new Kindle Paperwhite is an excellent evolution.

With a larger 7-inch screen and the same interesting features (high definition, waterproof, adjustable temperature lighting), this e-reader is ideal for readers seeking a comfortable reading experience.

It may also appeal to manga enthusiasts looking for an affordable large black and white e-ink e-reader.

This Kindle Paperwhite is undoubtedly the most interesting Kindle e-reader in this new lineup.

Only comic book lovers may feel frustrated by the lack of a color screen. But, there are many other color e-readers available on the market for them.

Pros:

• Beautiful 7-inch high-definition screen
• Waterproof and sturdy e-reader
• Amazon ecosystem with Prime Reading

Cons:

• Only 16 GB of storage
• Calibre software needed (but free) to quickly upload your EPUB library to the Paperwhite

I give this e-reader a rating of 5/5, as it will suit the vast majority of readers perfectly.

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