Should I get the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite?

Amazon’s Kindle e-readers have been a prominent staple for modern-day readers for years now. The slim tablets fit easily and securely into nearly every type of bag. Now, readers no longer have to worry about how many books they can fit in their carry-on to take on vacation or how many books they can fit in their backpack to haul home from the library.

One of Amazon’s most recent updates to its famed Kindle family is a waterproof version called the Paperwhite. It’s meant to resist damage even after being dropped into several feet of water and left submerged for up to 60 minutes. The Paperwhite, which weighs less than a pound, is touted as a book lover’s perfect poolside or bathtub companion. It even comes with a built-in light for easy reading at night or on a dark airplane. But does the Kindle Paperwhite stand up to the hype?

Kindle Paperwhite Size

The Kindle Paperwhite, which was last introduced in late 2018, is both slimmer and lighter than the models that preceded it. It is only 8.2 mm thick and weighs just 6.4 ounces, making it super portable. At this size, it slides easily into purses, backpacks and briefcases. The 6-inch display means the page size and text should be comfortable for most readers, but both the text size and the font are adjustable as well. The Paperwhite is made with a softer, grippier material than previous versions so it is easier to hold, especially if it gets wet.

Kindle Paperwhite Battery life

The Kindle Paperwhite boasts better battery life than several of those that came before it. Amazon claims that the Kindle Paperwhite can last up to 6 weeks for the average reader, which Amazon defines as someone who reads 30 minutes per day (with the brightness level set at 13). The Paperwhite can be fully charged in 3 hours (4 hours if you are using a computer as a charger) and uses a Micro USB.

Kinde Paperwhite Screen

The screen on the Kindle Paperwhite has not changed from the earlier versions. It is still 1448 by 1072 pixels and has a 6-inch E-Ink Carta touchscreen offering 330 ppi pixel density. All this means that readers will have crisp text to read. The Paperwhite also has edge-to-edge glass, unlike some of its predecessors. With five built-in LEDs to assist with reading in dark spaces, this model boasts automatic brightness adjustment to help you read in varying light levels.

Kindle Paperwhite Bluetooth compatibility

If you want the option to listen to audiobooks as well as read books on your Paperwhite, you will be thrilled to know that this Kindle enables you to sync your wireless headphones and listen to audiobooks via Audible, Amazon’s e-reader subscription service. There is no speaker on the Kindle, so you will need to have a Bluetooth-enabled listening device to enjoy audiobooks.

Kindle Paperwhite Storage

The Kindle Paperwhite comes with two storage capacities, both of which allow readers to store a number of books on one device:

8 GB: This storage size should allow you to store 30-40 full-length audiobooks and around 6000 e-books.

32 GB: This storage size should enable you to store about 150 audiobooks and between 9000-1350 e-books.

Is the Kindle Paperwhite waterproof?

The Kindle Paperwhite has an IPX8 waterproof rating. This means the e-reader can be submerged in several feet of water for up to 60 minutes. So, if you are someone who likes to read with a cup of coffee in your hands but worries about spills or enjoys a book by the pool but worries about splashes, this Kindle edition should give you peace of mind. The Paperwhite is a great bathtub or inner-tube companion.

Is the Kindle Paperwhite worth it?

Yes, the Kindle Paperwhite is worth the price. The Kindle Paperwhite starts at around $130, which makes it only about $40 more than the standard Kindle. Compared to the standard Kindle, the Paperwhite has better battery life, larger storage capabilities and a better screen. This Kindle will enable you to take all of your favorite books with you to the beach and back without worrying about water damage. It is absolutely worth the extra cost if you are on the market for a new e-reader.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: available at Amazon

The Kindle Paperwhite can be purchased with or without Wi-Fi capability and with or without supported ads. Your Kindle Paperwhite comes with a free 3-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited, which will help you stock your virtual Kindle library with limit-free borrowing. Stephanie Jarrett is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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