Comparing Kindle Basic vs Paperwhite: Which is Right for You?

I’ve got a comparison that I know a lot of you have been waiting for. I’m diving into the brand-new basic Kindle 11th gen and the Kindle Paperwhite 12th gen. If you’ve been debating between these two, wondering whether it’s worth it to spend a little extra on the Paperwhite, then this video is definitely for you. We’ll go over what each Kindle offers and hopefully help you figure out which one suits your needs best. I will give you my honest thoughts of which Kindle I’d choose so stick around to the very end.

BUILD QUALITY

Let’s talk about build quality and design because these two Kindles have some key differences here, and I’ll be showing them side by side so you can see exactly what I mean.

Starting with the back of each device—the Kindle Paperwhite 12th gen has this nice rubberized finish, which gives it a bit of extra grip and makes it feel secure in your hand. In contrast, the basic Kindle 11th gen has a fully plastic back, which is still sturdy but can feel a little slippery, especially compared to the Paperwhite.

Now, if you look at the front displays, the Paperwhite has a flush design. That means the screen sits level with the bezel, so there’s no little edge around it, which makes it look sleek and makes swiping smoother. The basic Kindle, however, has a slightly recessed screen. This design doesn’t feel as seamless and might take a little getting used to, especially when trying to swipe around the edges of the device. Also, I expect that over time more dirt and debris is going to collect around the frame of that display.

Another major difference is that the Paperwhite is waterproof, making it a safer choice if you’re someone who likes to read by the pool, at the beach, or even in the bath. On the other hand, the basic Kindle isn’t waterproof, so you’ll want to be a bit more careful with it around water.

When it comes to weight, you’ll notice a difference as soon as you pick them up. The Paperwhite is slightly heavier at 212 grams or 7.5 ounces, which adds a little more substance in hand, while the basic Kindle is much lighter at 155 grams or 5.5 ounces. That makes the basic Kindle a little easier to carry around although I haven’t noticed any issues holding both devices for extended period of time.

DISPLAY

Now, let’s get into the display differences, because this is where each Kindle really starts to stand out.

The Paperwhite 12th gen has a larger 7-inch screen compared to the basic Kindle’s 6-inch screen. That extra inch may not sound like much, but it actually means you get around eight more lines of text on the Paperwhite. Plus, since the screen is a bit wider, it can fit more words per line. With the basic Kindle, you’ll find yourself swiping a bit more often to turn pages.

In terms of backlight, both devices have a nice 300 ppi (pixels per inch) display, so text looks sharp on both. The Paperwhite’s backlight has a slightly warmer tone, and it even comes with a warm light option, which you can adjust to make it more comfortable for night reading. The basic Kindle doesn’t have this feature, so if you’re reading in low light, it might feel less comfortable.

One thing both Kindles do have in common is Dark Mode, so if you like reading with white text on a black background, both devices have you covered there.

So, if screen size, warmth, and reduced eye strain for night reading are important to you, the Paperwhite has the edge here. But if you’re okay with a more compact screen, the basic Kindle is still a solid choice.

PERFORMANCE

Let’s talk about performance and battery life, because this is another area where the two Kindles differ just a bit.

When it comes to page-turn speed, Amazon claims the Kindle Paperwhite is 25% faster than previous models. In real-life use, though, it’s honestly pretty hard to notice. You’d only see a difference if you slowed down the footage—so in day-to-day reading, you probably won’t feel much of a change. But, if you’re working with PDFs, you’ll notice the Paperwhite does handle page refreshes a bit faster, which is helpful, especially if you like reading documents in landscape mode. The larger screen on the Paperwhite also means you don’t need to zoom in as often, making the experience more comfortable overall.

Now, the basic Kindle is no slouch—it’s still smooth and responsive.

Battery life is another factor to consider. The Paperwhite is estimated to last up to 12 weeks on a single charge, assuming you’re reading for around 30 minutes a day. The basic Kindle, on the other hand, has a 6-week battery life with similar usage. So, while both will last you a good while, the Paperwhite does have that extra edge if you’re someone who doesn’t want to think about charging often.

STORAGE

Let’s talk about storage and a couple of features that might make a difference depending on which Kindle you’re leaning toward.

Both the Kindle Paperwhite and the basic Kindle come with 16 GB of storage, which gives you around 11 GB of usable space. That’s plenty of room for thousands of books, so you won’t have to worry about running out of space anytime soon.

Now, here’s a little difference between the two: the Kindle Paperwhite 12th Gen does have a sleep timer, but it’s set in stone at 10 minutes. That means you can’t adjust it or choose a different time, which might be a bit limiting if you like to have more control over your reading routine. On the other hand, the basic Kindle lets you set the sleep timer to whatever time you prefer, which could be a bonus if you like to drift off with a book in hand.

Another small difference is that the Paperwhite has a cool page animation feature, which gives you a nice smooth transition when turning pages. It’s one of those little details that’s kind of fun, but honestly, it’s not a dealbreaker. The basic Kindle doesn’t have this, but in terms of actual reading experience, it won’t make a huge difference.

Other than those two things, all the other software features are the same across both devices, so you’re not missing out on anything major.

READING EXPERIENCE

When it comes to reading EPUB or MOBI books, both the Kindle Paperwhiteand the Matcha Kindle deliver exceptional comfort. Seriously, it’s such a pleasant experience on both devices that honestly, I don’t feel the need for a future or better Kindle. I could easily use either of these for the next 10 years, no problem. I mean, let’s be real, what more do we need?

If I had to nitpick, though, I’d say a bigger screen is definitely a plus. This is especially noticeable when reading PDF documents. I tend to read PDFs in landscape mode, and with the Paperwhite’s larger 7-inch screen, I don’t have to zoom in and out as much, which makes it feel way more comfortable. It’s just easier to navigate, and the extra space on the screen makes a difference in how much I can see at once. For someone who reads a lot of PDFs, this is a big deal.

But overall, both devices are a joy to read on, and I genuinely think they’ll both last most people a long time. No complaints here!

PRICE & VALUE

Let’s talk about pricing. The Kindle Paperwhite 12th Gen is positioned as a mid-tier device and comes with a price tag of $160 or , offering premium features like waterproofing, a larger 7-inch screen, and enhanced lighting options. This makes it perfect for heavy readers, or anyone who likes to read for extended periods of time without eye strain. If you’re someone who wants that extra comfort, especially with PDFs or reading by the pool, the Paperwhite is a solid choice. But all that comes with a price tag of $160 or 160 pounds, so it’s definitely more of an investment.

On the flip side, the basic Kindle 11th Gen is a much more budget-friendly option, priced at just $110 or 108 pounds. At $50 or cheaper than the Paperwhite, this one is ideal for entry-level e-reader users or those who want something lightweight and easy to carry around. It gives you great performance for the price, but you’ll be sacrificing features like waterproofing and the larger screen, which is fine if you’re just looking for a straightforward reading experience without the extra bells and whistles.

So, when it comes down to it, the Paperwhite is a better option for those who need more advanced features, while the basic Kindle is perfect for those who just want to read without the fuss.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, after going over everything, my choice would definitely be to spend a little extra and go with the Kindle Paperwhite. It’s just a great investment if you’re serious about reading, and that larger screen, the waterproofing, and the adjustable lighting really do make a difference in the long run. Plus, I honestly think it’ll help you read more books—comfortably and consistently. If you’re going to make reading a big part of your life, the Paperwhite will pay off.

But, of course, it all depends on what you’re looking for! If you’re just getting into e-readers or don’t need all the extras, the basic Kindle is still a solid choice at a great price.

 

🔗 AMAZON LINKS (Affiliate)

⭐️KINDLE BASIC

AMAZON US🇺🇸: https://amzn.to/3YqCGji

AMAZON UK🇬🇧: https://amzn.to/4dVALYC

⭐️KINDLE PAPERWHITE 12TH GEN

AMAZON US🇺🇸: https://amzn.to/4f3DLmL

AMAZON UK🇬🇧: https://amzn.to/4dVAKUy

⭐️KINDLE COLORSOFT

AMAZON US🇺🇸: https://amzn.to/4dOLjsG

AMAZON UK🇬🇧: https://amzn.to/3zY8G57

⭐️KINDLE SCRIBE

AMAZON US🇺🇸: https://amzn.to/3YoHTZ4

AMAZON UK🇬🇧: https://amzn.to/3NvCAAW