Best Products Style Travel Accessories The 5 Best Kindle Devices for Reading on the Go in 2023 Amazon's popular Kindle e-readers make reading on the go easier than ever. By Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis Facebook Instagram Twitter Website Kaitlyn McInnis is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer with bylines in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Tatler Asia, CNN, The Points Guy, and more. Born and raised in Canada, she specializes in writing Canadian and international travel guides. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 26, 2022 Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact checker, and researcher with more than 25 years’ experience in consumer-oriented content. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying a Kindle FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Amazon Nothing quite compares to cozying up on a sun-flooded lounge chair by a five-star hotel pool with a stack of books from your to-read pile next to you and a cocktail in hand. Reading on vacation or while traveling from point A to point B is one of life’s little luxuries, but deciding which books — and how many books — to pack can lead to analysis paralysis. You want to make sure you have enough books to get you through your trip; ones that’ll suit your mood and fit into the theme of your vacation . . . but you don’t want to wind up with thirty pounds of hardcovers weighing down your checked luggage or carry-on bag. That’s exactly where the Kindle e-reader comes in. The handy little device is barely bigger than a smartphone but can conveniently hold thousands of books in one lightweight little package. If you’re looking to invest in an e-reader but you’re unsure about exactly what specs or features might be best for your specific reading style, you’ll want to read on. We’ve rounded up the best Kindles and exactly which ones work best for specific types of travel and habits. Here’s our breakdown of the best Kindles: Our Top Picks Best Budget: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite at Best Buy Jump to Review Best Waterproof: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019 at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: Amazon Kindle Kids at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Students: Amazon Kindle Scribe at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Amazon View On Best Buy View On Quill.com View On Staples Why We Love It: This lightweight e-reader is small enough to slip into a handbag or pocket for easy transport.What to Consider: The compact size might not be the best for those who prefer larger text. This lightweight and compact e-reader is our top pick when it comes to both convenience and budget-friendliness. The all-new Kindle measures just six by four inches, making it small enough to slip into your handbag or carry-on to read on the go. The six-inch display is just bigger than an iPhone which means you’ll have plenty of reading space, but if you prefer to set your text to a larger size, it might become annoying to have to flip pages more frequently than on one of the larger models. Still, the paper-like display makes it easy to read for long periods of time while the extended battery life means you’ll only have to charge your Kindle once every six weeks or so. Price at time of publish: $100Dimensions and display size: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches, 6-inch display | Weight: 5.56 ounces | Storage capacity: 16 GB | Waterproof: No | Color: Black, denim Best Waterproof Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Amazon View On Amazon View On Target Why We Love It: This new-and-improved Paperwhite features a surprisingly heavy-duty and waterproof design.What to Consider: The backlit display can feel like reading on a smartphone rather than on paper. There’s something about digging into a good read while lingering in the bath or hot tub — but bringing a paperback or a traditional e-reader means you’ll always have to be wiping your hands off or reading precariously over the water. That’s where the newly updated Kindle Paperwhite comes in. This practical e-reader is just slightly larger than the original Kindle but offers a laundry list of features that make it an interesting option for certain types of readers. Not only is the Paperwhite completely waterproof, but it also now offers a unique backlit design that makes it easy to read at night or in dim environments. This means you won’t have to worry about finding a light source if you want to read a few pages on evening flights or while your partner is asleep in bed next to you. Price at time of publish: $140 Dimensions and display size: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.32 inches, 6.8-inch display | Weight: 7.23 ounces | Storage capacity: 8 GB or 16 GB | Waterproof: Yes | Color: Black Best Splurge Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy Why We Love It: This versatile Kindle was built to withstand anything — and can hold a ton of books.What to Consider: The price point is quite high compared to other models on the list. The Kindle Oasis 32G might be on the pricey side, but it’s well-worth the splurge for bookworms who need an e-reader that can withstand heavy duty use and store thousands of books without having to pick and choose which ones you download. The stunning e-reader is dubbed the “most advanced Kindle ever” thanks partly to its customizable screen which can be adjusted from warm amber backlighting to more bright white colors to best suit the reader’s preferences and environment. The Kindle Oasis also features side navigation buttons, allowing you to easily flip the page using just one hand. Price at time of publish: $250 Dimensions and display size: 6.3 x 5.6 x 0.13-0.33 inches, 7-inch display | Weight: 6.6 ounces | Storage capacity: 8 GB or 32 GB | Waterproof: Yes | Color: Champagne gold, graphite 25 Carry-on Essentials T+L Editors Can’t Travel Without in 2023 Best for Kids Amazon All-new Kindle Kids Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It: This option was purpose-built for kids to have access to books and literature at their appropriate reading level.What to Consider: The Kindle is in black and white so picture books won’t translate well on screen. This compact device doesn’t just make reading a fun treat but also allows kids access to thousands of age-appropriate books right at their fingertips. The all-new Kindle Kids comes with colorful built-in protective covers (think unicorns, whales, and ocean landscapes). This helps keep an e-reader protected while in transit and out of harm’s way, and also comes with an included two-year warranty just in case anything does happen. The Kindle Kids also includes a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, a library of thousands of kid-friendly reads like Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Price at time of publish: $120 Dimensions and display size: 6.3 x 4.5 x 0.53 inches | 6-inch display | Weight: 9.03 ounces | Storage capacity: 16 GB | Waterproof: No | Color: Ocean explorer, space whale, unicorn valley The 8 Best eReaders of 2023 Best for Students Amazon Kindle Scribe (16 GB) Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It: This brand-new Kindle allows readers to read, take notes, and journal all in one device.What to Consider: Writing on an e-reader might feel weird or difficult to those with larger hands or big handwriting. The rise of the e-reader was a huge gift for serious readers and students who tend to spend hundreds of dollars each year on paperback and hardcover books and textbooks — but not being able to write notes in the margins or flag pages to physically come back to made it hard to use an e-reader the same way you would a textbook. The brand-new Kindle Scribe aims to do away with that apprehension by offering a unique and easy way to scribble down notes while reading thanks to its Paperwhite display and new Basic Pen stylus. The new concept also allows you to keep a journal or review and keep “sticky notes” on online documents from the comfort of your Kindle. Price at time of publish: $340-$420 Dimensions and display size: 7.7 x 9.0 x .22 inches, 10.2-inch display | Weight: 15.3 ounces | Storage capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB | Waterproof: No | Color: Black This Kindle Allowed Me to Read Over 100 Books Last Year While Traveling. Now I Won’t Adventure Without It Tips for Buying a Kindle Consider where and when you'll use it Planning on using your Kindle before bed and keeping it exclusively on your nightstand? You’d probably do just fine with a basic Kindle model. That said, if you plan to travel with your Kindle or you tend to read in the bath or by the pool, it might be worth investing in a Paperwhite or Oasis for added peace of mind and resilience. Know how the Kindle reading experience differs from a tablet or smartphone Reading on a tablet or smartphone absolutely does not compare to reading on a Kindle—in our opinion, anyway. A Kindle is purpose-built to be easy on the eyes and take away any and all distractions that can easily come with reading on a device you also use for social media or gaming, which allows you to concentrate for longer periods of time without harming your eyes or causing eye strain. Frequently Asked Questions How do I get books on a Kindle? Sure, ordering a physical copy of a book is pretty easy these days, but it’s actually quicker and easier to get books on a Kindle. There are two different ways you can purchase and download books onto your Kindle e-reader. The first one is to go onto the Amazon website from your smartphone or browser and purchase the Kindle edition of the book you’re interested in. You’ll be prompted to send the book to your Kindle device and it will download immediately. The other way is to purchase books directly on your Kindle from the built-in Amazon store; this is a great alternative if you’re on the go and don’t want to toggle between devices before you start reading. Many libraries also have e-books compatible with this reader so you can borrow titles from the comfort of your home as well. Can I listen to audiobooks on a Kindle? If you prefer listening to audiobooks over reading books, you’ll want to opt for the new Kindle Paperwhite. The Paperwhite is the only Kindle that currently supports audiobooks thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity. Note that the Kindle doesn’t have an audio jack so you’ll need Bluetooth-enabled headphones or speakers. Can I adjust the lighting on a Kindle? Yes, you can absolutely adjust the lighting on a Kindle. Depending on the specific model of Kindle, you can also change the style of lighting on display. The Kindle Oasis, for example, allows you to toggle between white or amber light depending on your environment or preferences. What’s the difference between “ad-supported” and “without ads”? The main difference between an “ad-supported” Kindle and a Kindle “without ads” is exactly what it sounds like: one will include the occasional advertisement (such as best-seller recommendations or new releases) on screen while the other is completely free from advertisements. The Kindle is ad-supported by default but you can purchase a no-ads-supported Kindle for an additional $20. What is Kindle Unlimited? Think of Kindle Unlimited like Netflix for e-books. The Amazon subscription service offers a massive library packed with thousands of books, ranging from bestselling classics to new and hot releases, that you have unlimited access to for a monthly fee of $9.99/month. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, T+L contributor Kaitlyn McInnis used her experience as a travel writer, Kindle user, and former gear editor to curate the best options to suit most needs. The 12 Most Comfortable Headphones for Traveling in 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit