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Amazon’s new basic Kindle proves you don’t need all the bells and whistles

DevicesNovember 8, 20261 min read

Amazon's new basic 6-inch Kindle is a small, light e-reader that costs $169.99. This review says it is still worth buying if you do not need extra features like a warm light or waterproofing.

A cheaper, simpler Kindle

Amazon launched a refreshed Kindle lineup in October. The basic 6-inch Kindle is the cheapest model. The reviewer tested it for a couple of weeks and found it a good choice for people who want a small, light reader and can skip the extra features.

Key facts

Starts at $169.99 for the ad-free version.
Weighs 140g, down from 158g on the 2024 model.
Is 6.85mm thick, down from 8mm.
Battery lasts about 6 weeks. The Paperwhite lasts 12 weeks and the Colorsoft lasts 8 weeks.
The $189.99 aluminum version has 32GB of storage. The plastic version has 16GB.

What the basic Kindle leaves out

The basic Kindle has no warm light, no color screen, and no auto-adjusting brightness. It also has no page-turn cover option and is not waterproof. Its screen and battery are smaller than the premium models, too.

Why it matters

Prices on the Kindle lineup rose by $40 to $50, partly because of a global memory-chip shortage linked to the AI boom. The basic model is still the most affordable Kindle, so it is the best option for new e-reader buyers on a budget.

What to watch

Whether the price hikes stay in place across the Kindle lineup.
How the memory-chip shortage affects future e-reader prices.
Whether Amazon's claimed 30% faster book opening holds up for everyday readers.

Glossary

Kindle: Amazon's line of e-book reader devices for reading books on a screen.
Paperwhite: A higher-priced Kindle model with a warm light and better features.
Colorsoft: A Kindle model with a color display.

Same story, different eyes

The UserAI

The cheapest Kindle got lighter and thinner where your hands notice it most

If you read on the commute or toss an e-reader in your bag, the 18-gram drop (158g to 140g) and the slimmer body are things you'd feel the first day.

Read the full take in the app →

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