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Is Buying a Kindle Worth It? 4 Reasons to Buy One

Why it's the ideal gadget for book lovers

By Jennifer Allen Jennifer Allen Writer Swansea University, Staffordshire University Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 23, 2022 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Who Should Get a Kindle Who Shouldn't Get One 4 Reasons to Buy One 2 Reasons Not To Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite Is a Kindle Needed for Better Reading? Frequently Asked Questions Is buying a Kindle worth it? In most cases, yes. A Kindle means you can travel with as many books as you want without worrying about their weight. This guide will help you determine if you should buy a Kindle based on your budget, how often you read, and any other needs you may have.

Who Should Get a Kindle

A Kindle is an excellent addition for many users. Here's why you should buy one:
You love reading and want to expand your horizonsYou want extra features like being able to highlight passages or look up definitionsYou have additional mobility needs and want to use something lighter than a bookYou love buying cheap books

Who Shouldn' t Get a Kindle

Not everyone needs a Kindle. Here's why not:
You don't read many books or magazinesYou already use the Kindle app and don't feel the need for a dedicated device

Why You Should Buy a Kindle

Many of us enjoy reading, and using a Kindle can improve that experience immensely. Even though its initial cost is higher, a Kindle can offer several benefits more valuable than simply buying physical books. Here's a look at the key advantages.

You Love Reading

If you love reading, you almost certainly have an ever-growing collection of books. Owning a Kindle means you don't have to worry about having physical space to store them all. Instead, you can keep thousands of books on your Kindle and easily be able to take them wherever you go, instead of having to prioritize the most important ones. Such flexibility is beneficial, especially if you regularly travel.

You Like Cheap Books

While not all Kindle books are particularly cheap to buy, there are some excellent bargains out there. Free Kindle books are available, and there are often significant discounts on books each day. Owning a Kindle means you can buy many books for far less than if you were dependent on a store. You also get those books instantly rather than needing to wait for delivery.

You Want Extra Features

A Kindle doesn't just offer a simple way to read; it also has other features. It can translate sections of writing, provide definitions for words via its built-in dictionary, and even access Wikipedia. Users can also highlight and add notes to keep track of important passages. It's also possible to see what friends are reading (and you can share passages with them too).

You Have Additional Mobility Needs

Holding a book can be heavy if you have limitations with your upper limbs. A Kindle is much lighter to hold or carry than a regular book, making it very convenient for many people. Being able to store multiple books at once is also a huge help when trying to travel light, plus it means you don't have to consider walking to a different room to find the book you wish to read. The Kindle also offers a bright screen and options for enlarging the text, helping anyone with additional eyesight needs.
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When You Shouldn' t Buy a Kindle

While a Kindle is a great gadget to buy for many people, it's not essential. There are times when you don't need one.

You Don' t Read Much

It's an obvious one, but you don't need a Kindle if you don't read much. Unlike other tablets, a Kindle is exclusively for reading books and magazines, although you can also use it to listen to audiobooks. If none of that appeals, buying a Kindle is a waste of money. Its key focus is reading—whether books, magazines, or files you transfer to it—and there's nothing else you can do with a Kindle.

You' re Happy With the Kindle App

It's possible to use the Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet, so you get many of the benefits of a Kindle without needing extra hardware. The Kindle app isn't always as intuitive as the Kindle itself, and the screen is dependent on the quality of your smartphone or tablet, but it's a free app.

Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite

There are numerous Kindles available to buy. These include the Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, and Kindle Oasis. Most users will be happy with either the Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite. Here's a look at the similarities and differences between the two.

Kindle Kindle Paperwhite Average price $89.99 $139.99 Screen size 6-inches 6.8-inches Expected battery life Up to 4 weeks Up to 10 weeks Storage 8GB 8GB Water resistance No IPX8 Both Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite allow you to read books and magazines digitally rather than needing to own physical copies. Both devices offer adjustable brightness and the ability to highlight passages and look up definitions.
However, the Kindle Paperwhite offers a superior experience. It has a larger display with thinner borders and a sharper image. The Paperwhite is also faster than the Kindle, with 20% faster page turns.
Either the Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite will be sufficient for any keen reader. However, if you want a faster experience that can be used in the pool or bath and has a better display, you need the Kindle Paperwhite.

Do You Need a Kindle to Improve Your Reading Experience

If you're an avid reader, a Kindle will improve your reading experience. It makes it easier to have a collection of books at your fingertips. Also, with the Kindle never getting heavier, any book you want to bring along won't weigh down your bag. You'll likely take it out with you more often than a regular book.
Regular discounts on books and the option to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited also mean you're likely to try different books and expand your horizons. However, you can still do this by heading to a bookstore or browsing online for physical copies. Expert Tested: The 7 Best Kindles in 2022 FAQ What is Kindle Unlimited? Kindle Unlimited is Amazon's subscription-based e-book platform. For a monthly fee, you can choose from a selection of millions of books, magazines, and audio books and read as many as you want as long as your subscription is active. How do I download Kindle books? When you set up a Kindle, you'll tie it to your Amazon account. Once you've done that, you can buy an ebook from Amazon, and you'll have a "Send to Kindle" option when you check out. The procedure is similar when you check out a Kindle book from your library; once you lend it, you'll go directly to Amazon to send it to your Kindle. Alternatively, you can email documents, including some ebooks directly to your Kindle. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire 13 Best Ways to Get Free Books Online and Offline How to Use a Kindle Paperwhite How to Get Free eBooks: A Step-by-Step Guide How to Use the Kindle Cloud Reader 21 Best Places to Get Free Kindle Books (October 2022) How to Buy and Read Kindle Books on iPad How to Change the Font Size on Kindle Amazon Kindle Library: 3 Ways to Borrow Kindle Books How to Make a Book Cover Your Kindle Screensaver How to Reset a Parental Controls Password on Kindle How to Change the Time on a Kindle Paperwhite How to Turn Off a Kindle Paperwhite How to Turn Off Popular Highlights on Kindle Should You Buy a Tablet? Amazon Fire Tablet vs. iPad: Which Is Right for You? How to Fix Battery Drain on a Kindle Paperwhite Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies