Best Amazon Kindle e-reader 2025

Do unlimited reading with Amazon’s most impressive lineup yet.

Amazon’s Kindle e-readers have been around for almost two decades, and the lineup is still one of the best E Ink readers you can find today. Despite strong competition from Boox and Kobo, Amazon keeps the Kindle line fresh with frequent updates, new AI features, and great pricing. No matter if you’re a casual or voracious reader, there’s a Kindle model for everyone.

Our best overall pick is the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen, 2024) as it strikes a great balance between features, price, and battery life. This 2024 refresh is 20% faster than before and the display has a higher contrast ratio. It’s not just the Paperwhite which got an upgrade, as Amazon refreshed its entire lineup in 2024 making all its models even more appealing than before. Check all thebest E Ink tabletsfor reading from Amazon, down below.

Best overall

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen, 2024)

Best overall

Specifications

Display:7-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scaleWeight:211gDimensions:127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mmStorage:16GBBattery life:Up to 12 weeksWaterproofing:IPX8Colors:Black, Raspberry, and Jade

Reasons to buy

+300ppi E Ink screen
+IPX8 water resistance
+Thin and light, with USB-C port
+20% faster than before
+Audible integration
+Slight larger display

Reasons to avoid

-No physical buttons>>>Replacement battery for Amazon Kindle HD Fire

The Kindle Paperwhite has long set the benchmark for affordable e-readers, and the latest model adds even more thrilling features to the mix. The Paperwhite (12th Gen) model gives you a faster user experience thanks to its faster processor, which delivers 25% quicker page turns. The display has a new oxide thin-film transistor for a higher contrast ratio. You can also enjoy a slightly larger screen at 7 inches, the thinnest Paperwhite device yet. It’s fantastic that you get a whopping (up to) three-month-long battery life.

Like the previous model, the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite has IPX8 water resistance, which lets you take your e-reader to the pool. The X means the Kindle was not tested for dust, so keeping it away from dusty areas is a good idea. You can also put it in a dustproof bag if you must take it with you and want to keep it dust-free. The Paperwhite can survive up to two meters of water for an hour, giving you much more flexibility. There’s only a single storage variant now with 16GB, allowing you to store thousands of books at a time. The Kindle Paperwhite also gets an adjustable warm light to adjust the screen’s color temperature based on the ambient lighting around you. You can get it in Black, Raspberry, and Jade.

Just like the11th Gen Signature Edition, there’s a new Paperwhite Signature Edition (12th Gen), too, which has all of the features from the standard model but 32GB of storage, wireless charging, and auto-adjusting light sensors. However, it’s roughly $50 more.

Best entry-level

Amazon Kindle 2024 lifestyle render

(Image credit: Amazon)

2. Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2024)

Best entry-level

Specifications

Display:6-inch display with built-in light, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scaleWeight:158gDimensions:157.8 x 108.6 x 8.0 mmStorage:16GBBattery life:Up to six weeksWaterproofing:NoColors:Black, Matcha

Reasons to buy

+Great value
+Front light is nifty
+Audible integration
+Lightweight design
+Bluetooth and USB-C charging

Reasons to avoid

-No water resistance>>>Replacement battery for Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 5

The entry-level Amazon Kindle is the perfect stepping stone if you’ve taken up reading as a hobby. The 2024 refresh comes in a fun Matcha shade, and it’s very compact and light, weighing just 158g. This model shares many features with the new Paperwhite, like a 300 ppi display, Audible audiobook playback via Bluetooth, 16GB of storage, and the same max brightness of 94 nits. It misses out on features like waterproofing and adjustable warm light, and the battery life can last up to six weeks.

But with a $100 price tag, there is not much you can complain about. The 2024 Amazon Kindle features faster page turns and a front light that’s 25% brighter at max settings. Like before, you can get it with or without lock screen ads. If you want the model without the ads, that will cost you $20 more.

Best for kids

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids

(Image credit: Amazon)

3. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (12th Gen, 2024)

Best for kids

Specifications

Display:7-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scaleWeight:329gDimensions:132.2 x 178 x 13.2 mmStorage:16GBBattery life:Up to 12 weeksWaterproofing:IPX8Colors:Black Kindle with Starfish, Cyber City, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid cover

Reasons to buy

+Same great features of the standard Paperwhite
+Excellent value
+Two-year warranty
+Cover included
+USB Type-C port

Reasons to avoid

-Heavier device
-Only six months of Kids+ subscription (down from 1-year)>>>Replacement battery for Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus T76N2P

There’s never been a better device with a screen to hand to your kids than the Kindle Paperwhite Kids. This 12th Gen 2024 model gets all the same upgrades as the standard 2024 Paperwhite. The Kindle also comes with a bundled cover and two years of “worry-free” warranty from Amazon. If you ever need to return it, you can do so with a ‘no-questions-asked’ replacement if it gets damaged through regular wear and tear. Your kids can choose from three new themes for the covers on the 2024 kids edition, which are Cyber City, Starfish, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Another advantage of getting the Kids edition of the Paperwhite is the six-month subscription to Amazon Kids+. The previous model used to come with a full year. With this subscription, though, your child will be able to read thousands of kid-friendly books for free. You can even restrict access to specific types of books for your child via the Amazon Kids+ Parent Dashboard app for Android and iOS.

Best for writing

(Image credit: Michael Hicks/ Android Central)

4. Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)

Best for writing

Specifications

Display:10.2-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scaleWeight:433gDimensions:196 x 230 x 5.7 mmStorage:16GB, 32GB, 64GBBattery life:Up to 12 weeksWaterproofing:NoColors:Black, Matcha

Reasons to buy

+Premium Pen included
+10.2-inch 300ppi e-paper display+Improved design
+Amazing battery life with USB-C port
+16GB, 32GB, and 64GB memory variants

Reasons to avoid

-Not waterproof
-Large size can be uncomfortable to hold for long durations
-Expensive

Amazon created the new Kindle Scribe (2024) with a redesigned display with evenly thick white borders. The e-reader has the same 10.2-inch glare-free display as the firstKindle Scribe, and the paper-like texture makes it feel like you’re writing on an actual piece of paper. The new design looks more modern, and the added color option is welcome.

Amazon has addressed ourbiggest complaint with the Scribe, and the 2024 model has something called Active Canvas, which lets you annotate directly within the book’s pages. Also, your notes stay docked to the text and adapt to the layout or font size change. This is a fantastic new addition, which should make it easier to read your written notes.

The new Kindle Scribe lets you highlight text for the first time. There’s also an AI-driven summary feature that’ll come as an update next year, which is said to be able to summarize pages or the notes taken in the hideable side panel. The second-generation Scribe has the same three storage variants and starts at the same price, $399.99. The e-reader ships with the Premium Pen, which is weighted to feel like an actual pen and sticks magnetically to the side of the Scribe. It even has a soft-tip eraser for erasing written notes.

Best color Kindle

(Image credit: Amazon)

5. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition

Best color Kindle

Specifications

Display:7-inch Colorsoft display, 300 ppi B&W, 150 ppi color, 16-level gray scaleWeight:219gDimensions:127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mmStorage:32GBBattery life:Up to eight weeksWaterproofing:IPX8Colors:Metallic Black

Reasons to buy

+7-inch color display
+Up to eight weeks of battery life
+Same features as Paperwhite Signature Edition
+Supports wireless charging

Reasons to avoid

-Only comes in one color
-Pricey

The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is essentially the Paperwhite Signature Edition, but with a new color display, letting you read your graphic novels in full color. The screen can show black-and-white content at 300 ppi and color at 150 ppi. This version also enables you to highlight text in various colors. The paper-like colors should make browsing your library more vibrant and comic books more fun. The new Kindle Colorsoft has dedicated child profiles so you can share this Kindle with your kids.

The Colorsoft has a claimed battery life of up to eight weeks, which is pretty respectable for a color display. Unfortunately, there isn’t a large variety of colors to choose from since it’s only available in a single Metallic Black, which means you’ll have to get a case for it if you want a different look. This is Amazon’s first attempt at a color Kindle, which it hopes will keep customers looking for a color e-reader and prevent them from going to competitors like Onyx Boox. The Kindle Colorsoft only comes in one storage variant and is a bit pricey.

How to choose

Which is the best overall?

The Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) is the best e-reader for most people and is a complete steal for what’s on offer. The superb features — water resistance, a bigger display, and a warm light setting — represent a significant step up from the base Kindle, making the Paperwhite 2024 a no-brainer if you’re in the market for a new e-reader. If you want to upgrade from an older device, like an 11th Gen Paperwhite, this might not be a massive upgrade for you.

What if I’m looking for some extra features?

The Signature Edition of the Paperwhite (12th Gen) tablet is worth considering for extra storage and wireless charging, in addition to the slew of features already included with the base version.

Which is the best for writing?

The new Kindle Scribe 2024 is currently the best option if you’re looking for anE Ink tabletsporting the Kindle brand. Its improved note-taking abilities and upcoming AI integration make it a no-brainer over the first model. Nevertheless, it is pretty expensive, so you need to ensure you’ll use all its features before committing.

Why should I buy the Kids Paperwhite over the standard version?

If you have a child and you want to get them their Kindle, you may be wondering why the Kids version of the Paperwhite is a better option than the non-Kids Paperwhite. While the ordinary Paperwhite is undoubtedly a viable pick for a child, the Kids version comes with the Amazon Kids+ trial and the Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise tools. A range of cases more suitable for children makes the Kids’ edition of the Paperwhite potentially more visually appealing.

What if I want a color e-reader?

In the world of Kindle, you only have one choice right now: the newly launched Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. The Paperwhite Signature Edition has a color display and a higher price tag. If you’re reading regular books, this might not be of great value. But if you have a vast comic book or graphic novel collection, viewing them in color would be an infinitely better experience.

The end for Intel Macs: Apple to discontinue software support with macOS 27

Apple’s desktop operating system is getting its biggest design update in more than two decades via macOS 26 Tahoe. Apple has now confirmed that this will be the last update for Intel Macs, as macOS 27 will require an ARM processor.

macOS 26 is the final operating system for Macs with Intel processors. (Image source: Apple)

macOS 26 is the final operating system for Macs with Intel processors. (Image source: Apple)

On Monday, Apple unveiledmacOS 26 Tahoe, the latest operating system for MacBooks, iMacs and other devices, that will be available as a free update starting this fall. In addition to Apple’s Liquid Glass design, the update also introduces several productivity and AI features, such as the ability to translate phone calls in real time and an intelligent Spotlight search that can execute shortcuts directly. The update is also interesting for gaming enthusiasts in view of the gaming app, Metal 4 and an alternative to Nvidia’s DLSS Frame Generation.

However, macOS 26 Tahoe is only compatible with a few Intel Macs such as the Mac Pro (2019), the MacBook Pro 16, the MacBook Pro 13 (2020), and iMac. In fact, the operating system doesn’t run on a single MacBook Air or Mac mini with an Intel processor. As Apple recently confirmed at its Platforms State of the Unionpresentation at WWDC, macOS 26 Tahoe marks the end of software support for Intel-based Macs, as macOS 27 will only be available for Macs with Apple M1 or a newer ARM processor next year.

>>>Replacement battery for Intel NUC23 X15 AC57 X15 LAPAC71H

Intel Macs are getting one last round of new features with macOS 26 Tahoe. (Image source: Apple)

As usual, Apple is likely to release critical security updates for macOS 26 Tahoe for several years, but anyone wanting to receive new operating system features in the future will inevitably have to upgrade to a Mac with an ARM chip. This means that select Macs will only receive about five years of software support, which is relatively short even by Apple’s standards. Following this announcement, it’s likely that third-party software will increasingly be developed exclusively for ARM Macs.

Intel Macs are getting one last round of new features with macOS 26 Tahoe. (Image source: Apple)The rest of the Intel-based Macs won’t see next year’s macOS 27 update. This includes the following:

  • 2019 MacBook Pro (16-inch)
  • 2020 MacBook Pro (13-inch, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • 2020 iMac
  • 2019 Mac Pro

>>>Replacement battery for Apple MacBook Pro 15 A1990 (Mid 2018)From 2027, Apple will transition away from its Intel offerings and focus on providing major updates to its suite of Apple Silicon-based Macs.And, well, judging from the power that these chips deliver, and how MacBooks are some of thebest laptopsaround, it isn’t surprising for Apple to leave Intel behind.

WHY SAMSUNG MIGHT SOON DELETE A MASSIVE NUMBER OF ACCOUNTS

Person holding a Samsung Galaxy phone

Samsung is preparing to launch a “use it or lose it” policy that could result in millions of accounts being deleted if they’ve been inactive for 24 months. While the policy will go into effect on July 31, 2025, according to Samsung, it won’t start deleting accounts until July 31, 2027, giving users a two-year grace period to prepare for the change. That means whether you own one of the best or worst Samsung phones of all time or one of its SmartThings devices, if you want to keep using it with your Samsung account, you’ll want to be sure you log in at least once every two years to keep your account active. The same is true no matter which Samsung products or services you use; as long as your account stays active, you’ll keep access to everything tied to it.While some users have reported receiving an email that mentions a 12-month deadline instead of the 24-month deadline, this is a separate data retention policy that predates the 2025 account deletion rule. Under that policy, certain Samsung Cloud data, like contacts and synced files, could be deleted after 12 months of inactivity, even if the overall Samsung account remained active. These policies are a wake-up call for Samsung users: your account won’t last forever if you don’t stay active.What Samsung’s 24-month inactivity rule means for your account.>>>Replacement battery for Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung account page on Samsung phone

Samsung isn’t the first and likely won’t be the last of the major brands that will delete your account for inactivity if you don’t log in for an extended amount of time. If you have a Samsung account, it will be flagged for deletion if you go more than 24 consecutive months without using it starting on the policy’s effective date of July 31, 2025. Samsung defines account activity as: creating an account, logging into your account, and using a product or service while logged into your account. Do any of these things, and you won’t have to worry about getting swept up in the company’s account deletion policy.This new policy applies to your entire Samsung account, which you might use to sign into services like the Galaxy Store, Samsung Health, Galaxy Wearables, Samsung Cloud, SmartThings, and Samsung Kids. Once your account is deleted, the user loses access to these services along with any data stored in them. There’s no way to restore lost data after Samsung has deleted it. Deleting accounts it considers dormant is part of the company’s efforts to protect user data and privacy. Samsung will send a notification to your email address before deleting your account.However, there are quite a few exceptions to the account deletion policy. If any of the following apply to you, Samsung will treat your account as active even without a login during the 24-month period: Samsung Rewards or Membership activity, family accounts, affiliated brand cards, Galaxy Store seller accounts, or accounts tied to purchases or subscriptions through Samsung.com or the Galaxy Store.More details can be found on Samsung’s official announcement.>>>Replacement battery for Samsung Galaxy S25+Why some users are getting 12-month warnings

Man looking at Samsung Cloud settings on phone

If you’ve received an email warning that your cloud data could be deleted after 12 months, Samsung’s new 24-month policy may have left you scratching your head. It’s important to note that these are two separate policies, and one doesn’t cancel out the other. The 12-month policy applies to Samsung Cloud, where certain stored content, like contacts, calendars, photos, videos, and keyboard data, can be deleted if you haven’t accessed or updated each category within a year, even if you’re still using other parts of Samsung Cloud.Samsung defines using its cloud service as uploading or downloading content. The company will give you a 30-day notice before deleting content you have stored in the cloud. In contrast, the 24-month policy refers to your Samsung Account itself, which controls access to all Samsung services. Even if your cloud data is deleted after 12 months, your actual Samsung Account will remain active as long as you log in within the 24-month window. If you use Samsung Cloud to regularly back up your Samsung Galaxy phone, you likely won’t run into problems under either policy.

Apple tvOS 26 turns Apple TVs into sing-along karaoke boxes

Apple has introduced tvOS 26 for Apple TV, featuring a karaoke mode with follow-along lyrics that uses iPhones as microphones. The OS adopts Apple’s Liquid Glass interface design, and displays movies and shows with new poster art.

Apple TVs with iPhones turn into karaoke machines with tvOS 26. (Image source: Apple)

Apple TVs with iPhones turn into karaoke machines with tvOS 26. (Image source: Apple)

Apple has unveiled tvOS 26 for its Apple TV streaming media devices. The OS update adds new features along with a fresh interface design. Developers can access the OS today, while the public will receive a public beta next month.

The highlight of tvOS 26 is its ability to turn Apple TVs (2nd gen. or later, like this one on Amazon) into karaoke sing-along boxes when paired with iPhones (11 or newer), which are used as the microphones. The Apple Music app will play music with lighting effects along with real-time translations and pronunciation of the lyrics for music in supported languages. Viewers can support those singing by sending on-screen emojis. Users can select any AirPlay-enabled speaker (like this HomePod on Amazon) to be the permanent output speaker for their Apple TVs.

Apple TV users will see expanded language support for Live Captions during FaceTime video calls in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish. Contacts can be customized with photos to better identify them at a glance.

>>>>Replacement battery for Apple iPod Touch 1ST Gen

Apple tvOS 26 presents shows and movies with new poster art. (Image source: Apple)

Apple tvOS 26 presents shows and movies with new poster art. (Image source: Apple)

The interface has received the Liquid Glass design refresh, and movies and shows are displayed with new poster art. The design renders buttons and GUI elements as semi-transparent elements that display lighting interactions with the underlying images.

These low-key interface elements are designed to be not distracting while watching movies, but can pose a challenge for users with poor vision. It remains to be tested whether a high-contrast version of the user interface in tvOS 26 can be enabled.

tvOS 26 adopts Apple's latest Liquid Glass interface design. The low-contrast GUI elements may pose a challenge for those with poor vision. (Image source: Apple)

tvOS 26 adopts Apple’s latest Liquid Glass interface design. The low-contrast GUI elements may pose a challenge for those with poor vision. (Image source: Apple)

Personalized recommendations and watchlists are tied to user profiles, which are now displayed upon Apple TV wake for quick log-in selection. Porting watchlists and apps to new Apple TV devices is simplified for developers who use the new APIs linking app logins to accounts, and this will simplify the migration from older Apple TVs to newer models by users.

Users who never turn off their Apple TVs can enjoy cityscape, earth, landscape, or underwater photographs from the air as screen savers.

Supported sing-along languages for lyric translation in tvOS 26. (Image source: Apple)

Supported sing-along languages for lyric translation in tvOS 26. (Image source: Apple)

The best Amazon Fire tablets in 2025: our top picks

Shopping for an Amazon tablet? These are the ones you want to buy

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) review unit on table

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve been reviewing tablets for years, and for my money there’s no better budget Android slate than an Amazon Fire tablet. They’ve earned their reputation for being cheap, durable slates, and the best Amazon Fire tablets let you browse the web and enjoy your favorite books, shows and games without costing an arm and a leg.

Trust me: My team and I review all the major tablets from Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung and more every year, so I know what your money buys you in this market. I regularly recommend theAmazon Fire HD 10as the best Amazon Fire slate for most readers because it gives you plenty of battery life, capable performance and a nice screen for significantly less than your average iPad.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more and want something nicer than the 10, I recommend upgrading to theAmazon Fire Max 11because it sports a bigger, brighter display, more power and more storage than the Fire HD 10 for roughly a hundred bucks more.

But if you’re on a really tight budget and just need a cheap tablet to browse the web, I bet you’ll be just fine with theAmazon Fire 8. It’s a small, cheap slate with sub-1080p resolution, so it’s not great for enjoying your favorite movies—but it’s one of the best you can get for $100.

I’ve got a lot more advice and recommendations to share below, so scroll down for more help finding the best Amazon Fire tablet for you!

>>>Replacement battery for Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus T76N2P

Best overall

1. Amazon Fire HD 10

The best Amazon Fire tablet for most people

Specifications

CPU:2GHz octa-coreCamera Resolution:5MP front/backDisplay:10.1-inch 1920×1200 LCD TouchStorage:32GB, 64GBMemory :3GB RAMPorts:1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSDDimensions:9.69 x 6.49 x 0.34 inchesWeight:15.29 ounces

Reasons to buy

+Good value for the price
+Sharp, bright screen
+Excellent battery life
+Expandable storage

Reasons to avoid

-Amazon’s poor app selection
-Middling performance
-Lock screen ads

The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a great all-around tablet, which is why I generally recommend it as the best Amazon Fire tablet for most people.

While it’s not the fastest or most beautiful tablet on the market, or even the most premium Amazon tablet (that honor belongs to theFire Max 11), the Fire HD 10 hits a great sweet spot in terms of performance and price.

I say that because (according to our testing) you get great battery life, good performance, and a nice screen for a starting price of $150, making this a more affordable way to enjoy the benefits of having a tablet around without having to pay Apple or Samsung prices.

Its biggest flaws, though, are those endemic to the Amazon Fire tablets in general. Most notably, Amazon’s Fire OS is still app-challenged, missing the Google Play app store — which means you can’t get the full YouTube experience, for example, and you’ll miss out on a lot of great apps not available on Amazon’s app store.

But as long as you’re happy to content yourself with the apps available to you in the Amazon App Store, you can have a lot of fun with the Fire HD 10. It definitely helps to be deeply invested in Amazon’s ecosystem, as these slates are great for streaming videos, reading ebooks and browsing the web.

>>>Replacement battery for Amazon Fire HD 8 7th Generation SX034QT

Best budget option

Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) display

2. Amazon Fire 8

The best Amazon Fire tablet for those on a budget

Specifications

CPU:2GHz hexa-coreCamera Resolution:2MP (rear), 2MP (front)Display:8-inch 1280×800 LCD TouchStorage:32GB, 64GBMemory:2GBPorts:1 USB-C, 1 microSD slot, 1 Headphone portDimensions:7.94 x 5.4 x 0.37 inchesWeight:11.88 ounces

Reasons to buy

+Bright screen
+Excellent battery life
+Fantastic value
+Strong speakers

Reasons to avoid

-Performance limitations
-Rough cameras
-Amazon’s ecosystem

The Amazon Fire HD 8 is a cheap tablet, and for some that’s the main selling point.

I recommend this slate to Fire shoppers on a budget because its slightly nicer than the bottom of the barrel Fire 7, yet still affordable at $99. And while the 8-inch touchscreen isn’t sharp enough to support 1080p content, it’s more than fine for browsing the web and reading books.

This is a great utility tablet because you get good battery life (nearly 14 hours in our testing) and decent speakers, as well as easy access to Amazon’s various content streaming apps and strong parental controls. Of course, the front and rear cameras are pretty bad, but who uses their tablet to take photos anyway?

And since this tablet isn’t powerful enough to run many demanding apps very well anyway, you won’t miss the full panoply of apps available on Android nearly as much.

>>>Replacement battery for Amazon Kindle Fire HD 10 B00VKIY9RG SR87CV

Best upgrade option

Amazon Fire Max 11 review unit

3. Amazon Fire Max 11

The top-tier Amazon Fire tablet

Specifications

CPU:2.2Ghz octa-core Mediatek MT8188JCamera Resolution:8MP front/back; 1080p video recordingDisplay:11-inch 2K (2,000 x 1,200 pixels)Storage:64-128 GBMemory:4GB RAMPorts:1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSDDimensions:10.2 x 6.4 x 0.29 inchesWeight:1.08 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Bright, colorful screen
+Good battery life
+Premium build quality

Reasons to avoid

-Awkward button/port placement
-Tinny speakers
-Limited by FireOS

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is the biggest Fire tablet you can buy right now, and it’s the only one with a 2K (2,000 x 1,200 pixels) display. So if pixels count, this is the Fire tablet you want to buy for streaming shows on the biggest, most vibrant screen possible.

You pay extra for the privilege, of course, as this is not only the biggest but also the most expensive Fire tablet with a starting price of just over $200. But in return you get a speedy 2.2Ghz Mediatek chip that runs games and apps well, 4GB of RAM for speedy multitasking and a pair of decent cameras on the front and back.

Of course, even this beefy Fire tablet is handicapped by shipping limited to Amazon’s App Store. While you can sideload apps outside the Amazon App Store with enough know-how, it’s a hassle and a lot of effort to go through so you can access Google apps like Gmail and YouTube.

But if you don’t need to use YouTube, Gmail, Google Docs and other Google apps, the Fire Max 11 gives you a pretty premium-feeling slate for over a $100 less than the base iPad. It’s the best Fire tablet to upgrade to if you need more screen and power than the Fire Max 10 can deliver!

Best for older kids

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro

4. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro

The best Amazon Fire tablet for tweens

Specifications

CPU:2.0GHz octa-core CPUCamera Resolution:5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front)Display:10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixelStorage:32GBPorts:1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSDDimensions:9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inchesWeight:17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Vibrant screen makes cartoons pop
+Tenacious battery outlasts the competition
+Comprehensive 2-year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-No native Google apps
-Dull audio compared to the competitors

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is basically the same, hardware-wise, as the excellent Amazon Fire HD 10. It’s got the same octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM and vivacious 1,900 x 1,200 display. The big difference is that it’s designed specifically for use by older kids ages 6-12, so it comes with a one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription, a colorful kickstand case, and a comprehensive, no-questions-asked 2-year warranty that covers accidental damage. 

If you’re in the market for a kid-friendly tablet, few competitors can match what the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro offers for $199, particularly with that generous extended warranty. Sure, it has all the same weaknesses as every Fire tablet — most notably, no easy access to the Google Play Store — but if you’re planning to give this to a kid anyway, that’s less of an issue. 

Best for younger kids

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids

5. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids

The best Amazon Fire tablet for young children

Specifications

CPU:2.0GHz octa-core CPUCamera Resolution:5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front)Display:10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixelStorage:32GBPorts:1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSDDimensions:9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inchesWeight:17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Durable build
+Great parental controls
+Bright and sharp display

Reasons to avoid

-Lack of Google Play Store apps
-Poor sound quality
-Underwhelming performance

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids, like the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro listed above, is effectively a version of the Fire HD 10 that’s tailored for kid-friendly use. It costs as much as the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro ($199) and offers basically the same features, but aimed at children ages three to seven rather than older kids. 

Like its siblings the Fire HD 10 Kids sports a bright display, a durable kid-friendly design, and excellent battery life. Plus, the detailed built-in parental controls give you a lot of control over what a child does on the device, with little risk of them going astray. Sure, the lack of Google Play Store apps limits what you can do with this tablet, but that’s hardly a problem if you’re planning to give it to your 5-year-old so they can have something to watch videos on. If you want a durable, long-lasting tablet tailored to young children, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids is a great choice.

How to choose the right Amazon Fire tablet for you

Still not sure which Amazon Fire tablet is right for you? Here are some important things to consider.

Screen size:The Amazon Fire tablets come in a variety of screen sizes ranging from 7 to 10 inches. If you expect to be watching a lot of videos, you’ll want the biggest, nicest screen possible, so consider the Fire HD 10. But if you just want a tablet to browse the web and read ebooks, a smaller display, like those on the Fire 7 or Fire HD 8, will be more than enough for your needs.

Budget:While all of the Amazon Fire tablets are more affordable than anything Apple makes, there’s still a wide price range of $50-$200, or more if you splurge on extras. If you can afford the higher end of that spectrum, the $150 Fire HD 10 is probably the best choice for you. But if you’d rather spend $100, or $50, the Fire HD 8 or Fire 7 (respectively) are decent tablets that should meet your needs.

Age:How old is the person you’re buying this tablet for? Obviously if it’s for you, buy whatever you like, but if you’re getting a cheap Amazon Fire tablet for a younger person, there are a variety of kid-friendly options depending on their age. For those ages 3-7, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids offers decent performance, great parental controls, and a colorful drop-resistant case. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro offers effectively the same benefits for the same price, but it’s aimed at older kids in the 6-12 range. And if the person you’re buying for is older than that, they should be well-served by the standard Amazon Fire HD 10.

Battery life compared

Battery life is one of the key things to consider when buying a tablet, and even though Amazon’s slates are pretty long-lived you can’t blindly trust the manufacturer’s claims about exactly how long they’ll last.

That’s why we put every tablet we test and review through a series of battery tests, then average the results and compare them against the competition. I’ve assembled the tested battery life of every tablet on this page here in one handy chart, to help you make a more informed buying decision. Battery test results

Amazon Fire Max 1113:45
Amazon Fire HD 1012:39
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro14:12
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids14:32
Amazon Fire HD 813:42
Amazon Fire 76:56

Frequently Asked Questions

What apps can I run on an Amazon Fire tablet?

I’m so glad you asked! One of the biggest weaknesses of the Amazon Fire tablets is that they run on Amazon’s FireOS, which is a modified version of Android. But while these are technically Android slates, you can’t just buy one and start putting your favorite Google apps on it because the Google Play Store is not accessible on an Amazon Fire tablet.

That means that unless you want to futz around with sideloading apps, you can’t easily install a significant number of Android apps that other Android tablets have access to. Basic Google apps like Gmail, Google Docs and YouTube are not easily available on a Fire tablet. You can still access those services by opening a web browser and using the web versions, but you should know this key limitation of Fire tablets before you buy one.

How do I get rid of lockscreen ads?

Good question! Like Amazon Kindles, Fire tablets can be ordered with or without lockscreen ads. It costs $15 more to buy one without lockscreen ads, but that means you won’t have to stare at promos for products when your tablet is locked.

Luckily, if you decide to get rid of ads later (or you get an ad-supported Fire as a gift and want to banish the advertising) you can. Just head to Amazon’s website, log into your account and navigate to the “Manage Your Devices” page.

From your Devices page, click on the Fire tablet you wish to remove ads on and select the “Special offers” section, then navigate to the “Remove offers” option. Click it, pay a $15 fee and voila—no more ads!

How we test Amazon Fire tablets

Before we start reviewing a new Amazon Fire tablet, we send it to our lab, where it gets run through a series of tests that help us measure its capabilities. 

First, we run as many benchmarks as that tablet will allow, to see how fast they are in ways that can be compared directly against competitors. We say “will allow” as Amazon’s Fire slates have trouble with side-loaded Android apps. We then use colorimeters and light meters to measure how colorful and bright these tablets’ screens can get. After that, we put them through our in-house battery test, which times how long it takes — while surfing the web with brightness at 150 nits — to drain a tablet of a charge.

After that, we do the same things you do — browse the web, watch videos, play games, compose emails — as we use the tablet like we own it, for a week or two at least.