Why everyone is talking about it
BookTok turned reading into one of TikTok’s biggest communities, and the Kindle Paperwhite is the gadget you see in half of those videos. It’s also one of the most heavily discounted devices in Amazon sales, which keeps it on gift lists every year.
What the reviews agree on
Tom’s Guide said the bigger display, faster performance and longer battery justify the price increase. TechRadar praised the improved screen contrast and battery but found the design plain for the price. Expert Reviews called it too familiar to be a must-upgrade, but still the go-to touchscreen e-reader. The repeated catches: no page-turn buttons, and ads on the lock screen unless you pay to remove them.
Volt’s take
For anyone without an e-reader, this is an easy recommendation and a lovely gift. If you already have a Paperwhite from the last few years, keep it. Wait for a sale: Kindles are among the biggest discounts on Prime Day and Black Friday.
Last updated: 14 October 2026