Updated October 19, 2026
Amazon just refreshed three e-readers at once: the Kindle, the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Colorsoft. They are thinner and lighter, with a flush-front screen and aluminum on the higher-end versions.
The Kindle is already available. The Paperwhite and the Colorsoft are up for preorder and ship on October 28, 2026. I’ve tried both Kindle and Kobo and I read on a Paperwhite today, so here is which one I’d pick if you devour romance novels.
Which Kindle should you buy?
Kindle
For a first e-reader
from $149.99
- 6-inch screen
- 140 g, the lightest one
- Up to 6 weeks of battery
Kindle Paperwhite
For reading a lot
from $199.99
- 7-inch screen, warm light
- Waterproof
- Up to 12 weeks of battery
Kindle Colorsoft
For covers, comics and manga
from $289.99
- 7-inch color screen
- Water-resistant, no ads
- Up to 8 weeks of battery
What changes across the lineup
A flush-front screen
The little lip around the screen is gone, the front is completely flat.
Thinner and lighter
The Paperwhite goes from 7.8 to 6.8 mm, the Kindle from 158 to 140 g.
Aluminum
On the 32 GB Kindle and the Signature Editions, instead of plastic.
New colors
Ube, Alpine Sky and Seaglass Green on the Kindle, Fig on the Colorsoft Signature.
What matters for reading stays the same: 300 ppi in black and white, the same screen sizes and the warm light.
Kindle 2026: the lightest
Its 6-inch screen and 16 GB hold hundreds of novels. Books open about 30% faster than on the previous model, and it slips into any bag.
New this year: an aluminum version with 32 GB, in Alpine Sky or Seaglass Green.
Kindle Paperwhite 2026: the most complete
A 7-inch screen, a warm light for reading in bed and waterproofing for the bath: it is the e-reader I’d pick for binging romances and long series. It is also thinner (6.8 mm) and a little lighter (204 g).
The Signature Edition adds 32 GB, an aluminum back, a front light that adjusts on its own and a double tap on the back of the device to turn pages.
Kindle Colorsoft 2026: your covers in color
Your covers, comics and manga show up in color, and you can highlight your favorite passages in yellow, orange, blue, pink or green. It is water-resistant and has no ads, whichever version you pick.
The Signature Edition adds 32 GB, the aluminum back, the auto-adjusting light, double tap and the Fig color.
All the prices
| Model | Storage | With ads | Without ads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle | 16 GB | $149.99 | See price |
| Kindle aluminum | 32 GB | – | $189.99 |
| Kindle Paperwhite | 16 GB | $199.99 | See price |
| Paperwhite Signature | 32 GB | – | $249.99 |
| Kindle Colorsoft | 16 GB | – | $289.99 |
| Colorsoft Signature | 32 GB | – | $319.99 |
Amazon.com prices, updated automatically. A struck-through price means a deal is running.
With or without ads?
The version with ads shows an Amazon offer on the lock screen while the Kindle sleeps, never while you read. It costs less, and you can remove the ads later from your Amazon account.
The new accessories
Kindle Click
$34.99
A small Bluetooth remote to turn pages under the covers without taking your hands out of the blanket. It also adjusts the brightness and works with every Kindle from 2024 on.
See on Amazon
Kindle Cover
$39.99
A thin knit fabric cover in Ube or Graphite that folds back for one-handed reading and snaps shut. Made for the 2026 Kindle.
See on Amazon
Charging Stand
$59.99
Set your Kindle on it and it charges, tilted so you can keep reading. Only for the 2026 Paperwhite and Colorsoft Signature Editions.
See on Amazon
Page Turn Cover
$79.99
A plant-based leather cover with physical buttons to turn pages, like on the old Kindle Oasis. No battery and no pairing, it just attaches. Only for the 2026 Signature Editions.
See on Amazon
Slim Cover
$69.99
A thin premium leather cover in Fig or Graphite that folds back for one-handed reading. Only for the 2026 Signature Editions.
See on AmazonShould you upgrade?
Your Kindle is 4 or 5 years old
Now is a good time: the screen, the speed and the battery, you’ll feel the difference from the first page.
It’s your first e-reader
The Paperwhite if you read a lot, the Kindle to try e-reading without spending too much.
You have a 2024 Kindle
The reading experience is close. Go for it if the aluminum or the Fig color tempts you, otherwise the Kindle Click gives your current one a little refresh.
You want to pay less
With the new models and Black Friday coming, the 2024 Kindles are often on sale. Same 300 ppi screen.
What about the Kindle Scribe?
The Scribe, the Kindle you can write on with a pen, isn’t part of this launch. It has its own lineup, including a color version, the Scribe Colorsoft, and it suits readers who annotate their books or keep a reading journal.
My verdict
I’ve tried both Kindle and Kobo, and today I clearly prefer Kindle: I find it very comfortable and responsive, and the battery life is more than enough for me. Kindle Unlimited is a nice bonus in the months when I decide to subscribe.
For now I read on a Paperwhite, and it’s the one I recommend for reading romance at night, in the bath or on vacation. But my next purchase will be the Colorsoft: when you read this much romance, you want to see your covers! And the Kindle is still perfect on a budget.
To fill it up, I post the MM romance Kindle deals I find, and a guide to start with MM romance.
Which one are you eyeing? Tell me in the comments!
Kindle 2026 FAQ
When do the new Kindles come out?
The Kindle is already available. The Paperwhite and the Colorsoft are up for preorder on Amazon and ship on October 28, 2026.
What’s the difference between the Paperwhite and the Colorsoft?
Both have a 7-inch screen and handle water. The Colorsoft shows color, great for covers, comics and manga. The Paperwhite lasts longer (12 weeks vs 8) and costs less.
What does “with ads” mean on a Kindle?
The Kindle shows an Amazon offer on the lock screen, never while you read. That version costs less, and you can remove the ads later from your Amazon account.
Should I replace my 2024 Kindle?
Not necessarily: the reading experience is very close, and the changes are mostly about design. The Kindle Click, which works with 2024 models, is a good alternative.
Which Kindle is best for reading romance?
The Paperwhite, for most romance readers: comfortable for long sessions, a warm light for reading in bed and up to 12 weeks of battery.