I love reading โ or at least thatโs what I tell myself. In reality, Iโve always had a very on-and-off relationship with it, going from devouring books in days to barely opening one for weeks or months on end.
But one constant Iโve realized is that I donโt tend to prioritize reading โ if thereโs a show Iโm binging, a new game I canโt stop thinking about, or simply lots of social engagements to attend, books will generally get put aside until I have more time on my hands.
But then something occurred to me โ while I donโt always have long stretches of time that Iโm happy to devote to reading, my days are full of short periods that arenโt being filled, like while Iโm waiting in line or at a train station, or simply waiting for the kettle to boil. And then there are times when Iโm on a train or in a cafe and might want to read, but donโt have a book with me as I travel light.
With all that in mind, back in late January, I bought the ViWoods AiPaper Reader โ a pocket-sized Android ereader thatโs small enough to carry with me everywhere alongside my phone โ in the hopes that it would get me reading during periods that might otherwise be dedicated to podcasts or simply spent sitting or standing in slightly bored silence.
At the same time, I also had some hope that, since this ereader has full access to the Google Play Store, it might help cure my smartphone addiction โ as doomscrolling was likely to be less desirable on an E Ink screen.
A tiny device that was a big reading success
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Before buying the ViWoods AiPaper Reader, I hadnโt read much in a while โ I had dozens of unread books on my Kindle Colorsoft and big stacks of physical books silently judging me. I might start one, but it wouldnโt stick โ life would get in the way, or it wouldnโt immediately grab me enough to reach for it again.
But the ViWoods AiPaper Reader changed that. I loaded up the Kindle app on it and got in the habit of keeping it in my pocket, alongside my phone. Then, almost any time I would previously have switched on a podcast โ such as when on a train or in small empty moments of my day โ Iโd reach for this instead.
It didnโt matter whether I had two minutes or two hours; Iโd aim to read something, and because the AiPaper Reader was always in my pocket, there was no excuse not to. I didnโt even have to go to my shelves to grab a book.
It allowed me to build a consistent reading habit and make progress with books even on days when I didnโt have much time, or wasnโt massively in the mood to read. After all, reading a couple of pages while boiling the kettle is still better than nothing, and it all adds up. And best of all, because this device got me back into reading, Iโm now more inclined to read my paperbacks than I have been for some time.
Was it all smooth sailing? No, there have been some days and even a few weeks where I would stop carrying the ViWoods AiPaper Reader with me. But so far, Iโve always found it easier to go back to than a larger ereader or a physical book.
An imperfect light and unnecessary AI
(Image credit: TechRadar)
This isnโt the perfect pocket-sized ereader. It has a front light but not a warm light, which can make reading at night a bit less comfortable than on some of the best ereaders โ especially as the brightness is adjustable, the minimum level is still quite bright.
Thereโs also the AI-shaped elephant in the room, which even if you know nothing about this device, youโve probably been wondering about from its name.
Like so much recent tech, the ViWoods AiPaper Reader is trying to cash in on the AI craze; there's a dedicated AI button that you can press to speak to an AI chatbot, with models from OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek, and Qwen all built in.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
These platforms can be used either as general-purpose AI chatbots or in combination with ViWoods' own apps to, for example, look up definitions of words in the books youโre reading. But personally, Iโm tending to just use the Kindle app for reading, which canโt directly communicate with the AI.
Plus, using the ViWoods' AI functionality requires a Wi-Fi connection, which drains the battery faster than I want from an ereader, and itโs slower to interact with than just pulling up Gemini on my phone.
Beyond AI, some of the other software available on the ViWoods isnโt perfect, either, as while it runs a fairly recent version of Android in Android 16, thereโs no promise of any version updates, and ViWoodsโ own interface leaves a little to be desired. For example, there's little explanation of how some features work, and many important settings are hidden away in an โadvanced settingsโ submenu. Thereโs also an 11-step process to actually authorize and activate the Google Play Store on this device, despite it running Android.
Those gripes aside, Iโve generally been impressed by the ViWoods AiPaper Reader. Its 6.13-inch Carta 1300 screen is big and crisp enough to comfortably read on, its battery lasts me anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on how much Iโm using it, and it looks like a genuinely premium device, with a slim, sleek design thatโs almost up to the standards youโd expect from a premium brand like Apple.
This didnโt cure my addiction
(Image credit: TechRadar)
While the ViWoods AiPaper Reader got me reading again, it was less successful at breaking my doomscrolling habit โ though not a complete failure.
I figured that, since it runs Android apps, I could keep my phone in another room when Iโm at home, and use the ereader for most things, with its monochrome E Ink screen sure to leave me reaching for it less.
And it somewhat worked for that โ when I was disciplined about actually keeping my phone out of reach. But after a while, I got out of the habit, and even when I did keep my phone elsewhere, Iโd sometimes encounter things I genuinely wanted it for, like penning a long message. So this wasnโt the perfect solution for me.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Iโd perhaps have more luck if I fully replaced my phone with a device like this โ and the ViWoods AiPaper Reader does have a SIM card slot, so it can fulfil most smartphone functions. But it lacks speakers and cameras, so youโd be making some unfortunate sacrifices.
Were I serious about that idea, I might invest in something like the Mudita Kompakt instead, as thatโs designed specifically as a minimalist E Ink phone. So, if youโre looking primarily for something to break your smartphone habit, Iโd suggest a device like that instead (or, perhaps, the similarly distraction-free Balance Phone).
Still, as a secondary function on a device Iโm mostly using for books, the ViWoods AiPaper Reader has not been a total failure.
Now, if youโll excuse me, Iโve got some reading to do.
I've used the 2024 release of the Kindle Scribe (2nd generation) for two years and I've loved every minute of it. I didn't think there was a better E Ink display to write on (and read on for that matter) and I definitely didn't think it could be improved. Yet that's exactly what Amazon has done with the 2025 (3rd generation) Kindle Scribe with frontlight.
The epaper display is still one of the best to read and write on, but it looks even brighter and, indeed, it is bigger, with 11 inches of screen real estate to use. That's fantastic for note-taking and drawing, but unnecessary for a device that also doubles up as an ereader.
Despite the additional height, the 3rd generation Kindle Scribe is both marginally thinner and lighter than its predecessor, but it is hard to hold in the hand for long periods of use โ I constantly felt the need to place it on my lap or a table even when reading, but more so when jotting notes. Moreover, the lack of a broad bezel means it's very easy to trigger a page turn as the thumb rests so close to the edge of the display.
The thinner chassis is solidly built, although there's still no waterproofing (as is the case on most digital notebooks), so be careful if you decide to use it by the pool, the bath or the kitchen sink. And definitely keep it away from the sea's salty water to avoid corrosion.
The new stylus is also redesigned and, while it might feel too smooth for some users, I adore it! It never slipped once, even with sweaty palms, and, personally, gave me one of the best writing experiences I've had on a digital notebook (with the exception of the ViWoods C1 ceramic stylus possibly). Additionally, the magnetic hold to the side of the device is the strongest I've seen to date on any such device.
The homescreen interface has been refreshed and is quite practical in my opinion, and renaming the previous Notebooks tab to Workspace kinda makes sense to me. There are a few new features here: a handful of fresh templates in Workspace, a Smart Shapes feature that some users might find useful and, importantly, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive connectivity for seamless cloud transfer of files. There's even AI-enable search that can trawl through handwritten notes to give you a concise summary to answer your query.
What I'm struggling with is justifying its high price tag. While everything is now a lot more expensive, the extra screen real estate and handful of new features don't go a long way in explaining the significant price increase over its predecessor but, then again, the base model now has double the storage at 32GB and it sure is a very fast performer.
As someone who's extensively used reMarkables and Boox alternatives, I think the 3rd generation Kindle Scribe definitely gives its competitors a run for their money. I'd still only consider picking it up when discounted and only if you don't already have a previous Scribe and are embedded in the Amazon ecosystem.
Book credits: Anirudh Kanisetti and Juggernaut Books (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) review: price and availability
First announced October 2025 in the US; available to buy since December 2025
Released in the UK and other select markets in early 2026, available in Australia since mid 2026
List price: from $499.99 / ยฃ449.99 / AU$849
The 3rd-generation Kindle Scribe is expensive โ at a starting price of $499.99 / ยฃ449.99 / AU$849, it's $100 / ยฃ70 / AU$200 more than its predecessor's entry cost, but it does go some way in justifying the increase.
Firstly, as I've already mentioned, the entry model now has 32GB of storage compared to 16GB, plus the display is 11 inches (previously 10.2 inches). There are a few new software features that make it a better digital notepad compared to the 2nd-gen Kindle Scribe from 2024, but it's still hard to justify paying full price when color E Ink devices don't cost much more.
That said, color E Ink isn't where it should be in 2026 and I wouldn't recommend the $629 / ยฃ569 / AU$999 Kindle Scribe Colorsoft over this monochrome sibling.
On the other hand, the reMarkable Paper Pure, which also offers 32GB of storage, but a 10.3-inch screen and a minimal interface that's not conducive to reading is a lot cheaper with a starting price of $399 / ยฃ359 / AU$629. Even the 64GB Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II) Lumi is cheaper at $449.99 / ยฃ429.99 / AU$729.
I would still recommend the 3rd-gen Kindle Scribe if you want both a reading and note-taking device in one, but perhaps consider picking it up when it's discounted, which it invariably will be during a major sale, more so once Amazon discontinues the 2024 edition (which it invariably will).
However, if you already own the 2024 version, I wouldn't recommend the 3rd-gen as an upgrade as you won't miss much. And as long as it's available to buy, the 2nd-gen is definitely better value even at full price.
โข Value score: 3.5 / 5
The little Kindle logo on the bottom corner of the 2025 Scribes is a new addition (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) review: specs
Display type:
E Ink Carta 1300
Screen size:
11 inches
Resolution:
300ppi
Processor:
Undisclosed quad-core chipset
Frontlight:
Yes (warm and cold) with ambient light sensor
Storage:
32GB / 64GB (non-expandable)
Battery:
Undisclosed capacity rated for up to 12 weeks
Speaker:
No
Water protection:
None
Software:
Linux-based
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz); Bluetooth 5.1 USB-C
File support:
13 document, 4 image, 1 audio
Dimensions:
189 x 245 x 5.4 mm (7.4 x 9.6 x 0.21 inches)
Weight:
400g (without case and stylus)
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) review: design and display
11 inches of beautiful, bright E Ink Carta 1300 screen real estate
Sturdy, premium build, but slim bezels can be an issue
Thinner and lighter than previous generation, with newly designed Premium Pen
It might not seem all that different from the previous two Kindle Scribes, but the 3rd-gen model with frontlight is a different beast, at least physically. As already mentioned, it's now a little taller thanks to an 11-inch display, but it's ever-so-slightly thinner (5.4mm vs 5.7mm) and lighter than the second-generation Scribe (400g vs 433g).
How Amazon has managed that is beyond my understanding, but it's a welcome change as it helps negates a little bit of the hand and wrist fatigue the extra height adds during handheld use over longer periods of time.
That, sadly, is exacerbated by the fact that the broader bezel from the previous generations is no longer there beside the screen where your thumb could rest. Now, all four sides are surrounded by even yet narrow bezels that can trigger a page turn if your finger or palm even remotely touches the edge of the screen. It's something you can get used to but, even then, I think all the new 2025 Kindle Scribes are best used while on a table or desk, or your lap.
Other than that, the Kindle Scribe still looks like a premium device with a very sturdy build, despite being thin and light, with minimal embellishments for a clean look. Unlike the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, though, the 3rd-gen model only comes in the usual Graphite (previously called Tungsten) variant, and I do wish another chassis color was available. You're also not going to get any waterproofing here like with the other Kindles.
The 3rd-gen Kindle Scribe (right) is a bigger screen than the 2024 release (left) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
What I'm thrilled about, though, is the new stylus. Amazon has redesigned the Premium Pen, which is now a white, smooth-bodied styls with a slightly sharper nib that adds better control to marking on the screen. The smoothness of the pen's body might make it harder to hold for some users, but I didn't have any issues with slipping, even if my palms ended up being sweaty for whatever reason.
Better yet is the magnet that attaches the pen to the side of the tablet, which is arguably the strongest I've come across on any such device. Even without a case, the Pen has never come off inside my bag when taking it in or out of a pocket. And I do mean never โ it has shifted in angle, sure, but not completely fallen off. That's just my experience, though.
You still get an eraser on the top and the customizable shortcut button, as well as five spare tips in the box. What you don't get is the aforementioned sleep case, which you will need to purchase separately, but there are options galore directly from Amazon and third parties.
The white Premium Pen may not suit everyone, but I love it more than the 2024 Kindle Scribe stylus (in black) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
As much as I would love to wax lyrical about the stylus, it's the 11-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display that's the star of the show here. It was already fantastic on the 10.2-inch 2024 Scribe, but now it just seems a touch better.
I'd like to say it's because of the 100nit peak brightness that makes it look nicer, but even with the LEDs dimmed, it's the cleanest, almost-white display I've used on an epaper tablet that still manages to seem like paper. In fact, I much prefer it over the duller-looking E Ink Kaleido 3 display on the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
The flush screen is protected by a top layer of glass that also has an anti-glare coating. You also get the standard 300ppi resolution which, despite being spread over a larger area, still renders text and writing in sharp clarity, and it's arguably one of the most responsive screens on an epaper device to date.
โข Design & display score: 4.5 / 5
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) review: Software
Refreshed homescreen setup which is cluttered with Kindle Store recommendations
Cloud service access is very welcome
More writing tools but not necessarily of note (pun not intended), but new a AI feature could prove useful
It's not a complete makeover, but the homescreen setup on the top of the 2025 Kindle Scribes is different to what was previously on the older models. There's easy access to what Amazon is calling a Quick Note โ just tap on it and it opens up an empty notebook for you to start writing on โ beside which is a single column of your recently opened items (now called Jump Back In) that were previously arranged horizontally.
By default, the Quick Note takes up more than half the left side of the screen, but it can be shrunk by tapping double arrows, which then separates your recently opened items list into two columns, thus adding more, whether that be notes or ebooks.
I like this setup better as it's a quick glance at a fair few recently opened items, rather than you needing to scroll horizontally, plus you can see what you wrote in the Quick Note without needing to open it.
The new homescreen design is better than before, but it's still cluttered once you scroll down (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Below this section is a whole lot of what I think is clutter but some users who are embedded in the Amazon ecosystem would appreciate. These include the Recently Added items list, followed by new-feature intros and several Kindle Store recommendations based on your reading habits, which is what I really detest โ it just feels like overkill and I much prefer Kobo's homepage which looks neater to me.
While the bottom navigation menu still has four items, the previous Notebooks tab is now called Workspace and it has a few extra templates that I personally couldn't find much use for. I would have loved a dedicated journal template but... oh well. Otherwise, everything else is carried over from before, with limited pen and brush options that artists perhaps won't be very happy with.
Active Canvas works even on sideloaded books...Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar..as does the side marginSharmishta Sarkar / TechRadarI do wish the library would allow subfoldersSharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar
The biggest improvement here (across all three 2025 Scribes in fact) is the addition of Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive support. As someone who uses the former, it's made file transfer a lot easier than using the email sharing option that has previously been the clunkier norm.
There is, however, a caveat when it comes to PDFs: you can't actually mark them up after exporting them if you need to do so. The only way to reflect changes is to export the file and open in Google Docs to edit. Despite that, I still think access to cloud services is a huge improvement and I hope Amazon rolls it out to the older Scribes as well.
Also new is a feature called Smart Shapes that you can access from the stylus menu in a note โ if you need to create, say, flowcharts, you can roughly draw a circle or triangle and it will automatically get converted into a proper (or neat) shape. It's not something I personally found useful, but I think it could be for students, teachers and scientists.
Smart Shapes could prove useful for some users (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The AI-powered handwriting conversion and summary creation tools from the previous generation is available here, as are the ebook annotations (Active Canvas) and side-margin notes from before, but AI search in your notes is new. It allows you to enter a keyword or phrase and all your notes, including handwritten ones (uh-huh, that's different, innit?) will be scanned to give you an AI-generated summary. It's another feature that I don't see everyone needing, but if you have a copious amount of notes on the same subject (like I occasionally do), it can be handy.
I should note that all this software improvement takes up a heck of a lot of storage. For example, when I looked into the Device Options on my 3rd-gen Scribe and Colorsoft units, I only had about 22GB and 21GB of usable storage respectively out of 32GB. This is still a good amount, but 11GB is still a heck of a lot of space to give up for power users who might want to store a lot of ebooks, audiobooks and documents on the device. To put it into context in another way: there was a time when 8GB storage was the norm in an ereader, meaning the Scribe software wouldn't even fit into an older ereader!
Software score: 4 / 5
Amazon might offer 32GB of storage, but you can't use all of it (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) review: User experience
Despite its size, it's one of the best screens to read on
New stylus writes wonderfully, although writing and drawing features are still comparatively limited
Handful of new templates added for note taking
I have a few Kindle devices at home, including three of the 2024 releases, and yet I'm not really a Kindle fan because of how much the user interface forces you into the Amazon ecosystem.
However, the 3rd-generation Kindle Scribe with frontlight has come very close to changing my mind โ I am willing to put up with the homescreen clutter because of how good reading and writing is on that glorious E Ink display. It's hands down the best epaper tablet I've tested in 2026 (it's a delayed review as it wasn't released in Australia, where I'm based, until June this year).
Amazon has made it easier to transfer files, although file support is still lagging behind the competition (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Reading
As I've already said, the 300ppi resolution looks a little better on this Scribe than it did on the previous generation because Amazon has optimized the display very well to render text in sharp clarity.
I've seen some users complain that the Scribes don't look as good as the Paperwhite, but it's important to keep in mind that the 7-inch Kindle has less surface area with the same amount of pixels as the 11-inch version, so the pixel size on the larger device will be slightly bigger. And that makes a difference, but not so much that it stands out. You have to look really carefully to see that kind of difference.
I am a big fan of the ambient light sensor on the display, which means the screen automatically dims or brightens up depending on whether I'm indoors or outdoors, or how bright or dark it might be around me. In other words, it automatically gives me a pleasing brightness for nighttime reading.
I may not need large fonts, but no matter the light setting, text is crystal clear (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The larger screen makes it an ideal choice for comic book fans but, then again, color makes them more enjoyable while you'll be reading them in grayscale. The bigger screen, however, is fantastic for those who prefer larger fonts, so you aren't turning pages after a few sentences and, thus, conserving a little battery.
The Kindle font support is still not as good as flexible as on a Kobo or a Boox device. For example, sideloaded EPUBs added to the device via the Send To Kindle platform render well, but I found a few MOBI files that didn't open as expected but work perfectly fine on my Kobo Libra Colour.
I am, however, very grateful for Amazon's cloud storage where anything in your library previously added to older devices are accessible on any new Kindle.
Writing & drawing
I didn't think Amazon could better the writing experience from the previous-generation Scribe, but lo and behold, a redesigned stylus has achieved just that. As I've previously stated, the pen is the real hero when it comes to epaper writing tablets and the white Premium Pen with a slightly sharper nib glides very well over the glass and yet has just the right friction.
Then again, a pen choice is very personal and some users might prefer more friction, which is understandable. Personally, my experience was perfect, allowing me very good control over the marks I made in a note.
Some writing templates are useful, but not all (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
What I'm not necessarily too enthused by are the limited writing tools. I think Kobo's Advanced Notebooks are still a better option compared to what Amazon offers on the Scribe, although Android devices give you even more features and tools if you think you'd need them.
While there are some new templates for notes, I think their use would be very limited to select users, and I would have much preferred if Amazon had, instead, added more pen options. I may not be able to draw to save my life, but I can see how this limitation might affect artists. For everyday doodling, my colleague Lance Ulanoff finds the Kindle Scribe better than his iPad for drawing, especially when outdoors.
Writing and drawing limitations aside, the physical experience of putting words down on the 2025 Scribe is par excellence and, for that, I can't deduct too many marks.
User experience score: 4.5 / 5
Renaming Notebooks on the 2024 Scribe (bottom) to Workspace on the 3rd-generation model (top) is neither here nor there (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) review: Performance
The fastest Kindle yet, with page turns barely visible (unless animated)
Absolutely no ghosting, even with image-heavy ebooks
Battery life takes a small hit compared to previous generation
Amazon doesn't reveal what hardware components it uses under the hood of its devices โ all we know is that there's a quad-core chip with an indeterminate amount of RAM โ to keep things ticking along, but whatever there is sure makes the 3rd-generation Scribe the fastest Kindle yet.
In fact, I think I might go so far as to say it's arguably the fastest ereader and epaper writing tablet I've tested to date. I make that claim based on my recent Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II) Lumi review that I was testing at the same time the Amazon device and, despite being a 2026 release, was so significantly slower than the 2025 Scribe, specifically in terms of page turns.
On the Scribe, you can barely discern a page turn, unless you have the animation turned on of course. Several times during my two-week test period with the Scribe I didn't even think a tap registered until I saw the words on the new page. The time I did notice a blip was when the device was doing a full refresh.
Like its predecessor, there's absolutely no ghosting here, whether you've got image-heavy or word-heavy books. Not even a faded mark appears overlaid on notes, and I do wish Boox would learn how to achieve that.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Battery capacity is another spec that Amazon doesn't reveal, but it does say that it can last up to 12 weeks on a single charge when used for about 30 minutes a day. It's definitely doable, but I think battery life on the previous 2024 edition was slightly better. Potentially more LEDs (another spec that Amazon doesn't reveal) to power a larger display could be the main culprit here, but it doesn't take too much of a hit in comparison.
In my use case, with up to four hours of reading and about 30 minutes of writing each day saw the battery nearly empty in five days. That's with the ambient light sensor on, so no manual brightness adjustments were made and that does put pressure on the battery. Sleep timer was set to 30 minutes and Bluetooth was off, although Wi-Fi was always on. Similar use with the 2024 Kindle Scribe saw the battery drain in approximately seven days for me with the same settings.
Recharging, however, seems to be remarkably quick on the 2025 version of the Scribe with frontlight, with my unit taking just about 20 minutes to top up from 21% down when plugged into a 60W wall charger. That's with the screen switched off, though. If I charged it while the device was in use, it took close to two hours via the same adaptor and USB-C cable.
On the other hand, my Kindle Scribe Colorsoft drains even quicker and takes a heck of a lot longer to recharge.
โข Performance score: 5 / 5
With limited settings options, the Kindle UI is easy to wrap your head around (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Should I buy the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) with frontlight?
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
It's frightfully expensive and, despite, being larger with a few new features, it's still hard to recommend at full price.
3.5 / 5
Design & display
The 11-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display is bright and full of contrast โ it's the headline act here. But the larger build makes it hard to use handheld for too long, especially without a broader bezel.
4.5 / 5
Software
The refreshed homepage setup is nice, and cloud services are a welcome addition. But not all new features will have as much value to the average user.
4 / 5
User experience
The new Premium Pen may not be to everyone's liking but I can't fault it, although I still think Amazon should have added more writing tools. As an ereader, though, it's fantastic, albeit too large if that were its sole purpose.
4.5 / 5
Performance
It's the fastest E Ink writing tablet I've tested to date, although its battery life has taken a small hit compared to previous generations.
5 / 5
Buy it if...
Money is no object and you want the best Kindle Amazon has made to date
Whether that's the screen for reading or writing, or just how impressive its overall performance is, the 3rd-generation Kindle Scribe is worth auditioning if you need a digital notebook.
You want to read and write on the same device with an easy-to-use interface
I might personally find the homescreen on the Scribe cluttered, but that doesn't detract from the fact that Kindles are easy to use. And if you want large fonts while reading or you're a habitual margin scribbler and note taker, there's enough here to take care of your digital reading and writing needs.
You want to access your files easily on any device
Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive support aren't new โ Boox has been offering that long before even Kobo decided to, but it sure is new for a Kindle. So for fans of the Amazon ecosystem, access to cloud services is a welcome addition, although there is a small caveat with editing PDFs on any device.
Don't buy it if...
You want better bang for your hard-earned buck
As good as it is, the 3rd-gen Scribe isn't worth buying at full price. As long as the 2nd-gen edition is still available, that offers better value (despite the missing new features) or you can opt for an alternative from another brand, many of which are slightly cheaper.
You read a lot of comics and graphic novels
I wouldn't recommend the even-pricier Kindle Scribe Colorsoft for comics, manga and graphic novels because color E Ink still has a way to go to be worthwhile, but you'd find buying an iPad or an Android tablet for colorful pages much cheaper and more enjoyable.
You want a dedicated writing or drawing tablet
For the average note taker, the Scribe is fine, but you need more writing or drawing tools, you're better off considering a reMarkable or a Boox device instead. Professional artists should definitely looks elsewhere.
Also consider
The 3rd-generation Kindle Scribe with frontlight is easy to recommend and, for some users, it might even justify its high price tag. For anyone else, know that there are alternatives to consider, and they'll actually save you a little cash even at full price.
reMarkable Paper Pure
While a reMarkable doesn't exactly double up as an ereader, it's perfect as a dedicated digital notebook. Its minimal interface is fantastic, it now offers more storage than the reMarkable 2 is replaces and it's slightly cheaper than its Amazon counterpart. Read our in-depth reMarkable Paper Pure review to learn more
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2nd gen)
I'm fairly certain this older Scribe will be discontinued soon (as Amazon is wont to do with previous-generation Kindles), but as long as it's available, it's better value. You won't miss the additional screen real estate, and I'm hoping Amazon will roll out some of the new software features available on its successor to make it even better than it already is. Read our full Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review for more details
How I tested the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025)
The 3rd generation Kindle Scribe (left) might be better, but the 2024 edition (right) is better value (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I sadly had the 3rd-generation Kindle Scribe for just two weeks for this review, but I ensured I spent as much time as I could with it. As I've previously mentioned, I spent an average of 4-5 hours with it each day during that time, sometimes more, both reading and writing.
I was able to access my existing library as soon as I signed into my Amazon account, but I also uploaded some new EPUBs using the Send To Kindle web platform. I also connected the Scribe to my Google Drive account to transfer a couple of PDFs to the device, but I also saved select notes to the cloud, which automatically upload as PDFs with handwriting (no automatic text conversion takes place, but you can manually trigger that on the Scribe if you wish).
I tried the Smart Shapes feature and used the new AI search to test if it would be able to summarize my own review notes for me, which is successfully did. Handwriting conversion was also tested, albeit using a colleague's scrawl (I hate to admit but I can't scribble chicken scratchings no matter how hard I try).
Kindle Unlimited and Audible were also accessed on the device, and I was able to pair a JBL Bluetooth speaker for listening.
Learn more about how we test devices here at TechRadar
As far as epaper writing tablets go, Boox has some of the most versatile options thanks to their Android-based operating systems, and the Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II) Lumi is arguably the best of them despite its rather mouthful of a name โ Iโm just going to call it the โLumiโ from here on in.
I was already a fan of the original model, calling the reMarkable dupe a pleasure to use in my Boox Go 10.3 review โ and by just adding a light and making the battery consumption more efficient, the Chinese ereader maker has made the Gen II model better.
Despite the screen being a touch slower than Iโve experienced with other devices like the 2024 and 2025 Kindle Scribes, the light adds a lot of contrast to the screen, making it easier to read on, whether thatโs an ebook or a handwritten note. Now, I have to mention that there is a Gen II without a frontlight as well but, in my opinion, having the screen lit up just makes the epaper writing tablet that much more usable in any situation. With a frontlight, it also becomes a true Kindle Scribe alternative โ again, thanks to its Android-based OS that gives the user access to the Google Play Store.
However, the aforementioned slow display is a disappointment as every time I woke up the Lumi to read or write, there would be a couple of screen refreshes (clearly marked as โRenderingโ when directly waking up to the native library application) before it settled down. Page turns, though, are fine but, again, Amazonโs 2025 Kindle Scribes are just that little bit faster at this as well. Long story short, screen performance doesnโt seem to have improved over the Gen I Go 10.3.
While I can live with the slower screen, I canโt fathom why Boox would retire the stylus that came with the original Go 10.3 as it was a lot better than the supplied InkSense Plus pen. The new stylus isnโt as smooth to write with, and is heavier, detracting from the all-important writing experience.
So as much as Iโd love to say the Lumi is an improvement over its predecessor โ and it is in a couple of ways โ it just seems like Boox has taken two steps forward (with the frontlight and battery life) but one step back with the stylus.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Boox Go 10.3 Gen II Lumi review: price & availability
Announced March 2026
List price: $449.99 / ยฃ429.99 / AU$729
Available directly from the Boox Shop and third-party retailers
With the addition of the frontlight, the price of the Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II) Lumi is a lot higher than the launch price of the original Go 10.3 โ youโre looking at shelling out $449.99 / ยฃ429.99 / AU$729 for the former, which is about $70 / ยฃ50 / AU$120 more than what the latter was when it was released in 2024.
Thatโs quite steep, although considering how expensive every bit of tech is getting thanks to RAM shortages, Iโm not really surprised. Itโs still competitively priced considering the 3rd-generation Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025 release with frontlight) retails for $499 / ยฃ449.99 / AU$849 for the 32GB flavor, while you get double the storage with the Lumi. Throw in the versatility of Android and itโs arguably better value (even compared to any of the reMarkables), but given its overall performance and user experience compared to the competition, Iโd be hesitant to recommend it.
If the frontlight isnโt important, you can opt for the Gen II version without it, which will set you back $419.99 / ยฃ399.99 / AU$689. Prices for both Boox Gen II devices include the InkSense Plus stylus and a magnetic sleep case.
โข Value score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Boox Go 10. Gen II Lumi review: specs
Display type:
Undisclosed E Ink Carta HD panel
Screen size:
10.3 inches
Resolution:
300ppi
Processor:
2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 690
Frontlight:
Yes (warm and cold)
Storage:
64GB (non-expandable)
Battery:
3,700mAh
Speaker:
Dual (stereo)
Water protection:
None
Software:
Android 15
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz); Bluetooth 5.1 USB-C
File support:
20 document, 4 image, 2 audio
Dimensions:
235 x 183 x 4.8mm (9.3 x 7.2 x 0.19 inches)
Weight:
364g (without case and stylus)
Boox Go 10. Gen II Lumi review: design & display
Good-looking, lightweight epaper tablet, but clunky stylus
10.3-inch E Ink display with good contrast
Textured rear panel adds good grip
With its eggshell-white body and metallic trim, I thought the first-gen Boox Go 10.3 was a pretty tablet, so Iโm glad to see that the Gen II version hasnโt been changed โ except for a slightly more textured rear panel that affords a little more grip, which is important for a slim device like the Go series slates. I should note here that both Gen II Go 10.3 tablets are identical physically but, without LEDs on the unlit version, itโs about 14g (0.5oz) lighter.
While the slimness doesnโt make for fantastic ergonomics, the Lumi weighing only 364g is, in fact, lighter than the Gen 1 model that tipped the scales at 375g without screen lights. It is about 0.2mm thicker than the previous Go 10.3, but thatโs neither here nor there.
Itโs still a beautiful device and, despite the thinness, there are dual speakers on either side of the USB-C port on the bottom edge, as does a mic. The only button is for power/sleep on the top edge. Thereโs no microSD tray here, though, for additional storage. One larger bezel allows plenty of room for your hand, although holding such a slim device, no matter how light, isnโt necessarily ergonomic. If you add in the sleep case, however, it just becomes heavier.
I should talk about the case here, really quick โ itโs a faux suede cover that unfortunately comes with the removable flap that I utterly detest. The brown suede material starts to lose its luster within days of use, so I canโt attest to its longevity, but I canโt fathom why Boox has to make the magnetic flap removable. This has been the case with the last few Boox devices Iโve tested and I find it rather annoying โ the magnet is quite strong and the flap tends to entirely come away when you unfold it to close the case or secure the stylus to the side of the tablet.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Speaking of which, the magnetic hold of the stylus is good but, as with nearly every such device, itโs not strong enough to keep the pen secure during travel, so you do need to depend on the case.
Boox has also changed the pen, now offering the InkSense Plus stylus that has a thicker tip that just isnโt as smooth as the previous stylus. Itโs also slightly heavier than the older pen, which makes it feel clunky in the hand that, in my opinion, doesnโt lend itself well to controlled mark making on the screen. And as Iโve discussed elsewhere, the stylus can make or break the user experience for epaper tablets. Sadly Boox is moving away from using EMR support on its screens (just like reMarkable), so you canโt use a third-party pen on the Lumi.
Boox hasnโt revealed what E Ink screen technology itโs using here, but the 10.3-inch display isnโt bad, with a 300ppi resolution. Itโs not as yellow (warm) as Iโve seen on other Boox devices and the frontlightโs incremental adjustments for both brightness and temperature are excellent, adding wonderful contrast to the text or writing on the screen that makes the Lumi a far better reading tablet than its predecessor.
โข Design & display score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Boox Go 10. Gen II Lumi review: Software
Runs a custom Android 15-based operating system
A relatively clean user interface, but it takes getting used to
Plenty of good native apps, but access to the Google Play Store makes it very versatile
Where the original Go 10.3 released in 2024 was using Android 12, the Lumi (and its cheaper sibling) have been upgraded to Android 15, although the software is a very trimmed-down custom version of Googleโs operating system. You still get unfettered access to the Google Play Store, so you can, in theory, use any Android app, but e-ink tablets werenโt meant for streaming content or playing games on.
That said, nearly every Boox device comes pre-loaded with native apps that are quite good in their own right and have been improved over time as well, making them more streamlined than before. Thatโs not to say the UX is easy โ if youโve never used a Boox device before, it will take time to wrap your head around it all as there are still little adjustments that are hidden in sub menus.
Whatโs different with the Go series compared to other Boox tablets is the home screen navigation โ the main menu is arranged vertically on the left, with the Library being your default view. You can change the main menu items in Settings, though, either adding or removing applications.
Customizing the user experience has never been Booxโs problem, which means you can choose between several options for System Display or Gestures, and even tweak individual native apps as you see fit โ even the NaviBall is optional to use and can be configured to trigger a plethora of functions.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The Control Center hasnโt changed much over the last couple of years, but Iโm still not sure access to an AI assistant is necessary on an e-ink device, but perhaps some power users would appreciate it.
As always, you can sign into a fair few cloud services, including Google Drive and Dropbox, get full support for EverNote and OneNote, or download any other productivity application you might need, but keep in mind that not all third-party apps will be optimized for this device.
One of the things I really like about Booxโs premium note-taking tablets is OTG (on the go) support. This means I can plug in an external hard drive or portable SSD directly into the USB-C port to transfer files. In fact, itโs what I predominantly use even though BooxDrop is a handy app for cloud transfer. I donโt even bother signing into my Google Drive account on a Boox these days.
There really isnโt very much to complain about from a software standpoint โ itโs the writing experience that takes a tumble here.
โข Software score: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Boox Go 10. Gen II Lumi review: User experience
Good screen contrast with lights makes for a lovely reading experience
The supplied pen, however, isnโt as nice as the older version for writing
A device might look lovely and come with the nicest software, but ultimately its user experience determines its value. And thatโs the case with the Go 10.3 Gen II Lumi โ it does a lot right, like its reading experience is lovely, but its main functionality of writing is a little bit of a letdown.
Reading
Like I said, reading on the Lumi is lovely โ the frontlight makes the text stand out, adding contrast where previously, on the Gen 1, it was disappointing. Page turns are quick enough too with the screen quite responsive to taps and gestures.
And yet I feel itโs a little slow for an epaper tablet that was released in 2026. For example, every time I woke up the Lumi during my months-long testing, it took a while to โrenderโ an ebook from its native library app.
It very much seemed like it was refreshing the app twice before finally rendering the page. On the other hand, the 3rd-generation Kindle Scribe released in 2025 takes a second or two to open but doesnโt flicker or โrefreshโ the page โ itโs a lot smoother on waking up. As are the Kobo Libra Colour and Kindle Paperwhite from 2024.
Boox doesnโt reveal what E Ink screen tech its using, but other than its slight slowness on waking up, I canโt complain about the reading experience. All books and images rendered on screen have been sharp and clear, particularly with the frontlight on.
Writing
The same kind of contrast with the frontlight on is available on the Notes app too where handwriting looks sharp and clear on screen. However, the physical act of writing on the Lumi isnโt as good as it has been on the Gen 1 because Boox decided to change the stylus.
The previous pen had a thinner nib that moved over the screen quite well. The new InkSense Plus stylus is heavier and the slightly thicker tip feels like it needs to be dragged to make a mark โ it feels clunkier in comparison.
Boox has also stepped away from using EMR screens, which means you canโt swap that pen out for another. I tried using one of Booxโs own older pens (used to be supplied with the Note series) and it didnโt work. Thatโs a real shame as writing is the Lumiโs principal function and the experience of doing so is disappointing.
The native Notes application, though, is full featured โ in fact, for the average user itโs probably overkill โ and would be ideal for students, teachers and researchers.
โข User experience score: 3.5 / 5
Boox Go 10. Gen II Lumi review: Performance
Generally good performance except on waking up
A lot of ghosting visible, especially in the Notes app
Exceptional battery life for an Android device
The Lumi's overall performance is a mixed bag. While it uses a better chipset (Qualcomm Snapdragon 690) compared to the original Go 10.3 (Snapdragon 680), it hasn't really made much of a dent in the speed with which the Lumi performs the tasks at hand.
That's not a complaint โ it's an observation. However, Amazon's newest Kindle Scribes are just that much faster at things, like page turns are so quick they barely register that they've moved and the lag between pen input and the mark on screen is barely discernible. On both counts the Lumi is just that smidgeon slower that you can notice if you use it side by side with the 2025 Kindle Scribe (3rd generation).
The slow waking up of the screen is also something that has bothered me, and I've already mentioned how disappointing the writing experience is, but I'm also surprised at how much ghosting there still is on Boox devices, including the Lumi, something Amazon has managed to completely eliminate on its Kindles. You'll be able to notice the ghosting on nearly every single image I have in this review (including in the gallery below).
Where the Lumi really shines (pardon the pun) is with battery life. It still uses the same 3,700mAh battery pack that was in the Gen 1 model and yet whatever software adjustments Boox has made has pushed battery life to weeks rather than days. It's the first Android digital notebook I've used to have such an impressive battery life, one that can match the Kindle Scribes, albeit dependent on use.
In my case, an hour of reading and 30 minutes of writing per day gave me 17 days of use with frontlight at medium brighness and a similar warmth setting, plus Wi-Fi on at all times (but not Bluetooth). Using cloud services and didn't make any dent on the battery usage, although excessive online browsing did drain a little extra but not by all that much.
Topping up was average, with the 3,700mAh pack going from 19% to full in just under two hours when plugged into a wall charger via a high-quality USB-C cable.
โข Performance score: 3.5 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Should I buy the Onyx Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II) Lumi
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
It's cheaper than the 3rd-gen Kindle Scribe, but you'll get better performance elsewhere
4 / 5
Design & display
It's a beautiful device with reMarkable 2 vibes, and a frontlight makes a world of difference. However, the display just seems to lack the oomph factor I've seen in newer epaper tablets.
4 / 5
Software & apps
With an Android-based software allowing for versatility, and a nicer user interface than previous Boox UIs, it's hard to fault the Lumi. It's not perfect, but it ain't bad.
4 / 5
Writing & productivity
It's fantastic to read on, with brilliant contrast when the light is on, but the supplied pen is a major letdown when it comes to writing.
3.5 / 5
Reading
Without a frontlight, it's not the ideal ereader
3.5 / 5
Performance
On its own, the Lumi performs well for most users, but it's hard to give it full praise when there are faster E Ink displays being used on competitive digital notebooks, but the battery life is the best for an Android epaper tablet.
3.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a thin, light digital notebook with frontlight
There are more epaper writing tablets without a frontlight now than with, and trust me when I saw that can make a difference to usability, especially at nighttime and in bright sunlight.
You want the versatility of the Google Play Store on your digital notebook
It's not the only Android-toting epaper writing tablet, but it's well priced compared to some of the competition.
Don't buy it if...
You'll be doing a lot more writing than reading
The Lumi's main function is as a writing tablet and, given the disappointing stylus supplied with it, it's hard to recommend when there are competitors offering a better experience.
You want the best performance out of your digital notebook
It's not that the Lumi is bad; it's just that there are better options out there that have more responsive screens with next-to-no ghosting.
You need plenty of storage
64GB is a very good amount of storage that you'll get on the Lumi, but power users with large files saved on the device might need more, and there's no microSD card tray here. For that, I'd recommend Boox's Note series over the Go.
Also consider
I like the Lumi, but I don't I love it. If, like me, you'd be keen to check out other options, the two below are the ones I'd recommend, both of which are cheaper but aren't Android based.
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2nd gen)
It might have been succeeded by the 3rd-gen Scribe that's bigger and better, but it's still available to buy and still makes for an excellent e-ink writing tablet with a lovely screen and, importantly, regularly discounted now since it's an older model. Read our full Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review for more details
reMarkable Paper Pure
It's not as full featured as an Android-based epaper writing tablet, but this reMarkable offers you a distraction-free slate to unleash your creativity. It's essentially the reMarkable 2 in a new body with 32GB of storage. Read our in-depth reMarkable Paper Pure review to learn more
How I tested the Onyx Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II) Lumi
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I've tested a range of ereaders and epaper writing tablets for TechRadar, so I'm well suited to compare the Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II) Lumi with its competitors.
As with all such devices I've previously tested, the first thing I did with the Lumi was to sign into the Google Play Store and down the Kindle and Kobo apps. I then used OTG support to transfer ebooks to the device directly from a portable SSD via the USB-C port, but I also used BooxDrop and cloud transfer from Google Drive to test various services.
The Lumi then became my daily ereader and note taker for 4 weeks, using it an average of 2-3 hours a day to read and write. I'm not an artist, so drawing was out of the question.
Out of curiosity, I also downloaded Geekbench 6 to benchmark the CPU (the app is available on the Play Store). I sideloaded a few MP3 files to test the onboard speakers.
Here's the thing about an epaper writing tablet like the Kindle Scribe: not everyone needs one. Digital notebooks like the reMarkable Paper Pure or the Boox Go 10.3 are aimed at productivity rather than reading, and the latter is what most people want from an E Ink tablet.
For those who will make full use of a digital notebook's writing suite, I would highly recommend the ViWoods AiPaper over anything from Amazon, Kobo or Boox. It runs on a version of Android 13 โ which might seem outdated now, but it honestly doesn't really matter too much on a device such as this โ and not only allows you to read, jot notes and doodle, but also gives you full access to the Google Play Store.
Personally, I don't think you even need to download third-party apps on the ViWoods AiPaper as it comes preloaded with a fair few apps that include email, news and much more.
This remarkably thin and light 10.65-inch epaper tablet used to carry an eye-watering RRP of AU$1,199.99 but that's since dropped to a much more acceptable AU$899. However, there's a lovely 33% discount on Amazon for Prime Day that drops the price further to AU$599.99, making it cheaper than any of Amazon's newest 2025 Kindle Scribe releases.
The ViWoods AiPaper more than earns its keep by offering plenty of productivity features on a display that's easy on the eyes. You get the choice of two AI assistants for various tasks, including voice-to-text or handwriting-to-text conversion, plus full access to the Google Play Store. There's a lot you can do on this productivity tablet and yet its UX doesn't overwhelm. And this price includes not just the stylus, but a fabric magnetic sleep case as well.View Deal
I can wax lyrical if I start discussing this epaper productivity tablet, but you can get the full lowdown on it in my in-depth ViWoods AiPaper review. I was so impressed by it that I think it's now the best ereader for writing.
Calling it an 'ereader', however, is doing it a disservice: it wasn't designed for reading, and the lack of a frontlight means you can't do so in bed without having a light on in the room. During the day, though, you can still use it as an ereader, but it was meant to help you organise your thoughts and your day.
It comes with several native applications precisely for that purpose, including one called Paper for note-taking, another called Picking for drawing and doodling, and a Daily app that's essentially your diary/calendar.
Other than Supernote, ViWoods is the only other company I'm aware of that offers a native Mailbox app that you can set up to send and receive emails. In fact, you can even handwrite your replies that the AI assistant can then convert to text before sending. Now, watch out for handwriting recognition โ I found it wasn't always perfect, but it will be right most of the time. The good news is you can always make edits via the onscreen keyboard before sending the email on its way.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
That's not all: you can input diary entries via voice prompts. There's a mic on board that didn't have a lot trouble understanding me, but I found it easier to write my diary entries and to-do list into the Daily app.
The only native application I had a little confusion understanding was the Learning app, but it quickly became clear that's where the library is nestled and it's the perfect platform for marking up PDFs.
There are also a bunch of third-party applications already preinstalled, including Kindle, Kobo, Libby, OneNote and The New York Times. There's even Marvel Unlimited and Wattpad all ready and waiting for you to sign in if you use either of those platforms.
Needless to say the ViWoods AiPaper offers a ton of useful features without overwhelming you with its user interface โ it's not as minimalist as reMarkable but neither does it go overboard like Boox.
And it's all wrapped up neatly in a beautiful chassis that's one of the thinnest I've come across and uses the E Ink Carta 1300 display that's optimised well here. The supplied stylus is lovely to use, and the magnetic case that ships with it keeps the thin form factor intact while adding a layer of water protection to the tablet.
I really could go on, but suffice to say I love the ViWoods AiPaper and can't recommend it highly enough.
I hear people all too often tell me that they prefer physical printed books because they like the feel of the paper, the sound of the pages turning, the smell from the ink... Well, if that's what you're focusing on, you really aren't reading, are you? All those should be superfluous if you're deep into a good story.
And given the convenience of an ereader โ portable tablet with thousands of titles stored locally, Bluetooth connectivity for audiobooks, the cheaper cost of ebooks, no need for bookshelves that require dusting โ you can't convince me that buying one of the best Kindles isn't a good investment.
That's especially true right now since Amazon's Prime Day 2026 sale has seen prices tumble to record lows. In fact, they're even cheaper now than they were on day one of the sale, which has never happened and I've covered every single Amazon sale in Australia since the online retail giant arrived Down Under in 2017.
All the Australian prices listed below are exclusive to Prime members though, so be sure you have a subscription before buying. If you don't, you can sign up now and get a 30-day free trial as a first-time customer, which will cover the entire Prime Day sale. You can cancel any time.
All the Kindle Prime Day deals listed below ship to New Zealand at no additional cost, so do not miss this chance.
With Amazon having ended support for some of its older Kindles, now is a very good time to upgrade or get your first ereader. They even make thoughtful gifts...
I love the Matcha Green more than the usual black variant, but if you're looking for the smallest and cheapest Kindle, this is it. You get a 6-inch screen that is an older generation E Ink Carta 1200, but still does a splendid job of displaying text. There's the standard 16GB of storage but Kindle OS takes up a fair chunk of that, so keep in mind you'll only have about 10GB of usable storage here. (NZ$146.36 with free shipping to New Zealand)View Deal
The 2024 Paperwhite remains one of the best Kindles you can get. Its E Ink Carta 1300 screen is fantastic, page turns are quick and we gave it 4 stars in our review. My only complaint is the same as with the Kindle above โ which is a significant chunk of its 16GB storage is taken up by the OS, which isn't really a deal breaker. If you have the extra cash, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition will get you double the storage for AU$249 (24% off). (NZ$246.73 and NZ$265.18 respectively for the Paperwhite and the Signature Edition)View Deal
The Kindle Colorsoft is one of the best ereaders with a colour display, even offering a feature to make the hues more vivid. While I wouldn't recommend at full price because colour E Ink just isn't there yet, this discount sweetens it for anyone who is sold on the Colorsoft hype (and there's nothing wrong with that). If you'd like more storage than the 16GB version, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is also 27% off to AU$326. (NZ$276 and NZ$340.81 respectively for the standard and the Signature Edition)View Deal
Kindles are known for their reading capabilities, but with the Kindle Scribe, you get that and a whole lot more. With a wide range of writing features, you can take notes, create sketches and brainstorm like a pro. I love its 10.2-inch glare-free screen with an ambient light sensor, and it's battery life is excellent too. It's now the previous-gen model, but arguably better value than the 2025 3rd-gen release. (NZ$443.27 with free delivery to New Zealand)View Deal
There are two main Kindle ranges: Colorsoft and Paperwhite. If you're in the market for a new Amazon ereader but aren't sure which one to buy, this article is here to help. I've put together a cheatsheet of what you need to know to make your decision, starting with the key differences between the two lines, the current Paperwhite options and Colorsoft options, a specs comparison table, and a summary of which to buy. I've also included a section on your other options in the Kindle range.
Ready to choose your new ereader? Let's get started...
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs Paperwhite: similarities & differences
In this section, I'll be discussing the standard Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft models, as well as the Signature editions, but not the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
Let's start with the similarities. Regardless of whether you buy a Colorsoft or Paperwhite, you'll be getting a seven-inch, glare-free screen, IPX8 waterproofing, and an option of either 16 or 32GB of storage. All offer 300ppi resolution when used in black and white.
The big difference to know is that the Paperwhite models only display in black-and-white, whereas the Colorsoft Kindles can also display in color (at 150ppi, which is standard for a color ereader). This has a knock-on effect on battery life: Amazon says the Colorsoft models will last eight weeks on a single charge, whereas the Paperwhite can go up to 12 weeks. That's based on half an hour of reading per day, on a brightness level of 13, which is just below halfway.
It also has an effect on price โ regardless of if you opt for a Signature or standard model, at list price the Paperwhite Kindles are cheaper than the Colorsoft models.
Kindle Paperwhite models
There are two main Paperwhite models: the regular Paperwhite and the Paperwhite Signature. The only difference is that the Signature has double the storage (32GB compared to 16GB for the standard model).
There are three main Kindle Colorsoft options: the standard model, the Signature edition, and the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft. The first two are basically the same, except the Signature packs twice as much storage (16GB compared to 32GB). The Scribe Colorsoft offers writing capabilities alongside color reading, and it's different enough that I've relegated it to the 'Other options' section of this article.
Amazon
Kindle Colorsoft
Amazon
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs Paperwhite: which should I buy?
The only real reason to choose a Colorsoft over a Paperwhite is for its color display potential. Aside from that, the specs are either the same or better on the Paperwhite, and Paperwhite models are cheaper, too.
So how good is the color? Our tester was extremely impressed. You can get the full low-down in the Display section of our Kindle Colorsoft review, but the short version is that panning and zooming is smooth and speedy, with no ghosts or artifacts popping up, and refresh is "nearly undetectable".
On the subject of picture quality, our tester had this to say: "The Kindle Colorsoft lights the color and black pixels evenly, and color pages look fantastic. They look like paper, as they should... Get an iPad if you want bright and saturated." You can get a taster of what to expect in the carousel of images below.
You can use color to highlight text in different hues, which could be useful to students, for example. However, the obvious market for a device like this is graphic novel fans. On this point, be aware that because the Kindle Colorsoft can't run third-party apps, you'll be limited to the titles available via Amazon's own ComiXology platform. This offers a decent selection of comic books, but is more limited than the likes of Marvel Unlimited and DC Universe Infinite.
Note that you can read graphic novels on a Paperwhite, but they'll just be in black and white. Just like on the Colorsoft, there's a Panel view feature that expands each individual frame on the page โ see it in action on a Paperwhite below.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
If that has convinced you that color is something you'll want to make use of, buy a Colorsoft model. If not, pick up a Paperwhite and enjoy the cheaper cost and longer battery life.
Other Kindle options
If you're in the market for a black-and-white ereader, you also have the option of a standard Kindle, which has a smaller screen than the standard Paperwhite and Colorsoft ereaders, is cheaper and lighter in weight too. There are a few concessions you'll need to make, though: the battery life is on the shorter side, and it's not waterproof.
There's also the Kindle Scribe and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which you can use for writing as well as reading. Both have larger (11-inch) screens, and neither are waterproof. Note that if you go for a Scribe Colorsoft, you can't use the two parts in tandem โ so you can't take notes on a color page โ which weakens the proposition somewhat.
What I do want โ nay, need โ is a lovely, cozy reading nook.
It's been a dream of mine to sprawl by a window, sunshine streaming into a cozy corner where I can spend hours doing the one thing I truly love โ read. I can read for hours on end and, right now, I end up lying in bed for that. I don't even move to my couch because it just doesn't feel... cozy.
Then a 'reading chair' on BookTok caught my attention and I've been keen to find something like it in Australia. Well, guess what? Amazon has a version of it... actually, there are a few versions of the same chair going for different prices and the one I've had my eye on is both Prime eligible for free delivery to my Sydney metro address with two-day delivery guaranteed, and it's a lot cheaper than other versions I've seen on Amazon and elsewhere.
It's not a discount, but other listings of similar versions of this oversized lounge chair are about AU$500. And they're not even Prime-eligible, so they incur a hefty delivery fee, which this listing doesn't. It may not be the exact plush option BookTok made popular, but hey, it still looks like I could curl up and fall asleep on it while reading.View Deal
While there's no mention what the cover material is, this comes close to the corduroy look of the one I saw on BookTok. Whether it's corduroy or not, I don't mind โ I'm just chuffed that it comes shrink-wrapped and vacuum-sealed, like a mattress in a box, and all I have to do is unpack it to let it inflate. No assembly required!
The listing says it uses memory foam, which should be a good thing and, going by some of the user reviews on the Amazon listing page, most customers have actually liked it.
I can use it as a lounge chair if I so choose, and it becomes an extra bed when I have a guest over. All in all, that's a good investment I think.
There are a few other 'reading chairs' that caught my eye when I was looking for this one on Amazon, and they do look tempting. I'd be keen to see how prices fall when Prime Day 2026 in Australia kicks off on July 7.
With just days to go before Prime Day 2026 kicks off in Australia, it's no surprise that early deals have already started, with Amazon's own subscription services being the stars of the opening act.
You can now get three months of free Kindle Unlimited and Audible if you're a new or returning customer to either or both of the services, which is fantastic news for avid readers.
That's the best early Prime Day deal in my books (pardon the pun) because, as a voracious reader who has set herself a challenge to read upwards of 60 books in the calendar year (I usually average about 30), three months free of Kindle Unlimited is sure to help. Yes, I did sign up for Kindle Unlimited myself as a returning customer, hoping to discover some unknown gems in my preferred genres of history, fantasy and mythology.
So, instead of the usual 30-day free trial, you get an extended three months free trial, but keep in mind that this will not include an additional 30 days โ the original trial period becomes null and void in these circumstances.
That's still a good deal, because you save two months of subscription cost at the very least, which is AU$27.98 (or AU$13.99p/m) for Kindle Unlimited and AU$17.98 (or AU$8.99p/m) for Audible.
Amazon Kindle Unlimited: three months free, then AU$13.99p/m Kindle Unlimited is a great service if you read a lot of books or can't settle on just one genre. It provides access to a near never-ending supply of fiction and non-fiction, including biographies, self-help books, and foreign language novels. There are even audiobooks โ though they're not as high quality as Audible. View Deal
Audible: three months free, then AU$8.99p/m Prefer to listen to stories rather than read? Then youโll prefer this deal over the Kindle Unlimited deal above. Audible gives you the chance to listen to thousands of Originals as well as plenty of other hot titles. You also get to keep any purchase you make if you decide to cancel your subscription.View Deal
Note that these early Prime Day deals โ like all other Prime deals โ require a Prime membership to be eligible. In fact, you won't even see those offers on Amazon if you aren't signed in with a Prime account. If you have a standard Amazon account, you will find Kindle Unlimited for half price (AU$6.99p/m) for three months instead.
Again, it looks like opting for this half-price deal voids the standard 30-day free trial as that's presented as a separate sign-up option for non-Prime members. So definitely take advantage of this excellent deal as a Prime subscriber.
The best early deal I can see for non-Prime members is four months free of Music Unlimited, and that's even better value, especially if you listen more than read. Not only does a Music Unlimited subscription get you ad-free HD streaming access to millions of songs, there are hundreds of thousands of podcasts and audiobooks too.
Music Unlimited: four months free, then AU$13.99p/m No ad breaks, just music, podcasts and audiobooks. You can stream in high resolution and experience spatial audio for a full four months, and you can cancel any time if you don't want to pay the ongoing monthly subscription. You will need to be a new Music Unlimited subscriber, however, to take advantage of this offer.View Deal
If you've never had a Prime membership before, you can get a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime to get access to this year's Prime Day deals. You get the same benefits as paid members, including free delivery in thousands of eligible products, and access to other services such as Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Gaming and more. You can cancel at any time during the trial to avoid paying the regular fee of AU$9.99 per month. Just click on any of the buttons below to sign up now.
Did you use the Prime Day sales to snap up a new Kindle Colorsoft at a bargain price? Great thinking! Now, don't ruin it by forgetting to kit yourself out with a case. The good news is that a whole load of my favorite 7-inch Kindle cases are also on sale right now โ including the official Amazon ones and a bunch by third party brands. It's almost like they wanted to capitalize on all those new Kindles being purchased, or something.
I've rounded up my favorites below, in the US and in the UK. I strongly suspect these deals will disappear with the ones on the ereaders themselves โ that is, at midnight, when the Amazon Prime Day sales officially end. Oh, and if you went for a Kindle Paperwhite instead, I have more good news: it's the same size as the Colorsoft, so all of these cases will be good for either.
Not yet made your purchase? I wouldn't drag your feet too long, or you're going to miss your chance for those bargains (we likely won't see another good discount until the next Prime Day event โ which won't be any time soon). If you're looking for more information to help you decide, TechRadar's Kindle Paperwhite (2024) review and Kindle Colorsoft review should help you out, or head to my Kindle range guide, which should help you make sense of your options.
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is an outstanding color ereader โ in our review, we awarded it four and a half stars, calling the scrolling and zooming "kind of amazing" and declaring it "the fastest, smoothest e-reader [we'd] ever used, whether reading in color or just black and white text".
Right now, the standard version has a tasty 36% discount in the Amazon Prime Day sales (and the Colorsoft Signature version, with twice as much storage, has 21% off), but before you hit that buy button, maybe you want to check if this is truly the best ereader for your needs? If so, you've come to the right place.
If you're intent on a color ereader, the biggest competitor is probably Kobo. At regular prices, the Kobo Clara Colour would have the budget-friendly edge over the Colorsoft, but it's pricier right now. However, if you're in the market for something more feature-rich, check out the Kobo Libra Colour. This one earned a perfect five stars in our review, and it has the edge over the standard Colorsoft because you can use it for scribbling down notes as well as reading (although you will need to purchase a stylus). If you wanted to do that on a Kindle, you'd need the Colorsoft Scribe,which is โ spoiler โ the priciest option in this guide, by a significant margin, and almost the same price as buying a Kindle, a Kindle Scribe and a Kindle Colorsoft separately.
Another option is the Boox Go Color 7 Gen II, but we'd struggle to recommend it because the display just isn't quite up to scratch โ it has a yellow tinge, and the text lacks sharpness, which is unforgivable given the high price. Read on for the best prices on all the key color ereader options, or hop to the bottom of the page for a specs comparison table, so you can see how they match up.
Just AU$5 more than its all-time low price and now matching the Paperwhite's RRP, the Kindle Colorsoft is definitely worth it for AU$299 and arguably better value than the 6-inch Kobo Clara Colour.