Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB) vs Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB)

9.4/10 Excellent

4.7★ (52,000 owners)

300 ppi, IPX8 waterproof, 12-week battery. The best e-reader for most people.

Full Review

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

9.3/10 Excellent

4.7★ (18,400 owners)

7" glare-free, 12-week battery, waterproof IPX8, warm light, faster page turns. The reading benchmark.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB)	Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
247Verdict Score	9.4/10	9.3/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (52,000)	4.7★ (18,400)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
Display	6.8" 300 ppi e-ink	7" glare-free E Ink
Battery	12 weeks	12 weeks
Light	Adjustable warm/cool	Adjustable warm

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB): 300 ppi, IPX8 waterproof, 12-week battery. The best e-reader for most people. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): 7" glare-free, 12-week battery, waterproof IPX8, warm light, faster page turns. The reading benchmark. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB)

300 ppi display is genuinely print-quality — indistinguishable from paper in good light
IPX8 waterproof — read in the bath or by the pool without concern
12-week battery life makes it the lowest-maintenance device you own
16GB stores thousands of books — effectively unlimited for most readers
USB-C charging (finally) — uses the same cable as your other devices

Amazon ecosystem lock-in — books bought on Kindle don't transfer to other readers
No physical page-turn buttons — touch-only (Kindle Oasis has buttons)
Colour e-ink is available on Kindle Colorsoft at higher price

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

7-inch glare-free display reads like paper in direct sunlight where tablets fail
12-week battery life on a single charge — eliminates daily charging anxiety
IPX8 waterproofing rated for bath, pool and beach reading
Adjustable warm light shifts from white to amber for comfortable night reading
Faster page turns than previous Paperwhite generations reduce reading interruption

Amazon ecosystem lock-in — primarily for Kindle store and library borrowing
No colour — for graphic novels and magazines, Kindle Colorsoft or a tablet is required
Advertisements on lock screen unless paying for the ad-free version

FAQ

Which is better, Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB) or Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)?

Is the Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB) worth the extra cost?

Yes — Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB) scores higher at 9.4/10 vs 9.3/10.

Who is the Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB) best suited to?

300 ppi, IPX8 waterproof, 12-week battery. The best e-reader for most people.

Who is the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) best suited to?

7" glare-free, 12-week battery, waterproof IPX8, warm light, faster page turns. The reading benchmark.

What are the main downsides of each?

Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB): Amazon ecosystem lock-in — books bought on Kindle don't transfer to other readers; No physical page-turn buttons — touch-only (Kindle Oasis has buttons). Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Amazon ecosystem lock-in — primarily for Kindle store and library borrowing; No colour — for graphic novels and magazines, Kindle Colorsoft or a tablet is required.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB) sits at 4.7★ from 52,000 verified Amazon owners, and Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) at 4.7★ from 18,400.

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