The 2022 Amazon Kindle goes back to basics. Or, more specifically, it upgrades its entry-level Kindle with more high-end features, like a higher-resolution screen, better battery life, and double the storage, all for $99.
The new Amazon Kindle is available for pre-order today and will ship on October 12. It will cost $99.99 with lock screen ads and $119.99 if you want to upgrade to an ad-free device. The Kindle Kids Edition, also at $119.99, comes with a two-year warranty, a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, and kid-friendly coverage.
I love my Kindle. In fact, I’ve been using one since its initial release in 2007. And while it can now be ordered in many different styles, including the $139.99 mid-tier Kindle Paperwhite and the top-tier Kindle Oasis At $249.99 (our best eReader bundle pick), it’s nice to see that Amazon is packing some extra features on its cheapest device.
The latest entry-level Kindle was announced in 2019, so it’s about time we saw an update. And, hallelujah, that super boring and anachronistic micro-USB has finally been replaced by a more ubiquitous USB-C charging port. Not only will this add faster charging, but you won’t have to keep or lug around that extra cord just for your eReader (anyone packing for a trip will understand my frustration).
And, speaking of battery life, Amazon claims the new Kindle has six weeks of read time, up from the previous two weeks of estimated battery life of the 2019 device. That’s quite an increase. .
I’m a big Kindle reader. Not only do I buy books regularly (usually through discount websites like Bookbub, which offers daily custom picks up to 95% off), but I also borrow eBooks from the library using of the free Libby app. So it’s great to see that for just under $100 you now get twice the storage space on the 2022 Kindle.
The base configuration is now 16 GB, which is double the 8 GB of the previous iteration. This should contain thousands of titles, so you can download now, read later.
Brighter display, lighter body
Finally, this brand new Kindle, while still measuring 6 inches diagonally and weighing just over 5.5 ounces, now has a higher resolution display, with a nice bump to 300 pixels per inch from the 167 ppi of the previous model. That should mean higher quality text and sharper images for things like pictures and comics.
And, because it’s e-paper, the screen is beautifully anti-glare for easy reading in direct sunlight. Plus, as a night reader, I love the adjustable front light with four LEDs, which lets you read in the dark without disturbing your partner or having to turn on a bulky book light. It might not be as bright as the Kindle Oasis’ 25 LEDs, but for less than half the price and the same screen resolution, it’s worth it.
If you haven’t switched to an e-reader yet or are ready to upgrade from an older Kindle, this 2022 version looks like a good entry point at $99.99. Not only will you get double the storage, a higher resolution screen, and a significant increase in battery life over the 2019 model, but you can also charge it with any USB-C charging cable. .
And, if you want to make it easier to get a book into your kids’ hands, without worrying about distractions on devices like the iPad or Amazon Fire tablet, the $119.99 Kindle Kids even comes with a free year of Amazon Kids+ membership. service so they can securely browse and download the titles they want at no additional cost.