Great news for those ready to tackle that Tiktok-viral book series this summer: Amazon has just dropped a lineup of four new Kindles. The new list includes: the thinner and faster Paperwhite, a new version of the Scribe, the all-new Colorsoft and the entry-level 11th-generation Kindle. The Gen 11 Kindle is available in either black or matcha colourways and is much smaller and lighter than any of their previous releases.
I’m an avid reader, so my Kindle goes everywhere with me. It’s in my work bag every day, it comes poolside with me and to the beach in summer, and it has a special place on my bedside table each evening. So, you can imagine my excitement when I learned this news.
Recently, I was lucky enough to get my hands on the new matcha-coloured Gen 11 Kindle. I’ve put it through its paces to test whether it’s worth investing your money, or whether you should stick with an ‘analogue Kindle’. (Also known as, ‘a book’).
What is a Kindle?
A Kindle is Amazon’s speciality branded electronic e-reader. They can store thousands of books at a time, they only display in black and white (until the upcoming release of the new Kindle Colorsoft), and they’re an easy and convenient way to read on the go.
Are books free on Kindle?
Books on the Amazon Kindle store are not free, they tend to range from anywhere between $4.99 to $15. However, if you churn through several books each month, it may be worth investing in a Kindle Unlimited (KU) subscription. With this, a monthly fee of $13.99 allows you to download as many KU books as you please.
I don’t have a KU subscription myself, but many of my friends do and report that they rarely find themselves looking for Kindle books that aren’t available through the program. Two books a month is enough to see me through the month with my work schedule, but if I was able to get through more I would definitely look into signing up!
How much does a Kindle cost?
The price of an Amazon e-reader depends on the style and generation you choose. The new Generation 11 Kindle retails online from $219.
For comparison, the popular Kindle Paperwhite generally retails from around $329, and the Kindle Scribe, which is an e-reader and digital notepad in one, is available from $739.
I have had my Paperwhite for around two years now, and had my previous entry-level one for eight years before that. The only reason I bought a new one was because I felt like an upgrade and wanted to treat myself, but the quality of both have remained as good as they were on the days I bought them. In my opinion, this makes a Kindle a very worthwhile investment, especially if you’re looking to buy one for a loved one for Christmas or a birthday present.
Generation 11 Matcha Kindle Review
I’ve had the matcha Kindle in my possession for a week now, and have honestly taken it everywhere. Its smaller size allowed me to read every day while I walked to and from work. I even slipped it into my pocket for the Travis Scott concert!
It’s an incredibly easy device to use, picking up from the last page you read when you turn it on for each use. See below for my full list of pros and cons, to help you decide whether the Gen 11 Kindle should be your next purchase.
Generation 11 Matcha Kindle review
When the new Kindle e-reader came across my desk, I couldn’t wait to tear into the package. After a week of daily use, here’s why I rated it 9/10:
Pros
- Setup was quick and easy, with an option to sync it to the account previously set up on the Kindle app on your phone. Note: You have to have your phone on hand and unlocked for this process to work.
- The smaller body easily slips into any pocket and is light enough – at only 158g – to take anywhere with ease.
- The battery life is outstanding! I charged it fully before I set it up and after approximately 12 hours of use, it’s currently at 66 per cent.
- The glare-free screen has allowed me to read in the sun without any interruptions or issues.
- The USB-C charger and charging port mean a new charger is easy to find, should you lose or damage the one your Kindle comes with.
- 16GB of storage allows you to store up to approximately 15,360 books at a time, depending on their size. This leaves no room for concern about running out of storage.
- You are able to turn the backlight up 25% brighter than the original entry-level Kindle, which was super handy in environments such as the concert pictured above.
- There is less buffering time between each scroll when you’re browsing your library or the Amazon Kindle store.
Cons
- The smaller screen means you have to turn the page more frequently which can get annoying after a while.
- The power button is slightly loose, so I found it turning itself on or off now and then as my bag was bumped or my pockets moved with me.
- You are not able to adjust the warmth of the backlight like you are on a Paperwhite, which can be quite harsh on your eyes in the evenings.
Shop the Generation 11 Kindle online now at Amazon.
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