For ease of reading
Photo: Nena Farrell
If you've ever had to read a book for a long time and experience hand cramps, these accessories can help. You can see more options in Guide to the best Kindle accessories.
E-Reader wristband with strap for $21: Attach one or both of these to the back of your Kindle—one for your right hand and the other for your left—and slide your hands in. Your hands won't cramp, you won't accidentally touch the screen and turn pages, and the reader won't slip out of your hand. Available in three sizes for different types of e-readers. You'll see exactly which models they work with on their Amazon pages as well as above this page on the Strapsicle website.
Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Stand for $29: WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell tested this and said that while it's not completely hands-free, it's an extremely convenient and comfortable experience, especially if you have any sources of chronic pain in your wrists. Clamps easily attach to bed frames and side tables (there's also a floor stand version for $70). It's lightweight to deploy anywhere and has enough resistance at the neck so it doesn't fall forward or out of the position you place it. It wobbles a bit when touched to turn pages (or bumped into by a curious cat), so she tends to put her hand on it to keep it steady from herself and her feline roommate . If you want to be completely hands-free, add it a page-turning remote so you can read without lifting a finger.
PopSocket for $10: Popsockets aren't just for your phone, they also work great on e-readers. Whether you have a Paperwhite or a basic Kindle, it's another great solution for reducing hand cramps.
Do you need a cover?
Photo: Amazon
Luckily, the Kindle isn't as fragile as our expensive smartphones, but you may still want to add a case to protect the screen if you often keep it in your pocket. They are not cushioned for serious drops. Children's version comes with a carrying case.
Fabric case for Kindle ($32) And White paper ($37): They open like a book and come in black, blue, pink or green variations. They are made from post-consumer recycled fabric.
Cloth cover for note takers ($60): This flips up and down like a notepad and you can also put it in a stand. There's also a pen slot if you don't want it to always attach magnetically. It is also made of recycled materials.
Quirky Cup collective e-reader case for $42: I love these gorgeous sleeves, especially Sun and moon version. They're beautiful and will protect your device when you're not using it, so you can toss it in your bag without worry. The outside is velvet and the inside is satin, with some padding in the middle and a zipper. The back has a small zip pocket. On each product page you will see which device is suitable, but please refer to the measurements. There are also separate, and larger, book and iPad case.
CoBak Clear Container for $10: The best thing about having a clear case is that it protects the back of your Kindle. And allows you to decorate it with the sticker below. Besides the case of CoBak, I also recommend this fun sticker pack ($10).
Great reading lamp
Photo: Simon Hill
If you often read before bed but don't want to disturb your sleeping partner, children, or roommates, I recommend investing in a reading lamp. All Kindles now have a front light, so you don't need one demand one, but these can still be useful, especially if you switch between Kindle and physical books. Here are a few of our favorites. You can find more in our Instructions for using the best reading lamp.
Vekkia 14 LED book light for $18: This is our top pick. It's a clip-on light with an adjustable gooseneck and two rotating light bars, each with seven LEDs. You can cycle through five brightness levels and three warm colors. However, it is relatively large so it is not suitable for small paperbacks. The clip extends up to 2.1 inches and serves as a stable base for placement on a nightstand.
Glocusent LED antique reading lamp for $22: This reading lamp wraps around your neck so it looks silly. But it's a great alternative to a clip-on reading light while still keeping your hands free. It's lightweight, adjustable, and comes with three color temperature modes as well as six brightness settings. It is rechargeable and offers up to 80 hours of battery life at adjustable brightness settings.
Black Diamond Wiz Headlights for $28: This is our favorite headlamp for kids. It's comfortable and the adjustable straps come in a variety of colors. It has three brightness settings and one IPX4 waterproof ratingso you don't have to worry about splashing. It automatically turns off after two hours, in case they fall asleep with it on. It takes two AAA batteries.
About older Kindles
Amazon doesn't release new Kindles very often – it usually takes the company several years to renew models. Whenever a new model comes out, inventory of the previous model starts to dwindle. It's not that I don't recommend these, I just recommend these if you can find them on sale for the right price. If not, I recommend you buy the latest version.
Before making a purchase, cross-check the price of the latest model to make sure you're spending a reasonable amount less on your old device.
- Kindle (2022, 11th generation): This is the smallest at 6.2 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, with a 6-inch screen. If you find tablets too bulky to hold in one hand, consider this one. With this model, Amazon doubled the storage capacity to 16 gigabytes and upgraded the display to 300 pixels per inch (PPI) resolution (up from 167 PPI). It's hard to find, but if you find one, you shouldn't spend more than $50.
- Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th generation): This is the next step up from the basic model. It has a bright 6.8-inch display with adjustable warm lighting, fast page turning speed, USB-C ports, and 16 gigs of storage. It's also waterproof. I like the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED recommended) also includes auto-brightness and 32 gigabytes of memory. I don't recommend spending more than $100 if you can find them.
- Kindle Scribe (1st Generation): Scribe (8/10, WIRED recommended) is a great choice for note takers. It has a huge 10.2-inch screen for taking notes, marking up PDFs or files drawand many paper formats you can choose from, such as university dot or dotted format. It also comes with a Basic Pen that provides a natural writing feel and attaches to the edge of the Kindle magnetically. I only recommend it for $230 or less.
- Kindle Kids (2022): This is the kid-friendly version of the entry-level Kindle. It comes with a cover, a one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription, parental controls, and a two-year warranty. I don't recommend spending more than $70 on this.
- Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2021): The Paperwhite version is a step up from the Kindle Kids. It has a 300 ppi high resolution display with adjustable warm screen and is also water resistant. You shouldn't spend more than $110 on this.