Best cheap Kindle deals October 2023
8 min read
When it comes to finding a device to use to read your ebooks, you have a few options to choose from. You can always buy a tablet or use your phone, but those devices are multipurpose and can be used for a ton of things, like surfing the web or doom-scrolling on Twitter. If you are looking for something to strictly read books, e-readers, while niche, are designed to store all of your books in a virtual library with limited functionality.
Amazon, one of the pioneers of the e-reader, has dominated the space for years with its ever-expanding Kindle lineup, which consists of several unique models with their own pros and cons. The bulk of the devices function as simple ebook readers; however, with the Kindle Scribe, Amazon looks to be moving beyond books and into the realm of writing — something that should make future Kindles function more akin to physical paper.
Below, we’ve listed each model currently available. Sometimes, there isn’t a deal for one or any of the products, but we’ve mentioned the most recent sale price in those instances. Keep in mind, as well, that Amazon offers 20 percent off all of its Kindles when you trade in select devices, so there are still other ways to save money when none of the models are available at a discount.
The best Kindle (2022) deals
In case you missed it, Amazon announced a new entry-level Kindle last year, one that’s designed to replace the 2019 model. The latest Kindle — which starts at $99.99 — puts Amazon’s base e-reader more in line with the most recent Kindle Paperwhite, providing a number of quality-of-life improvements in the process. The new model features longer battery life, a 300ppi screen, and now charges via USB-C instead of Micro USB. It also touts 16GB of storage by default and comes in a new “denim” color, which resembles the soft blue you might associate with jeans.
We’ve recently seen Amazon’s newest ad-supported Kindle drop to $79.99 ($20 off) with three months of Kindle Unlimited included. Right now, though, you can only buy the Kindle at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for its full retail price. However, you can pick it up on sale at Amazon with ads, a power adapter, and a fabric cover starting at $134.97 ($15 off). Regardless of whether you choose the standalone model or the bundle, however, the new Kindle remains a worthwhile option if you’re looking to pick up an e-reader for less than the latest Paperwhite.
Read our Kindle (2022) review.
$100
Amazon’s new entry-level Kindle comes with a host of much-needed upgrades, including a better display, longer battery life, and — most importantly — USB-C charging.
Amazon’s latest Kindle isn’t waterproof and lacks adjustable color temperature, but it’s still easy to recommend given its high-res display and large storage capacity. The Essentials Bundle on offer here also comes with a power adapter and one of four fabric covers.
The best Kindle Kids (2022) deals
The new base Kindle wasn’t the only e-reader Amazon introduced in September. The new entry-level model has arrived alongside a new Kindle Kids, which is identical to the standard model but comes with a handful of accessories and provides age-appropriate content for younger readers who prefer digital books. Like the last-gen Kindle Kids, the new model retails for $20 more than the base model, bringing the MSRP to $119.99.
In terms of add-ons, the new Kindle Kids edition consists of four items: the device, a case, a two-year extended replacement guarantee (in the event the device breaks), and one year of Amazon Kids Plus. The latter is the biggest selling point of the device aside from the kid-friendly patterns, as it allows parents to grant their child access to a digital library of kid-friendly books like Percy Jackson and the entire Harry Potter series at no additional cost.
We recently saw the Kindle Kids drop to as low as $79.99. However, right now, there are no deals available, so you can only buy the 2022 Kindle Kids for its full price of $119.99 at Amazon and Target.
$120
Amazon’s new Kindle Kids is identical to the standard Kindle — meaning it packs a 300ppi display and support for USB-C charging — but comes with a case, an extended two-year warranty, and a year of Amazon Kids Plus.
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The best Kindle Paperwhite (2021) deals
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite is its 11th-gen model, which comes with USB-C support, longer battery life, and a larger 6.8-inch display. The e-reader launched more than a year ago, and it’s starting to receive steep discounts at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. That said, you can also still occasionally pick up the last-gen model from 2018 at a discount.
The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite comes in a variety of configurations: first, there’s an 8GB model with ads for $139.99 and an 8GB model without ads for $159.99. There’s also a 16GB version with ads for $149.99 and an ad-free version that sells for $169.99. Finally, there’s a 32GB ad-free Signature Edition for $189.99. The latter is identical to the standard Paperwhite except it also features Qi wireless charging and a sensor that will automatically adjust the backlight when needed.
Amazon has also rolled out a Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition for $169.99, which comes bundled with a kid-friendly cover, a two-year extended replacement guarantee, and a year of Amazon Kids Plus, much like the aforementioned Kindle Kids. All 2021 models are also similar to the 2018 model in that they feature a waterproof design and Audible audiobook support.
There aren’t any current discounts on the standard Kindle Paperwhite by itself. However, you can buy the standard base Kindle Paperwhite from 2021 as part of a package that contains a power adapter and your choice of a fabric cover for $174.97 ($20 off), a leather cover for $181.97 ($20 off), or a “cork” cover for $189.97 ($20 off).
Read our Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review.
$140
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite has a 6.8-inch E Ink display with adjustable color temperature for nighttime reading. It also boasts a faster processor, additional battery life, IPX8 waterproofing, and — finally — a USB-C port.
Amazon’s latest 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite with adjustable color temperature and IPX8 waterproofing in a bundle with a fabric cover and USB-C charger.
As for the 32GB ad-free Signature Edition, it’s available at Amazon and Best Buy right now for $189.99 — its regular retail price. However, you can buy the ad-free 32GB Kindle Paperwhite Signature with a wireless charging dock and leather cover on sale for $244.97( $20 off). You can also buy the e-reader with a cork cover and a wireless charging dock for $252.97 ($20 off) or one with a fabric cover and a wireless charging dock for $237.97 ($20 off).
$190
The premium Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition offers the same design and performance as the standard model but with more storage, an automatic light sensor, and Qi wireless charging.
Lastly, if you’re looking for the Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition, Amazon and Best Buy are selling the Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition for $169.99, its full retail price.
$170
Amazon’s kid-friendly Paperwhite is the same as the standard Paperwhite, but it’s ad-free and comes with the added benefits of a two-year hardware protection plan, one year of Amazon Kids Plus, and a choice of three kid-friendly covers.
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The best Kindle Oasis (2019) deals
The Kindle Oasis is the most expensive of the lineup, starting at $249.99. The device comes in two storage configurations, 8GB or 32GB, and like the other models, you can get it with or without ads on the lock screen.
The 2019 Kindle Oasis looks very similar to the previous model. It retains its waterproof 7-inch 300ppi E Ink display and supports Audible audiobooks via Bluetooth. However, unlike previous models, it can adjust the color temperature to a yellow-toned display, making it easier to read at night.
In the past, we’ve seen the 8GB Kindle Oasis drop to as low as $174.99, which remains the lowest price to date for the standalone configuration. Sadly, however, the ad-supported Oasis is only retailing at Amazon and Best Buy right now starting at $249.99.
Read our Kindle Oasis (2019) review.
$250
Amazon’s premium e-reader includes a warmer display, making it easier to read at night or in various lighting conditions. It’s also IPX8 waterproof, like the Kindle Paperwhite.
Amazon’s latest Essentials Bundle packages the most recent Kindle Oasis with a power adapter and your choice of either a fabric or leather cover.
As for bundles, the 8GB Kindle Oasis is currently on sale in its ad-supported configuration at Amazon with a power adapter and a fabric cover for $279.97 ($30 off) or a leather cover for $289.97 ($30 off).
The best Kindle Scribe deals
The ad-free Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s biggest e-reader to date — one that also represents a departure from past Kindle models. It packs a 10.2-inch display with 300 dpi, along with the same great battery life for which Kindles have become known. What separates the Scribe from other models, however, is that it comes with one of two styli, which can be used to annotate books, doodle, or jot down notes. We found the e-reader’s note-taking capabilities lacking in our testing, but Amazon has already started to improve the software via free OTA software updates, helping bring it up to speed with other E Ink competitors.
The Kindle Scribe starts at $339.99, but at the moment the 16GB base model is available at Amazon and Target with up to three months of Kindle Unlimited and a Basic Pen for $264.99. The 16GB base model with the Basic Pen is also available at Amazon bundled with a fabric cover and a power adapter for $379.97 ($40 off) or with a leather cover and a power adapter for $399.97 ($40 off).
As for the model with the Premium Pen, which offers a shortcut button and a built-in eraser, it starts at $369.99 with 16GB of storage at Amazon. You can also buy the Kindle Scribe with a Premium Pen, a folio cover, and an adapter for $459.97 ($40 off).
Read our Kindle Scribe review.
$340
The Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s largest e-reader to date, with a crisp 10.2-inch display, terrific battery life, and a stylus for note-taking.
Amazon’s base Essentials Bundle comes with a 16GB Kindle Scribe, a Basic Pen stylus, a power adapter, and one of three fabric folio covers.