For easy reading
Photography: Nena Farrell
If you’ve ever had a long reading session that left your hands cramping, these accessories might help. You can check more options in our Guide to the Best Kindle Accessories.
Strapsicle e-reader wrist straps for $21: Attach one or both to the back of your Kindle (one is angled for your right hand and the other for your left) and slide your hand inside. Your hands won’t cramp, you won’t accidentally hit the screen or knock it over. pages, and the reader will not slip out of your hands. There are three sizes intended to accommodate different types of e-readers. You should see exactly what models they work with on Amazon pages as well as on this page on the Strapsicle website.
Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Holder for $29: Nena Farrell, WIRED reviewer I tested that and said that while it’s not completely hands-free, it’s a very convenient and comfortable experience, especially if you suffer from chronic wrist pain. The clamp is easy to attach to bed frames and side tables (there is also a free-standing version for $70). It’s lightweight to deploy anywhere and has enough neck strength that it won’t fall forward or out of whatever position you place it. It wobbles a bit when touched to turn the page (or when bumped by a curious cat), so she tended to put a hand on it to keep it steady between her and her feline roommate. If you want to have your hands free, add a remote control that turns the pages so you can read without lifting a finger.
PopSocket for $10: Popsockets aren’t just for your phone, they work great on e-readers too. Whether you have a Paperwhite or a basic Kindle, this is another great solution for reducing hand cramps.
Do you need coverage?
Photography: Amazon
Fortunately, Kindles aren’t as fragile as our expensive smartphones, but you may still want to add a case to protect the screen if you frequently carry it in a bag. These are not padded for major falls. The Kids editions come with cases.
Fabric Kindle Covers ($32) And White Paper ($37): These open like a book and come in variations of black, blue, pink or green. They are made from post-consumer recycled fabric.
Fabric cover for Scribe ($60): This flips over like a notepad and you can also position it on a stand. There’s also a slot for the pen if you don’t want it to attach magnetically all the time. It is also made with recycled materials.
The Quirky Cup Collective E-Reader Sleeve for $42: I prefer these beautiful sleeves, especially the ones Sun and Moon version. They look beautiful and will protect your device when you’re not using it, so you can throw it in your bag without worry. The exterior is velvet and the interior is satin, with a little padding in between and a zipper. On the back there is a small zipped pocket. On each product page you will see which devices fit, but check out the measurements. There are also sleeves for books and iPad.
CoBak Clear Case for $10: The advantage of having a transparent case is that it protects the back of your Kindle. And allows you to decorate it with stickers underneath. In addition to the CoBak case, I also recommend this fun sticker pack ($10).
Great reading lights
Photography: Simon Hill
If you typically read before bed but don’t want to disturb your partner, kids, or roommates, I suggest investing in a reading lamp. All Kindles now have a front light, so that’s not the case. need one, but these can still be useful, especially if you’re switching between your Kindle and physical books. Below are some of our favorites. You can find more in our Guide to the best reading lights.
Vekkia 14 LED Reading Light for $18: This is our first choice. This is a clip-on light with an adjustable gooseneck and two pivoting light bars each containing seven LEDs. You can cycle through five brightness levels and three warm colors. It’s relatively bulky, so it’s not ideal for small paperbacks. The clamp opens up to 2.1 inches and serves as a stable base to place on a nightstand.
Glocusent LED Reading Light for $22: This reading light wraps around your neck, so it looks ridiculous. But it’s a great alternative to a clip-on e-reader while still keeping your hands free. It’s lightweight, adjustable, and offers three color temperature modes as well as six brightness settings. It’s rechargeable and provides up to 80 hours of battery life on lower settings.
Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp for $28: This is our favorite headlamp for kids. It is comfortable and the adjustable straps are available in different colors. It has three brightness settings and a IPX4 water resistance ratingso you don’t have to worry about splashing. It turns off automatically after two hours, in case they fall asleep with it. Two AAA batteries are required.
About those old Kindles
Amazon doesn’t release new Kindles often: the company usually takes a few years between models. Every time a new model arrives, the stock of its predecessor begins to dwindle. It’s not that I don’t recommend them per se, but I only suggest them if you can find them on sale at the right price. Otherwise, I recommend purchasing the latest version.
Before making your purchase, check the price with the latest model to ensure that you are spending much less on the older device.
- Kindle (2022, 11th generation): It’s the smallest of the lot, measuring 6.2 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, with a 6-inch screen. If you find tablets too bulky to hold with one hand, consider this one. With this model, Amazon has doubled the storage to 16GB and upgraded the display to 300 pixels per inch (PPI) resolution (from 167 PPI). It’s hard to find, but if you can find one, you shouldn’t spend more than $50.
- Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th generation): This is the next step up from the base model. It features a bright 6.8-inch display with adjustable warm lighting, a fast page turn rate, a USB-C port, and 16GB of storage. It is also waterproof. I like the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED recommends) which also includes automatic brightness adjustment and 32 GB of storage. I don’t recommend spending more than $100 if you can find them.
- Kindle Scribe (1st generation): The Scribe (8/10, WIRED recommends) is a great option for note takers. It has a giant 10.2-inch screen, for taking notes, annotating PDFs or drawingand many paper sizes you can choose, such as lined or dotted. It also comes with the Basic Pen, which feels natural for writing and attaches magnetically to the side of the Kindle. 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 subscription to Amazon Kids+, parental controls, and a two-year warranty. I don’t suggest spending more than $70 on this one.
- Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2021): The Paperwhite version is a step up from the Kindle Kids. It has a high-resolution 300 ppi display with an adjustable warm screen and is also waterproof. You shouldn’t spend more than $110 on this one.