The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
A simple but effective e-reader with a sharp screen and good battery life at a budget-friendly price.What's good
- Sharp 300 ppi display
- USB-C charging
- Long battery life
- Compact and lightweight
- 16GB storage
What's bad
- Not waterproof
- No auto-brightness
- Build feels cheap
- Slow refresh rate
- Power button placement
Design
The Kindle (2022) is compact and lightweight, weighing only 5.56 ounces. You can easily hold it with one hand, making it comfortable for long reading sessions.
Its small size means it fits neatly into bags and even some pockets, handy for travel and daily use. The matte plastic body, though durable, tends to scuff and attract fingerprints.
Reviewers like Tom's Guide noted, "It remains comfortable to hold." Experts suggest using a case to improve grip and protect the device from marks.
Screen
The Kindle's 300 ppi e-ink display provides a fantastic reading experience, comparable to paper, even in direct sunlight.
Reviewers found that the upgraded display resolution made a "world of difference," easing eye strain and greatly improving readability.
Although it features adjustable brightness, it lacks the warmer light options offered by higher-end models, which some found harsher during evening reading sessions.
Storage
The 16GB of internal storage allows you to keep a vast library with you, accommodating thousands of ebooks or several audiobooks.
This amount of storage is an upgrade from older models, doubling the previous capacity. You'll enjoy having more room for your favorite reads and listens.
Battery Life
This e-reader stands out for its impressive battery life and fast charging capabilities.
Amazon claims you can enjoy up to six weeks on a single charge, provided you read for about 30 minutes each day with the brightness set to 13 and Wi-Fi turned off.
The inclusion of a USB-C port is a welcome upgrade, significantly reducing charging times. As noted by Tom's Guide, "I’ve been using it for a while now and still have not had to charge it."
Reviewers generally agree on the strong battery performance, even when using features like Audible audiobooks via Bluetooth, which can somewhat reduce the battery life.
Software & File Format Support
You can easily buy and download books from the Kindle store directly on your device via Wi-Fi. If your preferred book source is elsewhere, you will need to use the 'Send to Kindle' app or manual uploading.
Keep in mind, Amazon makes it slightly challenging to sideload free eBooks, often making the process cumbersome.
"Experts note, 'Amazon makes the process convoluted to put you off this perfectly legal way to read eBooks.'"
Extras
With Bluetooth connectivity, you can listen to Audible audiobooks through wireless headphones or speakers, enhancing your reading experience with seamless audio integration.
Adding to its convenience, USB-C support replaces the outdated Micro-USB, allowing you faster and more reliable charging, reducing wait times between your reading sessions.
As one reviewer from Android Central mentioned, "Pairing to my Bluetooth earbuds is fairly easy, and the connection is stable."
The Bottom Line
This device upgrades its predecessor with a sharper 300 ppi display and introduces USB-C for faster charging. While it lacks waterproofing and warm light adjustments, it offers ample storage for books and audiobooks. According to Tom's Guide, this is "the e-reader most readers should choose."
If you seek a basic, lightweight device for reading with good battery life, this e-reader easily fits the bill, making it an ideal choice for casual readers and travelers alike.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Gareth Thomas, Expert ReviewsAmazon continues to improve on its basic Kindle model, while remaining faithful to its affordable price.
- Ryan Houghton, What's the Best?For the ultimate e-reading experience at a competitive price, the Kindle 2022 remains the perfect choice for your reading needs. With affordable books, comfortable portability and incredibly impressive battery life, I've loved storing hundreds of my favourite books in this tiny device, which has mad...
- Simon Cocks, Good HousekeepingThe appeal of Amazon's most basic Kindle is its value for money and compact size.
- Nimish Dubey, TechPPWith its improved hardware and super portable frame, the Kindle (11th Generation) is not just a great value-for-money e-book reader but also poses a threat to the base Kindle (Paperwhite).
- Cam Bunton, Pocket-lintThinner, lighter and with a sharper display, this is an ideal affordable reader - but there's no waterproofing.
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