Kindle Colorsoft vs. Kindle Paperwhite: Which Kindle should you buy?

It’s not very often that Amazon announces an entirely new Kindle product. But it did this year with the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, the very first Kindle to sport a color display. This innovative model showcases vibrant hues, making it suitable for various content, from comics to children’s books. It enhances the reading experience in ways previous models couldn’t.

In contrast, Amazon also unveiled the Kindle Paperwhite (2024), which continues to focus on the traditional monochrome e-reading experience that so many users love. It features a sleek design, an improved front light for reading in various lighting conditions, and an impressive battery life, all while maintaining its reputation for being waterproof and durable.

When comparing the two, the Colorsoft Signature Edition stands out for its color capabilities, but it may cater to a different audience than the classic Paperwhite model. While the Paperwhite is excellent for readers who appreciate a more traditional approach to e-books, the new Colorsoft could attract those who enjoy more vibrant and diverse reading material. It’s time to find out which model best suits your reading habits, and which is more likely to be one of the best e-readers.

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs. Kindle Paperwhite: specs

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs. Kindle Paperwhite: design and durability

The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Paperwhite share a very similar design. They have the same dimensions, nearly identical weights, and both are water-resistant. This is not a drawback; after all, Amazon found a winning design for the Kindle, so there’s no reason to change it. While neither model is particularly eye-catching — as they both feature plastic bodies surrounding a large e-ink display — they are lightweight, durable, and offer an excellent and convenient reading experience.

As noted in our Kindle Colorsoft review, Amazon’s design makes both devices easy to use whether you’re lying in bed, sitting at a café, or waiting for someone. At just 219 grams, both are easily portable in a bag, especially compared to a full-size iPad. Additionally, the non-reflective screen allows for comfortable reading in various lighting conditions.

It’s important to mention that the Kindle Colorsoft is only available in Metallic Black. In contrast, the regular Paperwhite is offered in three colors: Black, Raspberry, and Jade. The Signature edition of the Paperwhite comes in Metallic Black, Metallic Jade, and Metallic Raspberry. However, these color options do not significantly change the comparison between the two devices, which remain largely tied in design and functionality.

Winner: Tie

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs. Kindle Paperwhite: display

The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is the first Kindle e-reader to feature a color display. This 7-inch screen, equipped with a built-in light, utilizes Colorsoft technology, a new color e-paper display based on E Ink Kaleido. Adding a color filter layer to the traditional black-and-white e-ink display, the Colorsoft delivers a more vibrant reading experience, especially for content with images and graphics. The color component of the display has a resolution of 150 pixels per inch (PPI), while the black-and-white portion boasts a sharper 300 ppi for crisp text.

In comparison, this year’s Kindle Paperwhite retains the classic 7-inch e-paper display with a 300 ppi resolution, which is excellent for rendering sharp black-and-white text. While it lacks Colorsoft’s color capabilities, it maintains the exceptional clarity and readability that Kindle e-readers are known for.

The Paperwhite is sharper overall, but the Colorsoft’s color display is a strong advantage. It wins here.

Winner: Kindle Colorsoft

Amazon Colorsoft vs. Kindle Paperwhite: performance, battery life, and charging

The Kindle Colorsoft’s color screen has several disadvantages, as we discovered during our review.

Unlike traditional e-ink devices like the Kindle Paperwhite, which prioritize power efficiency over processing speed, the Kindle Colorsoft’s color display requires more processing power to generate color. This difference significantly affects performance, especially when reading color-intensive documents such as comics and magazines. We experienced noticeable page stutters and formatting issues while transitioning from one page to the next, as well as frequent screen flickering. However, once the color page was fully loaded, the Colorsoft’s display was impressive, showcasing vibrant colors and sharp details. A future software update by Amazon could resolve these issues, though we haven’t heard of one coming yet.

It is important to note that there is a difference in quality between the black-and-white and color screens: the former has a pixel density of 300 pixels per inch (ppi), while the color screen has a density of 150 ppi. Nevertheless, color pages still appear sharp and detailed.

The Colorsoft can last up to eight weeks between charges, compared to 12 weeks for the Paperwhite. The charging times are consistent between the two models, despite the Colorsoft’s color technology. This suggests that Amazon has optimized the charging process to provide a similar experience for both devices or used batteries of the same size.

We’re giving Paperwhite the edge here because of the better performance and battery life.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs. Kindle Paperwhite: software and special features

Both devices provide the same software features, including popular Kindle functions such as Whispersync, X-Ray, and Vocabulary Builder. Whispersync allows you to synchronize your reading progress, bookmarks, and notes across multiple Kindle devices and apps, enabling you to switch between them seamlessly without losing your place.

X-Ray offers detailed information about characters, locations, and terms mentioned in the book, providing you with deeper insights into the content. Vocabulary Builder automatically adds unfamiliar words to a vocabulary list and generates flashcards to help you learn these new words.

The Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Paperwhite both integrate seamlessly with the broader Kindle ecosystem. This gives you access to the Kindle Store for browsing and purchasing ebooks, Goodreads integration for tracking your reading history and connecting with fellow book lovers, and Amazon Prime Reading, which offers a rotating selection of free content for Prime members.

In terms of storage, the Kindle Colorsoft provides a generous 32GB, which is double the 16GB available on the regular Kindle Paperwhite. While this suggests the Colorsoft can hold more books, it’s challenging to quantify exactly how many, as Amazon states that both devices support “thousands of titles.” The actual number can vary based on factors like file size and formatting, especially with the introduction of color.

Ultimately, the Kindle ecosystem’s cloud storage reduces the necessity to keep many books directly on the device. Amazon offers free cloud storage for all your Kindle purchases, allowing you to download and remove titles as needed. This feature frees up valuable device storage space and ensures you can access your entire library without worrying about local storage limitations.

Winner: Tie

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs. Kindle Paperwhite: price

The Kindle Colorsoft has a premium price tag of $280 for the device alone. However, you can opt for a bundle with a cover and a wireless charging dock for an additional $80. The standard Kindle Paperwhite is more budget-friendly at $160, while the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition sits in between at $200.

Interestingly, the Paperwhite Signature Edition offers similar features to the Colorsoft, including 32GB of storage and wireless charging, for a $40 premium over the standard Paperwhite. This makes it a compelling alternative for those who prioritize these features but aren’t ready to invest in the Colorsoft’s color display.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Amazon frequently offers discounts on its Kindle lineup, especially during holidays and Amazon Prime events. Watch for these promotions, occasional trade-in offers, and other deals significantly reducing upfront costs. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can snag a Kindle Colorsoft or Paperwhite at a more attractive price.

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs. Kindle Paperwhite: which should you choose?

Both of these Kindles are sure to provide you with years of enjoyment. The standard Kindle Paperwhite is the best choice if you are primarily a straightforward reader and don’t require a color display. However, if you plan to store a large number of books on your device and want the convenience of wireless charging, the decision becomes more complicated.

For an additional $80 over the Kindle Paperwhite, the Signature Edition offers a color display and the same storage capacity. While the Kindle Colorsoft has a battery life that is four weeks shorter, this is not a significant issue given that the battery life is already quite long. We believe that paying an extra $80 is reasonable for the first Kindle with color. If you can afford it, consider choosing the premium version of the Kindle Colorsoft instead of the standard Paperwhite.