Best Overall

  • 10-inch, 1080p HD screen display

  • Expandable storage up to 512GB

  • Alexa voice capabilities

  • Lower PPI for a high-end tablet

The tablet comes in four different colors and offers an ad-free option. Best yet, use Alexa to pull up apps and play music with a quick voice command. And since it’s part of the Kindle line, the tablet doubles as an e-reader, allowing you to take your digital library on the go.

“The 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD screen is the crown jewel of the Fire HD 10.” - Jordan Oloman, Product Tester

If you’re on the hunt for a cost-effective option, look no further than the Kindle Fire HD 8 Plus Tablet. The tablet’s processor runs all the best streaming apps, such as Spotify and Netflix, on an 8-inch HD display screen. 3GB of RAM and a Quad-core 2GHz processor boosts app gaming for fun Candy Crush Saga sessions. 

Best for Streaming Apps

  • Cheaper

  • High RAM

  • Smaller processor

  • Smaller screen

Get up to 12 hours of battery life reading the latest novels on the Kindle app. For the avid reader, 189ppi and a 1TB expandable hard drive ensures that a massive digital library can be packed for an on-the-go experience.

This e-reader offers an anti-glare screen to ensure that, with the tap of the “on” button, you can read anywhere. A rubberized, anti-slip bezel is comfortable on the hands, and the device comes in four different colors. If you’ve left the beach and are reading at home, five built-in LED lights help you read at all hours of the day.

Best for the Beach

  • Great anti-glare screen

  • Audible compatibility

  • 300ppi display

  • Long battery life

  • Waterproof

  • No extra apps such as Spotify

  • Small storage for Audible users

Thanks to 300ppi, words on the 6-inch display screen are clear and easy to read. And, like the Kindle Paperwhite promises, you can enjoy weeks of battery life on this e-reader. Audible compatibility also helps bring to life your favorite books on the go. Best of all, the Paperwhite is waterproof, so no need to worry about short circuiting it.

“The 6-inch, 300ppi display gives you crisp, clear letters while reading.” - Rebecca Isaacs, Product Tester

If reading into all hours of the night sounds up your alley, the Kindle Oasis is the perfect option for you. Sporting an ergonomic, ambidextrous grip, the Oasis is perfect for late nights. And, if you fall asleep while reading, a sturdy aluminum frame with a thick glass display helps prevent damage.

Best for Bedtime

  • Ergonomic, ambidextrous design

  • High PPI for clear text

  • Warm light technology

  • Wireless phone connectivity

  • Sturdy aluminum and glass build

  • Expensive

The 25 built-in LED lights brighten up the 7-inch screen and incorporate warm technology to ease blue light eye strain. Better yet, the Oasis uses auto-adjusting light technology to make sure the light is optimal for your eyes. It comes with Audible technology and up to 32GB of storage space to take a massive digital library with you.

Best for Budget

  • Inexpensive

  • 7-inch HD display

  • Slower processor

  • Lower RAM

The 7-inch display offers great HD options for optimal streaming. And, at 171ppi, you can expect clear text when swapping from streaming to reading.

Like its adult counterpart, the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition comes with up to 32GB of storage, and up to 512GB of expandable storage. The tablet itself is kid-proof, with a heavy-duty case that comes in three different colors—purple, pink, and blue. Parental controls make the Kindle easy to monitor, from the books little ones are reading to the number of hours they can spend on the tablet.

Best for Kids

A budget-friendly option for kids, the Fire 7 Kids Edition gives families the opportunity to experience the Kindle family without breaking the bank. A 7-inch display comes encased in a heavy-duty kid-proof case to withstand the best of playtime on the apps. Parents will still feel at ease setting reading and gaming goals on this e-reader tablet.

Best Budget for Kids

  • Inexpensive

  • Expandable storage space

  • Smaller screen

  • Slower processor

More importantly, while the Kindle Fire 7 Kids Edition comes with expandable storage of up to 512GB, so all their favorite apps and learning games can fit on the device. At around $100, the price for this tablet cannot be beat, especially since it can program multiple profiles for easy, fast learning for the whole family.

About Our Trusted Experts

The best Kindle for its value is by far the Fire HD 10 Tablet. It boasts a great price point, the highest available processor, and app and gaming features. Its versatility ensures you can both stream Netflix and play Candy Crush Saga for up to 12 hours of battery life. The 10-inch screen also makes it easy to watch TV shows or enlarge text for a great reading experience.

Brittany Vincent is a freelance video game and entertainment writer whose work has been featured in publications and online venues including G4TV.com, Joystiq, Complex, IGN, GamesRadar, Destructoid, Kotaku, GameSpot, Mashable, and The Escapist. She is the editor-in-chief of mojodo.com.

Battery life - Battery life is essential for reading into the early hours of the morning or those long commuter train rides. The HD Kindles on this list offer up to 12 hours of battery life, while basic e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite can provide weeks of battery life on a single charge.

  • Can I read books when not connected to Wi-F?
  • You will need Wi-Fi or phone hotspot connectivity to download any books purchased in the Kindle Store. Usually, books take only a couple of minutes to download. Once the book is downloaded to your device, you will be able to read the book anywhere—no internet connection needed.
  • Can I borrow books from my local library on the Kindle?
  • In order to read any library books on the Kindle, you’ll have to double-check that your library uses the Libby app. If your local library does not, then you will not be able to borrow library books. If your library participates, you will have to download the app to your phone, check out a book, and transfer it to your Kindle.
  • Does the Kindle have color graphics?
  • At this time, the Kindle Fire line is the only option with color graphics. The Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis are basic e-readers and do not offer color options. That said, some e-readers like the Pocketbook Color have started to bring colored e-ink to the market, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the feature comes to the Kindle line eventually.

You will need Wi-Fi or phone hotspot connectivity to download any books purchased in the Kindle Store. Usually, books take only a couple of minutes to download. Once the book is downloaded to your device, you will be able to read the book anywhere—no internet connection needed.

In order to read any library books on the Kindle, you’ll have to double-check that your library uses the Libby app. If your local library does not, then you will not be able to borrow library books. If your library participates, you will have to download the app to your phone, check out a book, and transfer it to your Kindle.

At this time, the Kindle Fire line is the only option with color graphics. The Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis are basic e-readers and do not offer color options. That said, some e-readers like the Pocketbook Color have started to bring colored e-ink to the market, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the feature comes to the Kindle line eventually.

Pixels-per-inch (PPI) - For those who want a Kindle solely for reading, then the pixel density is important. PPI can make text crystal clear or a little blurry, depending on its measurement. As an example, the high-end Kindle Oasis can offer up to 300ppi, while the basic Kindle e-reader offers 167ppi.

Compatibility - Audible and other in-app experiences offer a plethora of information at the tap of a finger. Tablets in the Kindle Fire line will cater to in-app experiences. With the exception of Audible, the Paperwhite and Oasis serve only as e-readers without any of the fancy extra features, which, depending on your preference, can make or break your reading experience.