Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.
Welcome to Skimm Tested, a series where we put viral products to the test and then give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.
What I Tested…
Why I Tested…
How I Tested…
Over the last six weeks, I’ve put my hard copies (and old Kindle Paperwhite) aside and read exclusively with both Kindle’s 12th Generation Paperwhite and brand-new Colorsoft e-readers. I traveled with them, noting how much space they took up in my bag and their weight. I also tested out reading in different settings, from direct sunlight to total darkness. I paid close attention to battery life, swiftness of page turning, any glitching, and new shiny settings. As always, it’s important for me to consider if these new launches are simply buzzy or are actually worth their high prices.
Test Results…
Kindle 12th Generation Paperwhite: I’ve spoken extensively about my love for the Kindle Paperwhite. Its anti-glare screen and simple settings mean you can read anywhere. However, I found that over time the battery life of the 11th Generation Paperwhite started to deplete quickly and that page turns were glitchy and slow. The biggest difference with this 2024 12th Generation release is that the battery life is incredible (I only had to charge it about 1-2 times in my six weeks of testing), and the display is noticeably larger at 7 inches. For the battery life alone, I’m happy about the upgrade. At $160+ (depending on if you go ad-free or not), it’s definitely pricier, but if you’re new to the Kindle world and want to try a basic, no-frills model, go for this one.
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: This is the model that all the BookTokers and Bookstagrammers hyped up before it came out. ICYMI: Kindles are typically black and white, and don’t include any color, which makes reading children’s books, graphic novels, travel books, and cookbooks a lesser experience on an e-reader. Colorsoft is Amazon’s way of trying to create a better reading experience for books that come to life with color. This e-reader is ideal for students because you can color-code any highlights. While you can make your current book your Kindle screensaver on both, on the Colorsoft, it felt like you were having more of an authentic hard-copy reading experience in a high-tech, yet compact way.
Sidenotes…
Kindle 12th Generation Paperwhite: At 16 GB, the storage on the new Paperwhite is the exact same as the 11th Generation. Another big upgrade: The Paperwhite is waterproof, so you can read in the bath, pool, or on the beach without worrying about water damage. Ultimately, I think any average reader should go for the Paperwhite. The price is manageable, the battery life is fantastic, and its simple settings make it easy to use and take on the go. My only con is that it isn't as slim as the 11th Generation Paperwhite, but it still fits into most of my bags. If you’re new to e-readers, this is the one to start with. I recommend buying it on sale — either during Prime Day or during any other major sale period.
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: Is this a need? Absolutely not. I found that even though I am book-obsessed, I was still reaching more often for my Paperwhite. But the color features make using it feel extra-satisfying and did leave me smiling. That isn’t a reason to spend nearly $280 on an e-reader (even with 32 GB of storage), although I do think the Colorsoft would make a wonderful gift — with some notable caveats (see below).
During my testing, the Internet was buzzing about a software glitch that created a yellow bar along the Colorsoft’s display. Customers were understandably upset over paying such a high price for a glitch like that to happen, which is why the delivery time for the Colorsoft is currently three to five weeks. Over the first three weeks of usage, mine did not have said yellow bar, but eventually it developed. Amazon is currently working on the display issue.
Lastly, I did test the Colorsoft while cooking, and I found that I didn’t really love getting messy with such an expensive piece of technology nearby. Maybe using a clicker would solve that problem.
The Fine Details…
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.