The weight is absolutely so important . The way you describe the Basic "disappearing" and like...forgetting that you're holding it. That's so accurate.

I bought both recently as my first-time Kindle purchases. I take the Basic to work with me every day to read during breaks and keep the PW at home for leisure reading (especially in the evenings and on weekends). I love the larger screen real estate, faster screen refresh, warm light, and overall build on the PW, but I have actually warmed so much to the Basic over the past couple of weeks. The light build, compact size, and portability matched with the screen resolution, 16GB storage, and USB-C make for a really great experience even without the few extra bells and whistles of the PW. That said, I love 'em both and they're both amazing devices (and both have excellent battery life, obvs) Oh, and I have the official fabric covers for both, and they RULE.

team kindle basic here! i love how small it is despite the screen being a good size, it fits in my small bags and jacket pockets

I switched from paperwhite 5 to kindle basic 2022 and I loooove it! So light and cute.

For myself....the warm light is worth the extra money. I LOVE they way that looks.

I am obsessed with my Paperwhite Signature! I love everything about it. I only wish I could use a pen with it for notes (haven't found one in this size that can be used with a pen). But besides that, it's my favorite EDC of 2024.

The one thing you missed that was the main reason I got the paper white is that it’s water proof. For some people that may not matter but for me it was the difference that made it worth the extra money.

I got the Paperwhite bc tiktok said so, for the warmth, bigger screen and waterproof. I returned it after a month, it was too heavy, i didn’t like the flat slab screen and I never used the warm setting. At first I thought it was a poor purchase and it will dust in my drawers or that I just prefer paper. I got the basic a while later and I love it. I bought zero books since, I walk and read everywhere, i read at night and by the pool and it is amazing. Definitely prefer the basic.

I love my kindle basic and I keep looking at the paper white because people enjoy that model so much but there isn’t one feature on there that makes me feel like I need to upgrade. Larger screen could be nice but I have never felt that the kindle basic was too small. Love the video.

The paperwhite isn’t double the weight of the basic :) It’s 208g vs 158g so only an extra 50g / 1.76oz heavier. With the case, I’d believe it being around twice as heavy though. Otherwise great video - your original review was one of the main ones that sold me to save my money and go with the Basic now that it has a high resolution screen

I got my Paperwhite a year ago because I wanted the bigger screen and more storage space. The basic is just too small for me screen-wise whereas the paperwhite feels about the size of an actual book. I also plan on having just the one model until it falls apart, so having enough space to fit an entire library of good books is a must. I love it, all I can read without taking up my shelf space!

I’ve got a Paperwhite for my first Kindle and I love it.

If I didn't live in Portland, Oregon, one of the rainiest places in the US, I would have gotten the original. I opted for the paperwhite and LOVE it. But because it's large, I don't keep it in my pocket. It can fit but I'm not a big guy, it doesn't fit well. The base model I can keep in my pocket but its not waterproof so its not safe for me to keep on me. I will get the base model for outdoors when the weather warms up but for everyday use, the paperwhite, I feel safe taking with me everywhere! Just in my bag :) I hope they make a waterproof 5-6" kindle with backlighting soon.

I have a basic older (2016) Kindle and a Paperwhite Signature that I got on Prime Days for roughly the same price I paid for the basic. Both are nice but I have learned to prefer the larger screen and the warm light if I am reading in low light. I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon as both of these are still going strong.

Only e reader i have used is the paper white. Slapped a pop socket on it. I have zero complaints. I read alot more than when i was reading physical books

Im still using my kindle paperwhite from 2022 and I dont regret my purchase at all. The indents on the screen make the basic look dated although its newer than mine and I like my tech to also look good while being useful. I also got mine for really cheap Got in when amazon had a sale on for the kids paperwhite (no longer available) with a free black case and I just disabled the kids settings. I then got it on black friday and used a coupon I won from work to cover some. I ended up paying Around £50 for it.

0:03 📚 Review: Comparison between base model Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite 11th gen. 0:23 🔍 Price: Kindle Paperwhite is about $100 more than the base model Kindle. 0:52 📏 Size: Kindle Paperwhite is larger and almost twice the weight of the base model Kindle. 2:42 💡 Display: Kindle Paperwhite offers adjustable warm backlight, while the base model Kindle has a recessed screen. 4:56 🔋 Battery: Both devices offer good battery life, especially when backlight is not used extensively. 5:40 🔄 Performance: Kindle Paperwhite offers slightly faster page turns compared to the base model Kindle. 6:46 🤔 Verdict: Base model Kindle is sufficient for most readers; Kindle Paperwhite offers some upgrades but may not be worth the extra cost for everyone.

I love my oasis ❤ I've had kindle paperwhite base and the newer gens and I keep going to my Oasis. I am just obsessed with the size and the buttons. I use to love the page buttons on the original devices.

So I own the 2018 paperwhite, a third gen oasis, a 2021 paperwhite and a denim basic 2022. Honestly I pick the basic every time. Why? Because it’s smaller, more pocketable ( I put it in my jacket pocket) since it comes with me everywhere. Did I really care about warm light? Nope. So I miss out on anything because I bought the basic after the 2021 paperwhite? Not at all. So my pick would be the 2022 basic.

There's a lock screen feature on the PW. You can only turn the page with a swipe. You can hold the device with your thumb on the middle of the screen and nothing will happen. I do miss that feature when I got rid of the PW.

Loved your video. It prompted me to switch to the Kindle Basic 2022 from the older KPW 4.

While I love the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, I’m very interested in buying and trying the base Kindle model. Mainly I want to see the weight difference vs screen size and which is more important to me.

Omg,,,thats what I should’ve watched before purchasing my PW. I’ve Been brewing over my decision of whether I should be getting the PW or classic model for about a month , and idk how in gods green earth I’ve missed your video. Nonetheless, thank you for a great video, mine will be arriving soon and Hopefully there wont be any regrets.

I used to have the basic one, now i have the paperwhite, and I really miss the before. the size does improve the frequency of use.

I started with the newest PW but then I got the Basic and liked it more. The size is perfect for carrying around all day.

There is a cover that puts the Basic 11 to sleep/wakes up just like the Paperwhite. I have many Kindles and several Nooks. So far I grab my Kindle Oasis the most because it connects to 3G so I can DL books when I'm out and about. I DO love my Kindle Voyage though. (also have Kindle PPW 5 SE and a black and a blue Kindle 11 Basic)

Fantastic recommendations! Immersive Translate, a web plugin, makes reading these eBooks in multiple languages a breeze.

Thinking about getting a new kindle. I have the basic kindle, had it 4 years or so. Haven’t used it as much as I’d have liked - still prefer physical books but want to use it more given I’m travelling more and want to minimise clutter - I think the warm light and bigger screen would make it feel more like a book to me and help me use it more so thinking a paper white could be what I need. Also the menu screens are so laggy and if you don’t refresh the screen after a bit the words go a bit fuzzy, think the better PPI will also help.

I've just ordered the paper white after weeks of looking at reviews. I'm currently reading on my phone's kindle app (Samsung Galaxy Z flip 4)

still using paperwhite since 2016 and works as it should. If reading books is the priority then there is no comparison any kindle e reader is great.

I had to go for the Kindle Paperwhite because of the extra assurance of it being waterproof (IPX8)! 🏖

I recently purchased the PW. I wanted the basic because I wanted a smaller device...but the fact that the PW is waterproof and has warm lighting made me get it. The two main reasons for me was my job can catch me outside in the elements at times & I work nights, so warm lighting before bed during the day in a room I have artificially darkened is critical at convincing my body to shut down for the "night" If they had a model of basic that has these features. I would have bought that one hands down.

I bought the paper white kindle for the bigger screen. I had been reading on my phone and noticed that the light was hurting my eyes, and the pages felt too narrow. But I also don’t like to buy too many new things. I bought mine 2nd hand and paid $78. Great condition. 11th generation.

The extra storage in the 11 gen was a real plus. Ive got the 16GB. IMany of my books are large size and my 8gb PW was struggling. The warm light is kind to my eyes and I love the larger page. If you use Search, it is much faster But I do find that the 11Gen crashes more often than the basic and I did have to get a larger handbag.

Kindle 11 5.56 oz (158 g), Kindle Paperwhite 5 7.23 oz (205 g) not even close to being half the weight also for the record Kindle Paperwhite 4 is 6.4 oz (180 g) also without ads its $40 more for the paperwhite

I have a 12 yr old Kindle 5 (Paperwhite 1) which has a 6 inch screen. In its protective cover, which is just about worn out now it is the same size although very slightly thicker than my Kindle 11 (Paperwhite 5) in its cover. The PW1 has 2Gb compared with the PW5 with 4Gb. Here in NZ I can't get the 8Gb Signature edition. I use my Kindle very heavily and have to recharge it about once a week.

My personal opinion is that I loathe the recessed screen on the base kindle. It's a very tiny annoyance to feel it when I switched pages but it's a minor annoyance that I feel so often that it grew to a major one.

Dude your videos rock, keep up the good work

for me the experience you mention of the device "fading off" like iw not there is the most important, I bough the oasis and after 25- 30 min I am just fed up because it feels a little uncomfortable and as minutes of reading session accumulates and just want to stop... I also had an old basic kindle and is more easy to forget what I am holding and get inverse on the actually book. I think best kindle now is the basic because of the weight and size.

Good review. My Kindle Basic arrives today. Got it mainly for the small size and long battery life. I also have a Fire 7 and iPad to borrow library books.

The primary reason I opted for the paperwhite is its waterproofness. I use it a lot for backpacking and the paperwhite works fine after getting wet...

Got the PW because of the water resistance and the larger screen. Now I can soak in the bathtub and not worry about wasted time of not doing anything or alternatively a damaged device or paper book.

Size is important for me and getting a good reading light helps with my physical books too. Thanks this helped me decide on the base model. I can use the extra money for books!

Just to let you know if anyone is watching in the UK not sure about the USA but kindle line up is now on sale on Amazon

Found the basic 11th gen used for $20 best purchase ever

I think I land where you did. The simplicity, weight, and recessed screen that's that little bit extra sharp. I too prefer to just have a reading light.

For me the warm backlight feature is very important. I read mostly in bed 60-30 min before sleep as I want to tire my brain out so I can softly go to sleep. I wont have any lamps on so its pitch dark with kindles backligt. And the warmlight is amazing. try it out. Pitch dark in bed, you are doing your best to not have too much light so you can sleep better. So adjust kindle backligt on to around level 2-4. AND the warmligt adjust it to level 22-23. You get a very soft light that feels amazing to read in the dark. Now try same with the basic. It looks horrible without the soft warmlight! The cold light is just too harsh even if you have it on lowest level in pitch dark. An other issue with the basic is it has only 4 backlights when Paperwhite has 17 backlights. Basic ones screen is very unevenly lit. So no I would say its very worth it to go with the Paperwhite. Only downside is they don't sell it in 8gb anymore and the price is up compared with the first Paperwhite 11gn from like year 2022

I like the eye protection for the Paperwhite

I have an "old" paperwhite version, from 2018 and it is great to this day. Back then I got it because the entry-model version did not have the backlight. If I had to buy a kindle today, it would be the entry-model.

I too prefer the basic and its more portable size. I like the rubber case of the PW through. I agree with all your other takes. I sold my PW and got the basic. Pricier is not always better.

After using the 2nd generation basic kindle for many years it broke and iI was forced to change it quickly with what i found in the local tech store. There was only Kobo and I bought the Clara 2E that I think is just a little cheaper than the paperwhite. I'm ultimately happy with the purchase because I can change the light brightess and warmth [it is is nice to make it warmer given that I have problem falling asleep] and it has USB-C. The weight also is a big plus for me and the device is waterproof [IPX08 I think]. I'd say that the light warmth adjustment, the low weight, the Usb-C, the waterproof are the only thing that count unless you have specific needs.

Your maths are way off - the base model weighs 158g and the paperwhite weighs 205g so definitely NOT almost twice the weight! It's actually just under 30% heavier, so still feels really light, I could hardly tell the difference.

Your description of the base model intrigues me... as I don't enjoy holding my paperwhite. I thought it was that I just didn't like the case, but maybe it's the weight? Anywho, I might have to pick up the smaller kindle and give it a try. Thanks for the review.

Nice clocks & colours rings, and solid review 👍🏼

I have a 9 year old paperwhite that I'm considering upgrading. The basic Kindle looks a lot more like what I'm used to.

I have both the 11th Gen Signature Edition PaperWhite and the 10th Gen Paperwhite. The 10th gen is my go-to, because although it has a smaller screen, no warm light, and no USB-C, it does have 4g - which they removed on the 11th gen, and the refresh rate is not noticeable to me in everyday use, and the screen size is not a huge deal, since it only means a couple of extra lines of text on the page - so I find the 10th gen more useful in everyday use. I hate having to wait to get to wi-fi in order to download a book if I decide I want something, and the other features are kind of nice to have, but not really necessary in my opinion.

Informative. Looking to upgrade my partners Kindle which I just found out today is a 4th generation…I’ll save you the homework. It came out in 2011. lol. You’ve helped me make my choice. She’s more practical. No reason why the standard Kindle 11th gen isn’t sufficient enough for her needs. Thanks for doing this review mate. Cheers!

I chose the PW because of the size. The regular Kindle was too small for me.

Currently, the 16gb Kindle and the 8gb Paperwhite are both $99. I don't use audible or comic books, so 8gb is fine for me. Paperwhite has a bigger screen which helps if you like your font bigger. Paperwhite is slightly taller and wider, but they both weigh essentially the same, maybe 100grams difference which is negligible in the hand. It's waterproof, so I don't have to worry about reading in the tub or at the pool/beach. Kindlewhite also has a few more features in its OS.

still using oasis after almost 7 years. literally nothing beats that.

PW Signature is a no-brainer for me: waterproof, warm light, bigger screen and faster, still fits in my jacket pocket, and only 50% heavier? Yes, please!

The warm backlight is to reduce blue light exposure while reading at night.

I'm Team (Basic) Kindle here. What swung it for me? The price.

Just ordered the base model.

I got the paperwhite with ads, I got a 3rd party cover so I barely see them and usually they don't load anyway, also I traded In my old kindle and so I ended up paying only $ 75. I think I did get it on sale too, also the 3rd party cover was only a couple bucks but pretty good.

I love my Kindle paperwhite. I bought it when the newest paperwhite was released (2022?) and before the new basic model came out. To be honest, I wouldn't change a thing. I still would have bought the paperwhite instead of the basic. I don't like recessed screen edges as they tend to become dirty fast. I do alot of before bed reading, so the warm light is a real seller for me. I also like the bigger size because my eyes are not all that great.

6.8 inch is a perfect size

My 11th gen Kindle was stolen so I upgrade to a Paperwhite when I bought a new one and I absolutely would have kept the base model. I loved the size and portability of the base model so much.

I’d like to have to make a decision on PW v. Basic, but my 2011 4th gen just won’t quit and I love its buttons for page turns!

can the Kindle 11th Gen be read at night without ambient light (i.e. airplane cabin with all lights off and shutters closed)?

I got the base model because the other features did not interested me and I wanted something small and light, besides, I dislike warm lights, makes me anxious for some reason 😅

Hi subscribed! Thanks for the nice video. I'm very happy with base model. I do like looking what the others can do, but I've done more reading on Kindle in the last year than I've done probably in a decade!

Great review Steven - do you use a case or screen protector on your base model? If not, how do you protect it from day to day wear and tear? Thanks!

Few years ago I bought the Fire for reading which actually wasn’t a great decision. The light on the PW has me torn between it & the Kindle.

I have the 11th Gen paperwhite. Wife has the basic 11th Gen. Size is the main difference. The warmth yellow light is useless to me on the PW. I like the bigger Kindle but will say the basic Kindle feels more portable.

I use the basic for toting back and forth in my work bag and I use the oasis at home. I have the paperwhite but I almost never use it. They were all 3 purchased new within the last year or 2. I still keep my paperwhite just incase I get inspired to use it but its just sitting on my desk 99% of the time

weight should be one of the most important consideration, I have sold my 6.8 inch ereader as it got really heavy once you read a good book for more than two hours, literally tiring in your hands. I am back to using my old Kobo Nia, small and very light, 6 inch screen is the best when you dont read manga.

Excellent video. Thank you!

I never use my paper white any more...the basic is far better for me...I only miss the night mode

THE SMALLER BASE MODEL JUST MADE ME WANNA READ MORE(11TH GEN 2022 MOWDEL)... EASIER TO ACCESS, TO CARRY I CAN EVEN CARRY IT IN MY SMALLEST POUCH/SATCHEL BAG AND READ MY MANGAS IN THERE WHENEVER AND WHEREVER WE'RE JUST MEANT TO BE TOGETHER! SUPER LIGHT AND YOU JUST WANT TO PICK IT UP WITH EVERY IDLE TIME :) HELPED WITH MY BRAINCELLS TO KEEP MOVING IMAGINING THROUGH READING OTHER BOOKS AS WELL AND A LOT MORE....HAHA

I returned my PW signature for the base model within 24hours cause the size was inconvenient and I didn’t enjoy the warm light

I wonder if his review would change if they both had cases on them.

Do you use any screen protector on your kindle?

I got the PW because I wanted the bigger screen to read PDFs for school.

Yeees! The basic is amazing, and the last one with the higher quality of screen is perfect. However the plastic is very bad quality, I have mine with a skin and a cover

I have several different variations (the Paperwhite, the Paperwhite Signature and the Oasis). For me... it's Oasis every time. I used to use it in a case that had a hand strap, but I've recently taken that off, and I find myself going to that one. I have smaller hands. So even the small reach to "flick" the page for page turning is a stretch sometimes. I love the buttons on the Oasis, and the extra space for gripping it, not to mention the screen rotation (so I can hold it the same in either my left or right hand laying in bed!) Admittedly, I haven't used the basic. I think my kids might have that version. But the one thing that I don't think that basic has that I required is being waterproof!! I take my Kindle with me to the pool ALL. THE. TIME. I wouldn't do that it if it wasn't waterproof.

love the review!

Great video. I'm curious as to what reading lamp you use

You can read in sunlight, beach or pool, with paoerwhite

I got the 32gb one and it's so good!

I have the 10th gen basic kindle and i am on the fence about 'upgrading' to the new Paperwhite...... Nothing is wrong with my kindle so i keep holding off! 🤣

Get a pop socket and that will solve 2 problems- heaviness and accidentally touching sides and changing the page by accident

Would love a voyager 2.0. The size and the build quality was fantastic.

I use mine (paperwhite 2018) mainly with text to speech option

I purchased my first Kindle in my life and I choose base model

The correct answer is Kobo 😊

I have a kindle that's over a decade old at this point and I can't honestly see a reason to upgrade they all do the exact same thing its not like you need some crazy technology or massive storage to read some books. Also having adverts on a product you bought is horrific and dystopian.

I have both models and I definitely prefer the Basic over Paperwhite. The screen without the glass overlay looks more like "paper" to me. Less glare and better contrast. I don't really use warm light anyway. I feel like the plastic layer that makes the screen flush on Paperwhite reduces sharpness and increases glare.

Just want the dang warm light and don't wanna pay the extra just for that :(

Team Kindle Basic here!!!