Best cheap Kindle deals May 2024

When it comes to finding a device to read ebooks, you have a few options to choose from. You can always buy a tablet or use your phone, but those devices are multipurpose and can be used for a ton of things, like surfing the web or doom-scrolling on Twitter. If you are looking for something to strictly read books, e-readers, while niche, are designed to store all of your books in a virtual library with limited functionality.

Amazon, one of the pioneers of the e-reader, has dominated the space for years with its ever-expanding Kindle lineup, which consists of several unique models with their own pros and cons. The bulk of the devices function as simple ebook readers; however, with the Kindle Scribe, Amazon looks to be moving beyond books and into the realm of writing — something that should make future Kindles function more akin to physical paper.

Below, we’ve listed each model currently available. Sometimes, there isn’t a deal for one or any of the products, but we’ve mentioned the most recent sale price in those instances. Keep in mind that Amazon also offers 20 percent off all of its Kindles when you trade in select devices, so there are still other ways to save money when none of the models are available at a discount.

In case you missed it, Amazon announced a new entry-level Kindle in 2022, one that was designed to replace the 2019 model. The latest Kindle — which starts at $99.99 — puts Amazon’s base e-reader more in line with the most recent Kindle Paperwhite, providing a number of quality-of-life improvements in the process. The 2022 model features longer battery life, a 300ppi screen, and charges via USB-C instead of Micro USB. It also touts 16GB of storage by default and comes in a “denim” color, which resembles the soft blue you might associate with jeans.

Right now, you can buy Amazon’s newest ad-supported Kindle with three months of Kindle Unlimited at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target starting at $79.99 ($20 off). That’s just $5 shy of its all-time low and the best discount we’ve seen so far this year. Amazon is also currently discounting various bundles, allowing you to pick it up with ads, a power adapter, and a fabric cover starting at $114.97 ($35 off). Regardless of whether you choose the standalone model or the bundle, the entry-level Kindle remains a worthwhile option if you’re looking to pick up an e-reader for less than the latest Paperwhite.

Read our Kindle (2022) review.

The latest base Kindle wasn’t the only e-reader Amazon introduced in 2022. The entry-level model arrived alongside a new Kindle Kids, which is identical to the standard model but comes with a handful of accessories and provides age-appropriate content for younger readers who prefer digital books. Like the last-gen Kindle Kids, the latest model retails for $20 more than the base model, bringing the MSRP to $119.99.

In terms of add-ons, the new Kindle Kids edition consists of four items: the device, a case, a two-year extended replacement guarantee (in the event the device breaks), and one year of Amazon Kids Plus. The latter is the biggest selling point of the device aside from the kid-friendly patterns, as it allows parents to grant their child access to games, videos, and books — including those in the Percy Jackson and Harry Potter series — at no additional cost.

In late March, we saw the Kindle Kids sell for $99.99, which is $20 shy of its all-time low and the cheapest we’ve seen it go for since Black Friday. Right now, however, there are no deals currently available, meaning you can only buy the e-reader at its full retail price of $119.99 at Amazon and Best Buy.

Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite is its 11th-gen model, which comes with USB-C support, longer battery life, and a larger 6.8-inch display. The e-reader launched more than two years ago, and it often receives steep discounts at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, particularly around Black Friday and throughout the holiday season. You can still occasionally pick up the last-gen model from 2018 at a discount.

When it first launched in 2021, the latest Kindle Paperwhite arrived in two entry-level configurations: an 8GB model with ads for $139.99 and an 8GB model without ads for $159.99. These days, though, it’s hard to find either in stock, and the 16GB ad-free version ($149.99) and the ad-free version ($169.99) tend to be more widely available. There’s also a 32GB ad-free Signature Edition for $189.99, which is identical to the standard Paperwhite only it features Qi wireless charging and a sensor that will automatically adjust the backlight when needed.

Amazon also rolled out a Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $169.99, which comes bundled with a kid-friendly cover, a two-year extended replacement guarantee, and a year of Amazon Kids Plus, much like the aforementioned Kindle Kids. All 2021 models are also similar to the 2018 model in that they feature a waterproof design and Audible audiobook support.

Although there aren’t any discounts available on the standalone Kindle Paperwhite with 8GB of storage as of right now, the 16GB model is on sale for $114.99 ($35 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Amazon is also discounting select bundles, offering a $20 discount when you buy two Kindle Paperwhite Kids. Alternatively, you can buy the standard Paperwhite with 16GB of storage as part of a package that includes a power adapter and your choice of a fabric cover for $149.97 ($55 off), a leather cover for $156.97 ($55 off), or a “cork” cover for $164.97 ($55 off).

Read our Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review.

As for the 32GB ad-free Signature Edition, it’s available at Amazon and Best Buy right now for $189.99 — its regular retail price. However, you can buy the ad-free Signature Edition with 32GB of storage, a wireless charging dock, and a leather cover on sale at Amazon for $244.97 ($20 off). You can also buy the e-reader with a cork cover and a wireless charging dock for $252.97 ($20 off) or a fabric cover and a wireless charging dock for $237.97 ($20 off).

The ad-free Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s biggest e-reader to date — one that also represents a departure from past Kindle models. It packs a 10.2-inch display with 300 dpi, along with the same great battery life for which Kindles have become known. What separates the Scribe from other models, however, is that it comes with one of two styli, which can be used to annotate books, doodle, or jot down notes. We found the e-reader’s note-taking capabilities lacking in our testing, but Amazon has already started to improve the software via free OTA software updates, helping bring it up to speed with other E Ink competitors.

For a limited time, the Kindle Scribe is available at Amazon and Target in its 16GB base configuration with a Basic Pen and three months of Kindle Unlimited for $239.99 ($100 off), which matches its all-time low. The same model is also available at Amazon with a Premium Pen starting at $264.99 ($105 off), or bundled with a leather cover and a power adapter for $299.97 ($140 off). Meanwhile, the bundle with the Premium Pen, which offers a shortcut button and a built-in eraser, is currently on sale in the 16GB configuration with a folio cover and a power adapter starting at $324.97 ($145 off).

Read our Kindle Scribe review.

Up until recently, Amazon also sold the 2019 Kindle Oasis. Along with a 7-inch 300ppi E Ink display, the Oasis was unique in that it offered physical, page-turning buttons. Sadly, however, the waterproof ebook reader is neither on sale nor in stock in new condition at Amazon or any other major retailer. The international version of the e-reader is currently available at Amazon for $135 (half off), though it may not be worth buying at this point. Amazon won’t ship it to US addresses, and more notably, the Oasis is no longer listed as part of Amazon’s official Kindle lineup. That suggests that Amazon may have discontinued it and that we may see a newer version at some point in the near future.