Kindle users might just be the most passionate sect of BookTok, coming up with hacks to maximize the device's potential — through page turners or Stuff Your Kindle Day events. And we get it, they're the best e-readers out there. In October of 2024, Amazon released a new line-up of Kindles that improved upon the previous generation that we already loved.
I've tested the Kindle Paperwhite, and spoiler alert, I do think it's a better value than the Signature Edition. However, the SE isn't without its merits. Let's get into the Signature Edition and if you should buy it.
The Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition are essentially the same device, the Signature Edition just has the addition of a few special features. You can read all the in-depth details about why we like the Paperwhite in my review, but here's the TL;DR.
The 2024 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is lightning fast. In comparison to the 2021 edition, the difference is noticeable, not hesitating when flipping through pages. However, the biggest improvement comes when switching between books in your library, as it zips through tasks.
With a 7-inch screen, the SE got a slight size increase, while the resolution of 300 ppi and maximum brightness of 94 nits remain the same between generations. That being said, the display on this generation looks higher contrast, making it sharper and easier to read. Plus it remains waterproof, perfect for taking along to the bathtub, beach, or pool.
Not to mention it comes with 32GB of storage. If you're thinking in terms of phones or tablets, that amount of storage might seem small but keep in mind that 32GB has the potential to hold up to 32,000 e-books.
You get all of these great features in both the Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition, so what makes the SE unique?
The Paperwhite Signature Edition has several added features that come with its $40 increase in price. For $199.99, it comes with an ad-free lock screen, 32GB of storage, auto-adjusting brightness, and wireless charging. Plus it comes in metallic versions of the Kindle Paperwhite's black, jade, and raspberry.
Among the added features, the lock screen is the biggest draw. On a standard Kindle, ads pop up on the lock screen, forcing Amazon's recommendations on you. Not necessarily a dealbreaker but still plenty annoying. So the Signature Edition does away with the ads, freeing you from the chains of capitalism (sort of). However, this does come with one catch. The ad-free lock screen tends to unlock easily when tossing it into a bag since there's no 'swipe to unlock' mechanism that the ad-enabled devices have. So if you're going to get the Signature Edition, make sure to get a case with a cover.
In terms of the other features, I didn't think they were anything to write home about. The auto-adjusting brightness didn't work consistently, even when I went from reading next to a lamp to turning off the lights, the auto-adjustment didn't kick in and I always had to manually turn the brightness down. The wireless charging while nice, didn't feel like the most necessary addition since you need to charge the device every three months. Plus, with most devices using USB-C these days, I'm never in short supply of chargers.
Now let's address the 32GB in the room. For an e-reader, that is an exorbitant amount of storage. It's double the amount of the standard Kindle Paperwhite, and again, 32,000 books worth of storage. That is a lot of books. Is that much necessary? In my professional opinion, no, especially when you can remove downloaded books from your device, and redownload from the Kindle cloud at any time. So if you think you need all that storage, you probably don't, and it's not worth splurging an extra $40 on it.
For the average user, I don't think the Signature Edition is a worthy upgrade. The Kindle Paperwhite is far better bang for your buck, packed with everything you need for the ultimate reading experience. It might be worth the splurge if you do have storage concerns — maybe you've maxed out on 16GB on previous Kindle models. Otherwise, 16GB will be fine. And if you're really put off by lock screen ads, then the Signature Edition is going to be your preferred device.
However, if you are going to swing for the Amazon Kindle Signature Edition, look for it on sale. During Black Friday 2024, the Signature Edition was down to $154.99, cheaper than the listing price of the standard Paperwhite.
