Reviewed by Marcus Knapman, BSc (Hons) Computing ·
Researched from 100+ Amazon customer reviews
· How we review
Amazon's done something quietly radical with the 2024 Kindle — they've made it smaller, lighter, and cheaper than ever whilst actually improving the fundamentals. At £105 for the ad-free version, it's positioned as the entry-level option, but I'd argue it's the sweet spot for most readers. After diving deep into the spec sheet and reading through countless user experiences, I'm convinced this basic Kindle punches well above its weight class. The question isn't whether it's good enough — it's whether you need to spend more on the fancier models.
The standout achievement here is the physical design. Amazon claims this is their lightest and most compact Kindle ever, and the numbers back it up. We're talking about a device that genuinely disappears in your hand during long reading sessions. I've read through hundreds of user reviews, and the consistent theme is surprise at just how portable this thing is.
The 6-inch display keeps the text crisp and readable whilst allowing for the smaller footprint. Amazon's also bumped up the front light brightness by 25% compared to the previous generation, which addresses one of the main complaints about earlier basic Kindles. The higher contrast ratio makes text pop more than you'd expect from the entry-level model.
Page turns are noticeably faster according to user feedback, which might sound trivial until you're deep in a thriller and those split-second delays start to irritate. The processor upgrade isn't just marketing fluff — it makes the daily experience smoother. Navigation through menus feels snappier, and there's less of that laggy feeling that plagued older basic Kindles.
Battery life remains excellent at up to 6 weeks on a single charge. In real-world usage, most people report getting 3-4 weeks of regular reading, which is still remarkable. The 16GB of storage is generous for an entry-level device — we're talking thousands of books before you need to start managing your library.
Let's be clear about what this Kindle doesn't have. No waterproofing, so beach holidays or bath reading sessions require more care. The screen isn't flush with the bezel like on pricier models, which some find less premium-feeling. Most importantly, there's no warm light adjustment, so you're stuck with the cooler blue-white tone for evening reading.
The lack of audiobook support through built-in speakers also limits its multimedia capabilities. If you want to switch between reading and listening to the same book, you'll need Bluetooth headphones and a more expensive Kindle model.
The Matcha colourway is pleasant enough — a soft green that feels more sophisticated than basic black. But let's be honest, most people will stick this in a case anyway, so the colour choice matters less than Amazon's marketing suggests. The build quality feels solid for the price point, though it doesn't have the premium heft of the Oasis or Scribe.
Amazon's sustainability claims are worth noting: 75% recycled plastics and 90% recycled magnesium in the construction. Whether that influences your buying decision is up to you, but it's progress in the right direction.
Amazon's clearly pushing Kindle Unlimited subscriptions alongside hardware sales, and this device makes sense as an entry point into that ecosystem. The service unlocks millions of books and magazines, though the quality varies wildly. If you're already a heavy library user, the subscription math might not add up. But for voracious readers who don't mind a mixed bag of content quality, it's compelling.
This Kindle nails the fundamentals of e-reading whilst trimming features most people don't need. At £105, it's excellent value for anyone who just wants to read books without distractions. Skip it if you need waterproofing or warm lighting, but for pure reading, it's hard to fault.
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