Which is Better for Reading: Kindle or Paperback?

So... You're thinking of buying a Kindle but aren't sure if it's going to be right for you? Will you make the most of it? Will it be more cost effective? Will you enjoy my reading experience more with a Kindle?

Here's a list of Kindle Pros and Cons, everything that you need to know before buying one!

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What is a Kindle?

A Kindle is a version of a e-reader sold by Amazon, allowing users to read e-books, newspapers, magazines and more from one single, handy device.

What Kindle do I have?

I have the Kindle Paperwhite, 16GB with a 6.8" screen, which, as I'm writing this, is the latest model of Kindle that you can get. I have the Black version, but you can also get a Sage Green or a Denim Blue.

Pro: Kindles are portable and convenient

One of the reasons that Kindles are so popular is because of how convenient they are. If you're a fast reader and on the go quite a lot, do you really want to be lugging around physical copies of books all the time? Have you got any idea how heavy books make your luggage when you're travelling?! A Kindle is a great product because you can download hundreds of books and take them all with you when you travel; it's basically like having a personal library with you at all times!

Pro: Stuff your Kindle day!!

Four times a year, Amazon has stuff your Kindle day, which literally means that there are thousands of books for you to download FOR FREE. No money. Zilch. Zero. Absolutely nothing. I could literally do an entire post just on stuff your Kindle day, so please let me know if that's something you'd be interested in seeing, but this is honestly one of the best reasons to get a Kindle! Don't get me wrong, it's quite rare that you see super popular books and authors as part of this quarterly event, however it's a great way to discover new genres and authors without harming your bank account.

Pro: Kindles have a super long battery life

I got my Kindle in June this year (2023), and I've only charged it twice... Twice in 5 months. Kindles have low-power e-ink screens, which means that it has a really long battery life compared to other tablets and e-readers. Depending on how often you use your Kindle, they can go for weeks before needing to be recharged, which is a massive difference from reading on a tablet or your phone, and we all know how easy it is to use up your phone battery and needing to charge it again.

Pro: Kindle books are cheaper than physical books

We all know that reading is a VERY expensive hobby, so when we have the opportunity to jump on bargain book deals, why wouldn't you?! Yes, you may be paying anywhere from £120 - £160 for a Kindle, however it actually works out cheaper for you in the long run because e-books are SO much cheaper than physical books! If you're buying physical books from Waterstones, you're going to be paying anywhere from £7 - £10 for a standard paperback, but Kindle prices tend to range from 99p - £4 per book (when it's more popular and in demand), which is so much more cost effective.

Pro: Kindles have a built-in dictionary

Not sure what a word means when it pops up in your book? When I'm reading a physical book and I'm not sure what a word means, I'll grab my phone, google the word's definition, and then go back to reading, but it's so much easier to search for a word's definition on a Kindle because it has a built in dictionary! All you have to do is long tap on a word and it will bring up the dictionary feature on the Kindle, allowing you to see what the word means without having to do any external googling!

Pro: Kindles have a built-in light

One of my favourite times to read is when I'm tucked up in bed in the evening, and sometimes that's really difficult to do when reading a physical book without having my main bedroom light on. Kindles have a built-in for when you want to read at night which has honestly been a lifesaver for me! Many of the newer versions of Kindle also have an adjustable warm-light screen and even dark mode as well, so you can have all sorts of options for lighting your reading, depending on where you are and what time of day it is, which is super handy.

Pro: Kindles have books that are difficult to get in paperback

As someone that lives in the UK, there are often quite a lot of books that I see international readers talk about. When I then do a search on Amazon to buy the physical copy, they're £12 - £16 per book because they're not published in the UK/aren't primarily shipped to the UK. Unless the book is a special edition or hardback (because they tend to be more expensive), you'll very rarely see me pay that sort of money for a book! This is another reason why I love Kindles because all books are right at your fingertips for a smidge of the price. Yes, a £16 paperback still might be costing you £5 - £6 on a Kindle, but it's so much better than paying £10 extra just to have the book on your shelf. There are so many more accessible and affordable options for Kindle readers.

Pro: Kindles have a glare-free screen

One of the huge benefits to reading on a Kindle, especially when you're debating buying a Kindle or other e-readers, is that it has a really great glare-free screen. When you're travelling, this is perfect because it means that even when it's sunny, you won't get a glare and it won't affect your reading experience. It definitely feels a lot more like you're reading on paper than it does to a traditional e-reader, phone or tablet.

Con: Kindles aren't physical books

I don't know about you, but I love reading from a physical book! I get so much joy from picking my next read from my bookshelf and physically flipping the pages when reading a book; you don't get that with a Kindle. I know that when you're reading on a Kindle, it tells you the percentage that you are of a way through a book, but I like seeing my physical progress, and seeing how much pages I've got left of a chapter. You just don't get the same feeling that you do when reading on a Kindle that you do when reading from a physical book.

Con: Kindles are more expensive up front

Book buying is expensive, but of course, buying a Kindle is quite a bit more expensive than buying a book, or even a few books! Despite mentioning earlier in this post that you can get cheaper books on your Kindle once you've actually purchased the e-reader however the upfront cost is actually quite a big investment, so I'd definitely weigh up how much you actually think you'd use it before purchasing.

Con: Some Kindles have ads

Now this can be super frustrating for some readers. Imagine being so far into a book and being so engrossed in the story... and then you get hit by an ad. SO frustrating. There are Kindle options without adverts, however these will be more expensive and more of an upfront cost.

Con: It's harder to share books

Some people like to swap books with friends and family once you've finished a book, however that's not really something you can do when you have a Kindle. The team are developing a feature where you can "loan" an e-copy to someone for two weeks, which would mean the book would temporarily be removed from your kindle, however this is still in the pipeline.

Con: You have to charge a Kindle

Of course, one biggest advantages of physical books is that you can just pick it up whenever you want and start reading, never having to worry that it's going to run out and that you'll have to charge it. Despite Kindle batteries lasting quite a while, because of this, it's easy to forget to charge them! The battery life isn't in your face like it is on a phone or tablet, and the last thing you want to happen is be in the middle of reading a book and then your battery die!

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It's a very interesting conversation to have. I personally love using my Kindle. It's super convenient, I like being able to grab it and take it with me wherever I go without adding any extra weight to my bag etc, however I really do love reading a physical copy of a book. I also LOVE going books hopping, and you obviously don't get the same experience when you're just scrolling through Amazon as you do to walking around a bookshop. I'd love to hear if you prefer reading on your Kindle or a paperback/hardback!

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