Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
7″ · 300 ppi · 12-week battery
92
/ 100
From $159
VS
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) wins by 10
Amazon
Kindle (11th gen)
2022
82
/ 100
From $109
Specdex verdict
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) lands at 92 and Kindle (11th gen) at 82. That puts Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) ahead by 10 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) if…
- ✓Snappiest Kindle yet
- ✓Larger 7″ display
- ✓IPX8 water resistance
Pick Kindle (11th gen) if…
- ✓Weeks of battery life
- ✓Glare-free E Ink
- ✓Lightweight
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) 92
vs 82 Kindle (11th gen)
Score breakdown
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
92 display 94
speed 92
battery 96
ecosystem 88
Kindle (11th gen)
82 display 82
speed 82
battery 94
ecosystem 84
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) | Kindle (11th gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 7″ E Ink, 300 ppi | — |
| Storage | 16 GB | — |
| Battery | 12 weeks | — |
| Water | IPX8 | — |
| Release year | — | 2022 |
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
Pros
- +Snappiest Kindle yet
- +Larger 7″ display
- +IPX8 water resistance
Cons
- −Still Amazon walled garden
- −No buttons
- −Lockscreen ads unless paid off
Kindle (11th gen)
Pros
- +Weeks of battery life
- +Glare-free E Ink
- +Lightweight
Cons
- −Slow refresh vs LCD
- −Ecosystem lock-in
- −Color E Ink muted
FAQ: Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) vs Kindle (11th gen)
Which is better, Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) or Kindle (11th gen)? +
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 10. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) worth the price? +
At $159, Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in battery.
Is Kindle (11th gen) worth the price? +
At $109, Kindle (11th gen) delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in battery.
Does Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) or Kindle (11th gen) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.