Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
7″ · 300 ppi · 12-week battery
92
/ 100
From $159
VS
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) wins by 6
Kobo
Kobo Clara BW
2024
86
/ 100
From $129
Specdex verdict
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) lands at 92 and Kobo Clara BW at 86. That puts Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) ahead by 6 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 Kobo Clara BW if…
- ✓Weeks of battery life
- ✓Glare-free E Ink
- ✓Lightweight
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) 92
vs 86 Kobo Clara BW
Score breakdown
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
92 display 94
speed 92
battery 96
ecosystem 88
Kobo Clara BW
86 display 86
speed 82
battery 94
ecosystem 84
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) | Kobo Clara BW |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 7″ E Ink, 300 ppi | — |
| Storage | 16 GB | — |
| Battery | 12 weeks | — |
| Water | IPX8 | — |
| Release year | — | 2024 |
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
Kobo Clara BW
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 Kobo Clara BW
Which is better, Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) or Kobo Clara BW? +
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. 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 Kobo Clara BW worth the price? +
At $129, Kobo Clara BW delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in battery.
Does Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) or Kobo Clara BW 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.