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Quick answer: Choose the Kindle Paperwhite if you mostly read black-and-white text and want the longest battery life and lowest price. Choose the Kindle Colorsoft if you want color for book covers, comics, children’s books and highlights and are willing to pay more for a slightly lower sharpness and shorter battery life. Both have 7-inch glare-free screens, adjustable lighting and waterproofing.
Quick facts
Both have 7-inch glare-free screens and a front light
Paperwhite: black and white, 300 ppi, longest battery
Colorsoft: color e-ink, 150 ppi in color, shorter battery
Both are waterproof
Colorsoft costs more; check current prices
Amazon’s Colorsoft brought color to the Kindle line, which raises the question: is it worth the extra money over the popular Paperwhite? Here is a practical comparison, based on the 2024 models and updated models. Prices and features change, so confirm details on Amazon.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference?
The Paperwhite uses a black-and-white e-ink display, while the Colorsoft uses a color e-ink display that shows book covers, illustrations and highlights in color. Text on both looks like ink on paper. The main differences are color, sharpness in color, battery life and price.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Kindle Paperwhite | Kindle Colorsoft |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 7 inches | 7 inches |
| Display | Black and white | Color e-ink |
| Resolution | 300 ppi | 300 ppi black and white, 150 ppi color |
| Battery | Up to about 12 weeks | Up to about 8 weeks |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| Front light | Adjustable warm light | Adjustable warm light |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
Exact specifications and prices depend on the model year, so check the product page.
Who Should Buy the Paperwhite?
Choose the Paperwhite if you read mostly novels and nonfiction. It offers the lowest price, crisp text and the longest battery life. It is also lighter on your budget, so it is a good choice for gifts or for a second device. If you do not care about color, you lose little.
Who Should Buy the Colorsoft?
The Colorsoft suits readers who enjoy seeing covers in color, colorful highlights, comics, graphic novels, cookbooks or children’s picture books. It also offers a nicer library view. Keep in mind that color e-ink looks soft and muted compared with a tablet, and color content looks best in good light.
Other Things to Consider
Think about storage if you will download many comics or audiobooks. Consider cases and screen protectors, and whether you read in bright sun or at night. Battery life is excellent on both, but color uses more power. If you read PDFs or textbooks, neither is ideal, and a larger device might serve better. If you want a stylus or note-taking, look at the Kindle Scribe.
Is Color Worth It?
If you have never missed color, you will probably be happy with the Paperwhite. If you love browsing covers, read a lot of illustrated books or enjoy color highlights, the upgrade can make reading more fun. Compare the price difference with what else you could spend on books.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
Think about where you read most. If you read outdoors or at the beach, waterproofing and a bright, glare-free screen matter. If you travel, battery life and weight are important. If you read comics or cookbooks, color may be a big plus. If you plan to borrow library books, make sure the device supports Libby delivery in your country. Finally, consider whether you want to pay more for storage you may not need, and whether a refurbished model might save money.
Care and Accessories
Both devices benefit from a protective cover and, if you travel, a sleeve. Cases with auto-wake and sleep save battery. Screen protectors are optional, since e-ink screens are fairly durable. A case can also make the device easier to hold. Update the software regularly to get new features, and back up your highlights through your Amazon account. Keeping your Kindle away from extreme heat prolongs its life.
Alternatives to Consider
If neither model fits, look at the standard Kindle for a lower price, the Kindle Oasis if still available for page-turn buttons, the Kobo Libra Colour for a color e-reader that supports library borrowing in many regions or the Kindle Scribe if you want to write notes. Compare screen sizes, storage, ecosystem and price, and read recent reviews. The best e-reader is the one that fits the way you read.
Reading Experience Differences in Practice
In real use, the biggest difference is the library screen and any color content. Covers look lively on the Colorsoft, and highlights can appear in several colors. Plain text looks very similar on both. Some people notice a slight texture to color pages. If you can, try both in a store or ask a friend, because personal preference matters more than specifications.
Final Recommendation
For most readers who mainly read novels, the Paperwhite is the better value and the safer choice. Choose the Colorsoft only if color genuinely matters to what you read. Buy from a retailer with an easy return policy, test the screen in your usual reading light and keep the receipt for the first few weeks. Both devices will give you years of comfortable reading if you take care of them.
Related: Kindle vs paperback and whether reading on a Kindle is bad for your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kindle Colorsoft worth it?
It is worth it if you want color for covers, comics or illustrations; otherwise the Paperwhite is better value.
Does the Colorsoft have worse battery life?
Yes, it is rated for a shorter time than the Paperwhite.
Are both Kindles waterproof?
Yes, they have water resistance.
Is text as sharp on the Colorsoft?
Black and white text is sharp, but color images are lower resolution.
Which has a bigger screen?
Both have 7-inch screens.