Key Points:
- Kindle has been leading the way for the e-reader industry for man years. The Oasis and Paperwhite have equal battery life, equal storage options, and equal pixels per inch but they vary in size and physical design.Ultimately, the difference comes down to money for size of screen and battery life (for the Oasis).
Kindle has been releasing e-readers since 2007. Naturally, over the past 14 years, there have been multiple generations and versions of Kindle devices, and each one has subtle differences (at the very least) from the one before it. They are all primarily used for reading e-books, but they each have their own unique designs, fonts, features, and functionality. We’re looking at two of the most popular options — Kindle Oasis and Kindle Paperwhite.
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When it comes to the more obvious standouts, Paperwhite is more affordable, and there’s a lot to be said for budget-friendly. However, it’s also true that the Oasis has some really interesting features that make it an intriguing option. Cutting to the chase, the Oasis is a better device overall. With that said, the Paperwhite is probably enough for the vast majority of e-book readers. As they have many similarities with just enough nuance to distinguish themselves, the question really comes down to: Would you prefer to pay more for higher quality or save more with slightly fewer features to enjoy? This guide should help you decide.
Choosing between Kindle Oasis and Paperwhite
Ultimately, choosing between these two devices depends greatly on your needs. With so many similarities between them, selecting one e-reader over the other will likely revolve around your price range and specific feature requirements. For example, the Kindle Oasis and Paperwhite have equal battery life, equal storage options, and equal pixels per inch but they vary in size and physical design.
Kindle Oasis vs Paperwhite: Performance, Features, Specs
As previously noted, the Kindle Oasis and the Paperwhite are more similar than not. However, it’s fair to say that the distinctive differences are in the overall design of the units, and the screen features. For example, the Oasis has physical buttons to turn the virtual pages while the Paperwhite does not. The Paperwhite can be easily used with one hand, while the Oasis is a bit larger and more cumbersome. Maximum readability may very well be based on personal preferences and factors such as your comfort and eyesight capabilities.
Our best 7", 300 ppi flush-front Paperwhite display.Adjustable warm light to shift screen shade from white to amber.Waterproof (IPX8) so you can read in the bath or by the pool. Your Kindle has been tested to withstand accidental immersion in water.Thin and light ergonomic design with page turn buttons.Reads like real paper with the latest e-ink technology for fast page turns.
Kindle Paperwhite – Now with a 6.8” display and thinner borders, adjustable warm light, up to 10 weeks of battery life, and 20% faster page turns.Purpose-built for reading – With a flush-front design and 300 ppi glare-free display that reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight.More books in more places – Store thousands of titles, then take them all with you. A single charge via USB-C last weeks, not hours.Easy on the eyes – Now with adjustable warm light to shift screen shade from white to amber.Waterproof reading – Built to withstand accidental immersion in water, so you’re good from the beach to the bath.
Oasis Specs:
Size: 159 × 141 × 3.4-8.4mm (6.3 × 5.6 × 0.13-0.33 inches)Weight: 188 grams (6.6 ounces)Screen Size: 7-inchesResolution: 1,680 × 1264 pixels (300 pixels per inch)Storage: 8GB, 32GBBattery: six weeks
Paperwhite Specs:
Size: 167 × 116 × 8.18mm (6.6 × 4.6 × 0.3 inches)Weight: 182 grams (6.41 ounces)Screen Size: 6-inchesResolution: 1,448 × 1,072 pixels (300 pixels per inch)Storage: 8GB, 32GBBattery: six weeks
Kindle Oasis vs Paperwhite: Side-by-Side Comparison
An important factor to consider in comparing the Kindle Oasis versus the Paperwhite is that you get what you pay for. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the more interesting features of anything techology-related raises the price tag — whether we’re talking about e-readers, VR headsets, or computer software. With any luck, you can find a healthy balance between your budget and tech requirements, resulting in the perfect e-reader for your needs. Ask yourself, How much am I willing to pay for more features on an e-book? Comparing pros and cons can help you focus on your decision, so let’s tackle those.
Kindle Oasis
Paperwhite
Kindle Oasis vs Paperwhite: Key Differences
There are two key differences between the Oasis and the Paperwhite. First, there’s more than a one-hundred-dollar price difference, which makes the Oasis a bit less cost-effective if you’re looking to stay within a budget. There is a sizable section of the population that can’t justify spending a few hundred dollars on an e-reader. Thankfully, if what you’re looking for is general book access, the Paperwhite will more than suffice. It’s a quality device at a reasonable price.
Second, the physical design and capabilities are unique to each device. The Oasis is larger overall, has a slightly better screen, and offers actual buttons for page-turning while the Paperwhite is more minimalistic. Its backlight has fewer LEDs and the automatic brightness controls aren’t as sensitive. The blue-light filter on the Oasis could easily be your deciding factor. The blue-light filter on the Oasis is an advantage for any night reader, and it’s well worth the extra money.
Kindle Oasis vs Paperwhite: Which Is Best?
Both strong contenders for “best,” the Oasis is ultimately worthy of the title. It’s simply a superior device … based on your budget, the price may be the only drawback. It’s worth noting that some say it’s bulky compared to Paperwhite, but others prefer a larger option. The choice is yours! The extra inch of screen space allows for larger fonts, and the backlight has more LEDs, so we tend to lean toward the larger design.
WINNER: Kindle Oasis
The Kindle Oasis is the clear winner. Despite the price, it is the better option of the two and the more comfortable experience — particularly if you’re an avid e-reader!
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We’ve done the research to help you choose between some great options!
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