Ever since I was lucky enough to be gifted with my first one in January, I’ve been ever so slightly obsessed with my Kindles. Yes – plural. I have both the Kindle Basic and the Kindle Colorsoft, and honestly, they’ve each found a place in my daily life. They serve different purposes, and I genuinely adore them both for what they bring to the table (or handbag, in the Basic’s case).
The Kindle Basic is the one that comes everywhere with me. It’s light, compact and honestly so easy to just slip into my handbag without even thinking about it. If I’m heading out for the day or going on holiday, it’s the one I’ll pack without hesitation.
It might not have all the bells and whistles, but that’s kind of the beauty of it. It does what it needs to—lets me read, comfortably, anywhere. The screen is glare-free and genuinely designed to look like paper, which makes such a difference. I work on a laptop all day and my eyes get tired easily, but with my Kindle, I don’t even need reading glasses. It’s such a gentle experience, and that’s something I really appreciate.
It also holds my whole library, which is still mind-blowing to me. I can be in the mood for something light and funny one minute, then something a bit deeper the next—and it’s all right there. No bulk, no drama.
Now the Kindle Colorsoft is a whole different vibe. It lives at home, mostly on my bedside table or next to the sofa. This one feels like a little luxury just for me. I love books with beautiful imagery—coffee table books, lifestyle guides, interiors, wellness, anything like that. And the Colorsoft displays them beautifully. No, it’s not the same quality as glossy pages in a physical book, but it’s still lovely. The colours are vibrant enough to do the job and honestly, it’s just so nice having all of those books in one device.
Before the Colorsoft, I never really had a good way of enjoying those kinds of books digitally. They’d always look a bit off on regular Kindles or just not display properly. The colour screen has completely changed that. Now I’ll happily flick through a cookery book or something visual like a home décor guide on my Kindle, and it still feels like an experience.
And it’s not just about the images – it’s the layout, too. Magazines, graphic novels, anything that uses columns or design elements… they all come across much better on the Colorsoft. I find it makes a huge difference if you read anything with formatting that matters.
Here are a few more differences and benefits I’ve noticed that might help if you’re thinking of getting one (or both, like me):
Battery Life – The Basic wins here hands down. I charge it maybe once every few weeks? The Colorsoft, with the colour screen, definitely needs charging more often, especially if you’re flicking through visual-heavy books. Still decent, but not quite as low-maintenance.
Weight & Portability – The Basic is lighter and smaller, which makes it the better option for travel or commuting. The Colorsoft is bigger and heavier, so not something I’d take out with me. It’s much more of a homebody.
Storage Options – Both come with enough storage for hundreds (if not thousands) of books. But if you’re downloading large illustrated books or magazines, the extra space on the Colorsoft can be helpful. Still, I’ve never had an issue with running out of room on either.
Price – Obviously, the Colorsoft is more expensive, and for good reason. If you don’t read image heavy books, you really don’t need it. But if you do, it’s an amazing little indulgence that’s totally worth it in my opinion.
Reading Experience – The Basic still gives that classic Kindle feel – black and white, paper-like, distraction free. The Colorsoft feels a bit more tablet like, just with a much softer display. It’s still comfortable to read, but if you want that pure, simple book-like feel, the Basic is more true to that.
If I absolutely had to choose just one, I’d go for the Basic. It’s compact, practical, easy to use and has everything I need to read wherever I am. The Colorsoft is a beautiful luxury, but the Basic is the one I’d call essential. Still, I can’t lie—I love having both. It just works for me.
The Kindle Colorsoft has genuinely made me enjoy a whole new category of books again. I’d fallen out of the habit of reading visually-led books just because they never translated well on screens. Now I’m back to flicking through interiors inspiration and lifestyle reads with a cup of tea in hand and it’s honestly one of my favourite ways to relax.
If you’re wondering whether to get a Kindle at all, honestly, just do it. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever owned, and as someone who reads – a LOT – I’ve found it pretty life changing for the better. Whether it’s winding down at night, reading during a quiet lunch break, or curling up with a coffee and something beautiful to look at, it’s just so accessible and easy, not to mention my house is now way less cluttered with books. Obviously some physical book copies can never be replaced, some are just too special to me, but these days, Kindle is the way to go for me.
Two Kindles might sound a bit much, but for me, it’s been the perfect balance. One for practicality, one for pleasure – and both completely obsessed over.
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