Distinctions - The 11th Generation of the Kindle Paperwhite improves on everything intrinsic to the Kindle brand. The battery life is ridiculously good, with a use time measured in months, yes, months. Assuming regular use, the Paperwhite is capable of insane feats of longevity, even with the backlight cranked to the maximum. In addition, added waterproofing to this generation means worrying about accidental spills or drops in water is a thing of the past. To top all of this off, the Kindle Paperwhite still packages all this within an incredibly light and low profile, making it a perfect pick for those looking to read on the go without lugging their library along.

Criticisms - The elephant in the room for the Kindle Paperwhite is the clear masking of PDF installation abilities. It is possible, however, but clearly veiled behind a product funnel towards e-book purchases on Amazon or a subscription to KindleUnlimited and/or Audible. This frustratingly cuts into the cost savings of the Paperwhite, as KindleUnlimited only covers certain titles, while others will still need to be purchased from Amazon for prices that rival a physical paperback.

Distinctions - Great initial battery life means diminishing returns intrinsic to a non-replaceable battery will not be quality of life threatening at all. While E-ink displays have traditionally been relatively high-latency due to the actual technology backing it, the snappy processor backing the 11th Generation Kindle Paperwhite makes the downtime relatively short.

Criticisms - The largely plastic shell on the Kindle Paperwhite is vulnerable to drops, particularly on surfaces with pointed or uneven terrain where the force of the fall will not be distributed. The screen, once damaged, renders the device totally inoperable, making a preventative measure like a case or screen protector a decent investment for those expecting to use the Paperwhite on the go.

Distinctions - E-ink is actually very attractive, blending high contrast black ink with a naturally off-grey tone used for negative space. The resolution of the Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation is a web-appropriate 300 ppi, making images appear vivid at a distance and close up. Pair this with the ability to load more resolution when zooming, and the Paperwhite is equipped to see media in exactly as much detail as it was intended to be.

Criticisms - The colors chosen for the Paperwhite are drab, there’s no denying. The plastic case is cheap and not particularly cohesive with most of the average palettes found in the home or in a backpack. While other tablets go for brushed aluminum (which would also hide abrasions and prevent damage better), the 11th Generation of the Kindle Paperwhite still languishes with exactly the same hue of plastic that was present on the first generation.

Distinctions - Obvious points for just how good the battery life is on the Kindle Paperwhite. For those that still remember the Nook reader, or those that use the Amazon Fire Tablet for reading, they know that the more tablet-esque readers carry with them the battery life of a tablet, where the Paperwhite has the battery life only capable of a dedicated e-reader. The Kindle Paperwhite is also one of the few devices produced by a major manufacturer, in this case Amazon, where the second hand market is facilitated by the original producer. Amazon does offer a trade-in program, through which the Kindle Paperwhite can be exchanged for Amazon credit and a coupon towards a discounted purchase of another Kindle.

Criticisms - The largest detriments to the Kindle Paperwhite revolve around the continued necessitation of use for the Amazon store and KindleUnlimited subscriptions, both of which are hosted online and are not conducive to financial sustainability the way something like a library card would be.

Distinctions - Incredible battery life coupled with a screen that does not cause eye strain, and an overall weight half that of the next best selling tablet in the space makes the Kindle Paperwhite a standout victor for those looking for a way to read on the go.

Criticisms - Clear discouragement by design of PDF use and a dedicated Amazon OS limits the alternative functionality of the Paperwhite. A growing price tag despite only refining elements previously found in the Kindle family leaves one with a question; how long until someone does it better?