Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Colorsoft: Which to Give?
Two Kindles with the same size screen and very different jobs: a black and white reader for about $200 [1], against a color reader for about $290 [2].
Give the Kindle Paperwhite to anyone who reads mostly novels, because it does plain text for less money and lasts up to 12 weeks per charge [1]. Give the Kindle Colorsoft to readers of comics, manga, cookbooks and picture books, because it shows covers and pages in color [2].
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated November 4, 2026 · Sources
Kindle PaperwhiteAround $200 on Amazon [1]Best for novel readers: up to 12 weeks of battery for less money [1].
View on AmazonRead the full review
Kindle ColorsoftAround $290 on Amazon [2]Best for comics and cookbooks: paper-like color and color highlights [2].
View on AmazonRead the full reviewSide by side
| Kindle Paperwhite | Kindle Colorsoft | |
| Price on Amazon | About $200 [1] | About $290 [2] |
| Screen | 7 inch Paperwhite display, black and white [1] | 7 inch Colorsoft color display [2] |
| Optimized for | Black and white reading [2] | Reading in color [2] |
| Storage | 16GB [1] | 16 GB [2] |
| Battery | Up to 12 weeks per charge [1] | Up to 8 weeks per charge [2] |
| Charging | USB-C [1] | USB-C [2] |
| Waterproof | Yes [1] | Yes [2] |
| Light | White to amber [1] | White to amber [2] |
| Color highlights | No, black and white [2] | Yellow, orange, blue and pink [2] |
Price for the same size screen
Both Kindles have a 7 inch screen [1][2]. The Paperwhite costs about $200 [1] and the Colorsoft about $290 [2], so color adds close to a hundred dollars to the gift. For a reader who never looks at pictures, that money buys nothing they will notice.
Color or black and white
Amazon says the Colorsoft display is optimized for reading in color and is different from the Paperwhite display, which is optimized for black and white reading [2]. Covers, comic panels, maps and recipe photos show up in soft, paper-like color on the Colorsoft [2]. Plain novel text looks crisp on both.
Battery between charges
The Paperwhite lasts up to 12 weeks on a charge [1]; the Colorsoft lasts up to 8 weeks [2]. Both charge over USB-C [1][2]. Either one outlasts a phone or a tablet by a wide margin, but the Paperwhite goes longest between charges.
Highlights and night reading
The Colorsoft lets readers highlight in yellow, orange, blue and pink [2], and in Dark Mode the highlights keep their color [2]. Students, book club members and annotators get the most out of that. Both screens adjust from white to amber for bedtime reading [1][2].
Which Kindle to give
Reads thrillers and romance at night? Give the Paperwhite. Reads manga, graphic novels, cookbooks or travel guides, or reads picture books with a child? Give the Colorsoft. Both are waterproof [1][2] and both are in our best Christmas gifts guide with links to today's price.
FAQ
Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Colorsoft for a beginner?
The Kindle Paperwhite is the safer first Kindle. It costs about $200 [1], lasts up to 12 weeks per charge [1] and does everything a novel reader needs. Choose the Kindle Colorsoft only if you know the person reads comics, manga or illustrated books [2].
Is the Kindle Colorsoft worth the extra money?
For color content, yes. The Kindle Colorsoft shows covers and pages in paper-like color and highlights in four colors [2]. For plain text books the Kindle Paperwhite gives the same reading experience for about $90 less [1][2].
Which Kindle has the better battery?
The Kindle Paperwhite. Its listing says up to 12 weeks per charge [1], while the Kindle Colorsoft listing says up to 8 weeks [2]. Both charge over USB-C [1][2].
Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (2024 model), price and specs
- Amazon.com listing for the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16 GB (2024 model), price and specs
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on November 4, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.