Amazon Just Released New Kindles, but I'm More Excited About the Accessories

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When Amazon raised the prices of most of its Kindle devices last month—some by more than 30%—it looked like a reaction to the ongoing RAM crisis, but it may have also have been a bit of clever timing: Today, the company has announced a near-total overhaul of its line of e-readers, which are now thinner, lighter, faster, and more thoughtfully designed than ever, and as we've all already absorbed the price hike, there's no bitter pill to swallow alongside the news.

Certainly, the new Kindles are lovely devices: The entire lineup, from the $150 entry-level Kindle to the $319 Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, now features a new flush-front design. An upgraded standard Kindle and the pricier Signature Editions now have an aluminium back, giving them a premium feel and allowing for a new line of magnetic accessories. And all of the devices are, according to Amazon, the fastest ever, with a promised 30% quicker page turns.

Yesterday, Amazon invited Lifehacker and a number of other tech sites to its headquarters to check out the new lineup, and while I can say that these are easily the prettiest Kindles ever—available in a number of trendy new colors—they are also still mostly just Kindles: improved, to be sure, but not really new. That's why I'm more excited by the accompanying lineup of accessories, including a new case with integrated physical buttons and, at long last, a Bluetooth page-turner remote.

The standard Kindle now feels more premium

Amazon Kindle 16GB $149.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $149.99 at Amazon Amazon Kids Kindle 16GB $179.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $179.99 at Amazon Amazon Kindle 32GB Aluminium Design $189.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $189.99 at Amazon SEE 0 MORE

As before, the revamped Kindles are being sold in a few different variations, some (much) pricier than others. The "cheapest" is the standard 16GB Kindle, priced at $149.99 with lock screen ads and $169.99 without ads, which retains the same basic features, including a six-inch, 300ppi touchscreen and an adjustable front light, but in the revamped, flush-front design, and a bunch of snazzy new colors, from a bluish "Alpine Sky" to a lavender "Ube." (Kevin Keith, Amazon's vice president in charge of Kindle, said the company was shocked at the response to the match-colored Kindle it released a few years ago—it represented more than 50% of device sales—so it's unsurprising to see it doubling down.)

For the first time, there is also a premium version of the standard Kindle with 32GB of storage and an aluminium casing, also in the same range of colors (including a refined-looking metallic graphite). This version is priced at $189.99 without lock screen ads, which means you're paying $20 more for double the storage, which isn't too bad in 2026.

Amazon's boasting of lighter (around 140g) and thinner (6.8mm) builds and "30% faster page turns" aside, the new Kindles aren't that much different than the old ones, not that I'm complaining: Nearly 20 years after it was first introduced, the Kindle remains the gold standard of e-readers in many ways. Though I'm a fan of competing devices in different sizes or with open Android operating systems, on a hardware level, Amazon is still on top.

The redesigned Kindles (which are also available in Kindle Kids version that includes a one-year warranty, a free subscription to Kindle Kids+, and a colorful protective case for $179.99) can be ordered today for immediate shipping.

The new Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft Signature editions are totally metal

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB $199.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $199.99 at Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 32GB $249.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $249.99 at Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 32GB $319.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $319.99 at Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition $319.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $319.99 at Amazon SEE 1 MORE

The aluminium design of the upgraded Kindle has been carried across to the pricier versions of the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft. The former is once again being sold in a textured plastic design with lock screen ads and 16GB of storage for $199.99, or an aluminium-backed "Signature Edition," minus ads and with 32GB of storage, for $249.99—though only the latter is available in the new Seaglass Green color.

The Kindle Colorsoft is likewise available in two versions: For $289.99, the standard Colorsoft offers 32GB of storage and the new flush-front design. If you want the aluminium back, you'll need to spring for the $319.99 Signature Edition, which also has 32GB of storage and is available in a deep reddish "Fig" color. On the plus side, all versions of the Colorsoft are sold without lock screen ads.

Here's the bad news: You'll have to wait if you want one of the new Paperwhites or Colorsofts. The devices are available for preorder now and will ship Oct. 28. (There are Kindle Kids options for these devices, too.)

The accessories actually offer something new (or new again)

As noted, as nice as they are, the redesigned devices still look and feel a lot like the old ones, especially once you're immersed in a book. But the accessories the company also unveiled today actually offer something new, or at least bring back something old.

Amazon Kindle Page-Turn Cover $79.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $79.99 at Amazon Amazon Kindle Click Bluetooth Remote $34.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $34.99 at Amazon SEE -1 MORE

The Page-Turn Cover turns your Paperwhite into an Oasis

Credit: Joel Cunningham

While it has been years since Amazon sold a Kindle with physical page-turn buttons (RIP to the beloved Kindle Oasis), there's a new case option for the aluminium-backed Signature Editions of the Paperwhite and Colorsoft that Amazon is calling the Page-Turn Cover. This case magnetically attaches to those devices, connecting to the pogo pins on the back, and adds two page-turn buttons to one side of the device. Like magic, and without adding much in the way of weight, the Page-Turn Cover makes it feel like your Kindle has real buttons again.

It's an elegant solution to a niche problem—Amazon reports that only around 5% of readers are passionate about physical buttons, so this way, everyone can be happy...provided paying an extra $80 for a case for your $250+ e-reader doesn't make you too unhappy. The Page-Turn Cover (available in different colors that match the new devices) will ship Oct. 28.

Finally, the Kindle supports a Bluetooth remote

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Physical page-turn buttons need not be attached to your device, because for the first time, the entire Kindle lineup now supports a Bluetooth remote for turning pages at the click of a button instead of a tap on the screen (competing e-readers have supported similar remotes for years, but Amazon has blocked that functionality until now).

The idea behind these things is to give you the ability to read your book without actually holding the Kindle in your hands, whether because you have a mobility issue that makes that difficult, or because you're on a treadmill or keeping cozy under the covers. Called the Kindle Click, the remote is priced at $34.99 and will ship in November.

A charging dock to pair with your new remote

Finally, Amazon is also launching a new charging dock that will prop up your Paperwhite or Colorsoft vertically, providing a more hands-free reading experience, particularly when paired with the Click. The dock isn't up for preorder yet, but it will cost $59.99.