For easy reading
Photo: Nina Farrell
If you’ve ever had a long reading session and felt hand cramps, these accessories may help. You can see more options in our guide to the best Kindle accessories.
Strapsicle e-reader hand straps for $21: Attach one or both to the back of your Kindle—one at an angle for your right hand and the other for your left—and slide your hand inward. Your hands won’t cramp, you won’t bump the screen and accidentally turn pages, and your reader won’t slip away. There are three custom sizes to accommodate different types of e-readers. You should see exactly what models you’re working with on your Amazon pages as well as on them This page is on the Strapsicle website.
Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Stand for $29: WIRED reviewer Nina Farrell tested it and said that while it’s not completely hands-free, it’s a very comfortable experience, especially if you have any source of chronic pain in your wrists. The clip is easy to attach to bed frames and side tables (also included). The floor stand version is $70). It is lightweight so it can be deployed anywhere and has enough neck resistance so that it does not fall forward or out of the position you place it in. It wobbles a little when touched to turn the page (or bumped into by a curious cat), so she was tempted to put her hand on it to keep it steady for herself and her roommate. If you want to be completely hands-free, add Remote control for turning pages So you can read without lifting your finger.
Popsocket for $10: Popsockets aren’t just for your phone, they also work great on e-readers. Whether you have a Paperwhite or a basic Kindle, it’s another great solution to reduce hand cramps.
Do you need a cover?
Image: Amazon
Fortunately, Kindle devices aren’t as fragile as our expensive smartphones, but you may still want to add a cover to protect the screen if you frequently carry them in a bag. These are not lined for serious drops. Children’s versions come with cases.
Cloth Covers for Kindle ($32) and Pepper White ($37): These open like a book and come in a few variations of black, blue, pink or green. It’s made from post-consumer recycled fabric.
Writer’s Cloth Cover ($60): This device can be flipped up and down like a notebook, and you can put it in a stand as well. There is also a slot for a pen if you don’t want to have it magnetically attached all the time. It is also made from recycled materials.
Quirky Cup Collective e-reader cover for $42: I prefer these gorgeous sleeves, especially Sun and Moon version. It’s beautiful and will protect your device when not in use, so you can put it in your bag without worry. The outside is velvet and the inside is satin, with some padding in between and a zipper closure. On the back there is a small zippered pocket. On each product page, you’ll see which devices are right for you, but check the measurements. There are also separate, larger, Book and iPad covers.
CoBak clear case for $10: The best thing about having a clear case is that it protects the back of your Kindle and Allows you to decorate it with stickers underneath. In addition to the CoBak case, I recommend this as well Fun sticker pack ($10).
Great reading lights
Photo: Simon Hill
If you usually read before bed but don’t want to disturb your sleep partners, kids, or roommates, I suggest you invest in a reading light. All Kindles now have a front light, so you don’t needs One, but it can still be useful, especially if you switch between Kindle and physical books. Here are a few of our favorites. You can find more in our guide to the best reading lights.
Vekkia 14 LED Book Lamp $18: This is our top pick. It is a clip-on light with an adjustable gooseneck neck and two rotating light strips each containing seven LEDs. You can cycle between five levels of brightness and three warm colours. However, it is relatively large, so it is not great for small paper books. The clip opens 2.1 inches wide and acts as a stable base to place on the counter.
Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light, $22: This reading light wraps around your neck, so it looks silly. But it is an excellent alternative to a hands-free reading lamp. It’s lightweight, adjustable, and comes with three color temperature modes as well as six brightness settings. It’s rechargeable and offers up to 80 hours of battery life on dimmer settings.
Black Diamond Wiz Headlight for $28: This is our favorite headlamp for kids. It’s comfortable, and the adjustable straps come in different colors. It has three brightness settings and an IPX4 water resistance rating, so you don’t have to worry about splashes. It turns off automatically after 2 hours, in case they fall asleep while it’s on. It takes two AAA batteries.
About that old Kindle
Amazon doesn’t release new Kindle devices very often, and the company usually takes a few years between models. Whenever a new model comes out, the stock of the previous model starts to dwindle. Not that I don’t recommend these things per se, but I only suggest them if you can find them on sale for the right price. Otherwise, I recommend purchasing the latest version.
Before making your purchase, check the price with the latest model to make sure you’re spending less on the older device.
- Kindle (2022, 11th generation): This is the smallest at 6.2 inches long, 4.3 inches wide, and a 6-inch screen. If you find tablets too cumbersome to hold with one hand, consider this one. With this model, Amazon has doubled the storage capacity to 16GB and upgraded the screen to a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (from 167 ppi). It’s hard to find, but if you can get your hands on one, you shouldn’t spend more than $50.
- Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th generation): This is the next step of the basic model. It has a bright 6.8-inch display with adjustable warm brightness, fast page turn rate, a USB-C port, and 16GB of storage. It’s water resistant too. I like the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED recommends) which also includes automatic brightness adjustment and 32GB of storage. I wouldn’t recommend spending more than $100 if you can find it.
- Kindlescribe (1st generation): Scribe (8/10, WIRED recommends) is a great option for note takers. It has a giant 10.2-inch screen, for taking notes, marking up PDFs or drawing, and several paper formats you can choose, such as college ruled or dotted. It also comes with a basic stylus that feels natural to write with and attaches to the side of your Kindle magnetically. I only recommend it for $230 or less.
- Kindle Kids (2022): This is the kid-friendly version of Kindle for beginners. It comes with a cover, a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, parental controls, and a 2-year warranty. I wouldn’t suggest spending more than $70 on this product.
- Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2021): The Paperwhite version is a step up from Kindle Kids. It has a 300 ppi HD display with adjustable warm display and is also water resistant. You shouldn’t spend more than $110 on this product.