Amazon has finally updated its flagship e-reader, the Kindle Paperwhite, after a three-year hiatus. The new 12th-generation Kindle Paperwhite brings welcome improvements, including a higher-contrast screen, faster performance, and a slightly larger display. In our review, we found that these upgrades make the new Paperwhite the best e-reader on the market.

The new Paperwhite features a 300ppi screen with a small bump in size from 6.8 to seven inches. Although the increase in size is not dramatic, it allows for a few extra lines of text on a page. The new model also boasts smaller bezels, making the device slightly thinner and only a few millimeters larger than its predecessor. The display is now flush with the bezels, another subtle but appreciated improvement.

The most noticeable upgrade, however, is the increased contrast. The new Paperwhite's oxide thin-film transistor screen provides the highest contrast ratio of any e-reader we've tested. This results in deeper blacks, making the screen look closer to an actual printed page. The benefits are particularly evident when viewing illustrations, pictures, and book covers, which now have more pop and presence.

Amazon has also improved the new Paperwhite's lighting, giving the screen a more neutral tone at its default settings. The dual-core processor, a first for the Paperwhite, provides a significant boost in performance. Page turns are faster, and the device can handle image-heavy PDF files with ease. The user interface also feels more responsive, making it a joy to navigate through book lists, menus, and Amazon's online store.

In terms of battery life, Amazon claims the new Paperwhite can last up to 12 weeks between charges, but this is based on limited usage. In our testing, we found that the device lost five percent of its charge after an hour of reading, browsing, and using wireless features. With moderate use, we estimate the battery life to be around three weeks.

While the new Paperwhite is an excellent e-reader, it's not without its limitations. Sideloading documents like PDFs or ePUB files can be frustrating, and text customization options are limited compared to competitors like Kobo. Borrowing library books also requires using the Libby app or website on a separate device, unlike Kobo e-readers, which have Overdrive built-in.

In comparison to other e-readers on the market, the new Paperwhite stands out. The Kobo Clara BW, which uses the same E Ink Carta 1300 screen, has a smaller recessed screen and a cheaper all-plastic body. The Kobo Sage, which offers page turn buttons and stylus support, is more of a hybrid e-reader and note-taking device, making it less portable.

In conclusion, the new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) is the best e-reader you can buy, offering a beautiful black-and-white screen, faster performance, and a slightly larger display. While it's not a significant upgrade over the 2021 model, it's a worthwhile investment for those looking for a high-quality e-reader or upgrading from an older Kindle model.