Trying to decide between Amazon’s Kindle Oasis and the Paperwhite Signature Edition? For many people, Kindles are the default choice for an e-reader. Apart from Amazon's massive e-book library, Kindle Unlimited and Audible are two others reasons why so many users choose a Kindle. While the Kindle Oasis was the most advanced Kindle for several years, the newer Paperwhite Signature Edition is a great alternative for those who want some of those premium features for a cheaper price tag. Both Kindles have quite a lot in common, but there are some notable differences to consider before choosing between them.

There's plenty to distinguish between the Kindle Oasis and Paperwhite Signature Edition. While both feature a glare-free display, the Kindle Oasis' is slightly larger at 7-inches, compared to the Paperwhite Signature Edition's 6.8-inch screen. Additionally, the Oasis has 25 LEDs for the display, whereas the Paperwhite has 17. That said, both Kindles have a display that sits flush with the body, an adjustable warm light, and automatic brightness. They also have an IPX8 water-resistance rating, making them ideal for use at the pool or beach. The Kindle Oasis has some exclusive features though, including automatic rotating page orientation, physical page turn buttons, and free cellular connectivity (for the cellular model). However, that doesn’t mean buyers should disregard the Paperwhite entirely.

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Paperwhite Signature Edition Has Some Advantages

While both Kindles offer weeks of battery life, the Paperwhite Signature Edition offers 10 weeks of usage before needing to be recharged, whereas the Oasis only offers six. Furthermore, the Paperwhite Signature Edition supports wireless charging with a compatible Qi charger. Plus, the Signature Edition features a USB-C port for charging, while the older Oasis offers an outdated micro-USB port. These features, coupled with the cheaper price, are some reasons why users may prefer the Paperwhite model.

The bottom line? The Kindle Oasis, while more expensive, offers more for readers, particularly those who want a good display and an ergonomic form factor. Users who are willing to sacrifice these features for modern conveniences like wireless charging and a USB-C port can consider the Paperwhite Signature Edition. Ultimately, however, the choice comes down to budget. The Kindle Oasis starts at $249 for the 8GB version without lock screen ads ($299 for the 32GB version). The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, on the other hand, is available in a single 32GB variant without lock screen ads and is priced much cheaper at $189.

Is Kindle Oasis Better For The Eyes Than Paperwhite?

All Kindles have an e-ink display. The black and white screen doesn't have any glare, and as such, puts much less strain on the eyes than LCD/LED displays, such as those on smartphones and tablets. Both the Kindle Oasis and Paperwhite Signature Edition are pretty much on par when it comes to displays. While the Oasis has more LEDs than the Paperwhite Signature Edition, all this means is that the screen is more evenly lit.

Since both Kindles have an adjustable warm light, this makes them even easier on the eyes than the standard Kindle and Paperwhite. Users can even schedule when the light changes from white to yellow – the white screen is ideal for use in daylight, while the amber tones are gentler on the eyes under artificial light. If reading in the dark, making the light warmer can reduce eye strain further. While the Kindle Oasis has a better (and slightly bigger) display specs-wise, that doesn't make it better for the eyes than the cheaper Paperwhite Signature Edition.

Source: Amazon 1, 2