Kindle Colorsoft review: Here’s why it’s the one you should buy

AMAZON’s Kindle Colorsoft is the first e-reader in its lineup to feature a full-colour e-ink display.

I’ve spent weeks testing it in this Kindle Colorsoft review to see if it delivers a richer reading experience and why it is the one to buy.

Amazon’s first Kindle with a colour display is ideal to get kids excited about reading[/caption]

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (Signature Edition), £269.99

Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft is a bold refresh of the e-reader, bringing full-colour e-ink to the Kindle lineup for the first time. 

Released at the tail end of 2024, it blends the lightweight simplicity Kindles are known for with a more vibrant display that makes it feel more alive.

I’ve tested plenty of Kindles, from the budget-friendly Kindle (2022) review to the high-end Kindle Scribe review, but the colour display of the Colorsoft sets it apart.

After weeks of testing, I’m breaking down how the Colorsoft performs, where it shines, and why it’s the one worth upgrading to.

You can also explore the entire Kindle family of devices in our list of the best Kindle deals across the lineup.

Read on for my full review of the Kindle Colorsoft.

Rating: 9/10

Pros:

• Full-colour display is gentle on the eyes
• Larger display
• Lightweight and portable
• Great for graphic novels and illustrated content

Cons:

• Colours feel muted in daylight
• Expensive

How I tested the Colorsoft

I put the Colorsoft to the test to see if it’s worth buying[/caption]

I used the Kindle Colorsoft over several weeks as my primary reading device.

I sought out illustrated novels and flicked through the odd magazine and cookbook to see how well the Colorsoft handled a variety of content.

I also carried it in my bag on commutes, tracked battery life, and experimented with brightness and colour settings.

I wanted to get a feel for the interface to see how it compares with the rest of Amazon’s Kindle family.

The Nitty-Gritty

First impressions

It’s more enjoyable to search titles in colour[/caption]

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (Signature Edition), £269.99

Straight out of the box, the Kindle Colorsoft feels like a natural evolution of Amazon’s e-readers.

The first thing that stands out is its larger display, which makes it feel like a step up from the base model.

Its colour e-ink screen also hints at a richer reading experience, though its benefits aren’t immediately obvious until you dive into illustrated titles.

Otherwise, everything Kindle fans love, like distraction-free reading, long battery life, and portability, is still here.

Does it deliver?

That extra screen real estate is the real win. At just over seven inches, it makes reading far easier to enjoy.

And if you love your magazines, cookbooks, and illustrated content, there are fewer page turns to contend with.

Despite feeling larger in hand, the Colorsoft remains slim, light, and easy enough to slip into a bag without eating up space or adding bulk.

The matte finish remains excellent for glare-free reading, and Amazon’s warmth adjustment feature makes evening reading soft on the eyes.

Add in colour, and navigating menus and book covers feels more inviting than I’ve experienced on the standard black and white Kindles.

That said, the colour here is muted rather than vibrant.

Colours fare better inside and in the evening[/caption]

Even with its vivid setting, images look slightly washed out in bright light, though indoors, it’s pleasant and undeniably an upgrade over black-and-white.

It’s not trying to be a tablet; instead, it’s a Kindle with a subtle splash of colour, and for the right reader, that’s enough.

Performance is steady and reliable, much like other Kindles, though nothing feels faster.

And while the starting price of £239.99 is steep for what’s essentially a Paperwhite with colour, this is Amazon’s best option if your library leans heavily toward illustrated content and you want a bigger display.

Graphic novels shine on the Colorsoft, where other Kindles struggle[/caption]

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (Signature Edition), £269.99

You may want to keep an eye on Amazon’s device deals to snag a better price, especially around sales events.

It’s also a great choice for families, thanks to its portable size, warm lighting, and splash of colour that makes reading feel more inviting for kids.

It’s also worth pointing out that the battery life is strong, but slightly shorter than that of other monochrome Kindles.

I got around two weeks per charge, which is excellent compared to tablets, but not the six weeks existing Kindle users may be used to.

Is Kindle Colorsoft better than Paperwhite?

Not necessarily, that depends on what you read. If novels are your focus, the Paperwhite is still the better value.

But for comics, cookbooks, or anything illustrated, the Colorsoft’s colour e-ink and bigger screen make reading easier and more enjoyable.

It doesn’t feel drastically different, but it offers a more engaging reading experience overall.

It’s less about replacing monochrome Kindles and more about catering to readers who want a splash of colour in their e-reader.

Can you listen to audiobooks on Kindle Colorsoft?

Yes, the Kindle Colorsoft supports Audible, allowing you to listen to audiobooks by pairing Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

It doesn’t have built-in speakers, which keeps its lightweight, but connecting external audio is simple and quick.

Playback is smooth, and it’s nice to switch seamlessly between reading and listening within the Kindle ecosystem. 

This makes the Colorsoft a versatile device for those who like having both reading and listening options in one portable e-reader.

How long does the Kindle Colorsoft battery last?

Battery life is excellent, although slightly shorter than that of other Kindles.

I got just over two weeks of use on a single charge with moderate reading time and brightness set to mid-level.

That’s to be expected with a colour display, which needs more juice to power it. So it’s the trade-off for this type of e-reader.

Kindle Colorsoft alternatives

Amazon’s Kindle range has a device for nearly every reader, so the Colorsoft isn’t your only option.

The Paperwhite remains the best pick for traditional, text-focused reading at the much lower price of £169.99.

If the larger screen is what you’re after, the Kindle Scribe is worth checking out; it adds note-taking and annotation to the mix, though it is the priciest buy at £379.99.

The entry-level Kindle (2024) is a solid choice for casual readers; it’s bite-sized and doesn’t offer any bells and whistles, but at £89.99, it’s a bargain.

Does Kindle Colorsoft have ads?

No, unlike other Kindle models that come with ‘special offers’ (lock-screen ads) unless you pay extra, the Kindle Colorsoft is ad-free right out of the box.

This makes the Colorsoft feel a bit more premium, especially given its higher starting price.

You’ll also see the cover art for the book you’re currently enjoying when you lock the screen.

If you’ve been frustrated by ads on previous Kindles, you’ll probably appreciate that the Colorsoft skips them entirely.

Where can I buy a Kindle Colorsoft?

You can buy the Kindle Colorsoft directly from Amazon, where bundle deals are common. 

These often include a case, which is worth picking up because the official Kindle Colorsoft case doubles as a stand for hands-free reading.

Deals during events like Prime Day or Amazon Black Friday deals often make these models even more appealing, so it’s worth watching for offers.

If you’re keeping an eye out for discounts, check Amazon Prime Day, when deals are available, and the best time to grab a Kindle Colorsoft at a lower price.

You might also want to explore Kindle Unlimited deals if you’re new to the ecosystem, as subscriptions are frequently discounted alongside device sales.

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (Signature Edition), £269.99

What is the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition?

The Signature Edition costs a bit more but brings some quality-of-life upgrades.

You’ll get 32GB of storage instead of 16GB, wireless charging support, and an ad-free experience.

The screen itself is the same as the base model, so the Signature Edition isn’t a performance upgrade.

But it’s a good choice for those with a huge digital library or those who value convenience and not worrying about storage limits.

Is the Kindle ColorSoft worth it?

The Kindle Colorsoft is worth buying if your reading collection leans toward comics, graphic novels, or richly illustrated cookbooks.

Its colour screen, while muted, adds depth and makes reading more engaging, and there’s no denying the larger screen is a bonus.

But if you mostly read text-based novels, the Paperwhite offers a nearly identical experience for much less.

This Kindle is aimed at readers who want a richer, more versatile reading experience and are happy to pay a premium for it.