Kindle Colorsoft Review: Is the Colour Worth It?

Amazon recently let us try out their newest Kindle Colorsoft, which just launched in Canada. I got the Signature Edition model, which comes with 32GB of storage and a few nice extras like wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light.

Setting up the device was super easy. As soon as I opened the Kindle app on my phone, it asked for Bluetooth access. Once I allowed that, it instantly detected the new Kindle. From there, I signed into my Amazon account and linked the Kindle, and it automatically connected to my home Wi-Fi. The whole process felt seamless and smooth—it’s clear Amazon’s engineers have really refined the setup experience over the years.

Inside the paper box? You get the Kindle Colorsoft, quick start documentation and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable (which is not necessary with the Signature Edition as it has wireless charging):

Now, let’s talk about the display. This is Amazon’s first colour Kindle, and while the colours don’t exactly match the rich tones you might see in the marketing photos, they still look great (colour is at 150 ppi; black and white is way crisper at 300 ppi). It’s pretty cool flipping through a library of full-colour book covers, and comics like Calvin and Hobbes really pop. You can pinch and zoom easily, which makes reading panels up close a breeze.

Reading on this thing feels just like a paper book, thanks to the matte screen and front light that adjusts automatically to your environment (Signature Edition exclusive feature; the regular version has manual light controls). It’s comfortable to read whether you’re sitting by a sunny window or winding down at night.

This Kindle also comes with new highlight colours—yellow, blue, pink, and orange—which is great for people who like marking up their books. Not only that, the colour screensavers change automatically and they are all really cool to see.

The Colorsoft Signature Edition comes with a 7-inch colour e-ink screen offering a paper-like feel without harsh glare. It has up to 8 weeks of battery life and supports both USB-C charging and wireless charging (with a dock sold separately).

The device is also waterproof, making it safe to use by the pool or in the bath. With 32GB of storage, there’s plenty of space for comics, novels, and PDFs. And because there are no social media apps or notifications, it’s a distraction-free experience focused entirely on reading. We all know how easy it is to check messages and social media when you’re reading on your iPhone or iPad.

Here’s what the front cover of Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons looks like:

And here’s a zoomed out page of this colour comic (zooming is sluggish and not instant like an iPad):

…here it is zoomed in:

If you’ve been waiting for a colour Kindle, this is the one to get, as it might be attractive for your budding readers. It’s a solid step forward for Amazon’s e-reader lineup, but again, it will cost you as it starts at $309.99 for the Signature Edition (the regular version is $264.99). A matching fabric cover and wireless charging stand is $65 more. Essentially, you’re paying $80 more than a regular black and white entry Kindle Paperwhite to get a colour display. Is that worth it to you?

Other colour e-ink readers include the Kobo Libra Colour (starts at $259.99, $5 cheaper to start; and Kobo Clara Colour from $189), which has the same PPI for black and white and colour, but has a bulkier design and some physical buttons.

That said, I’d recommend waiting for a sale (Black Friday anyone?)—especially if you already own a recent Kindle. But if you love comics, colourful book covers, or just want something more visually dynamic, the Kindle Colorsoft definitely delivers for now.