That’s why you have a Kindle. Kindle lets you read all your favorite books anytime, anywhere. Kindle isn’t just meant for the youngsters but also for the elderly who can’t carry heavy books and journals everywhere they go. And trust me, Kindle is absolutely senior-friendly. It’s so easy to use and seniors can read it for hours straight without feeling fatigued. If you are wondering if the Kindle is the right device for seniors, take a look at the special features of Kindle. Also read: 5 Best Tablets for Reading eBooks The 5 Best Book Reading Apps for Android (Free)
LightweightRead on from where you left offAutomatic bookmarkingFlip pages by tapping, sliding, squeeze Find the meaning of words by tappingAdd notesChange font size or boldnessAccessibility options
These features are of great value to readers of any age and especially for seniors.
Things to consider when buying a Kindle for seniors
Now, before we move ahead with the best Kindle for seniors, let’s understand the things you should consider before making your purchase.
1. WiFi only or WiFi with 3G?
A WiFi only Kindle doesn’t support 3G and is ideal for those who have sufficient WiFi coverage in their area. So if you have a WiFi connection at your place and mostly stick around the same place with minimal travel, I would recommend you to go for the WiFi-only Kindle. You will still be able to download books and read them offline. However, if you or the senior you want to gift a Kindle to travels quite often and needs an internet connection on the device, and if there isn’t a WiFi connection in the area around, WiFi with 3G would be the ideal Kindle. Depending on your usage, you can choose the right Kindle for you. Note that the Kindle with WiFi and 3g is a bit costlier than a WiFi-only Kindle.
2. Colored or Grayscale display?
If you just want an e-reader to read books and for no other purpose, I think you are good with a Kindle with only grayscale display mode. Otherwise, a colored display Kindle would be the right match for you. The latest Kindle models come with LCD displays and allow you to browse websites, install apps, access your social media accounts, play media, and more. They work just like any other tablet. Another notable feature of the colored Kindle display is that it allows the users to adjust the glare level by changing the brightness when using the Kindle in the sun. Interestingly, the latest Kindle models offer glare-free displays.
3. Text-to-speech or Text only?
Some Kindle models come with the text-to-speech feature while a few models are meant only for reading. If you prefer listening to e-books rather than reading, go for the Kindle with the text-to-speech feature. The text-to-speech feature comes in handy for those who feel eye strain when reading.
4. Large screens or Extra large screens?
Size does matter for most e-readers and Kindle comes in various sizes. A lightweight Kindle is available with a 6-inch display while a heavier model sports a 7-inch or 8-inch screen.
5. Built-in light or no built-in light?
Some Kindle models come with a built-in light to replace the reading lamps at night. You will love Kindle with built-in light if you are a nocturnal reader or travel quite often. Best overall: Kindle Paperwhite Best in budget-friendly: Kindle Fire HD 8 Best in features: Kindle Oasis Best in storage: Kindle Fire HD 8 Best in screen size: Kindle Oasis
Features
Black, Twilight Blue, Sage, and Plum colors are availableFlush-front design to simulate the real paper feelThin and lightweight6-inch 300 PPI displayGlare-free displayWaterproof design8 GB or 32 GB storage capacityAudible compatibleGood battery life for weeksAdaptive brightnessWiFi + Free cellular connectivity1-year limited warranty
Although these features are absolutely worth giving Kindle Paperwhite a try, I’m most impressed by the Audible compatibility and its accessibility features. You can easily connect with Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones to switch between reading and listening for a hassle-free experience. If you already have an Audible account, you can just sign in and start reading or listening to your favorite ebooks. If you don’t have an Audible account yet, you can sign up and get a free trial of two weeks and get access to two audiobooks free of cost. On the accessibility front, it offers a WiFi+cellular connectivity feature which comes in handy for those who travel frequently or do not have a WiFi connection set up. Also, it is splash-proof and offers protection against accidental immersion in fresh water for up to 1 hour and up to 2 meters in depth. You’re protected for up to 3 minutes in seawater and up to 25 cm in depth.
Features
What I loved about the Kindle Fire HD 8 is the screen size. It sports an HD 8-inch large screen ideal for seniors with difficulty reading on smaller screens. But on the downside, you can expect it to be heavier than the Kindle Paperwhite.
Features
Available in Graphite and Champagne Gold colors8 GB internal memory7-inch 300 PPI anti-glare displayFast data transfer to PCWiFi + cellular connectivityBluetooth headphones or speakers pairingGreat battery life for weeks Adjustable warm-lightWaterproofWith Kindle Unlimited / With 3 months Free Kindle UnlimitedThin and lightweightErgonomic design with page turn buttonsSimulates real paper with e-ink technologyAudible compatible
Kindle Oasis is loaded with features that most Kindle e-readers don’t generally offer. Time to declare the best features of this Kindle model. Personally, screen customization impressed me a lot. You can adjust the shade of the screen from white to a warm amber and the ability to schedule the light based on your reading preference. Another great feature is the adaptive brightness which changes the screen brightness relative to the lighting conditions. Most importantly, for seniors, it allows you to adjust the text size and boldness for the best reading experience which makes it an ideal candidate for Kindle for seniors. Suggested reads: The 10 Best Manga Reader Apps for Android (free & paid) How To Root Kindle Fire for Some Reading and More How to Download Books on Torrent for Android Reading is a habit you can adopt at any point in your life. Although reading paperback versions of books has its own benefits, there is a need for ebooks and Kindle e-readers that have made reading so seamless. After a lot of research, I’ve filtered these 3 Kindles for seniors. All of these are best suited for them, but in particular, Kindle Oasis and Paperwhite are my picks among these. Choose the one that suits you best! I hope I brought some value to your tech life. Let me know your favorite books and authors in the comments section below. Take care and stay safe! See you next time, cheers! Featured image
