Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle – which should you buy?
AMAZON'S Fire tablets and Kindles are two of its most popular devices, but they are not one and the same. So, which is best for you?
We've compared the Amazon Fire tablet to the Kindle to help you pick which will serve you best. Read on to find out
- Fire Tablets, from £64.99 -
- Kindle, from £84.99 -
UPDATE (14/12): Since we published this article, we spotted that Amazon has reduced the cost of nine of its and five of its .
Anyone shopping tech, any time of the year, will inevitably find themselves navigating the Amazon site.
The retail giant has carved out a niche for itself in offering top-quality tech on a budget, particularly with its own line of devices.
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If you're on the lookout for a budget tablet, chances are you're acquainted with the Amazon Fire tablet and the Kindle.
The Fire is a great alternative to costly Apple tablets, while the Kindle is one of the best-selling e-readers on the market.
So we've pitted these devices against each other to determine which will be the best fit for you, looking at everything from cost to performance.
We cover all Amazon's devices, including these, on our Amazon device deals page, so be sure to head there to secure savings.
If Kindle is what has you sold, be sure to check out my Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite face-off, which will settle which of Amazon's e-readers is best suited to you.
If you're in search of a TV, I've compared Amazon's smart TV offerings in my Amazon Fire TV Omni Series vs Fire TV 4-Series comparison.
While I pitted Amazon's best smart TV against Sky's offering in my Sky Glass vs Amazon Fire TV Omni comparison.
Right now you can score 2 months of free Amazon Kindle Unlimited - perfect if you choose the e-reader.
While music lovers can bag themselves 4 months of free Amazon Music Unlimited - so now is the time to make the most of them.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: At a glance
The Kindle and Amazon Fire tablet are two different kettle of fish. Kindle's are perfect for those in search of an e-reader, while the Fire models excel as affordable Android tablets.
Here's a brief overview of where they overlap and what sets them apart:
Similarities
- The Kindle and Fire tablets are Amazon's own devices.
- Both integrate with Amazon’s core ecosystem.
- Both have varying generations and prices.
- They share a similar form factor.
Differences
- Kindle is a dedicated e-reader, whereas the Fire is an Android tablet.
- Fire tablets have LCD screens, Kindle uses grayscale E-ink screens (ideal for reading).
- Kindle has its operating system limited to buying and reading e-books.
- Fire tablets can download apps from the Amazon Appstore.
- Fire tablets can access the internet and stream content.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Prices
Amazon's Fire tablets and Kindles come in various generations, including Pro and Kids versions, each with its own price range.
For Fire tablets, the Fire 7 stands out as the smallest and most affordable option, while the Fire Max 11 boasts the largest screen and the best resolution.
Kindle's:
There is also the option of shopping refurbished models, which come fully authenticated and will save you money compared to buying new.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Design
On the face of it, both the Kindle range and Fire tablets look very similar. However, considering that both devices are manufactured by Amazon, that's no surprise.
Each respective base model features a durable plastic body, more than capable of handling the rough and tumble of daily life. While it may not be high-end, it certainly keeps the cost low.
On the other end of the price spectrum are the Fire Max 11 and Kindle Scribe, each device's premium sibling made from aluminium.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Battery life
When it comes to battery life, there's a huge disparities between Fire tablets and Kindles, which largely comes down to their displays.
The Kindle is the handsdown winner and can last up to a remarkable six weeks before you'll need to recharge the tank.
That's thanks the E-Ink screen which is much more efficient than the Fire LCD displays for conserving energy.
Of course, on a tablet you'll want an LCD screen, especially for streaming TV shows, movies, and more. That means a Fire device averages around 10 hours of use before you'll need to recharge.
The makes Kindle's ideal for the longhaul, so long as you're primarly looking for a device to read e-books. While Fire tablets are perfect all-rounders that'll need topping up more often.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Verdict
The answer to which device is your winner depends on what purpose you are looking to use them for.
Those looking for an e-reader are best to shop the Kindle range, which are optimised for reading, with the E-Ink displays, incredible battery lives, and light form.
If you want more out of your device, like streaming content, accessing the internet, and downloading apps, the Fire tablets are where you'll want to shop.
Here is our verdict.
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Choose a Fire tablet if:
- You want an all-round tablet for browsing and streaming.
- You're looking to video call/take photos.
- You want to download apps.
Choose a Kindle if:
- You want a dedicated e-reader.
- You want a long battery life.
- You don't need extras like apps, or the internet.