Kindle Scribe review: The most versatile e-reader yet
I'VE spent the past few weeks testing out Amazon's Kindle Scribe, its largest and priciest e-reader yet.
I've looked into how easy it is to use, the quality of the screen, and how it handles various reading and writing tasks to see if it delivers enough value to justify its higher price tag.
Kindle Scribe, £329.99
Released in late 2022, the is the most recent addition to Amazon's e-reader family.
This device marks a significant leap forward though, blending the traditional appeal of an e-reader with the capabilities of an e-ink tablet.
As an avid follower of Amazon's tech products, I've compared the Kindle Scribe to the Remarkable 2 and was curious to see if it lived up to its promise.
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After spending some time with the Scribe, I can affirm that the Scribe is an excellent piece of tech, but it might not be the perfect fit for everyone.
For those interested in understanding more about how Amazon's devices compare, you can check out my head-to-head explainer where I pit the Kindle Paperwhite against the Kindle Oasis.
Overall rating: 4/5
Pros:
- The biggest Kindle screen available
- Automatic ambient light
- Adjustable text size and font
- Quick to start
- Glare-free e-ink screen
- Intuitive interface
- Natural writing experience
- Completely ad-free
Cons:
- The monochrome display takes time to adjust to
- It's an expensive option
- No IP rating
- The scrolling experience is a tad clunky
Kindle Scribe review: How we tested
I've spent the last couple of weeks getting to know the Kindle Scribe, testing it in full daylight and during the quieter hours of the night, noting how it fairs in both lighting extremes.
Being pretty new to e-readers, I focused on how easy the Kindle Scribe was to use, looking at everything from the quality of the e-ink screen and how user-friendly the interface was, to the battery life.
That said, it does bring something unique to the table, doubling as a notebook with an e-ink stylus, which might make the steep price easier to swallow.
If you're considering an upgrade, you can switch from the Basic Pen to the Premium Pen for an extra £30.
From my experience, though, the Basic Pen does the job just fine, though it lacks the fancy shortcuts and built-in eraser of the Premium model, for everyday use it's more than adequate.
If you're looking to buy the Scribe, it's not only available on Amazon, you'll find it at other well-known retailers such as and .
I’d highly recommend keeping an eye out during Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday sales events.
These periods are excellent opportunities to pick up a Kindle for less, and having covered Amazon's device deals for a while, I've often seen them drop as much as 50%.
Kindle Scribe review: Design and screen
As a relative newcomer to the Kindle ecosystem, the Scribe’s large display, measuring in at 10.2 inches, was the deal clincher for me.
It’s just a tad larger than your average paperback, and I have to admit, I find myself whipping through books quicker on it than I ever did with physical books or on smaller devices.
I'm also taken with its sleek 'Tungsten Grey' metal body, which gives it a premium feel. Plus, that larger screen is a necessity for the note-taking side of things.
Kindle Scribe review: Reading experience
Reading on the Scribe is genuinely a joy, largely because of how customisable everything is.
The screen's glare-free and boasts a 300 ppi resolution. I can tell you firsthand, that this makes every word clear and sharp.
I must admit, my recent need to start sporting specs has made me more appreciative of adjustable text sizes.
In summary, given its strengths and a few manageable drawbacks, the stands out as an excellent choice for those who appreciate jotting down notes and cherish a book-like experience from their device.
Here is everywhere you can pick up the Kindle Scribe:
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- Kindle Scribe, £329.99 -
- Kindle Scribe with Premium Pen, £360 -
- Kindle Scribe, £329 -
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