Prime Day you absolute fraud. I'm meant to be able to depend on you to at least have Amazon devices down to ludicrous prices, and you can't even do that anymore. Best Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite deals for Prime Day? Kindle is down to $84.99, a $15 discount, and Paperwhite is down to $134.99, another $15 discount. What good does that do?
Every year without fail I've seen best Kindle deals, and e-readers drop to unprecedented lows. Now, when I actually want to invest in one, the discounts are horrendous! Even just a few months back the Kindle was down to $75 before Black Friday. This is beyond frustrating. With Kindle Unlimited being free for three months, I'm devasted there aren't any better discounts.
So, are there any alternative deals going? The answer is, possibly. While discussing the best reading tablet options and Kindle alternatives, tech guru Gabriela Vatu writes: “If you’re caught in the Apple universe, then you’re going to want an iPad mini to read your books. It’s a smaller tablet, measuring just 8.3 inches, but it’s still an iPad.”
“It has a Liquid Retina display, which is gorgeous and you can adjust the screen brightness to match whatever you need when reading. Thanks to the True Tone technology, the iPad will automatically adjust the display’s color temperature based on the ambient light conditions, which is always great.”
Sounds pretty great, right? It’s also discounted for Prime Day, marked as a huge discount in the best iPad deals for Amazon’s 10th Prime Day event. Big discount, yay! It’s only $379.99! Oh.
Okay, okay that’s a little pricey. But with $120 off its list price, it’s still probably the best deal going on a compact tablet that’s good for reading books, comics, or more. It’s a premium purchase that’s for sure, and nothing like picking up a $50 Kindle every other year but today.
But, it’s also a lot better than paying $500 for the best alternative.
Kindle Unlimited Is My Best Friend
Services like Kindle Unlimited and Audible are genuinely some of the best ever for digital fiends like myself. I chew through way too many books, comics, and audiobooks for my own good and it would cost me an absolute fortune to buy every single one (even the bad stuff!). While I like to later invest in physical copies of stuff I like, digital media services like KU and Audible are great.
Not only that, buy Amazon is damn well giving them away for Prime Day. Absolutely nutty. Three months of each service is up for grabs for Prime members right now until the end of the day today. That's a huge saving on each, and especially for those who like to read.
When is the Best Time to Buy a Kindle?
Is it worth shopping on Prime Day or waiting for Black Friday to make purchases? Traditonally we've seen that Prime Day isn't as good as Black Friday in terms of overall deals, but if you're looking to buy something on Amazon it's meant to be absolutely worth taking a look.
Prime Day deals tend to be pretty on par with Black Friday on many products, but Kindle has been a little disapointing this year. I'd suggest waiting it out if the right Kindle deal hasn't popped up and you aren't willing to get a little premium with the iPad Mini alternative.
What Should I Consider When Buying an E-Reader Alternative?
If you do opt for what is likely the best Kindle alternative deal we’re getting for Prime Day 2024, take your time to consider what you’re buying. Choosing the right tablet involves navigating a maze of factors to ensure it doesn’t become a glorified paperweight.
Whether you’re a bookworm sinking into novels, a student wading through textbooks, or a professional drowning in files from your boss, the right tablet can either make your life easier or add to the chaos.
Eye comfort is the biggest deal, especially when you’re stuck reading for hours. Tablets with blue light reduction or e-ink technology are your best friends here. E-ink screens are gentle on your eyes, but if you want a jack-of-all-trades device, LCDs are more versatile.
You'll also want a tablet that’s comfortable to hold, not one that feels like lifting weights. Larger screens can be great for an immersive experience, but they shouldn’t turn your tablet into a brick. A lightweight, slim design is key for portability, whether you’re tossing it in your bag or holding it one-handed.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
