If you’re in the market for the new 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon has a really good early Black Friday deal going on right now.
There’s only one catch: it’s the Kindle Paperwhite Kids version that’s on sale for $114.99. But like I’ve said many times before, there is no difference between a regular Kindle and a kids Kindle—it’s just marketing.
In fact, the Kindle shown in my Kindle Paperwhite video review is this very same kids Kindle that’s on sale.
The kids version of the new Paperwhite was already the best value Kindle, and now it’s an even better deal at $45 off the regular price.
Unless you want the upgraded Signature Edition with 32GB, wireless charging, and auto-brightness, there is no reason to buy the regular 8GB Kindle Paperwhite over the kids version while it’s on sale, not unless you’re really bad at math and like spending extra for nothing.
The kids Kindle Paperwhite comes with a cover and an upgraded 2-year warranty for free, and it also doesn’t have ads, so that alone makes it a better deal even when it’s not on sale.
The only difference with the kids version is it comes with a 1-year Amazon Kids+ subscription, so you don’t have the option to add 4 months of Kindle Unlimited for free like you do with the standard model (but you can get 2 months free anyway if you haven’t signed up in a while). Functionally, any kids Kindle can be used as a regular Kindle and vice versa, so there’s really no logical reason for choosing one over the other.
Amazon also has some covers on sale for the new Kindle Paperwhite. The leather cover is marked down to $29 ($10 off) and the fabric cover is $22.49 ($7.50 off).
Additionally, Amazon has the entry-level Kindle on sale for $49 again as part of their Early Black Friday Deals, and the kids version of it is also marked down to $59. They have some Kindle covers on sale as well.
So… it’s exactly the same processor/screen and everything? Nothing is locked (as far as features/options/etc..).
Doesn’t seem to make sense, why they would charge so much less…
Like I said, they are exactly the same Kindles. Most people are naturally going to think the kids version is somehow different, but it’s the package deal that’s different, not the Kindle itself. You can use it in kids mode or regular mode, same as any Kindle.
With the return policy, this is basically no risk. I wonder if the reg Paperwhite will go on sale as well….But, I don’t see the without ads version getting a lower price than this.
So… I pulled the trigger. I had a trade-in (a much older kindle), so… I paid basically $90 (with tax)
It really is the best deal if you don’t want the Signature Edition even if the regular version does go on sale. That’s why I opted for the kids version to begin with, since I didn’t want ads. The cover isn’t quite as nice as Amazon’s more expensive covers, but it’s functional and it provides a good amount of protection. The upgraded warranty also adds more coverage so that’s a bonus as well.
Same price now at Best Buy also.
Don’t forget about trade-in with Amazon. Even if it’s an old kindle. They’ll give you an amount for the Device (instant gift card at check-out) and 20% Off the price of the new kindle.
Do you have to wait for them to receive and approve your trade in before you can get the 20% off?
No… It’s all instant, at checkout. You just have to mail them your trade-in within a time period. As long as you described it correctly…. there’ll be no problem.
You’ll still keep the 20% off regardless… but, if your Kindle isn’t “as described” when you submitted the trade-in…they will adjust the trade-in value…and, I guess charge the extra.
I actually don’t know how that part of it works…I’ve never had a problem with a trade-in.
They email you a shipping label and tell you when to ship the trade-in by.
Thanks so much!
I saw this Friday night and ordered one. If the cover doesn’t work out for me, I can order another one later. It looks like I may be able to put the Kindle in the case upside-down, which would help me hold it better. If not, there is a 3rd party case with a hand strap and a stand that interests me.