Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) vs Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB)
Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) (#3, best budget) vs Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) (#5, best premium): in our E-Readers for Kids scoring the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) totals 7.5/10 and the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) 6.3/10.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Prices and availability shown are accurate as of Jul 15, 2026 and are subject to change; the merchant's price at purchase applies.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) | Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $269.99 |
| Display | 6" glare-free E Ink, 300 ppi, adjustable front light | 7" Colorsoft E Ink, 300 ppi B&W / 150 ppi color |
| Storage | 16GB | 16GB |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 weeks | Up to 8 weeks |
| Water Resistance | None | IPX8 waterproof |
| Weight | 158g | 215g |
| Includes | Protective case, 6 months Amazon Kids+, 2-year warranty | Kid-friendly cover, 12 months Amazon Kids+, 2-year warranty |
How they differ in real use
Built from our e readers for kids scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) and the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) made our Top 5 E-Readers for Kids, at #3 (best budget) and #5 (best premium). Identical 300 ppi display and Kids+ ecosystem as the pricier Kindles at the lowest price on this list; the tradeoffs are no waterproofing and roughly half the battery life of the Paperwhite Kids. The only device here combining color illustrations with Amazon's full Kids+ parental control suite, at a premium over every other option; families who don't need color pages get equivalent text reading from the cheaper Paperwhite Kids.
We score e-readers for kids on Parental Controls (30%), Durability (25%), Content & Library Access (20%), Battery Life (15%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) totals 7.5 out of 10 and the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) 6.3. The widest gap is Value, where the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) scores 9.6 against 5 for the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) — price versus features. Parental Controls also separates them: 8.6 for the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) versus 7.2 for the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB). The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) claws back ground on Durability.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 6" glare-free E Ink, 300 ppi, adjustable front light on the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) versus 7" Colorsoft E Ink, 300 ppi B&W / 150 ppi color on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB); Battery Life — Up to 6 weeks on the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) versus Up to 8 weeks on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB); Water Resistance — None on the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) versus IPX8 waterproof on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB); Weight — 158g on the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) versus 215g on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB); Includes — Protective case, 6 months Amazon Kids+, 2-year warranty on the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) versus Kid-friendly cover, 12 months Amazon Kids+, 2-year warranty on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB). They match on Storage.
Pricing as of July 15, 2026: $129.99 for the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) and $269.99 for the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB), a $140 difference in the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB)'s favor. Owners praise the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) for lowest price of any e-reader on this list at $129.99 and 300 ppi display with adjustable front light and dark mode, as bright as the Paperwhite; the most common complaint is not waterproof, unlike the Paperwhite Kids and both Kobo picks. Owners praise the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) for first color Kindle designed specifically for kids, with color book covers and illustrations and full Amazon Kids+ parental control suite: time limits, reading goals, content filters, Parent Dashboard; the most common complaint is most expensive Kindle on this list at $269.99.
Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB)
- Lowest price of any e-reader on this list at $129.99
- 300 ppi display with adjustable front light and dark mode, as bright as the Paperwhite
- Amazon Kids+ (6 months included) gives access to thousands of ad-free books
- Compact, lightweight design suits smaller hands
- Not waterproof, unlike the Paperwhite Kids and both Kobo picks
- Up to 6 weeks of battery life, half the Paperwhite Kids' rating
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB)
- First color Kindle designed specifically for kids, with color book covers and illustrations
- Full Amazon Kids+ parental control suite: time limits, reading goals, content filters, Parent Dashboard
- Waterproof design with kid-friendly cover and 2-year worry-free warranty
- Up to 8 weeks of battery life
- Most expensive Kindle on this list at $269.99
- Color E Ink contrast is softer than black-and-white Kindles, so black text isn't as crisp as the Paperwhite Kids
Which should you buy?
The Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) is the better fit for budget-conscious families and first e-reader for younger kids — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Value and Parental Controls. The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) is the better fit for families wanting color illustrations plus full Kids+ parental controls and kids transitioning from picture books to early readers, and the stronger choice if Durability matters more to you than the overall score. Since the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) is both the higher scorer and $140 cheaper, the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) only makes sense for families wanting color illustrations plus full Kids+ parental controls. The Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) is a poor fit for kids who read near pools, baths, or beaches; the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) is a poor fit for budget-focused buyers.
Choose the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) if
- Budget-conscious families
- First e-reader for younger kids
- Households that already trust the Kids+ ecosystem
Skip it if
- Kids who read near pools, baths, or beaches
- Families wanting the longest possible battery life
Choose the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) if
- Families wanting color illustrations plus full Kids+ parental controls
- Kids transitioning from picture books to early readers
- Households already invested in the Kindle Kids+ ecosystem
Skip it if
- Budget-focused buyers
- Readers who only read black-and-white novels (the Paperwhite Kids is cheaper and just as good for text)
Common questions
Is the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) better than the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB)?
In our E-Readers for Kids ranking the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) scores higher overall, 7.5 to 6.3, with the biggest advantage in Value. The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) is stronger on Durability, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) cost than the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB)?
$140 more as of July 15, 2026: $269.99 for the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) against $129.99 for the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB). Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) and the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB)?
The headline spec difference is Display: 6" glare-free E Ink, 300 ppi, adjustable front light on the Amazon Kindle Kids (2024, 16GB) versus 7" Colorsoft E Ink, 300 ppi B&W / 150 ppi color on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB). In use, the gap that matters most is Value (9.6 vs 5 in our scoring): price versus features.