Kindle Paperwhite 5 vs Kindle Paperwhite 3 Comparison Review

[@richi5831]

I have both and I do enjoy all of the extra features on the PW5 especially the lighting and larger screen BUT and this is a big BUT; the GLARE is real on that thing. They should have called it the Kindle Reflection. The glare is significant under most lighting conditions and it does become annoying rather quickly. Also, I constantly have to be wiping off the fingerprints and smudges. These two things are never an issue on my PW3. Also the official leather Kindle cover on the PW5 is nowhere near as good as the Amazon Onyx leather cover of the PW3. I also enjoy the texture feel of the PW3 screen. I personally dont understand the fascination with Flush bezels. The clarity isn’t as great as indentated screens due to that extra layer and it also introduces a load of other issues such as Glare and smudges. The new PW5 would have been perfect if it had an indented screen and a better official leather cover. So despite all of the upgrades on the new PW5, I find myself reaching more and more for my PW3.

[@tyurek]

Exactly my thoughts. As a first time Kindle buyer I had to go to ebay to find a new PW3 because I wanted an indented non-glass screen with 300 ppi. I have been reading kindle books on my tablets and phones for years and I really wanted something that's as remote as possible from a tablet/phone screen. I think that a flush glass screen with minimal bezels is doing the opposite by going from a real book-like experience to a tablet/phone screen experience. I'm just loving the non-glare, textured feel of the PW3 screen and I adore the screen indentation.

[@ComtessedArtagnan]

I love my PW3 so much that I bought another one before they were discontinued. I also bought a PW4 and I absolutely hate it because of the glare. A year ago I bought a Kobo Forma and I prefer it because of the screen size but also because it has less glare than the newer PWs, even if the screen is not indented

[@wenhantan6661]

I have both as well and I can't agree more with your words. The glare is annoying and the larger screen just makes it easier to reflect.

[@griizzlerhops633]

Subjectively, I don't really mind the glare on the PW 4. It's definitely something that needs adapting to, but I love the bezels and the flushed screen of the PW 4. To be fair, it is my first paperwhite and I will be upgrading to the 5, so I can understand the transition from unflushed to flushed, but personally I think it's a great feature. besides, it never really is a problem since I can always angle my Paperwhite to whatever way I want, and you can always get a cover to replicate that "Bookish" and old school feel of an old kindle. Also, a great deal for prime day, though I am sure a used PW 3 will run for much less.

[@wanzai567]

Thanks! Exactly what I needed to hear to stop the itching for faster performance and waterproofing. Seems it's not a net upgrade and I can be content sticking to the 3.

[@kuroneko8302]

Thank you so much for this. Videos about the PPW3 just reaffirms how it is still relevant in 2021. It's my favorite Kindle/e-book reader since it is the least reflective due to its sunken screen.

[@mateenatlas]

I'm sticking with my PW3 untill there's an actual upgrade or untill it dies. The things indestructible😂

[@janmolekula3900]

My died after few years. But I was reading mostly outside during walks. So a lot of sub zero temperatures(celsius), moisture, a bit of rain. Once it fell on the tarmac and chipped a piece of plastic from the corner, but it didn't affect its functionality. It is a robust machine but it has its limits. I really liked the thing. I hope there is heaven for these paperwhites.

[@SerenoOunce]

My only concern is no future FW updates. I sideload everything so doesn't affect me. But for those invested in amazon's digital platform these older gen's time may be limited.

[@palusqui]

I'm happy with my 2015 Paperwhite 3. Whenever I want to upgrade I come here and see this video then feel there's no need to upgrade. Great informative review

[@JohnLeeKim]

Just got a refurbished one for $20!

[@viehoang44]

@@JohnLeeKim 20$? Where?

[@JohnLeeKim]

@@viehoang44 Woot

[@tonigee327]

​@@JohnLeeKim i just got one too! Best deal ever!!

[@peterh.2488]

We are on the same boat 😂, yes, no need for upgrade.

[@craigmcgorry2391]

Recently, I began reading on my Kindle again, after having gone back to paper only for several years. My Kindle PW is from 2012!! But, it still works very well. I keep checking these types of videos and can’t see a very compelling reason to upgrade.

[@TheeBookReader]

If you saw one in person you'd think differently because the frontlights and screen are much nicer on the PW5 than the PW1, and it's a lot zipper too.

[@craigmcgorry2391]

@@TheeBookReader I actually went to Best Buy about a week ago to see them in person. I definitely see how they can be a better reading experience potentially. But, still not completely convinced it’s worth north of $100 to for me switch at this point. I’d like to, but there’s that part of me that says it’s not really necessary at this point.

[@chicoladogski]

Thank you for doing this. I have PPW3 and I think I'll stick with it.

[@DavidCorderoM]

I still use mine, but I’m starting to feel the battery dying. As for now I have to charge it every 2 weeks, when I purchased it it took me 4 or 5 weeks, but I love my PPW3, I will keep it for some more time

[@evelynwoolston7]

I've got these two. What I love most about the 5 is the Search and general speed. If you want to search for text within all your books (and I have a lot!) the 5 is almost instant. Adding Notes to a highlight are much faster too on the 5. I miss the Back button which was on the 3 but not the 5. There plenty of ways of going back to a step in the 5, and lots I wouldn't like to lose now I've had them but nothing that lets you retrace your steps through several books and pages so I'm using Bookmarks more often. I love the Warm light setting too in the 5. After using the 5 for a week, I had to refer back to my 3 and that was when I saw how much better the 5 was.

[@Eminialetta]

After using PPW5 for one week I went back to my old PPW3 to see the difference and it's huge! The comfort of reading on PPW5 is incomparably higher than on the PPW3.

[@Pedro76mchlkg]

I have the WP3 and was looking for this review. I don't understand why they are trying to transform Kindle in to a cheap iPad. Real books are not water proof too, but they are so much better than any iPad. What they really should be doing is make the screen as near like a paper as possible, less grayish and more contrast, so it wouldn't need the leds in ambient light. If the screen is almost the same, it is not worth the upgrade.

[@catalinadude6218]

Bummer about the glare on the screen and finger prints. Going to keep my PW3. Thanks for the video.

[@adityadarekar5497]

I am sticking to PW3! It’s built so strong that even after nine years, it doesn’t show its age at all. At this rate, I could use it easily for another 5 years. The only thing that will get me to upgrade is stylus support for Basic Kindle or PW. I don’t like how big the Scribe is.

[@familyvieira2924]

kindle paperwhite 3 has a better anti glare screen and it is more comfortable to read

[@systemsbuster9539]

Amazing how little advancement there has been in 6 or 7 years when it comes to e-readers. Especially when you compare it to another area of tech like smartphones.

[@vuongbinhan]

Yeah it really mirrors the advancement of physical books, thousands of years have passed and yet paper is still paper :D

[@davecorns7630]

@@vuongbinhan incorrect, there's paper made of banana peels so its different

[@SerenoOunce]

It's because ALL E-Ink screens, regardless of device, are made by the same company. A monopoly has no incentive to innovate.

[@rossorosso]

Great review. Please do a video on what no one else is touching. Ergonomics. Look the paper white 3 and the voyage were so great to hold. Especially the voyage. It was an angular design that was a lot lighter than the new 2021 paper white. You could hold it in one hand easily wrapping your fingers around it, you can’t do that with the new model. Also those bezels may look nice on the new MacBook Pro but they are problematic on the kindle as the thumb keeps pressing the screen. The black kindle text looked so much better on the old paper white 3 as it disappeared giving you a non distracting display.

[@evelynwoolston7]

I do find the PW5 a stretch to hold in one hand although when I did, I found the bezel wide enough to without touching the screen. However, I never read a naked Kindle, I always get a cover for my electronics. I hate the Amazon ones, they don't provide protection if you drop your Kindle because they have no padding and are too costly. At the moment I'm making do with a 8" tablet case from Wilko (£10) but it is bit big so I'll be glad when there is more choice.

[@vesselinkrastev]

I have a second gen Paperwhite and I still don't really feel compelled to upgrade. All the little things they've added over the years do add up but I don't see anything I really need. I think I'll just hold on to my current device until it actually develops some issues.

[@Eminialetta]

I switched my PPW3 to PPW5 a week ago and I would never go back. Huge difference in comfort of reading.

[@Mikupigeon]

how about the glare issue he talked about?

[@sekolahonlineteknikotomotif]

Thanks for the video. I still love my KP3, the screen is less reflective.

[@fromthemoonandmybed]

This video is what I needed! I ordered the signature edition of the PP5 and I’ve been looking for the screen quality for comics/ manga. Super excited to receive it!

[@bikingchupei2447]

still using the Paperwhite 2, guess this is the closet comparison video to the 5 for me.

[@brooklynroads1]

Nine years and counting

[@anakletor]

Keeping my PPW3 till they come with a real upgrade. USB-C is not enough, not as long as I charge my kindle like every other week or so.

[@salmananjum7634]

Every reason you just gave here sounds very compelling to indeed switch to the latest paperwhite. Not even talking about the signature edition. Warm light, speed, bigger screen, USB-C, more LEDs, Dark mode etc. All worth it to me. Switched from a Kobo Libra H2O to the standard paperwhite 5 and enjoying it so far.

[@evelynwoolston7]

The battery is just starting to go on my PW3, by which I mean I have to charge every 3 days rather than every 2 weeks or so, and that I why I upgraded, but I still have it.

[@Lucid292]

I hate flat screen. So Pw3 is the best

[@farraelena4570]

same here. the glaring is annoying.

[@gustavopaniza9964]

Flat screen is great (I owned a Voyage). Glare is what makes me stick with my reliable PW3 though.

[@Dimitriuseg]

Thank you for the review. Just made my mind to stick with my good-old 2015 PW3 and don't upgrade. Don't need "new" features like Auto Brightness and useless (ugly) warmth changing modes.

[@defblo2000]

What an excellent comparison review! Just got canned so I'll have lots of time to read. Picked up the PW3 from woot for $20. Plus shipping/tax, just under $30 because I'm not a prime member.

[@RiskaYulya2807]

Great review, Nathan. Good job👍

[@farraelena4570]

i would love to upgrade but i hate the flush screen. i used to have a Voyage and it hurt my eyes with all the glaring and reflection. i have a kobo clara hd which has the warm light, so i guess i'll use that for the btime eing. but i do prefer kindle over kobo tho.

[@ILLRICARDO]

Too much glare on the paperwhite 5, so I went for the kobo Clara hd.

[@okuri]

Your review is great! thank you very much it was exactly what I was looking for.

[@visualyt]

PW3 is a great device

[@giakietngo9367]

Can you do a comparison between the kobo clara hd and the kindle paperwhite 2021 ?

[@chicoladogski]

Would love to see a comparison between these two. I want to have the warm light but the size of the PPW5 is throwing me off a bit. So I'm leaning towards the Kobo Clara if ever I do upgrade.

[@jTempVids]

Question: Do you know if you can use the 20% off Kindle Trade-in coupon on top of other discounts? Example: If the PW5 Kids is on sale for $114.99 can you then use the 20% coupon to bring it down to $92 or do they only let you use the coupon on the full retail price of $159? I just missed the Black Friday deals. From what I can tell the 20% off coupon expires in 45 days from the time they issue it. When would be a good time to do a trade-in? Before the next big sale?

[@jbsvideos5589]

Yes, you can stack them

[@jTempVids]

@@jbsvideos5589 Thank you. That's what I thought. I must of talked to four amazon tech supports. Each gave me a different answers. Now the question remains, when would the next best time be to do a trade-in?

[@familyvieira2924]

compare the kindle paperwhite 3 with kobo libra 2

[@jorgewilliams6041]

Thomas Ligotti. Good choice.

[@mhmadpharma]

It would have been nice to try a pdf on ppw 5 with the big screen and compare it with ppw 3, also trying the layout feature of decreasing margins on pdf which never works on my ppw 3

[@TheeBookReader]

There is no option to decrease margins on PDFs with Kindles, just increase them, which makes no sense. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaethYx6jNFkitk

[@mhmadpharma]

@@TheeBookReader yes so annoying 😏, thank you very much for your effort & reply 🙏🌹

[@faarao44]

I was thinking of upgrading but then I heard of the reflective screen, f that.

[@FansiPerdanaPutri]

Is Paperwhite 11th gen another name for Paperwhite 5?

[@TheeBookReader]

Yeah, that's what Amazon calls it, but they're generations are confusing so most people just call in a Paperwhite 5.

[@scottpringlethatisinsane1456]

I am waiting on delivery of a paper white with wireless charger

[@tinyentropy]

Totally disappointing how little progress has been achieved in so many years.

[@Svobodastical]

Pw3 is almost the same as pw4

[@yakmicheal642]

What about reading a manga? I l know reading comics on it dont look much different but what about manga?

[@ComtessedArtagnan]

You need a Kobo Forma

[@ComtessedArtagnan]

Or Kobo Sage, the newest model

[@yakmicheal642]

@@ComtessedArtagnan I bought a kindle paper white 5 recently. I'm OK with the increased size. What are the edges two you recommended of have over the pw5?

[@ComtessedArtagnan]

@@yakmicheal642 I prefer the Kobo forma because of its 8-inch screen. Besides, it is compatible with a bunch of formats, such as cbr and cbz, so you can download manga online and read it on the Kobo. There is also the Kobo Sage, the newest version of the Forma with Bluetooth for audiobooks