7 reasons Kindles are still a great buy, even without downloads

Since I discovered that Amazon had plans to (and now has) discontinued the ability to download Kindle files to your computer, I’ve been writing a lot about the Kindle ecosystem.

I talked about how to sideload ebook files onto your Kindle, how to convert formats so the Kindle can read them, where to get free ebooks, and even how to get deals so you can upgrade an old Kindle and save some cash.

Also: Want free ebooks? These 10 sites offer thousands of options

But readers keep asking me one question, and I have yet to answer it: Is it still okay to buy a Kindle?

Some readers and commenters assert the answer is a hard no. Amazon controls its ecosystem, and supporting a service that can change the rules at any time means you no longer control your book collection.

Other readers are less hard-line. They simply want to know if the Kindle experience is worthwhile and whether the new file lock-in should lock them out of buying a Kindle. After all, there are other options, including Kobo and Boox.

In addition to our stack of Kindles, first purchased back in 2008, my wife and I have a Kobo Libra Colour. It’s a very nice machine and pleasantly hosts our many non-Kindle ebooks. It’s a fine reading experience.

Also: The best Kindles in 2025

But it’s not a Kindle. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the advantages of Kindle devices and why you might want to buy one.

1. Entry price and build quality

Personally, I’ve never been much of a Kindle device user. My wife loves the devices, but I have preferred reading my Kindle books on my iPhone. But in an attempt to download my entire library before the door closed last month, I bought a base-model Kindle for a little over a hundred bucks.

It’s a really solid device, lightweight, and fast. I decided to keep it because it’s a really nice usage experience. But it’s not the only Kindle we own. We still have working devices from as far back as 2009. A few of them can’t access the Kindle ecosystem anymore (my wife’s beloved Kindle DX, for example), but they still hold a charge and still boot.

These are robust little devices.

2. Generous returns policy

Amazon has a generous returns policy. My initial plan was to buy the base-model Kindle to enable my account for book downloads, download the books, and then return it. But I liked it too much, so I’m keeping it.

Also: I tested the Kindle most people should buy. Here’s why it’s the best e-reader out of the lineup

Even so, if you’re a Prime member, Amazon ships for free and accepts returns for 30 days. This allows you to try the device. If you don’t like it, there’s no cost or restocking fee when returning it. This policy makes buying from Amazon very low-risk, which is part of how the company maintains its customers’ purchasing loyalty.

3. Expanded battery life

I bought that base-model Kindle 16 days ago. I’ve been using it for a little while every day since. And it is still showing 78% battery! I’m sure I’ll have to charge it sometime in this lifetime, but wow.

Kindles are known for their battery life. Yes, once in a while you’ll need to top them up. But they keep going and going and going and going…

4. Device freedom and cloud syncing

One of the features that initially drew me into the Kindle ecosystem was Amazon’s fairly open device policy. Yes, there’s DRM and lock-in to the Kindle format, but Amazon has offered Kindle Reader on most mobile devices and desktop operating systems since launch. With the Web reader, you can even read Kindle books on Linux.

Also: My favorite Kindle accessory seriously upgraded my reading experience (and it only costs $20)

In fact, you can read the same Kindle ebook on multiple machines at once. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a Web reader and iOS, Amazon’s ecosystem keeps them synced up. That’s why I have so many Kindle books. Even without a Kindle device, I’ve been enjoying reading Kindle books since they were first introduced.

5. Audible integration

Way back in the day, audiobooks were a very niche thing. My grandfather, who couldn’t manage holding a book due to illness, relied on audiobooks provided on records through a special lending library. Over time, more and more books were released on cassette. When I used to commute, I listened to audiobooks every day to and from work. But then Audible entered the scene.

We first used Audible books via a slide-in card for our Handspring Palm clones. Over time, as mobile devices solidified into today’s smartphones, Audible grew. In 2008, Amazon purchased Audible. Today, Audible offers a tremendous audiobook library.

Many of those books sync with Kindle books. My wife often switches from listening to a book via Audible to reading the same book on her Kindle device. It allows her and other Kindle users to keep going with a favorite read, whether they’re sitting and relaxing or up and on the go.

Accessibility options

Audiobooks on spinning platters meant the world to my grandfather back in the day. I can’t imagine how excited he would have been about the accessibility options available on most Kindles, including font scaling, and VoiceView screen reading, which pairs a Kindle with a Bluetooth device.

It’s also possible to use and download a special Open Dyslexic font that makes it easier for some readers to read Kindle books.

6. Waterproof-ish Kindle devices

The Kindle Paperwhite (10th Generation and above), Kindle Colorsoft, and Kindle Oasis (9th Generation and above) are what Amazon describes as waterproof.

Also: Why the Kindle Paperwhite is my favorite E Ink reader right now – beating Boox and Kobo

I’m using weasel words because Amazon cautions that if you do get water on the devices or drop them into the water, you need to dry and drain them immediately.

That said, these devices are perfect if you want to read at the beach or in the tub. Just do your best to keep them out of the water, but don’t freak out if they do take a dip or a dunk. Just follow these directions if they do get wet.

7. The Kindle ecosystem

Not only does the Kindle ecosystem offer an absolutely enormous collection of ebooks, including current bestsellers, it also supports family sharing. So while we’re not allowed to download Kindle files to back them up, we can share them among family members.

My wife doesn’t really care for my vast selection of Star Trek books, and I’m not sure I like the deep and thoughtful reads that she does, but it’s nice to be able to share books if there’s one that we both want to read. For a family with kids, that means that you can buy one book and share that book among your children without having to rebuy it for each child.

There’s also Kindle Unlimited, which allows you to “check out” up to 20 books at a time. If you’re an avid reader, Kindle Unlimited can save you a lot of money.

There are some books that don’t allow family sharing, and many of the hottest books aren’t available on Kindle Unlimited, but these programs are still great for saving money and having access to an enormous reading library.

What are you reading?

Are you still considering buying a Kindle, or has Amazon’s recent policy change made you hesitant? Do you already own a Kindle? If so, what do you love or dislike about it?

Also: I tested an E Ink tablet that runs on Android – and can’t go back to a Kindle

Have you explored alternatives like Kobo or Boox, and how do they compare to the Kindle experience?

Does Amazon’s vast ebook selection and ecosystem outweigh its restrictions for you? Let us know in the comments below!

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