The best Kindle e-readers are essential for book lovers, and Amazon just released a new Kindle Colorsoft (and the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition with an aluminum body), along with a new basic Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite/Paperwhite Signature Edition, and the Kindle Click page-turner. Following last year's refresh of the Kindle Scribe lineup, that means Amazon has an all-new Kindle family, just in time for the holidays.
I've been reviewing the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition for Mashable for the past few weeks. Except for the new aluminum body, fig colorway, and higher storage, it's functionally the same as the base Colorsoft model, so we won't be reviewing them separately.
If you've been curious about Amazon's color e-readers, then I'd recommend reading my Kindle Colorsoft review first. Unfortunately, while there's a lot that I do love about this device, it doesn't fix the biggest problem — the color is still very disappointing.
Kindle Colorsoft review: Manage your expectations when it comes to color
Now, I want to be clear about one thing: Amazon uses E Ink technology for its e-readers. This distinctive, paper-like digital display is a product of the E Ink Corporation. And the truth is that E Ink just doesn't do color very well. So, the technology is what it is.
The E Ink color experience on the Kindle Colorsoft is disappointing. That was true with the original model from 2024, and it hasn't changed with the 2026 model. What has changed is that the Colorsoft now offers true edge-to-edge color, so there are no dimming or lighting issues around the edges.
But Amazon promises readers something more: "Paper-like color perfect for comics, graphic novels, and more." And that's not what I'm seeing. In fact, some of Amazon's official photography with the Kindle Colorsoft appears to exaggerate the color saturation, at least to my eye. I've never seen color quite that bright in practice.
I put the Kindle side-by-side with illustrated books, comic books, and graphic novels I have on my bookshelf, and the difference is very obvious, even when you crank up the vividness and brightness to the limit. There's just no comparison, really.
Even in comics with more neutral tones and softer colors like the classic Batman comic The Long Halloween, the difference stands out clearly. How important is the color problem? Well, the word "color" is right there in the name — Kindle Colorsoft. Though, I suppose the emphasis should be on "soft."
I have seen more vibrant and colorful electronic paper technology. Samsung's ePaper does a better job with color, though there are other trade-offs. It takes time for the screen to change to a new image, which isn't an option in an e-reader that demands near-instant page turns.
In my photos of Samsung's ePaper, you'll notice brighter colors, but there's a reason Samsung reserves this tech for commercial use.
If you want to read comics, magazines, or illustrated books in digital form, a tablet like the new iPad Mini or Amazon Alexa tablets would be a better option. (Mashable is in the process of reviewing both of those devices.)
And you can always go to an actual bookstore.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: What I liked
To be clear, there is a lot to love about the Kindle Colorsoft, particularly the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. I love the fig color, which is a close match for the new burgundy iPhone 18 Pro. (Fun fact: An Amazon spokesperson told Mashable the fig color was inspired by the same industry trend report that inspired the burgundy iPhone.)
The new aluminum body available in the Paperwhite SE and Colorsoft SE is worth the upgrade. They have a similar feel to the Apple iPad Air, which I also loved. It's also satisfying to see the cover screen artwork and your book covers in color.
I also appreciated the ability to zoom in on comic panels and illustrations, which is a great way to appreciate fine details in the artwork.
You can double-click to read comics panel-by-panel on the Colorsoft, rather than page-by-page. Often, this works really well, but for artists who use complicated panels of varying sizes and styles (like you'll find in The Long Halloween), some of the panels fit very awkwardly on the screen.
The new Kindle Colorsoft also has a lot of the features we loved in other Kindle devices — a waterproof design, a battery that lasts for weeks, auto-adjusting light. Amazon also moved the power button to the side, which is a smart update. Only the Signature Edition supports wireless charging, and it now has magnetic pogo pins on the back. That means if you're used to using Qi wireless charging accessories with your Kindle, they won't work here. For me, this isn't a problem.
To sum up — the Kindle Colorsoft isn't a bad color e-reader. It just suffers from the same problems all color e-readers do.
The Kindle Colorsoft: Who it's for
If you believe some color is better than no color, or if you're a note-taker who loves to highlight their books, then the Kindle Colorsoft would be a smart upgrade from the basic Kindle. (Pro tip: We named the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft a Mashable Choice product, and the ability to write on the screen lets you use color in much better ways.) However, the Kobo Libra Colour is retaining its top spot as our favorite color e-reader.
The Kindle Colorsoft would also be a smart option for kids in the process of graduating from illustrated kids' books to chapter books. The Colorsoft could help make this transition a bit more inviting, and parents can also get a Kindle Colorsoft Kids Edition for $299.99.