Do I Need a Case for My Kindle Paperwhite

The Best Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Cases

Photo: Sarah Kobos

After testing seven of the most popular Kindle cases, we're confident that Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite Water-Safe Fabric Cover is the best case for owners of the 10th-generation Kindle Paperwhite, and the variant for the 2021, 11th-generation model is just as good. Its fabric exterior gives it the nicest look and feel, and it goes beyond the standard sleep/wake magnets found in other tested cases by also featuring magnets that pin the cover to the back of the case so it stays open while you're reading.

Our pick

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Water-Safe Fabric Cover

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Cover

This common style of case (known as a folio) has a solid back and a front cover that hinges open like a book. Amazon's Fabric Cover won't win any awards for originality, but it's a well-executed take on the style. We found it comfortable to hold in extended reading sessions, and although the color options are limited, there's enough variety for you to find a color you like.

Budget pick

Ayotu Fabric Case for Kindle Paperwhite

Ayotu's Fabric Case for Kindle Paperwhite is similar enough to Amazon's that it might fool you at a glance. But we generally don't recommend knock-off products as our top picks, and the lesser-known company may not offer support if the case breaks. The Ayotu case has the same kind of fabric exterior, magnets that work the same way, and a great selection of colors. This case also happens to cost significantly less than Amazon's.

Upgrade pick

Twelve South BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite

If you prefer the convenience of a Kindle but like the look and feel of a real, leather-bound book, we recommend Twelve South's BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite. This elegantly designed case wouldn't look out of place on a fancy bookshelf, and it has some clever touches. In addition to providing protection, it offers a sturdy kickstand that allows for hands-free reading. And although it's bulkier than other cases, it's still slim enough to hold comfortably in one hand.

Everything we recommend

Our pick

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Water-Safe Fabric Cover

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Cover

Budget pick

Ayotu Fabric Case for Kindle Paperwhite

Upgrade pick

Twelve South BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite

Why you should trust me

I've been a technology reviewer and editor since 2011, and I continue to evaluate accessories as a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. I've reviewed thousands of products, including cases for every iPhone and iPad as well as the past several Kindle generations. I've probably handled more gadget cases than almost anyone on the planet, which gives me a particularly experienced perspective and depth of knowledge when it comes to the topic.

How we picked and tested

A stack of kindle cases of different colors, each with a kindle inside, next to a pair of reading glasses.

Some of the Kindle Paperwhite cases we tested for this guide. Photo: Sarah Kobos

Although the Kindle Paperwhite is a popular device, cases for it are less so—the e-reader is already waterproof, and thanks to its plastic construction and light weight, it survives drops better and shows scratches less than a heavier, metal-and-glass tablet. As a result, we didn't have many options to wade through for this guide. Our research showed that a good Kindle case must get a few things right:

  • Protection and construction: The case should protect as much of the Kindle's back and sides as possible without changing how you use the e-reader, and it should be sturdy without being heavy. At the same time, it should be built to last, capable of surviving the occasional drop without showing signs of damage.
  • Embedded magnets in the cover: A good case must include embedded magnets to automatically wake the Kindle when you open the case and put the Kindle to sleep when you close the case. In our experience, cases that lack this feature make using the Kindle Paperwhite more of a hassle. The magnets should also be strong enough to keep the lid closed, and the best cases hold the front cover against the back while you're reading.
  • Price: You don't need to spend more than $30 to get a great Kindle case.

We tested each model's overall reading ergonomics—specifically, how the front flap folded back and whether the external material was comfortable and grippy enough for long reading sessions. We gave bonus points to models that complemented the Paperwhite's overall sleekness.

Our pick: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Water-Safe Fabric Cover

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Water-Safe Fabric Cover, in blue, on a coffee table with other objects.

Photo: Sarah Kobos

Our pick

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Water-Safe Fabric Cover

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Cover

Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite Water-Safe Fabric Cover is the right case for almost anybody who has a 10th-generation Kindle Paperwhite, and we also recommend the Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Cover version for those with the 2021, 11th-generation model. Its fabric exterior looks and feels nicer to the touch than that of anything else we tested, and Amazon's cases are among the very few that use magnets to stick the front cover to the back while you're reading. This means you don't have to hold the case closed or worry about it dangling.

Like every case we tested, the Water-Safe Fabric Cover consists of a plastic shell with an attached lid that opens like a book. What sets this case apart (and makes it worth more than the rest of the competition) is the fabric covering the outside. The material is a polyester fabric that feels like something between cotton and nylon, with a texture that provides grip and feels nice to hold when it's shut. Amazon specifically advertises the case as "water-safe," but most non-leather cases should also be able to stand up to moisture, and since the Kindle Paperwhite is already waterproof, this distinction doesn't seem particularly useful. But if you're worried about a fabric case warping if, say, your water bottle drips on it, this case can handle getting wet. The front cover is particularly sturdy, with practically no give compared with other cases, which can flex when you apply pressure.

The Water-Safe Fabric Cover's front panel magnetically attaches to the back while you're reading. Video: Sarah Kobos

Embedded magnets that wake up the Kindle when you open the case, and put it to sleep when you close it, are standard; every case we tested for this guide had them. What's rarer is the inclusion of additional magnets that stick the cover to the back when you're reading—we've barely found any cases other than Amazon's that offer them. It's a small thing, but reading is that much more pleasant when you don't need to deal with the cover. If you're like me and prefer to stick your index finger in between the back of the case and the cover, holding the Kindle in this case is still just as comfortable as with any other case. We also found that the magnets are strong enough to keep the cover shut when the Kindle is turned upside down or jostled in a bag.

The Water-Safe Fabric Cover for the 10th-generation Kindle Paperwhite comes in a basic charcoal, a brighter marine blue, and a more showy canary yellow that skews toward orange. More color choices are generally a good thing, but most people should be able to find a hue they like among those three options.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Water-Safe Fabric Cover, in blue, opened so that the inner cover and kindle are revealed.

The Kindle Paperwhite fits snugly in the case, but its top and bottom edges remain uncovered. Photo: Sarah Kobos

Our only complaint with the Water-Safe Fabric Cover is the lack of protection along the top and bottom edges, as the case inexplicably leaves both exposed from corner to corner. We're not as concerned about this design on a Kindle case as we are when it comes to cases for dingable metal-and-glass iPads and other tablets; the plastic Kindle won't show scratches or other damage as readily. But more thorough coverage would make this already-best case even better.

Budget pick: Ayotu Fabric Case for Kindle Paperwhite (10th generation)

The Ayotu Fabric Kindle Paperwhite Case, in gray, on top of a writing desk.

Photo: Michael Hession

Budget pick

Ayotu Fabric Case for Kindle Paperwhite

We'd have no qualms recommending Ayotu's Fabric Case for Kindle Paperwhite for a 10th generation Kindle if the Amazon case weren't available or if you wanted a wider selection of colors to choose from, and it's a great option if you want to spend a little less money. It's a well-made folio that mimics the best features of the Amazon model, but it comes from an unknown company that doesn't seem to have a presence outside of Amazon.

The Ayotu case mirrors the Amazon case in both materials and functionality. Its fabric exterior feels great. Magnets inside the cover hold the case shut when you aren't using the e-reader, wake the Kindle when you open the case, and lock the front flap to the back of the case when you're reading. It's not a problem to hold the pieces of the case shut, but it's nicer when you don't have to. Much like the Amazon cover, this one leaves strips of the Kindle's plastic chassis exposed along the top and bottom edges, though it covers a little more of that surface.

A close-up of the charging port and power button on the bottom of a kindle that is inside a gray Atoyu fabric kindle case.

The Ayotu case leaves access to the charging port and power button. Photo: Michael Hession

This model is a good choice if you don't like the Amazon Water-Safe Fabric Cover's color options. Six color variants are available at this writing.

While our hands-on experience with the Ayotu case was positive, some customer reviews cite fit and longevity issues. If you're concerned about being affected by such problems, spend the few dollars more to get the Amazon-branded case.

Upgrade pick: Twelve South BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite (10th generation)

The Twelve South BookBook kindle paperwhite case, on a desk next to a pen and a mug.

Photo: Sarah Kobos

Upgrade pick

Twelve South BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite

Twelve South's BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite is the closest you can come to having the look and feel of a real book while you're using your Kindle. The front and back covers are sturdy, with little flex, and they have stitched brown leather on the outside. The BookBook's spine is designed to resemble a classic, and it's cleverly labeled with the Roman numeral XII, a nod to the company's name. Opening the dual zippers reveals a soft fabric lining and the leather frame that holds the Kindle Paperwhite. A magnet behind the frame does double duty: It keeps the Kindle in place, and it can also hold the hidden kickstand underneath, propping the device up at a 45-degree angle for hands-free reading.

The Twelve South BookBook case for the Kindle Paperwhite, zipped open revealing the kindle tucked inside.

The Twelve South case holds the Kindle in a leather frame but doesn't block the screen at all. Photo: Sarah Kobos

Unlike on a real hardcover book, the BookBook's front cover can fold underneath the back, allowing one-handed reading. Measuring almost 0.9 inch thick, this case is certainly thicker than the other cases we recommend, but it's not too large to be comfortable, and for people who like the look, the aesthetic appeal likely more than makes up for that bulk. Twelve South has been making this case for various Apple devices since 2010, and this Kindle edition combines the refinements the company has made over the years with smart choices specific to the ebook reader.

The competition

About your guide

Nick Guy

Nick Guy is a senior staff writer covering Apple and accessories at Wirecutter. He has been reviewing iPhones, iPads, and related tech since 2011—and stopped counting after he tested his 1,000th case. It's impossible for him not to mentally catalog any case he sees. He once had the bright idea to build and burn down a room to test fireproof safes.

Do I Need a Case for My Kindle Paperwhite

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-amazon-kindle-paperwhite-case/

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