Review of Kindle Colorsoft Kids

Editors at WIRED handpick every item showcased here. Yet, if you make a purchase through our links, we might earn a commission.

Score: 8 out of 10

Reflecting on the age-old debate of screen time for children, if chosen wisely, an e-reader might be a sound option. Unlike fully emissive screens, e-paper displays are gentler on the eyes and offer a more book-like experience.

The Kindle Colorsoft Kids enhances this experience with its color E Ink display, unlike the standard Kindle Kids or Paperwhite versions. This version caters specifically to younger readers with options designed for colorful and engaging reading.

Visual Appeal

Identical in size to last year's models but with a display of 7 inches, the Colorsoft Kids offers a step up. Its absence of features like auto-light adjustment and Qi wireless charging, present in the Signature Edition, is offset by its affordability.

With pixel density ranging from 300 PPI for monochrome to 150 PPI for color, the display provides a commendable visual setup, even if colors appear less vibrant than printed media. It's suitable for vivid graphical content and colorful narratives.

Interactive Settings

You can adjust the color settings between Standard and Vivid to enhance the colorfulness of images. However, changes are subtle, and switching requires exiting the kids mode—an extra step that could be inconvenient during use.

The color functionality doesn't mean transformations for all content, especially for books predominantly in black-and-white. Aesthetic enhancements are a perk but not essential for every reader.

Designed for Kids

Amazon includes a year's access to their Kids+ content (normally a subscription service) alongside this model. Also featuring a 'kids mode,' this isn't exclusive to the Kids version, but adds value by aligning with frequent needs of child users.