Amazon announces two new Kindle Colorsoft models — here’s how much they’ll cost

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon just announced two new versions of the Kindle Colorsoft — a more affordable 16GB Kindle Colorsoft at $249, and a Kids edition to bring that color e-ink display tech to a child-friendly device.

The current Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition retains its $279 asking price and has features like auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage. And just like Amazon's other Kids edition options, the Kindle Colorsoft Kids comes bundled with a kid-friendly cover, a year of Amazon Kids+, parental controls and a two-year warranty.

The aforementioned cover comes in two colors: Fantasy River or Starlight Reading. This reader will also have learning features such as the OpenDyslexic font and Bluetooth connectivity to listen to audiobooks with a pair of the best wireless headsets. Naturally, there will be parental controls via the Amazon Parent Dashboard.

I reviewed the Kindle Colorsoft when it launched last year, and it has been my main Kindle ever since. Despite being a fan of this device, it has been difficult to recommend because of its steep asking price. While $249 is still expensive compared to a $159 Kindle Paperwhite or an even cheaper $109 base Kindle, the $30 discounted price is at least more palatable.

The Kindle Colorsoft Kids announcement isn’t exactly surprising, but it’s a nice option for parents who want to get their kids a Colorsoft. The $269 asking price is a bit steep, but you at least get a year of Amazon Kids+. That service offers a range of age-appropriate content like books, movies, educational apps and games, which could be well worth it for parents. The bundled cover is also a great bonus—and a necessary accessory for keeping the tablet safe.

The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Colorsoft Kids are available now on Amazon. If their respective prices are a tad steep, I’m sure we’ll see price reductions during the next Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. As always, we’ll keep you posted!

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

More from Tom's Guide

See more Computing News

Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.