AMAZON'S Fire tablets and Kindles are two of its most popular devices, but they are not one and the same. So, which is best for you?
We've compared the Amazon Fire tablet to the Kindle to help you pick which will serve you best. Read on to find out
- Fire Tablets, from £64.99 - shop on Amazon
- Kindle, from £84.99 - shop on Amazon
UPDATE (14/12): Since we published this article, we spotted that Amazon has reduced the cost of nine of its Fire Tablets and five of its Kindle e-readers.
Anyone shopping tech, any time of the year, will inevitably find themselves navigating the Amazon site.
The retail giant has carved out a niche for itself in offering top-quality tech on a budget, particularly with its own line of devices.
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If you're on the lookout for a budget tablet, chances are you're acquainted with the Amazon Fire tablet and the Kindle.
The Fire is a great alternative to costly Apple tablets, while the Kindle is one of the best-selling e-readers on the market.
So we've pitted these devices against each other to determine which will be the best fit for you, looking at everything from cost to performance.
We cover all Amazon's devices, including these, on our Amazon device deals page, so be sure to head there to secure savings.
If Kindle is what has you sold, be sure to check out my Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite face-off, which will settle which of Amazon's e-readers is best suited to you.
If you're in search of a TV, I've compared Amazon's smart TV offerings in my Amazon Fire TV Omni Series vs Fire TV 4-Series comparison.
While I pitted Amazon's best smart TV against Sky's offering in my Sky Glass vs Amazon Fire TV Omni comparison.
Right now you can score 2 months of free Amazon Kindle Unlimited - perfect if you choose the e-reader.
While music lovers can bag themselves 4 months of free Amazon Music Unlimited - so now is the time to make the most of them.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: At a glance
The Kindle and Amazon Fire tablet are two different kettle of fish. Kindle's are perfect for those in search of an e-reader, while the Fire models excel as affordable Android tablets.
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Here's a brief overview of where they overlap and what sets them apart:
Similarities
- The Kindle and Fire tablets are Amazon's own devices.
- Both integrate with Amazon’s core ecosystem.
- Both have varying generations and prices.
- They share a similar form factor.
Differences
- Kindle is a dedicated e-reader, whereas the Fire is an Android tablet.
- Fire tablets have LCD screens, Kindle uses grayscale E-ink screens (ideal for reading).
- Kindle has its operating system limited to buying and reading e-books.
- Fire tablets can download apps from the Amazon Appstore.
- Fire tablets can access the internet and stream content.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Prices
Amazon's Fire tablets and Kindles come in various generations, including Pro and Kids versions, each with its own price range.
For Fire tablets, the Fire 7 stands out as the smallest and most affordable option, while the Fire Max 11 boasts the largest screen and the best resolution.
On the Kindle side, there's the base model, the Paperwhite, the Oasis, and the Scribe.
Here's a cost breakdown for each model to give you an idea of how much they'll set you back.
Fire tablets:
- Fire 7, £64.99 - buy here
- Fire HD 8, £99.99 - buy here
- Fire HD 8 Plus, £119.99 - buy here
- Fire HD 8 Kids, £149.99 - buy here
- Fire HD 8 Kids Pro, £149.99 - buy here
- Fire HD 10, £149.99 - buy here
- Fire HD 10 Plus, £189.99 - buy here
- Fire HD 10 Kids, £199.99 - buy here
- Fire HD 10 Kids Pro, £199.99 - buy here
- Fire Max 11, £249.99 - buy here
Kindle's:
- Kindle, £84.99 - buy here
- Kindle Kids, £104.99 - buy here
- Kindle Paperwhite, £159.99 - buy here
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature, £179.99 - buy here
- Kindle Paperwhite Kids, £159.99 - buy here
- Kindle Oasis, £229.99 - buy here
- Kindle Scribe, £329.99 - buy here
There is also the option of shopping refurbished models, which come fully authenticated and will save you money compared to buying new.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Design
On the face of it, both the Kindle range and Fire tablets look very similar. However, considering that both devices are manufactured by Amazon, that's no surprise.
Each respective base model features a durable plastic body, more than capable of handling the rough and tumble of daily life. While it may not be high-end, it certainly keeps the cost low.
On the other end of the price spectrum are the Fire Max 11 and Kindle Scribe, each device's premium sibling made from aluminium.
It's worth remembering that the Kindle isn't a tablet; instead, it boasts a tablet-esque design tailored for reading.
Fire tablets, on the other hand, are much more versatile and are designed for internet browsing, streaming content, and playing music.
While most Kindles didn't initially support audio, but many newer models, including the latest Kindle (2022), Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Oasis, now come equipped with Audible narration.
But, while they can narrate, you won't find a headphone jack on Kindles. Where as, Fire models come equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack and can connect wirelessly to earbuds or speakers.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Display
You'll know by now, that Fire and Kindle devices cater to distinct needs, with Kindle focusing on delivering an unrivaled reading experience, while Fire tablets offer a versatile multimedia platform.
To deliver this, Kindle's E-Ink screens are designed to prevent glare and reduce eye strain, making them comfortable for extended reading sessions, even in bright sunlight.
Fire tablets, on the other had, feature LCD screens for displaying crisp and vivid colors, making them ideal to tackle a broader range of activities.
The higher up the Fire range you go, the better the display you'll get. With the Fire 7 boasting a 7-inch 171 ppi resolution, and the Max 11 an impressive 213ppi and 2.4 million pixels.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Performance
For their intended uses, these two devices are something of trojans when it comes to performance.
Kindle's can last weeks on a single charge and their dedicated Kindle operating system is designed to prolong its life while delivering clean crisp (yet paperlike) displays.
But if you think it's just for reading books you're mistaken. You are also able to upload and display PDF files to the Kindle.
Better still, if you opt for the Kindle Scribe, you can take notes too - making it ideal for work or students on the go.
While Fire tablets don't boast the same battery capabilities, they are a great budget alternative to pricier competitors (Apple we're looking at you).
They actually use the Android operating system, albeit with Amazon's Fire interface and range of apps. That means you can download from the Amazon Appstore, including the Kindle app.
While Fire tablets don't come with the processing power of higher-end tablets, the best Fire tablet boasting a 2.2Ghz CPU compared to 8-core CPU on the Apple alternative, it's more than enough for the average user.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Cameras
Amazon's Fire tablets easily surpass the Kindle in this field, as most of the Fire tablets are equipped with both rear and front-facing cameras.
On the other hand, Kindles do not have cameras.
This isn't surprising though, as the Kindle is not designed for video calling or taking photos.
With the exception of the Kindle Scribe, which can be used as a digital notebook, all Kindles are designed for the purpose of purchasing and reading e-books.
Being a budget tablet, though, the cameras on the Fire models are by no means market leaders, the best being a 5MP rear camera on the Fire 10 tablet.
But for anyone looking for a tablet that's capable of the task of video calling and taking a few pics, the Fire is your best bet.
The beauty of Amazon tech is that they have something for everyone. So, if you are looking for a budget device for video calling, the Echo Show 5 can do just that and much more with its 2MP camera.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Battery life
When it comes to battery life, there's a huge disparities between Fire tablets and Kindles, which largely comes down to their displays.
The Kindle is the handsdown winner and can last up to a remarkable six weeks before you'll need to recharge the tank.
That's thanks the E-Ink screen which is much more efficient than the Fire LCD displays for conserving energy.
Of course, on a tablet you'll want an LCD screen, especially for streaming TV shows, movies, and more. That means a Fire device averages around 10 hours of use before you'll need to recharge.
The makes Kindle's ideal for the longhaul, so long as you're primarly looking for a device to read e-books. While Fire tablets are perfect all-rounders that'll need topping up more often.
Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle: Verdict
The answer to which device is your winner depends on what purpose you are looking to use them for.
Those looking for an e-reader are best to shop the Kindle range, which are optimised for reading, with the E-Ink displays, incredible battery lives, and light form.
If you want more out of your device, like streaming content, accessing the internet, and downloading apps, the Fire tablets are where you'll want to shop.
Here is our verdict.
Choose a Fire tablet if:
- You want an all-round tablet for browsing and streaming.
- You're looking to video call/take photos.
- You want to download apps.
Choose a Kindle if:
- You want a dedicated e-reader.
- You want a long battery life.
- You don't need extras like apps, or the internet.
