Review: The new Kindle Colorsoft is... fine.

The Kindle Colorsoft has always been a little disappointing, and that remains true in 2026. By Timothy Beck Werth Timothy Beck Werth Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl. Read Full Bio on October 31, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Table of Contents 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. That cover is definitely yellow-ish. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Kindle Colorsoft review: Manage your expectations when it comes to colorNow, 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 haven't seen colors quite this bright on my review unit, sadly. Credit: Amazon 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." The color difference is obvious. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable What elder millennial nerd doesn't own a copy of 'Watchmen'? Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable 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. Samsung's ePaper commercial display technology on display. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable A closer look at Samsung's ePaper commercial display technology. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable 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 likedTo 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. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable 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. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable ...enhance! Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable 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 forIf 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. Frequently Asked Questions While the devices are broadly similar, the 2026 model has some key upgrades. The Amazon e-reader is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and comes in a Signature Edition with an attractive and durable aluminum body. The new Kindle Colorsoft also features edge-to-edge color, so there's no dimming or other problems around the borders of the display. The new version is also slightly more expensive. Our reviewers think so. The Colorsoft SE is only $20 more expensive, but you get double the storage, an aluminum body, and can upgrade to the attractive fig color. The SE model also supports wireless charging. Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.