Key Points
- Kindles are available to purchase with ads or without adds.
- If you purchase the device with ads you can then choose to pay approx $20 to turn ads off — the same difference you would have paid if you had purchased the ad-free option.
- There is no physical difference between the two versions, but some people may find ads annoying.
When purchasing a Kindle, you will face an option: whether or not it should contain ads. This is a confusing question, as other similar devices do not give you this choice. Furthermore, when you purchase an e-reader or tablet, you likely expect it not to have ads.
However, Amazon is able to offer its Kindle devices at an exceptionally low price by offsetting part of the manufacturing cost with advertising on the device. Previously, the Kindle devices containing ads were called “special offers,” which made the choice even more confusing.
Don’t worry; we will break down everything you need to know about Kindle’s ad and ad-free versions, as well as how you can remove ads after purchase.
Amazon Kindle Ads vs No Ads: Side-by-Side Comparison
| No Ads | Ads | |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | Kindle E-Readers, Fire, Kids | Kindle E-Readers, Fire |
| Price | $15-$20 More Expensive | $20 Cheaper |
| Lockscreen | Has Screensaver | Has Ad |
| Homescreen | Full Homescreen | Small Banner Ad at Bottom |
| Unlock | Just Press Button | Must Press Button Then Swipe |
| Ads While Unlocked | None | Ad at the bottom of the Homescreen |
Amazon Kindle Ads vs No Ads: What’s the Difference?
©Koshiro K/Shutterstock.com
- 300 PPI display (glare-free, paper-like)
- A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 6 weeks
- 16 GB of storage
- Access to Kindle Unlimited with over 2 million titles
Amazon offers its Kindle devices with or without ads, and while ads are annoying, these are not that bad. The first thing you will notice on a Kindle is a lock screen that is always on. This screen indicates that the device is in standby mode, but it does not use any power.
If you have a Kindle with ads, the lock screen will have an advertisement for either a book or another Amazon-branded product. This is in comparison to the ad-free version, which does not have this ad on the lock screen. Instead, you get to choose a screensaver for the lock screen. This is by far the biggest difference between the two devices.
The next difference you will notice is when you unlock the Kindle. The no-ads version just requires you to press the lock button. Whereas the ad-supported Kindle requires you to press the lock button and then swipe the screen. It is not a major inconvenience, simply an extra step.
The last difference between the ads vs no ads Kindle is the home screen. A banner on a Kindle with ads may appear at the bottom of the screen. The banner will cause the rest of the screen to shrink slightly. This banner will not be present on a Kindle without ads, so the home screen can take up the entire display.
The home screen size difference is minimal and the ads are not intrusive. Some of the newer Kindle devices do not have this banner on the home screen, so it may not be an issue, depending on the model you choose. Furthermore, the banner goes away when you choose a book, so it does not affect your reading experience.
Add or Remove Ads
©Bykfa/Shutterstock.com
One good thing about Amazon’s Kindle devices is that you can always remove ads later if you change your mind. The price for removing ads on most devices is $20, so it is the same price as if you paid extra initially. Therefore, you may want to purchase a Kindle with ads and remove them later if you find them annoying.
Similarly, you may want to know what you are missing out on or see recommended books when you turn on your Kindle. You can always turn ads back on if you purchase a Kindle without ads or pay to remove them. To turn ads back on, just go to settings and then device management. There will be an option to turn ads off or on.
Kid’s Kindles
- Designed for reading only, so there are no apps or games
- A single charge lasts up to 6 weeks
- 16GB of storage
- Comes with a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+
Amazon sometimes offers Kindle devices targeted toward children. These “Kindle Kids” devices do not have ads on them. However, Amazon is not consistent with its offerings, so it may not always have a kid’s version. The kid’s version does have parental controls and a protective case.
Amazon has a kid’s version of multiple Kindle devices, including the basic Kindle, as well as several Kindle Fire tablets. Most of the kid’s Kindles also come with a warranty that even includes accidental damage.
Cost Between Ads vs No Ads
©Tada Images/Shutterstock.com
The cost between ads vs no ads varies depending on the Kindle model. For most devices, such as the Oasis and Paperwhite, there’s a $20 price difference. The $20 upcharge may not seem high, but keep in mind that some of the Kindle devices are pretty cheap, to begin with.
For some of Amazon’s cheapest tablets, such as the Fire 7, the price is only $15 higher. But, of course, the kid’s Kindles also do not come with ads, to begin with, and you can always opt to remove ads for the same price as upgrading would have cost. Therefore, eliminating ads will still only cost $20 if you decide the ads are too bothersome.
Amazon Kindle Ads vs No Ads: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Kid’s Kindles don’t have ads.
- You can remove ads at any time.
- You can also add ads back at any time.
- Kindles with ads require you to swipe on the page.
- Ads can be managed on the “manage your content and devices” page on Amazon.
Amazon Kindle Ads vs No Ads: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
There is no physical difference between a Kindle with ads and one without. Plus, you can always remove ads later if you change your mind. Therefore, it is best to choose a Kindle with ads and if you feel they are annoying, pay the extra later to remove them.
Amazon makes very affordable tablets and e-readers, so paying extra for an ad-free version can, at times, equal 25% of the device. So, while some people may find the ads slightly bothersome, you probably won’t find removing them worth the cost.
The only time you may want to consider removing ads is with an Oasis and Paperwhite, as these devices come at a premium cost, and therefore the upcharge is a fraction of its price. The same goes for purchasing a Kindle as a gift, since you may want to give the best version possible.
However, the ads will not be a problem for most people, and you will likely rarely even notice them. Most importantly, they do not appear when reading or on any page outside of the home and lock screen. So, unless you are a really big fan of custom screensavers, the ad-free version will serve you well.
