Amazon's Kindle e-readers have only recently begun making the switch from micro-USB to USB-C, but are there models that wireless charging? Wireless charging is still considered a feature on smartphones, and there are even fewer tablets that charge wirelessly. Wireless charging requires manufacturers to include an additional hardware component in the form of a wireless charging coil, and s also need to buy a wireless charger separately, both of which increase the overall cost of a device.
The current Kindle lineup includes the entry-level 11th-gen Kindle, the 11th-gen Kindle Paperwhite, the 11th-gen Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, the 10th-gen Kindle Oasis, and the 1st-gen Kindle Scribe. All offer varying battery life, with the Kindle Oasis topping the list with up to 12 weeks of use on a single charge. And while all the models USB-C wired charging (barring the Kindle Oasis that was last updated in 2019), only the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has for wireless charging.
Wireless Charging Is Slower Than Wired Charging
With for wireless charging, owners of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition can simply place the e-reader on a Qi-certified wireless charging pad to recharge the battery. This is more convenient than having to fiddle with a cable. However, while wireless charging offers convenience, it also comes with its own limitation — slower charging speeds.
According to Amazon, charging the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition with a 9W USB power adapter takes about 2.5 hours, while charging the e-reader with a 10W Qi wireless charger takes close to 3.5 hours. This means charging the device wirelessly will take about an extra hour compared to if one were to use a USB charger with a power rating of at least 9W. However, that shouldn't matter if s leave their Kindle to charge overnight.
The Paperwhite Signature Edition doesn't come with a charger in the box, so buyers will have to purchase a power adapter and a wireless charging pad or dock if they don't already have one. Amazon has published a list of wireless chargers that are incompatible with the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. However, it sells an official wireless charger manufactured by Anker that's priced at $32.99. The wireless charger, which outputs 7.5W speeds, is designed like a dock, so the e-reader is propped up vertically when charging. This way, s can continue to read while their Kindle charges. The wireless charger comes with a power adapter in the box, but it is a barrel-type connector that can't be used to charge the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition directly.