I’ve narrowed it down to the “regular” Kindle, as apparently you can read ANY of the new ones outside in sunlight - or in bed, under the covers - and the Paperwhite (the cheapest version) because it is slightly nicer and waterproof.
and is it worth it getting a cover??
But I’d love to hear opinions. So far I’ve googled, as one does, and asked on Giraffe, as one also does.
I bought the Oasis for no good reason–it’s very nice, but not worth the money. NYT Wirecutter actually preferred the Kindle Kids, I believe, for $88. Otherwise, the Paperwhite is the default. I did buy the Amazon leather cover, which is quite nice and grippy.
The backlighting on the Paperwhite is significantly nicer. It has many more LEDs and glows more evenly.
I’ve never bothered with a cover. I do have a felt sleeve that I use when jamming it in my carryon but otherwise It just sits out, naked, I suppose.
but why? it is more expensive!
I too bought the Oasis when my original Paperwhite died. At the time, the Oasis had significantly better backlighting, but the new PW closed that gap more recently.
I bought a PaperWhite ~ 5 years ago. It is wonderful to be able to read in full sunlight, or in bed with all the lights off.
I don’t need or want a tablet type thing that I can email or watch movies and stuff so YMMV.
My wife and I both bought covers. One thing I like about them is that when you open the cover, the kindle turns on and goes to the last page you where reading. I donno, I find that easier than hitting a button (yeah, modern problems) My wife’s cover is sort of pink. She bought that so that it would be easier to find.
which non Paperwhite are you comparing it to? because I’m sure that was true…until the latest versions? which is kind of my question now, before I decide which one for sure.
thanks for the info, folks!
oh, and I don’t think I’ll get a cover just so I don’t have to push a button to turn it on! 
I’ve had a Paperwhite for several years now too, and I love it. I have a leather case for mine, which is nice because the cover can be folded back and used with a prop in the back to be able to set the book up on a side table or flat armrest for hands-free reading.
That’s just what I was going to say. Though I don’t prop it up like that very often. Like one of my best friends says - “Whatever trips your trigger” . Fine either way really.
The base Kindle. If you look at the comparison chart on this page, you’ll see that the base Kindle only has 4 LEDs while the Paperwhite has 17. The lighting is much more even on the Paperwhite.
The Paperwhite also adds the ability to shift the color temperature from very cool white to a very warm white. For me, using it at night with the warmer what is much more comfortable than the cold, bluish-white blast.
Love my paperwhite. Reading on the beach works great. And a cover is absolutely necessary.
I bought the Oasis last time (I had to replace one that refused to charge, at which time I found out you really can’t replace the battery) because it gets more on the page, so fewer page turns (I’m lazy that way). I got a 3rd-party cover because I’m clumsy and it provides a little protection. My cover is red, so it’s easy to find.
OK, some good info there.
folks really like the covers, sounds like.
Gah! This is one of my pet peeves, and I feel compelled to correct it in every thread about Kindles.
Backlighting is what your phone or tablet has. It’s where the light shines up from the back of the screen into your eyes.
What the Kindle has is frontlighting: the light is on top of, and shines down onto, the text, in much the way that a reading lamp does.
My Paperwhite is about 5 years old, and my understanding is that the current base-model Kindle is pretty much equivalent to the Paperwhite from back then.
I’ve run across a couple of YouTube videos comparing different Kindle models, and I think the consensus is that, for most people, the base model is perfectly adequate. For many people the pricier models won’t be worth the higher price, but if you value their nicer features, they (or at least the Paperwhite) are worth considering.
I’m another who has the paperwhite and I like it. I also like having the cover, both because it turns the Kindle on and off and provides a better grip and drop protection.
cite? if I google “does Kindle have backlighting” I’m not told no…??
and what I really want to know is what difference does it make to me as a reader?
I just want to be able to read in the sunshine.
and not to have the Blue Light mess up my sleep if I read at night, I guess.
The most expensive Paperwhite and cover. No contest.
Those are the two main advantages to front-lit e-readers as opposed to back-lit tablets or phones, besides the fact that some people think they cause less eyestrain.
thank you, I appreciate you linking for me.
this is probably what I’ll go with.
I’m so glad to get help from everyone!