Engadget Review: New Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Is Good but Pricey
Engadget has rated Amazon's color ereader, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, 8.5 out of 10. At $320, the reviewer says the extra cost over the base model is not fully justified.
Tech site Engadget has published a review of the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, Amazon's latest color ereader. The device arrived in October 2026 as the second generation of the company's color Kindle, and reviewer Cherlynn Low gave it 8.5 points out of 10.
What changed
Amazon introduced the first Colorsoft in October 2024. At the time, the company used nitride LEDs and custom algorithms to preserve the contrast of a black-and-white ereader on a color screen, and made pages turn faster than on earlier devices.
The new model is slightly thinner, with an edge-to-edge screen and front bezels that match the color of the case. It also adds a new finish called Fig. Display specifications are unchanged: 300 pixels per inch for black-and-white reading and 150 for color, plus a more saturated "vibrant" mode.
Price and hardware
The base model costs $290. The $320 Signature Edition adds an aluminum case, pogo pins on the back for connecting accessories, twice the storage and a choice of black or maroon. The reviewer notes that the Colorsoft now costs between $10 and $40 more than last year's model.
She praises the aluminum housing for its resistance to scratches. Among the drawbacks, she cites the removal of wireless charging. Over two weeks of testing, she saw no real cause for concern about battery life, though she says she has not had enough time to evaluate it fully.
Competition
Alternatives include the Kobo Clara Colour at $150 and the Kobo Libra Colour at $260. The Libra has a 7-inch screen, physical page-turn buttons, 32GB of storage and stylus support. Even so, the reviewer argues that Kobo's interface and book library cannot match Amazon's.
Her conclusion: the Signature Edition is a capable ereader but not an essential purchase. It may suit readers of color ebooks and those already committed to Amazon's ecosystem.
