We spend a lot of time at The Verge waxing poetic about the latest gadgets, but sometimes it’s the last-gen devices from several years ago that offer the better value. The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite is a great case in point — especially since you can grab it at Woot in refurbished condition with lockscreen ads, 8GB of storage, and a 90-day warranty starting at $49.99 through the rest of today, April 12th, which is about $90 off the e-reader’s original list price. Per usual, Amazon Prime members will also receive free shipping with their purchase.
The entry-level refurb models are in full working order but include a unspecified, moderate level of wear and tear — hence their “scratch and dent” designation. Thankfully, Woot is also selling non-S&D models of the 2021 Paperwhite with ads, 8GB of storage, and the same 90-day Woot warranty starting at $69.99. You can even pick up a refurbished Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition — which adds wireless charging, a sensor to automatically adjust the backlight, and four times the storage — for $99.99, or $90 off the step-up model’s original MSRP.
Unlike Amazon’s latest entry-level Kindle, the 11th-generation Paperwhite boasts robust IPX8 waterproofing and a 6.8-inch display, which is two inches smaller than the 7-inch screen on the newest Paperwhite. That said, it still boasts the same resolution (300ppi) as the latest model, along with adjustable color temperature, allowing you to read just as easily at night as during the day. The e-reader packs monthslong battery life and USB-C support, too, though its UI isn’t as responsive as on the latest models, nor are page turns quite as fast.
If you’re thinking about upgrading from an older model, Woot’s Paperwhite promo couldn’t come at a better time. Amazon recently announced that it will end support for pre-2012 Kindle devices on May 20th, 2026, which will prevent existing owners from purchasing, borrowing, or downloading new content via the Kindle Store (previously downloaded books will still be accessible). Amazon is offering longtime users a 20 percent discount on new Kindle devices until June 20th; however, even with the discount, you’d still be paying nearly three times as much to nab the 2024 Paperwhite.
