Is a Kindle Oasis worth buying for $70 in 2026?

[Alex Hernandez]

Hello all!!

I'm thinking about buying my first e-reader, and after going back and forth between a lot of options, I came across an opportunity to buy a Kindle Oasis for $70.

It's supposedly unused, still in the original box, and from what I can tell it's in mint physical condition with no obvious signs of use.

My main concern is whether it's still worth buying in 2026. I know batteries can degrade even if a device hasn't been used, so that's definitely something I'm thinking about, but I understand even in bad condiction, it will work good.

Since this would be my first e-reader and I'm still figuring out what I like, would the Oasis be a good starting point and then maybe upgrade to a newer device years later? Or would I be better off saving up and buying a new generation e-reader instead?

I know opinions will vary, but considering this would be my first Kindle and I'm a bit hesitant about spending money on something I'm not yet familiar with, what would you do: go for the Oasis or buy something newer?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Quoth]

Some can't be opened to replace the battery (really a cell). There are 3 models. The 1st is really a Voyage mkII, if it is really only 6".

I had the Oasis 2 but found it inferior to Libra and Libra2 so gave it away.

Better to get a device that doesn't need jail-broken and has native epub such as Kobo, Pocketbook or Boox.

They don't need registered (Kobo has a config file option) but an Oasis is very crippled without registration.

IMO only a free Oasis 2 or 3 is good value. The Voyage or PW3 is maybe better than an Oasis 1 on the Kindle Ecosystem?

Kindles also have poor integration with Calibre. You can't set subtitle, series or collection like you can with Kobo.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Some can't be opened to replace the battery (really a cell). There are 3 models. The 1st is really a Voyage mkII, if it is really only 6".

...

For those who aren't familiar with the Oasis 1 or Voyage, IMO, there are some major differences.

Oasis has an asymmetric design.
The Oasis has physical buttons.
The Oasis has a charging cover.
People rave about the clarity of the Voyage. I don't recall raves about the clarity of the Oasis (I don't mean to imply that the Oasis screen is bad).

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by John F

For those who aren't familiar with the Oasis 1 or Voyage, IMO, there are some major differences.

Oasis has an asymmetric design.
The Oasis has physical buttons.
The Oasis has a charging cover.
People rave about the clarity of the Voyage. I don't recall raves about the clarity of the Oasis (I don't mean to imply that the Oasis screen is bad).

The screen of the Voyage was better (sharper, more contrast) than the screen of all the Oases (this is from personal experience).

As to the OP's question, it depends on what version of the Oasis - there were three. From 2016, from 2017 and from 2019. They all had some differences (minor ones between the 2017 and 2019 ones, true). I'd pay $70 only for the 2019 one.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by John F

For those who aren't familiar with the Oasis 1 or Voyage, IMO, there are some major differences.

However a certain site obsessed about a Voyage II. There never was one. But the PW3 was certainly a cheaper model with the same physical screen and the Oasis 1 a more deluxe model with the same physical screen.

The Voyage has a more expensive better etched top layer etc, so gives a sharper, brighter image in daylight than the others with a very similar or identical 6" panel under the touch layer.

The Oasis 2 & 3 are 7" and it's common for the Oasis 2 & 3 to have 2G/3G as well as WiFi.

Edit:
The Charging cover is poor. A worthless addition.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Quoth

However a certain site obsessed about a Voyage II. There never was one. But the PW3 was certainly a cheaper model with the same physical screen and the Oasis 1 a more deluxe model with the same physical screen.

The Voyage has a more expensive better etched top layer etc, so gives a sharper, brighter image in daylight than the others with a very similar or identical 6" panel under the touch layer.

The Oasis 2 & 3 are 7" and it's common for the Oasis 2 & 3 to have 2G/3G as well as WiFi.

Edit:
The Charging cover is poor. A worthless addition.

And the Voyage had haptic on the bezel.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by John F

And the Voyage had haptic on the bezel.

And the origami cover was the best amazon cover for a kindle ever. And, for me, the Voyage is the most comfortable to hold and use. The PW3 is heavy and clunky (recessed screen) by comparison.

[Ebookus]

I actual prefer the recessed screen, well except for cleaning it, shit can get nasty is not clean regularly.

the problem with the oasis is the battery, on the first gen, they are tiny AF, the real battery is in the cover (which is difficult to source now), the second and third gen, have larger capacity batteries, but you will not be able to replace them when they eventually fail, unless you can find a replacement battery and screen (yeah, you will need to replace both).

As for whether is worth it, well up to you do decide, the 3rd gen is actually a pretty neat device, is just a shame it is doomed to fail.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

And the origami cover was the best amazon cover for a kindle ever. And, for me, the Voyage is the most comfortable to hold and use. The PW3 is heavy and clunky (recessed screen) by comparison.

If you don't like the recessed screen of the PW3, you get the PW4 which is not good. Terrible screen that's not sharp and a bit muddy looking.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you don't like the recessed screen of the PW3, you get the PW4 which is not good. Terrible screen that's not sharp and a bit muddy looking.

Nope, I got the Voyage, which is superior to its predecessors and successors. I bought the PW3 for cheap after I got my Voyage for uses other than reading.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Edit:
The Charging cover is poor. A worthless addition.

The charging cover for the Oasis 1 worked perfectly, unlike the Sage charging cover, which was a total mess.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The charging cover for the Oasis 1 worked perfectly, unlike the Sage charging cover, which was a total mess.

The later Kobo firmware versions for the Sage made the charging cover usable.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by DNSB

The later Kobo firmware versions for the Sage made the charging cover usable.

Eh, I can't be bothered to play with it anymore. And I don't want to update my Sage, because the buttons are buggy and were even buggier on later firmware versions.

[Josieb1]

I bought a 32GB Oasis for £95 and it’s perfect. Battery is quite good but I bought myself a charging block anyway, just in case I take it out of the house. I had forgotten how good it was. Screen wise it’s much better than my Paperwhite 12th Gen.