Photograph: Adrienne So
Best for Reading
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2024, 12th Generation)
As with most Amazon hardware, the kid devices are worth the price for two things: the content and the warranty. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids has a two-year, worry-free replacement guarantee, a cute case, and a year’s subscription to the Amazon's Kids+ platform, which sorts through Amazon’s huge selection to present your kid with age-appropriate characters and themes. You can somewhat control this content selection through the website interface.
It’s very easy to white-list free library books into your kid’s profile. With tons of free books available, a safe, secure Kindle might actually save you and your bookish kid money in the long run. You can save $50 by opting for the regular Kindle Kids ($120), but the screen isn't nearly as nice as the Paperwhite version, and it's not waterproof. Again, the devices are frequently on sale, so don't pay full price.
If you don't want to join the Amazon ecosystem, or if your kids are really into comics and graphic novels, we like the Kobo Libra Colour (8/10, WIRED Recommends) for its color E Ink screen, which handles comics much better than a Kindle. (Despite making a color Kindle for adults, there's currently no Kids version, and the regular color version is having issues, so you're better off with the Libra Colour). At $220 it's a bigger investment and probably best suited for older, more responsible children.
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Best for Video Calling
Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
I've picked the Echo Show 8, but any smart display you already own is probably the best way to do video calls with relatives. That way there's nothing to hold up. (Calling with a tablet works just fine, though the grandparents might see more of the ceiling fan than your kids, if your kids get tired of holding up the iPad.) The third-generation Echo Show 8 is the middle child in Amazon's Show family and it's a good size for the kitchen or living room. We also like the Google Nest Hub Max. It's a good all-around smart display with a 10-inch touchscreen and decent camera. It dropped support for Google Meet and Zoom though, so you'll have to use Google Duo for your video calls.
Prep Your Pad
Photograph: Stephen Simpson/Getty Images
When considering which device is best for your child, you'll want to take price, durability, ease of use, and safety into account. We find Apple devices to be among the easiest on which to set up parental controls. Simply get your child their own Apple ID, set up Family Sharing, add them as family members, and set rules for them.
Amazon's tablets for kids come in a close second. It's easy to log in to the Parent Dashboard on Amazon.com to change age filters and to block or add content. But no matter the device, there are safeguards you can take to protect your kids from coming across inappropriate content. We walk you through how to childproof your devices and streaming services here.
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