Skip to main content

Take Your Library Anywhere With Amazon’s Waterproof Kindle Oasis

By Mike Richard Mar 29, 2022 5:42 AM

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Amazon Kindle has long been the benchmark for e-readers. It seems that every year, the company finds new, incremental ways to make its already great digital book technology even better. With the launch of the new, new Kindle Oasis (to differentiate from 2016’s “new Kindle Oasis”), the company is changing the game yet again.

Just in time for the Kindle’s tenth anniversary, Amazon has introduced its best-ever Kindle. The aptly named Buy Now boasts the clearest, highest-resolution Paperwhite display yet. The 7-inch screen (up from six inches) provides 300 PPI (pixels per inch) — enough real estate for 30 percent more words on every page. With a couple of additional LED lights, the ultra-crisp screen guarantees uniform lighting across the display and no glare, even in the brightest sunlight. Built-in sensors also detect ambient lighting and automatically adjust the screen’s brightness accordingly.

All New Kindle Oasis — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Perhaps the most exciting new feature for the Kindle Oasis, however, is its legit IPX8 waterproof rating (somehow the folks at Amazon never thought the original Oasis should be waterproof). For anyone who’s hard on electronics — travelers, in particular — this means the Kindle is could be a go-anywhere device. Tests have confirmed the new Kindle can survive being submerged for up to an hour in six feet of water. Amazon has not confirmed exactly how it achieved this feat, though it has been tested in hot tubs and pools.

Recommended Videos

Straight out of the box, the device just feels better to the touch. This is largely due to the all-aluminum back, which is a distinct upgrade from the previous soft plastic construction. The shape of the case is similar to earlier Kindles with one thicker side and one tapered side — the ideal form factor for one-handed reading. With an extended battery life, the device provides weeks of reading time.

The new Kindle will feature a built-in app for seamless integration with Audible’s massive audiobook library. Sadly, like its predecessors, the Kindle Oasis still doesn’t offer integrated speakers. However, Bluetooth allows for streaming directly from the device to wireless speakers or headphones.

The Buy Now will begin shipping at the end of October 2017; the 8 GB model available for $250 and the 32GB will retail for $299. Or brother site, Digital Trends, did an in-depth review of the Kindle Oasis, which is definitely worth a read before you drop the big bucks on a new device.

Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He’s kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South… Read Full Bio

Topics

These 2026 island getaways are surging in popularity right now

Sandals St. Lucia Grande

Expedia just released its latest set of data: The 2026 Island Hot List, a trending list that compiles the emerging islands travelers are searching for before they become the next big thing. According to the newExpedia data, interest in these rising island destinations is up 55% on average year-over-year, while social media mentions have climbed 20% as travelers look for new experiences, better value, and fewer crowds. If you ask me, this is pretty surprising to hear it’s up 55%, especially when I thought islands were already one of the most popular year-round travel destinations.

Ranked #1 on Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List is St. Lucia, an island I first fell in love with back in 2023 when I went on my honeymoon there. Once you visit here, it’s pretty easy to see why it’s ranked the best for romantic escapes. This destination has been a popular spot for anniversary and honeymoon trips for a long time now — and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. As travelers move beyond crowded Caribbean hotspots, many are willing to take the extra trek to destinations like St. Lucia for it’s dramatic scenery, romantic resort options like Sugar Beach, and soft adventure focus.

Six Senses Rome is a peaceful retreat in a beautifully chaotic city

the lobby at Six Senses Rome

Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and by all accounts, it gets crowded. But considering that it’s one of the world’s most important epicenters for history, culture, food and architecture, we can forgive the crowds. After all, complaining about tourism when you’re a tourist is not the way. But booking yourself a peaceful respite to start and end each day most certainly is.

I chose Six Senses Rome as my home base during a recent four-day trip to the city. The property opened in 2023 in the restored 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini. The historic building sets the tone before you even check in, with restored 600-year-old columns in the main entrance, pale travertine floors, a light-dappled lobby overflowing with greenery, and a massive marble staircase that’s almost comically regal. And its neighbor is the gorgeous San Marcello al Corso Church—so you can start your sightseeing by literally going next door.

5 Tips If You’re Traveling With Cigars: I Learned No. 2 the Hard Way

Wood, Hardwood, Accessories

Traveling with cigars can be challenging if you’re not prepared. The lack of preparation can lead to your favorite cigars getting smashed from inadequate storage, or they can peel because they weren’t kept at the proper temperature, among other issues. Sometimes you do all the right things, and still come away shaking your head.

I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades now, and it’s not beneath me to admit that I’ve made plenty of cigar travel mistakes in that span, and as recently as two weeks ago. You live, you learn, and hope you don’t waste a stogie on the next trip. My most recent cigar travel mistake is what inspired me to share these tips. Sure, there are plenty of articles out there offering similar advice. But this list comes from a cigar smoker and writer who has visited six countries and about a dozen states in the last year alone. And in that time, mistakes were made, and lessons were learned.