Kindle Lighted Cover Unboxing: My Photos and 2026 Advice

Back in February 2011 I bought the official Kindle Lighted Cover in black leather for my Kindle Keyboard and shipped it to India. Here are my unboxing photos, what the built-in reading light was like, what it cost to import, and whether a kindle lighted cover still makes sense in 2026 when every Kindle has its own light.

Quick answer: The Kindle Lighted Cover was Amazon’s official case with a pull-out LED reading light powered by the Kindle itself. Amazon no longer sells it, and you don’t need one for a current Kindle: the basic Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Scribe all have a built-in front light. Buy a plain cover that fits your exact model instead, and use a clip-on book light only for an old Kindle without a light.

Why I chose the Kindle lighted cover in 2011

After I shipped my Kindle to India, I looked at the best Kindle covers and the best Kindle reading lights, and decided to get both in one case.

First, it was the official cover recommended by Amazon, so I knew my Kindle would fit it perfectly, even though it cost more than other cases. Second, the retractable LED light drew power from the Kindle, so there was no separate reading light to carry and clip on every time I read at night.

I picked black to match my graphite Kindle. The burgundy cover was my second choice and looked very nice too. If you missed it, here are my Kindle unboxing photos.

Kindle lighted cover unboxing photos

It came in Amazon’s frustration-free packaging, and the cover felt well made.

“Amazon Kindle” is boldly embossed on the band, the official seal.

The band pulls away easily to open the cover. It felt a little delicate at first, but you get used to it; just don’t stretch it more than needed.

Inside there is a soft suede-feel lining and a small instruction booklet.

The book light slides out of the top-right corner with a click.

The instructions show how to fit the Kindle so that its hinge contacts power the light. No batteries are needed.

Finally my Kindle had a cover.

It made the slim Kindle a little bulkier, but you could still charge it inside the case.

How good was the built-in light?

There was some glare when I tilted the Kindle a lot, but reading was easy when I held it normally.

Here it is with the room light on…

…and with the room light off. The light covered the page well enough for reading in bed.

What it cost to ship to India

Much more than I had hoped. The $59.99 cover cost me $106.13 delivered to India: $20.98 shipping plus $25.16 import duty. It was still worth it to me at the time.

Do you still need a Kindle lighted cover in 2026?

No. Lighted covers were made for Kindles that had no light of their own, such as my Kindle Keyboard. Today every Kindle e-reader Amazon sells has a built-in front light that lights the screen evenly, with no glare and no hinge contacts to wear out:

• Kindle (basic model): has had a front light since 2019.
• Kindle Paperwhite: the model that introduced the built-in light in 2012.
• Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Scribe: also lit.

You can compare the current models in Kindle e-readers on Amazon.

Choosing a cover for a current Kindle

• Match the exact model and generation. Kindle covers fit one model only, so check the generation in Settings > Device Info before you buy.
• Look for auto sleep/wake if you want the Kindle to wake when you open the cover.
• Official or third-party: Amazon’s own covers fit precisely; third-party covers cost less and add extras like hand straps or stands. Browse Kindle covers on Amazon.

Still using an old Kindle without a light?

The Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Touch and older basic Kindles have no light. A small clip-on book light is the simplest fix now that lighted covers are gone. If you are thinking of upgrading or giving one, see how to gift a Kindle.

FAQ

What was the Kindle Lighted Cover?

It was Amazon’s official leather case with a retractable LED reading light that drew power from the Kindle, so it needed no batteries.

Can I still buy a Kindle lighted cover?

Amazon no longer sells it new. You may find used ones, but they only fit the old models they were made for.

Do new Kindles have a light?

Yes. Every current Kindle e-reader, including the basic Kindle, has a built-in front light.

Does a cover make the Kindle bulky?

A little. Slim covers add only a few millimetres; folio covers with stands or straps add more.

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