Is there a feature to have a backlight on the Kindle so as to be able to read at night? Without buying a cover w/light?

If you own a Kindle or are thinking about purchasing one for yourself or someone else, you may be wondering if it has a backlight so that you can read it in the dark or in dimly-lit surroundings. The short answer is no, the Kindle does not have a backlight. However, there are some important reasons for this.

The first concerns eye strain. It is well-known that reading words on a computer screen or even a table device for hours on end strains the eyes and makes them tired. Since the Kindle doesn’t produce the glare that a computer or tablet screen does (since it uses sophisticated E Ink technology), it is essentially the same as reading words from the pages of a book instead of a backlit screen.

The second reason for not incorporating a backlight into the Kindle is to extend its battery life. Amazingly, the Kindle can run off a single charge for up to 2 months. Compare that with the battery life of smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Finally, backlit LCD screens are difficult to read in sunlight because of the glare they produce. Since many Kindle owners enjoy reading from their devices outdoors during daylight hours, a backlight would be a significant impediment to their reading enjoyment. So, what are your options if you want to use your Kindle at night or in dimly-lit environments?

Well, you are in luck because there are several backlight accessories that are specially designed to attach to the Kindle when extra light is desired. The Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light is a bright, but comfortable reading light with an adjustable neck as well as an adjustable intensity level. Its clip is padded on both sides so it won’t damage the Kindle screen, nor will it overlap any part of the screen.

It is also quite light at 4.8 oz and comes in a variety of colors, including black, white, silver, blue, green, pink, and purple. It can be purchased for $16.99 at Amazon.com. The Lightwedge Verso Clip-On Light is another great reading light that can be easily clipped on to your Kindle or its case without getting in the way of reading.

It provides an even pool of LED light across the display and also incorporates an adjustable neck. In addition to its small, stylish design, the Verso is also highly portable and can easily fit inside a purse or even a pocket when folded up. In fact, it only weighs a paltry 1.6 oz!

The Verso comes with 2 spare batteries and can be purchased at Amazon.com for $19.99. The Navitech Clip-On Flexible Backlight is perhaps the least expensive reading light available for the Kindle. It is similar in design to the XtraFlex2 and has an adjustable neck that can be folded for portability.

A unique feature of the Navitech is its extendable clip, which allows it to be clipped to something other than the Kindle, such as a bed post, if desired. It can be purchased for $9.99 at Amazon.com. The Belkin Clip-On Reading Light for the Kindle includes three brilliant LED lights along with two brightness settings.

Like the Navitech, its adjustable clip allows it to attach to objects other than the Kindle itself (including its case), and its small, compact design allows for easy storage and portability. The Belkin is a simple yet stylish clip-on reading light that weighs only 4 oz and can be purchased at Amazon.com for $24.99. Hopefully, this review has clarified why the Kindle does not come standard with a backlight and provided some options for light-weight, portable lights that can be easily attached to the Kindle or a convenient nearby object.

Most of the products mentioned on this page are rated highly by numerous reviewers at Amazon.com. Feel free to peruse the reviews for each product there and decide which one is right for you.