What Accessories Should I Get For My Kindle E-Reader?

There are many different accessories available for the Kindle e-reader, so knowing which ones to choose can be difficult. You have a choice of both Amazon and third-party accessories, with prices varying from around $10 to $60 a piece.

Kindle Covers, Cases, Skins and Sleeves

Decalgirl and Gelaskins both sell a wide range of skins for the Kindle, starting at $15 and $20 respectively. Gelaskins even gives you the choice to create your own skin for even more personalisation. Skins are a great way to customise your device, but don't offer quite the same protection as a cover or a case.

You can pay around $60 for an official Kindle case, but they're made from real leather and likely to last you a long time. Buying a cover for your e-reader can protect it from scratches, which is particularly useful if you like to take it places with you. Non-leather third-party covers cost about $20, and are available in a wider range of colours than the Amazon ones.

Sleeves are light-weight pouches that offer less protection than cases, but are available from $10. They won't protect your Kindle's screen from sharp impact, but they will soften the blow a little if you happen to drop it.

Reading Lights

Attachable reading lights range from $15 to $40. Higher-end models are usually rechargeable, and are often built in such a way that they don't cast a shadow over the screen. The cheaper ones tend not to be flexible and run on batteries. It's worth checking the user reviews before buying!

Screen Protectors

You can buy matte, film-like screen protectors for the Kindle to protect against light scratches. Screen protectors offer the least protection, but still cost between $10 and $20, so it's probably better to go with a cover, skin or a sleeve.

Stands

Some third-party companies also sell e-reader stands, but as you need to hold the Kindle in order to turn the page, these don't seem particularly useful!

The main thing you need is a some kind of cover (protective cover or carrying case).  The Kindle is a sensitive bit of electronics and you do not want it to get banged up or the screen to get damaged.  A cover will set you back another $30-$49 if  bought direct from Amazon, on top of the Kindle RRP of $359 (Kindle 2) or $489 (Kindle DX).  Still, $30 is peanuts on top of the initial purchase price, and it's well worth paying a little extra to protect an expensive gadget.  

Image Source: flickr.com.

You can get snazzier and potentially more expensive covers for your Kindle, sometimes marketed as Kindle jackets. These range from basic versions in a large range of colors, usually costing about $30, to executive versions complete with various types of pockets for all manner of accessories, costing $200 or more. Some jackets cover the Kindle entirely but with a little window to let you read while the jacket itself is still on (keeping the Kindle itself better protected more of the time).

Image Source: flickr.com.

The other trendy thing to do with your Kindle is to put a very thin decorative vinyl cover over the entire Kindle but with the screen still visible – just like a fascia covers a mobile phone.  This means you don't have to just put up with a plain boring white Kindle.  And the skin comes with a quality but transparent screen cover, to maintain some scratch protection.  You can order custom-designed Kindle skins from companies like iStyles.  The skin fits snugly over the Kindle itself, and  an be changed as the mood suits you.  Expect to spend $15 or so for a
Kindle skin.​

The Kindle itself comes with a power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, rechargeable battery and one year's manufacturer warranty.    There are other accessories you might find useful.  A clip-on light (costs around $30) may make reading while traveling easier.  An extra two years warranty can be purchased from Amazon for $65, which covers damage from things like one-off drops and bangs.  Audio headphones are useful if you want your Kindle to read out loud to you in public or noisy places.  A car charger (also suitable for boats and even some airplanes) for the Kindle battery will set you back a mere $10 and makes the Kindle even more portable.

I've found the periscope lighted folio invaluable for my Kindle 2. Since I read a lot in pretty obscure places (such as train or buses while on the road), having a cover with incorporated light has been extremely useful. You can go here to find more on cheap kindle accessories and get more information and tips on all Kindle models.