When most people first buy a Kindle, I think the natural inclination is to buy the official Amazon cover. It makes sense. At $30, it’s relatively cheap, it’s simple, it’s durable, and of course features Amazon’s built-in hinge mechanism. With time however, many grow to dislike it. It resembles an address book more than anything, and is really lacking in features and style.

Knowing full well that you and/or the Kindle owner in your life might be facing a similar aesthetic crisis, and will likely soon be looking for Christmas ideas, I’ve run three of M-Edge’s third-party covers through the paces, and here’s what I found:

M-Edge Leisure
Price: $29.99
Rating:

Pros

• The perfect weather-proofing option for those who habitually use their Kindle outside or around the pool.
• The padding does a capable job of keeping the Kindle safe from minor drops and bumps.
• Surprisingly good access to all the necessary buttons and functions, despite the layer of Lycra in the way.

Cons

• Nylon material and zipper evokes the imagine of a trapper keeper from days gone by.
• The transparent vinyl cover is much more reflective than the Kindle’s screen, and can be irksome in the wrong light.

While I was initially a little put off by the look of my expensive Kindle surrounded only by Nylon and clear vinyl, I can definitely see where the Leisure would be handy. Anybody taking their Kindle to kids’ sporting events, the pool, and especially the beach needs to sport one of these bad boys. It’s a case of function over form.

M-Edge Halsea
Price: $59.99
Rating:

Pros

• Front flap uses a magnetic closure device that is both effective and very elegant.
• Exterior is made of laminated canvas, which resists rain and random spills much better than leather.
• Comes in a variety of prints, and sports an aesthetic not unlike a handbag. Great for the ladies!
• Sports a side pocket and a business card holder.
• Makes excellent use of M-Edge’s e-Luminator2 book light.

Cons

• A little clumsy when you try and fold the front flap back to read
• Holds the Kindle by corner straps instead of the the hinge mechanism.
• At $59.99, it’s on the expensive side.

For the fashion-conscious Kindle owner in your life, it really doesn’t get any better than the Halsea. It does a great job of protecting the Kindle with its thick material and laminated canvas, while also looking extremely attractive when you carry it around. I wish more covers used its magnetic closure.

M-Edge Platform
Price: $29.99-$44.99
Rating:

Pros

• Sports a thicker leather than the Amazon cover, giving added protection and a very satisfying heft to it.
• Uses a “closure tab” to secure the cover shut, with the bonus that it makes it resemble a journal or notebook instead of a plain old address book.
• The front cover can be flipped back and used as a makeshift book stand, allowing you to read hands-free.
• Has pockets for business cards and a notebook pad, and works with M-Edge’s e-Luminator2 booklight.
• Comes in a variety of fashionable colors.

Cons

• At $45, it’s more expensive than the Amazon cover.
• Not as easy to hold in one’s hand when you flip the front part back.
• Holds the Kindle by corner straps instead of the the hinge mechanism.

This is the definitive Kindle cover, in my opinion. Everything from the clasp, the aesthetic, to the ability to use it as a book stand is a vast improvement over the vanilla Amazon cover. I honestly can’t imagine going back. Combine the Platform with the e-Luminator2 booklight, and you’ve got yourself the perfect gift for a Kindle-owner this Christmas. You can hold me to that.