Since 2012, Amazon's Kindle Fire line of tablets has received annual refreshes, adding new models while retiring or augmenting older ones. In 2014, there are a total of five different tablets to choose from.
And while a bountiful line of products has its benefits, with so many tablets to choose from, selecting the right one for you can be a challenge.
In an effort to alleviate that pressure, here's a handy cheat sheet on what this year's lineup looks like in one easily digestible pane.
Kindle Fire HD6
The Fire HD6 is Amazon's entry-level tablet. With its 6-inch screen, the HD6 is tied -- with the 6-inch Kids Ediiton -- for the smallest of the bunch. Fortunately, with a $99 starting price, it's also the cheapest. Like all Fire tablets coming this year, it'll ship with the latest version of Amazon's Fire OS, 4.0, Sangria.
Release date: October 2, 2014.
Price: With 8GB, $99/$114 USD, £79/£89 (with special offers/without special offers); with 16GB, $114/$134 USD, £99/£109 (with special offers/without special offers).
Pricing in Australia: 8GB, US$125.98, including shipping from Amazon.com (US)
Kindle Fire HD7
Essentially a 7-inch version of the HD6, with identical specs and of course a slightly higher price. If 6-inches is too small a screen for you, but you're still clamoring for a small tablet, this will be your smartest play.
Release date: October 2, 2014.
Price: With 8GB, $139/$154 USD, £119/£129 (with special offers/without special offers); with 16GB, $159/$174 USD, £139/£149 (with special offers/without special offers).
Pricing in Australia: 8GB, US$165.98, including shipping from Amazon.com (US)
Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition
The Kids Edition of the Kindle Fire tablets are identical to the HD6 and HD7, but include include a case and a free year of Amazon's Kindle FreeTime Unlimited subscription service. This gives you access to over 5,000 kid-friendly movies, TV shows, educational apps, e-books, and games. In addition, if your tablet gets broken within the first two years, Amazon will replace it free of charge. The Kids Editions only come in 8GB varieties; no 16GB versions.
Release date: October 21, 2014.
Price: $149/$189 (6-inch/7-inch). (Availability for this version in the UK and Australia is not yet announced.)
Kindle Fire HDX 7
The fastest small Kindle Fire tablet with the sharpest screen and the most features. Consider the HDX 7 if you're looking for a powerful small tablet and don't mind spending a few extra bucks. Tablets in the HDX line are the only ones to include the Mayday button, which provides near-instant customer service via video chat.
Release date: Available now.
Price:
Wi-Fi: With 16GB, $199/$214, £199/£209 (with special offers/without special offers); with 32GB $239/$254, £229/£239 (with special offers/without special offers); with 64GB, $279/$294, £259/£269 (with special offers/without special offers).
AT&T 4G (US): With 16GB, $299/$314 (with special offers/without special offers); with 32GB $339/$354 (with special offers/without special offers); with 64GB, $379/$394 (with special offers/without special offers).
Verizon 4G (US): With 16GB, $299/$314 (with special offers/without special offers); with 64GB, $379/$394 (with special offers/without special offers).
Vodafone 4G/LTE (UK): With 16GB, £219/£229 (with special offers/without special offers); with 32GB £249/£259 (with special offers/without special offers); with 64GB, £279/£289 (with special offers/without special offers).
Pricing in Australia: 16GB, US$258.97, including shipping from Amazon.com (US)
Kindle Fire HDX 8.9
If price is no object and an 8.9-inch screen size is compatible with your needs, the Fire 8.9 may be the tablet for you. Also, with a Snapdragon 805 processor, it's likely to be the fastest performing of the bunch with a supersharp 2,560x1,600 display.
Release date: October 21, 2014.
Price:
Wi-Fi: With 16GB, $379/$394 USD, £329/£339, (with special offers/without special offers); with 32GB, $429/$444 USD, £369/£379, (with special offers/without special offers); with 64GB, $479/$494 USD, £409/£419 (64GB with special offers/without special offers).
4G: With 32 GB, $529/544 USD, £439/£449 (with special offers/without special offers); with 64GB, $579/$594 USD, £479/£489 (with special offers/without special offers).
(Availability for this version in Australia is not yet announced.)