What device do I need to listen to audiobooks?
Audiobooks have seen immense growth in popularity in recent years. An audiobook is a recording of a book that people can listen to, allowing them to experience the book while doing other activities. According to industry reports, audiobook sales have been growing by double digits year over year. In 2021, audiobook sales totaled $1.4 billion, up 25% from 2020. The audiobook industry is projected to continue experiencing strong growth, as more people discover the convenience and enjoyment of listening to books.
With the rise of smartphones, tablets, and audio platforms like Audible, accessing audiobooks is easier than ever. People can listen anytime, anywhere – while commuting, exercising, doing chores, etc. Audiobooks are a great option for people with busy lifestyles who still want to enjoy books. They also provide accessibility for people with visual impairments or reading disabilities. As technology improves and audiobook libraries expand, more growth is expected in the audiobook market.
Dedicated Audiobook Players
There are devices available that are designed specifically for listening to audiobooks. These dedicated audiobook players are optimized for audiobook playback and often integrate tightly with audiobook stores and subscriptions. Some popular dedicated audiobook players include:
- Amazon Kindle – Amazon’s e-reader devices like the Kindle Paperwhite have built-in support for Audible audiobooks. You can easily switch between reading an ebook and listening to the audiobook version.
- Amazon Echo – Amazon’s Alexa-powered smart speakers allow you to stream Audible audiobooks using voice commands.
- Audible Player – Audible’s proprietary audiobook player offers distraction-free listening and easy navigation of Audible audiobooks.
Dedicated audiobook players offer a streamlined experience focused on audiobooks. They make it easy to access your audiobook library and navigate titles. Their interfaces are designed for long-form spoken word listening, not music. Audiobook-specific features like bookmarks and variable playback speeds are standard.
The biggest downsides of dedicated audiobook players are limited format support and ecosystem lock-in. Most only support Audible’s proprietary DRM format. You are restricted to buying from that company’s audiobook store. They also tend to be more expensive than general-purpose devices. But for avid Audible listeners, the seamless integration can be worth the premium.
Smartphones
Smartphones are one of the most convenient devices for listening to audiobooks. There are many apps available on both Android and iOS that allow you to access a wide selection of audiobooks. Some popular audiobook apps for smartphones include Kobo Books, LibriVox Audio Books, OverDrive, Scribd, and Smart AudioBook Player (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ak.alizandro.smartaudiobookplayer&hl=en_US&gl=US). These apps give you access to download audiobooks directly to your device. Many also allow you to stream audiobooks so you don’t have to use storage space downloading them.
The convenience of audiobook apps on smartphones makes them a great option for listening on the go. You can listen while commuting, exercising, doing chores, or anytime you have your phone with you. Smartphones are portable so you can easily listen anywhere. Audiobook apps also often come with features like bookmarks, variable playback speed, and sleep timers which enhance the listening experience.
One downside of using a smartphone is the limited battery life. Listening to audiobooks requires constant playback which can drain your battery more quickly. You may need to plug in your phone frequently or carry a portable charger. The small screen and speaker size can also hinder the experience compared to devices with larger, high-quality screens and speakers. However, with a good pair of headphones, the audio quality can be quite sufficient for enjoying audiobooks.
Tablets
Tablets like iPads and Android tablets are very popular devices for listening to audiobooks. Their larger screens and touch interfaces make them easy and enjoyable to use for audiobook playback. Many tablet owners use their devices primarily for media consumption, so listening to audiobooks is a natural fit.
Most tablets now come with built-in audiobook apps like Apple Books on iPads or Google Play Books on Android tablets. There are also many great third party apps optimized for tablets. Some popular options include Scribd, Kobo, Hoopla, and Smart Audiobook Player.
Tablets are fantastic audiobook devices when at home or traveling. Their batteries easily last long enough for audiobook playback. Access to audiobook stores and subscription services makes it simple to build a library. Pairing headphones or Bluetooth speakers can provide great sound. Some downsides are tablet size for portability, and potential for distractions from apps and internet access.
Laptops
Laptops provide a great way to listen to audiobooks, especially when you’re on the go. With a laptop, you can download audiobook files and listen to them anywhere without an internet connection. Some key benefits of using a laptop for audiobooks include:
Portability – You can easily transport your laptop and headphones to listen anywhere – on a plane, train, at the park, etc.
Big screen – Laptop screens are larger than smartphones and tablets, providing a more immersive listening experience.
Storage – Most laptops today have large hard drives that can store dozens of audiobook files for offline listening.
Apps & software – There are many apps like Audible, Libby, OverDrive, etc. that allow you to access, download, and play audiobooks on a laptop. Some laptops also come with pre-installed audiobook software.
Multitasking – You can listen to audiobooks in the background while working on other tasks on your laptop.
Some downsides are laptops may be bulkier than portable devices for listening on the go, battery life is limited compared to dedicated audiobook players, and the listening experience may not be as seamless across devices.
Overall, modern laptops provide an excellent way to enjoy audiobooks with flexibility, storage, and screen size as the key advantages. Many services like Audible (https://www.audible.com/howtolisten) make it easy to download and listen to audiobooks on laptops running Windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, or Linux operating systems.
Desktop PCs
Desktop computers provide a convenient way to listen to audiobooks at home. With a desktop PC, you have multiple options for accessing audiobooks:
You can use the Audible app for Windows 10 to download and listen to audiobooks directly on your desktop (Source). The app syncs with your Audible library and allows you to manage your audiobooks from your desktop. One advantage of using the Audible app is that it was designed specifically for the desktop user experience.
You can also listen through your desktop’s web browser, either via the Audible website or using the Audible Cloud Player (Source). This gives you quick access without needing to download an app. However, the web player may not have all the features of a dedicated app.
In general, desktops provide a great listening experience – you can use headphones or external speakers for high-quality audio. The large screen is also comfortable for long listening sessions. One downside is that desktops lack the portability of mobile devices. But for listening at home or your office, a desktop PC is an excellent audiobook option.
MP3 Players
MP3 players like the iPod are a popular option for listening to audiobooks. The main advantages of using an MP3 player are portability, long battery life, and storage capacity. Many modern MP3 players can hold thousands of hours of audio content, making them well-suited for audiobook listening. Players like the iPod Touch even have full-color touchscreens for easy navigation of audiobook files.
To get audiobooks onto an MP3 player, you’ll need to download them from a provider like Audible in a compatible format, usually MP3. Some players support transferring the audiobooks directly via an app, while others require manually transferring the files via a computer. Popular MP3 players like the iPod Classic, SanDisk Clip Sport, and Sony Walkman models are commonly used for audiobook listening thanks to sizable storage options.
The main downside of MP3 players is their limited software and interface capabilities compared to smartphones. Managing audiobook playback and bookmarks/speed control may not be as seamless as a dedicated audiobook app. However, for listeners focused just on portability and capacity, MP3 players remain a handy option for enjoying audiobooks on the go.
E-Readers
E-readers like the Amazon Kindle and Kobo devices can also be used for listening to audiobooks. Most current e-readers support audiobook playback through Bluetooth headphones or speakers. Some key benefits of using an e-reader for audiobooks include:
Kobo devices such as the Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Clara HD, and Kobo Forma support audiobook playback through Bluetooth. They can connect to sources like OverDrive to download audiobooks. Kobo provides an integrated audiobook experience similar to their ebook reading experience. The Kobo Libra 2 offers 32GB of storage for audiobook files.
The latest Amazon Kindle models like the Paperwhite and Oasis also support Bluetooth audiobook streaming. Kindle e-readers integrate seamlessly with Audible for downloading and listening to audiobooks. However, Kindles offer only 8GB of storage which limits the number of audiobooks that can be stored.
Users report the e-ink reading experience on e-readers is easy on the eyes for prolonged listening. E-readers are ultra-portable and have long battery life lasting weeks on a single charge. Overall, e-readers provide a convenient way to seamlessly listen to both ebooks and audiobooks on a single device.
Other Devices
People have come up with creative ways to listen to audiobooks using unusual devices, according to discussions on Reddit and YouTube (https://www.reddit.com/r/audioengineering/comments/40ft8l/weird_andor_unusual_audio_devices/). For example, some use old boomboxes, vintage Walkmans, and tape recorders for a retro listening experience. Others hook up audiobooks to car stereo systems, PA systems, guitar amplifiers, or other audio equipment to get loud, immersive sound.
Some audiophiles seek out high-end turntables and vinyl records that have audiobooks recorded on them. There is also specialty audiobook playback hardware like the Audiox sleep phone that is designed to be comfortable for listening in bed.
For those with visual impairments, there are audiobook players with buttons, dials, and navigation designed specifically for low vision users. Screenless devices like the TORNADO player have physical controls without requiring any screen reading.
The variety of devices used for audiobook playback highlights people’s creativity in finding ways to listen that fit their lifestyle and needs.
Conclusion
There are a variety of devices that can support audiobook listening, depending on user needs and preferences. Dedicated audiobook players like Amazon’s Kindle or Audible’s players are designed specifically for audiobooks, with simple controls and long battery life. Smartphones and tablets offer versatility and mobility, allowing you to listen anywhere and easily switch between audiobooks, music, podcasts and more. Laptops and desktops provide larger screens and controls for an enhanced experience at home. MP3 players and e-readers can also support audiobooks on the go. The choice comes down to factors like portability, controls, connectivity, storage, battery life and budget. Focus on your listening habits and needs. For example, if you listen primarily at home, a desktop PC could be ideal. If you’re frequently mobile, a smartphone may be better suited. There are great options across devices to fit any lifestyle.