Audiobooks are a trend that will last many decades. Book lovers and occasional readers are finding audiobooks an excellent way to enjoy a thrilling story or acquire new skills. The most common places where people listen to audiobooks are cars, public transportation, and a comfortable place at home.
What makes a device perfect for listening to audiobooks in any situation is the one that provides excellent portability, storage, battery life, a user-friendly app, and great sound quality. In this article I will present the top five devices in each of the following categories:
- Best Five MP3 Players to Listen to Audiobooks
- Best Five Car Infotainment Systems to Listen to Audiobooks
- Best Five Headphones to Listen to Audiobooks
- Best Five Smart Speakers to Listen to Audiobooks
- Best Five Ereaders to Listen to Audiobooks
- Best Five Smartphones to Listen to Audiobooks
- Best Five Tablets to Listen to Audiobooks
- The Perfect Device Combos for Listening to Audiobooks
Best Five MP3 Players to Listen to Audiobooks
These are are the top 5 MP3 players you can consider using to listen to audiobooks:
| Brand | Battery Life | Storage | Display size | Formats Supported |
| Apple 128GB iPod touch (7th Generation $299 This is the best choice if you don’t feel confident converting Audible AAX files to MP3 | 40 hours | 128 GB built-in No memory card slot | 4″ Retina display | Audio: AAC-LC, HE-AAC, HE-AAC v2, Protected AAC, MP3, Linear PCM, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3), and Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+) |
| Sony NW-A105 $218 | 45 hours | 16 GB built-in Micro SD card up to 2TB | 3.1” touch screen Wire and Micro USB Bluetooth | MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, AAC, HE-AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, DSD, APE, and MQAAudible AAX files need to be converted to MP3 |
| Sony 8GB NW-E394 $73 | 35 Hours | 8 GB built-in No memory card slot | 1.77″ display | AAC (Non-DRM), Linear PCM, MP3, WMA (Non-DRM)Audible AAX files need to be converted to MP3 |
| FiiO M3K $69.99 | 24 hours | Micro SDHC up to 2TB | 2″ LCD | DSD, APE, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, MP3, AAC, OGG, and WMAAudible AAX files need to be converted to MP3 |
| SanDisk 8GB Clip Sport MP3 Player (Blue) $34 | 25 hours | 8 GB built-in Micro SDHC card slot up to 32 GB | 1.44″ Color LCD Screen Wire and Micro USB connection only | MP3, WMA (NO DRM), AAC, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, FLAC, Audible (DRM only)Audible AAX files need to be converted to MP3 |
Portability: The unbeatable advantage of MP3 players over any other device to listen to audiobooks is their small size. They can fit in a pocket and you can hear your favorite titles via Bluetooth connecting your headphones or smart speaker.
The battery life of an MP3 player is rather long when using conventional headphones, in addition to the low energy consumption required by the display. The Bluetooth option is the one that will take most of the battery life when the device is used.
Storage: Most devices provide 8GB of internal memory plus an SD card slot of up to 1 TB, making it a really good option to keep your old favorites and great space for best seller new titles. On average 32 GB will allow you to have 140 audiobooks.
The app on MP3 players with a small display shows the basic playback controls (play/pause, rewind, and forward. They will show the title of the book as well as the remaining time to finish it.
The sound quality can be better experienced through lossless formats and the EQ preset settings included in the player app of each brand. They work as a pro equalizer, which deals with at least 10 bars of frequency ranges.
- Low-frequency bass sounds are common to be boosted a little bit when listening to audio content at a low volume.
- The bars in the middle are perfect to boost or reduce the speech frequencies, and the ones on the hard right (over 8k kHz) are usually not present in speech, as the human voice goes from 125 Hz to 8k Hz for men and 160 Hz to 8k Hz for women.
Depending on the noises from surrounding areas (road and street traffic noise mainly) you can boost or reduce EQ through the preset settings.
Always keep in mind listening to safe volume levels.
Best Five Car infotainment systems to Listen to Audiobooks
The best devices to play audiobooks in a car are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment systems. Car infotainment systems can play audiobooks in two ways:
- Connecting a smartphone through Bluetooth, a USB cable, or an Aux cable to the infotainment system
- Enabling the built-in 4G LTE connectivity in the Apple CarPlay or Android Audio infotainment systems or your vehicle
Apple Carplay: Since 2014 Apple Carplay infotainment systems have been available on the majority of new car models.
Their success relies on enabling the drivers to have access to their iPhone apps directly from the vehicle’s infotainment system. Thus audiobooks can be easily played by tapping on the app on the car audio display
Android Auto: “Android Car was available just one year later in 2015 and it works the same way as Apple Carplay to listen to audiobooks. Having access to audiobook providers is just a matter of downloading their app in the car audio system.” From What Devices Can Play Audiobooks.
If your vehicle doesn’t have an Apple CarPlay or Android Auto infotainment device, here are the top 5 car infotainment systems to listen to audiobooks:
| Brand | Connection and Inputs | User-friendly app | Sound Quality |
| ATOTO A6 Pro A6Y2721PRB $239 Video Review | Bluetooth SD, card slot, Aux, USB No built-in 4G LTE | 7” DisplayAndroid | 12-band EQ and presets |
| Pioneer AVH-2500NEX $645This is the best choice for audiobooks on DVD and CD Video Review | Bluetooth, SD card slot, Aux, USB No built-in 4G LTE | 6.8” Display | 13-band EQ and presets |
| HIKITY Android Car Stereo$129 | Bluetooth, USB cord, SD card slot No built-in 4G LTE | 10.1” DisplayAndroid | Preset EQ |
| Vanku Android 10$299.99 Video Review | Bluetooth, USB cord, SD card slot No built-in 4G LTE | 7” DisplayApple CarPlayAndroid | 10-band EQ and presets |
| Hieha Car Stereo$159.95 | BluetoothAuxUSBNo built-in 4G LTE | 7” DisplayApple CarPlayAndroid | 10-band EQ and presets |
Best Five Headphones to listen to audiobooks
To be able to state the sound quality of headphones it’s necessary to consider the frequency range they can offer; the wider the range, the better the sound. Also, the best headphones to listen to audiobooks are the ones that provide not only a great sound, but also the best comfort to your ears, reduction of external noises, and have a sturdy design to stand weight.
Headphones are safer than earphones. Bear in mind that in both cases it’s necessary to set an adequate volume level.
Most MP3 players and Smartphones include a pair of earphones and they are good enough for general purposes (listening to music, hands-free phone calls). When listening to audiobooks the user can get a great experience with a device that is above the average.
These are my top 5 best headphones to listen to audiobooks:
| Brand | Frequency Response | Comfort | Design and Battery Life |
| Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro$199 | 20hz – 20khz Very good | Very comfortable Bear in mind listening to safe volume levels | In-Ear9 hours Good background noise cut down |
| Apple AirPods with Charging Case (2nd Generation) $134 | 20hz – 20khz Very good | Very comfortable Bear in mind listening to safe volume levels | In-Ear5 hours runtime Good background noise cut down |
| Sennheiser CX 400BT $99 | 5 Hz to 21 kHz Excellent | Very comfortable Bear in mind listening to safe volume levels | In-Ear7 hours runtime Good background noise cut down |
| Sony MDR-7506 $99.99 | 20hz – 20khz Very good | Very comfortable Bear in mind listening to safe volume levels | Headphones Foldable design Outstanding background noise cut down |
| Sennheiser HD 300 $49.95 | 8 Hz – 20 kHz Excellent | Very comfortable Bear in mind listening to safe volume levels | Headphones Foldable design Outstanding background noise cut down |
Best Five Smart Speakers to Listen to Audiobooks
What makes a smart speaker the best to listen to audiobooks is a wide frequency range (sound quality), a good output level (how loud it can sound), and long battery life.
“The 2020 Consumer Survey and 2019 Sales Survey Press Release by the Audio Publishers Association show that:
60% of the people who participated in these surveys own a smart speaker
46% of these smart speaker owners use it to listen to audiobooks”
Here are the top 5 best smart speakers to listen to audiobooks:
| Brand | Frequency Response | Output Level | Battery Life |
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | 50 Hz to 20 kHz Very good | 50W Excellent for a room | 8 hours |
| Bose Home Speaker 500 with Alexa Voice Control Built-in | 55 Hz to 20 kHz | 55W Excellent for a room | AC only (no battery) |
| Cavalier Maverick Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Speaker with Amazon Alexa | 61 Hz to 20 kHz Very good | 20W Good enough for a room | 9 hours |
| JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker | 65 Hz to 20 kHz Very good | 40W Excellent for a room | 20 hours |
| Logitech Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker | 90 Hz to 20 kHz Very good | 36W Good enough for a room | 15 hours |
Best Five Ereaders to Listen to Audiobooks
The best e-reader to listen to audiobooks is the one that offers quick access to the audiobook titles and ebooks, large storage, and long battery life. E-readers are lighter and much faster than tablets, which makes them really appealing when the user wants a device exclusively for ebooks and audiobooks.
Larger storage devices are preferred by ebook and audiobook lovers, as having titles of both kinds can take much more space. It’s a real pleasure for many people to be able to read the ebook and listen to it at the same time.
Here are the top 5 best e-readers to listen to audiobooks:
| Brand | Storage | Battery Life | Weight |
| Kindle Paperwhite 32 GB 7” Display Wi-Fi From $199.97 | 140 + audiobooks or 4000 + ebooks | 21 hours (Wi-Fi off) | 188 gr |
| All-new Kindle Oasis 32 GB 7” Display 4G LTEWi-Fi $349.99 | 140 + audiobooks or 4000 + ebooks | 21 hours (Wi-Fi off) | 188 gr |
| Kindle 6” Display (Built-in front light) 8GB Wi-Fi $89.99 | 35 audiobooks or 1,000 + ebooks | 21 hours (Wi-Fi off) | 188 gr |
| Kobo Forma 8GB 8” Display Wi-Fi From $249.99 | 35 audiobooks or 1,000 + ebooks | 28 hours (Wi-Fi off) | 197 gr |
| Kobo Clara HD 8 GB 6” Display Wi-Fi From $115 | 35 audiobooks or 1,000 + ebooks | 28 hours (Wi-Fi off) | 190 gr |
Best Five Smartphones to Listen to Audiobooks
There are smartphones for every need and taste, but a good smartphone to listen to audiobooks is the one that has large storage and battery life on Wi-Fi mode. iPhone IOS and Android devices allow the user to download the app designed by each audiobook retailer; also converter apps (AAX to MP3 are available in their stores.
| Brand | Storage | Battery Life | Weight |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max 6.7” Display Bluetooth Wi-Fi $1099 | 128 GB | 40 hours Wi-Fi off | 227.6 gr |
| iPhone 12 6.1” Display Bluetooth Wi-Fi $829 | 128 GB | 40 hours Wi-Fi off | 164 gr |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 6.8” Display Bluetooth Wi-Fi $969 | 128 GB No micro SD card slot | 45 hours Wi-Fi off | 229 gr |
| Moto G Power6. 6” Display Bluetooth Wi-Fi $319 | 64 GB No micro SD card slot | 48 hours Wi-Fi off | 164 gr |
| Google Pixel 4a 5.81” Display Bluetooth Wi-Fi $524 | 128 GB | 35 hours | 143 gr |
Best Five Tablets to Listen to Audiobooks
Tablets work in a very similar way to smartphones to listen to audiobooks. Tablets and e-readers offer an unbeatable advantage over the rest of the devices: the user can read a title and listen to its audiobook unabridged version at the same time. The key to obtaining the longest battery life is to keep the tablet Wi-Fi off.
People who need to use the same device to handle multiple apps and store ebooks and audiobooks tend to choose tablets.
Here are the top 5 best tablets to listen to audiobooks:
| Brand | Storage | Battery Life | Weight |
| Ipad Pro 11” Display Wi-Fi + Cellular Bluetooth $999 | 128 GB | 30 hours Wi-Fi off | 1.04 lb (470 gr) |
| Ipad 8th generation 10.2” Display Wi-Fi + Cellular Bluetooth $559 | 128 GB | 30 hours Wi-Fi off | 1.09 lb 495 gr) |
| Ipad Mini 7.9” Display Wi-Fi + Cellular Bluetooth $529 | 64 GB | 30 hours Wi-Fi off | 0.68 lb (308.2 gr) |
| Samsung A7 10.4” Display Wi-Fi Bluetooth $212 | 64 GB | 30 hours Wi-Fi off | 1.04 lib (472 gr) |
| Tablet Fire HD Plus 8” Display Wi-Fi Bluetooth $169.99 | 64 GB SD Card up to 1TB | 36 hours Wi-Fi off | 0.78 lb (355 gr) |
The Perfect Device Combos for Listening to Audiobooks
According to the top 5 best options for MP3 players, e-readers, smartphones, tablets, headphones/earphones, and smart speakers, the following device combos provide the best experience to enjoy listening to audiobooks:
| MP3 Player Brand | Storage | Best Headphones/Earphones | Best Smart Speaker |
| Apple 128GB iPod touch (7th Generation $299 | 128 GB | Headphones Sennheiser CX 400BT $99 5 Hz to 21 kHz Excellent 7 hours runtime In-Ear Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro $199 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 $249 50 Hz to 20 kHz Very good 50W Excellent for a room |
| Ereader Brand | Storage | Best Headphones/Earphones | Best Smart Speaker |
| All-new Kindle Oasis 32 GB 7” Display 4G LTE Wi-Fi $349.99 | 140 + audiobooks or 4000 + ebooks | Headphones Sennheiser CX 400BT$99 5 Hz to 21 kHz Excellent 7 hours runtime In-Ear Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro $199 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 $249 50 Hz to 20 kHz Very good 50W Excellent for a room |
| Smartphones Brand | Storage | Best Headphones/Earphones | Best Smart Speaker |
| iPhone 12 6.1” Display Bluetooth Wi-Fi $829 | 128 GB | Headphones Sennheiser CX 400BT $99 5 Hz to 21 kHz Excellent 7 hours runtime In-Ear Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro $199 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 $24950 Hz to 20 kHz Very good 50W Excellent for a room |
| Tablet Brand | Storage | Best Headphones/Earphones | Best Smart Speaker |
| All-new Kindle Oasis 32 GB 7” Display 4G LTEWi-Fi $349.99 | 140 + audiobooks or 4000 + ebooks | Headphones Sennheiser CX 400BT $99 5 Hz to 21 kHz Excellent 7 hours runtime In-Ear Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro $199 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 $249 50 Hz to 20 kHz Very good 50W Excellent for a room |