Whether you’re stuck on a long commute or working through a pile of laundry, audiobooks turn dead time into reading time.
That being said, paying a full monthly subscription for a service like Audible can feel like a bit of a stretch. Nobody wants to dive headfirst into a new direct debit without testing the waters first, especially when we’re all managing multiple (extremely expensive) bills.
Fortunately, there are a couple of cracking introductory deals running right now that let you unlock the entire catalogue for next to nothing, with special perks tucked away if you happen to have an Amazon Prime account too. If you want to listen to the latest bestsellers without shelling out the standard fee, this should help you decide if the service is actually worth your cash.
What exactly is Audible?
Audible is a huge digital library built specifically for listening rather than reading, home to more than a million audiobooks, podcasts, and exclusive originals. You can download titles straight to your phone, tablet, or Kindle, meaning they’re ready to play offline during a commute, workout, or whatever chore you’re tackling. It works across most modern devices, so there’s no need for specialist equipment beyond whatever you’re already carrying around in your pocket or bag.
It’s possible to get Audible for free or nearly free.
New members can currently grab their first three months for just 99p a month, a noticeable saving compared with the usual price. After those three months end, the plan automatically renews at £5.99 a month unless you cancel beforehand.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, and you’ve never used Audible before, you’re eligible for a 30-day free trial instead, which includes every benefit of a paying membership plus two free audiobooks to keep permanently. Just make sure to note down when the trial ends, since you’ll be automatically charged if you forget to cancel in time.
How much does Audible actually cost?
There are two paid membership options once any introductory offer ends. Audible Standard costs £5.99 a month and includes one audiobook from the library each month, which you can listen to for as long as you stay subscribed, though it’s not yours to keep if you cancel.
Audible Premium Plus costs £8.99 a month and works differently, giving you one credit every month to buy any audiobook you like. These credits roll over if you don’t use them straight away, and crucially, any books bought with credits remain yours to keep even after cancelling. This tier also throws in unlimited access to the Plus Catalogue along with extra discounts on additional titles.
Amazon Prime members get extra.
Audible itself isn’t included as part of an Amazon Prime subscription, but Prime members do get a better welcome offer than everyone else. Signing up for Audible Premium Plus with an active Prime membership gets you two free credits straight away, equal to two full audiobooks that are yours to keep even if you cancel afterwards.
Amazon also occasionally runs limited-time promotions exclusively for Prime members, such as offering the first three months completely free, so it’s worth checking what’s currently available before committing to a plan.
Using Audible alongside a Kindle is simple.
Certain Kindle e-readers can play Audible titles through Bluetooth, connecting to wireless speakers or headphones. This works with the Kindle from 2016 onwards, Paperwhite from 2018 onwards, plus the Oasis, Scribe, and Coloursoft models, as well as the Kindle app itself.
A feature called Whispersync for Voice lets you switch seamlessly between reading and listening without losing your place in the story. When buying a Kindle e-book, simply tick the box to add Audible narration, and with over 85,000 titles currently compatible, there’s a good chance your next read has this option available too.
Do you need a subscription for narrated Kindle books?
You don’t actually need an ongoing Audible subscription to buy these narrated e-books, since they can be purchased separately. That said, you do need to own both the e-book and its matching audiobook version for the syncing feature to work properly between the two formats.
How to cancel if it’s not for you
Cancelling an Audible membership is straightforward and can be done at any time. On a web browser, head to your account details and select cancel membership, though if you originally signed up through the Apple or Google Play app stores, you’ll need to cancel through your device’s own subscription settings instead.
Once cancelled, any audiobooks you’ve already purchased remain yours permanently, though you’ll lose access to the Plus Catalogue along with any unused credits sitting on your account. If you’ve still got credits left that you don’t want to lose, pausing your membership instead of fully cancelling is worth considering.
