Reading can sometimes be a chore, or perhaps you have vision problems and can't do it as you'd like, or maybe you're busy doing something else, or perhaps you're the youngest in the family who hasn't yet learned to read. Whatever your situation, eReader models with audiobooks are the solution, as they allow you to enjoy your favorite stories or books through narration, by listening, without having to read.
Are you interested in these devices? Well, let's see everything you need to know in this guide…
The best eReader models with audiobooks
Among the best eReader models compatible with audiobooks, we recommend the following models:
Kobo Wise
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The Kobo Sage is one of the best audiobook-capable eBook readers. It has an 8-inch touch screen, type E-Ink Carta HD anti-reflective. It is a model with adjustable front light in warmth and brightness, with blue light reduction technology and waterproof (IPX8).
It also has powerful hardware, 32 GB of internal capacity, and has WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, so you can connect your favorite wireless headphones so you don't have to depend on cables to listen to your audiobooks.
Kobo Elipsa Bundle
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You also have this option Kobo Elipsa Pack, an eReader with a 10.3-inch touch screen, e-Ink Carta type, anti-reflective treatment and a resolution of 300 dpi. Of course, it includes the Kobo Stylus pen for writing and taking notes, and SleepCover protection.
It has adjustable light brightness, contains a capacity of 32 GB of internal memory, powerful hardware, and also has WiFi wireless Internet and Bluetooth connectivity technology for wireless speakers or headphones.
Kindle Oasis
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The next product that we recommend is the new generation Kindle Oasis, with a 7-inch e-Ink Paperwhite screen and a 300 dpi resolution. It also has adjustable light in warmth and brightness, and a capacity of up to 32 GB of internal flash storage.
In addition, it also offers IPX8 water protection, Amazon Kindle services and Kindle Unlimited, as well as compatibility for Audible audiobooks.
PocketBook e-Book Reader Era
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Next on the list is this PocketBOok Era, one of the best known on the scene along with the Kobo and Kindle. This European brand offers a 7-inch high-resolution e-Ink Carta 1200 touch screen, SmartLight, 16 GB of internal storage, and a multitude of functions.
Of course, it has the PocketBook Store, great support for different formats, and the ability to play audiobooks. It also has WiFi and Bluetooth.
Onyx BOOX Nova2
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Finally, another option is the Onyx BOOX Nova2. A 7.8-inch audiobook-capable eReader model. With a high-resolution e-Ink screen, pencil included, and Android operating system with the possibility of installing additional apps from Google Play.
The hardware includes a powerful ARM Cortex processor, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, long-lasting 3150 mAh battery, USB OTG, WiFi and also Bluetooth.
Best Audiobook Compatible eReader Brands
Regarding the best brands of eReaders compatible with audiobooks, we highlight:
Kindle
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One of the best brands and most popular models is the Amazon Kindle . These eReaders offer everything you'd expect from these devices: they're high-quality, reasonably priced, and offer the huge advantage of having Kindle as one of the largest online stores for books, as well as compatibility with Amazon's Audible service for purchasing audiobooks.
However, the Kindle eReaders with Bluetooth that support audiobooks are the Kindle 8th Gen, Kindle Paperwhite 10th Gen and later. This is something to keep in mind. Here is a list of models supported by Audible :
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (11th Gen)
- Kindle Paperwhite (10th Gen)
- Kindle Oasis (9th Gen)
- Kindle Oasis (8th Gen)
- Kindle (8th Gen)
- Kindle (1st and 2nd Gen)
- kindle touch
- kindle keyboard
- Kindle DX
- Kindle Fire (1st and 2nd Gen)
- Kindle Fire HD (2nd and 3rd Gen)
- Kindle Fire HDX (3rd Gen)
Kobo
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Kobo is a Canadian company and Amazon's biggest competitor . Their Kobo devices are very popular and quite similar in quality and features to Kindles. Therefore, if you're looking for an alternative to Amazon, these are the best. Kobo has since been acquired by the Japanese company Rakuten, but they continue to design in Canada and manufacture in Taiwan.
Most of their current eReader models support audiobooks, which you can also find in the Kobo Store. They also have Bluetooth enabled for using wireless headphones , speakers, and other devices.
PocketBook
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This company was founded in Ukraine, later moving its headquarters to Lugano, Switzerland. This European brand stands out for its quality, designing in Europe and manufacturing in Taiwan, with prestigious manufacturers such as Foxconn, which also manufactures for Apple, among other major brands.
In addition to the quality and great functionality of these devices, you will have options such as Text-To-Speech to transform text into audio, and support for audiobooks, with Bluetooth technology for wireless headphones.
How to Choose the Best eReader for Audiobooks
Choosing a good eReader with audiobook capabilities isn't much different from choosing any other eReader. Therefore, you should pay special attention to the following technical aspects:
Screen
For most eReaders it may seem like the most important thing, but in this case it could be the least important of all. Let me explain, if you have chosen an eReader with audiobooks for blind people, children who cannot read, or to always use it in audiobook mode and only eventually for ebooks, then the screen becomes completely secondary.
However, if you're going to use it equally for both ebooks and audiobooks, then choosing a good screen is important.
- Panel type: For a good reading experience, with no discomfort and less eye strain, you should always choose e-Ink displays.
- Litigation, Arbitration: If you are looking for a good screen that provides sharpness and image quality, then it is best that you always opt for screens with 300 dpi. Also, if it is an eReader for people with vision problems, having a large screen could be a good idea, and in these larger sizes is where a good resolution is most noticeable.
- Size: If you are going to use it almost always for audiobooks, then I would recommend one with a compact screen, 6-8 inches, since that allows you to have a device with a lighter weight, more compact, and with less consumption. Instead, to use it for reading, especially for people with vision problems, perhaps a large screen would be interesting, such as 10-13 inches.
- Color vs. B/W: This is something you shouldn't be too concerned about for audiobooks, as it won't affect the experience too much, to say the least. Therefore, if you have the possibility of buying one with a black and white or grayscale screen, the better, since it will be cheaper and with better autonomy.
Autonomy
Keep in mind that when Bluetooth or sound is enabled, it consumes more energy than an ebook reader. Therefore, it's important to choose a model with good battery life, at least one that lasts a few weeks on a single charge , and that won't leave you interrupted mid-read.
Bluetooth connectivity
This is especially important when it comes to an eReader with audiobook support, since in addition to listening through the built-in speaker in some models, it also allows you to connect the device to wireless speakers or headphones for greater freedom, without cables.
Storage
In this case, it's important to clarify that audiobooks come in formats like OGG, MP3, WAV, M4B, etc., which typically take up more space than conventional ebooks. Therefore, the size of your eReader becomes more important if you want to have a large library ready for offline playback. For this reason, you should choose models with at least 16 GB of storage or more.
It's much better if it has the ability to expand using microSD memory cards , or compatibility with cloud services to upload your titles when they take up too much space in your local memory.
Library and formats
The amount of content an eReader with a light can play depends on the online libraries and formats they support. Always look for eReaders with the most extensive book libraries possible, such as Audible, Storytel, Sonora, etc.
Other aspects to consider
Other technical aspects that are not as critical as the previous ones, but which should not be disregarded either:
- Processor and RAM: It is important that it has a good processor and a good RAM memory capacity, for example with at least 4 processing cores and 2 GB of RAM so that it offers the most fluid experience possible, without crashes or jerks.
- Operating System: This is not so important for audiobooks, because whether it is an embedded Linux or Android, you will be able to play audiobooks without any problem. However, if you want more functionality, perhaps Android opens up more opportunities for you.
- WiFi connectivity: Of course, a modern eReader must have WiFi connectivity to connect to the Internet to buy and download your favorite audiobooks.
- Design: It is not so important, since being an eReader with support for audiobooks you will not have to constantly hold it, just place it in a place to listen.
- writing capacity: It is totally optional, since it is not important at all in these cases, much less if the device will be handled by someone who is blind or has serious vision problems.
- Waterproof: Some models support IPX8 protection certification, which allows the eReader to be submerged deeper and longer without suffering damage. This is perfect to avoid accidents, but it is not as important as when you choose an eReader to read eBooks. For example, if you are in the bathtub listening to an audiobook, you should not have it near the water, you can leave it away.
Price
Finally, eReaders with audiobook capabilities don't usually increase the price as much as some other types of eReaders. Therefore, you'll find models ranging from just over €100 to €300 or more in some cases.
Advantages of the eReader with audiobook
The advantages of having an eReader with audiobook capabilities are quite obvious, including:
- It allows the little ones in the house, who still can't read, to have fun with their favorite stories and fables.
- It will allow you to enjoy your favorite stories while you exercise, cook, drive, or relax.
- It is perfect for those who are lazy to read, thus allowing them to consume culture without having to read.
- Ideal for people with vision problems or blindness.
- They allow stories to be shared among several family members, without having to be uncomfortable sharing the screen to read.
- You will have greater wealth, being able to choose between eBooks and audiobooks compared to other eReaders that only accept text format.
- If it has a Text-to-Speech function, you will not only be able to enjoy narrations from your favorite books, but you can also use this function to read any other text or document.
- Perfect for students as they can play the book recordings over and over again to memorize.
- A good ally for those moments when you are tired of looking at screens and prefer to let your vision rest for a moment.
- You will be able to listen to something more than audiobooks, they also allow the reproduction of podcasts of all kinds.
What is an audiobook and how does it work?
An audiobook is a recording of a book read aloud . This allows you to enjoy literary or other content without having to read on a screen. These books can be narrated in various languages, and sometimes with voices that belong to famous people who lend their voices to the recording.
Furthermore, they don't just read aloud like an artificial intelligence or text-to-speech software; they also use intonation to better convey feelings and emotions, with just the right pauses, and even ambient background music to make the experience more immersive . What's more, since they don't have to read, they allow your imagination to run free as you immerse yourself in the story.
These recordings can also be skipped forward or backward to go to any point you want, paused momentarily, left at a certain point to continue later, etc. In other words, just like you would with an ebook.
Where can you listen to audiobooks for free?
You have several options for listening to free audiobooks, just as there are for free ebooks. However, you'll find the largest selection of titles on subscription-based platforms like Audible (although you can try it free for 3 months through this link ), Storytel, Sonora, etc. Nevertheless, if you're looking for sites where you can find free audiobooks , here's a list:
- The Whole Book
- AlbaLearning
- PlanetBook
- Librivox
- Google Podcast
- Loyal books
- Project Gutenberg
What is better audiobook or eBook?
Both audiobooks and ebooks have their pros and cons that you should be aware of. Choosing one shouldn't be a simple matter; you need to analyze the characteristics of each to evaluate them according to your preferences.
Advantages of the audiobook vs eBook
- They allow you to enjoy your favorite stories without having to read.
- You can enjoy literature or podcasts while doing other tasks.
- It is a form of accessibility for people who cannot read or have vision problems.
- They can help you improve the richness of your vocabulary.
- You will not damage your vision by reading on the screen.
Disadvantages of audiobook vs eBook
- They can take up more space in memory.
- They also consume more battery than eBooks.
- They will not allow you to develop skills such as reading comprehension, spelling, etc.
- Reading can be better for your brain, for example to prevent Alzheimer's.
Where to buy an eReader with audiobook
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Finally, you also need to know where you can buy eReaders with audiobooks at a good price . And this includes stores like:
- Amazon: The Amazon platform has the largest selection of eReader brands and models with the ability to play audiobooks, in addition to various offers. It also provides you with all the purchase and return guarantees, with secure payments and if you are a Prime customer, also with some exclusive advantages for you.
- El Corte Inglés: ECI is the Spanish sales chain that also has some eReader models with audiobook capacity. They are not characterized by variety or prices, but it is also a reliable place to buy. In addition, you will have the option to choose between buying online from their website or in person.
- Carrefour: The French supermarket chain also has a technology and electronics section where you can find eReaders with audiobooks. It doesn't have a great variety either, but you can find some. And you can also choose between having it sent to your home or going to any of its nearby points of sale.
- Media Markt: This German retail chain is also an option to find eReaders with audiobooks. They usually have good prices, although not as much variety. Of course, you can choose to buy through their website or go to any of the points of sale throughout the main cities.
- PC Components: Finally, PCComponentes from Murcia is also a great place to find a wide variety of eReaders at a good price, and with good support. Deliveries are usually fast, and you can choose only the online purchase method in most cases, unless you live in Murcia and can go to the store to pick up your package.