Audiobook gear finder

Audiobooks do not need expensive gear: a phone and a pair of headphones that fit are enough. But each listening moment suits different kit. In bed you want something thin that does not dig in when you lie on your side; on the road you need to hear traffic; grandparents want big buttons and no apps. The tool below suggests a match in thirty seconds.

Who will be listening?
When do you usually listen?
What matters most?

In bed: thin, soft, with a sleep timer

Fabric headband headphones or very small earbuds let you lie on your side without pain. Use the sleep timer in your audiobook app so it does not play all night, and keep the volume low. See sleep headphones.

On the move: stay aware of traffic

For walking, running or cycling, open-ear or bone-conduction headphones leave your ears free to hear traffic and people. Never wear headphones while riding a motorbike. See open-ear headphones.

For grandparents: big buttons, no apps

For older listeners, a memory-card speaker or a radio with a card slot is easier than a phone. Family members load audiobooks onto the card, and grandparents just switch on and adjust the volume. Only copy files you have the right to use. See players for seniors.

Listening together: a small speaker is enough

Spoken word does not need heavy bass; a small Bluetooth speaker with clear sound and long battery life is ideal while cooking or for bedtime stories. See mini Bluetooth speakers.