If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you might be wondering if your subscription gives you access to a library of audiobooks, similar to the way you get free shipping and streaming video. It’s a common question, especially for book lovers looking to get the most value from their membership. The relationship between Amazon’s services can be a bit confusing, so let’s clear things up.
The Short Answer: What Your Prime Membership Covers
Simply put, an Amazon Prime subscription does not include unlimited access to a full library of audiobooks. Your Prime benefits are packed with perks like free shipping, Prime Video, and Prime Music, but audiobooks operate on a separate track. Audiobooks are primarily the domain of Audible, which is Amazon’s dedicated audiobook service. Think of them as two different memberships for two different types of entertainment and convenience.
How to Find Audiobook Content with Prime
While you don’t get the full Audible catalog, your Prime membership does offer a few avenues for audiobook listening. The most notable is through Prime Reading. Occasionally, select titles in the Prime Reading catalog will include a “Read and Listen” feature, which provides both the Kindle ebook and a companion Audible audiobook at no extra cost. It’s a limited selection, but it’s a nice bonus when you find a book you like. You can also purchase individual audiobooks from Audible without a subscription.
Your Best Bet for Audiobooks: Introducing Audible
For true audiobook enthusiasts, an Audible membership is the way to go. Audible, an Amazon company, offers a few different plans. The most popular is the Audible Plus or Premium Plus membership, which gives you credits each month to redeem for any audiobook in their vast library, regardless of its price. You own these books forever, even if you cancel your membership. They also offer a Plus catalog of included content you can stream without using a credit.
Making the Choice Between Prime and Audible
Deciding which service is right for you depends on your listening habits. If you’re a casual listener who is happy with the occasional free audiobook through Prime Reading, then sticking with your current Prime benefits might be sufficient. However, if you listen to audiooks regularly and want access to a massive selection of bestsellers and new releases, then an Audible subscription is a worthwhile investment. Many people find value in having both memberships to cover all their shopping and entertainment needs.
In the end, while Amazon Prime doesn’t include a full audiobook service, it does offer a few listening perks. For the widest selection, an Audible membership is the dedicated solution for your audiobook journey.
Leave a Reply