Audible vs Kindle: The Ultimate Last-Minute Christmas Gift for Book Lovers

Spoiler alert: There's a bonus, free gift idea at the bottom of the page.

It’s Christmas Eve, and you’ve just realised—you forgot to get a present for the bookworm in your life. Panic not! Whether they love diving into gripping novels or soaking up non-fiction nuggets, Audible and Kindle subscriptions are two perfect last-minute gifts that can save the day.

But which one should you choose? Here’s a quick comparison of Audible and Kindle, their pros and cons, and why either could make a thoughtful (and instant!) gift for your literary loved ones.

Audible: The Perfect Gift for Audiobook Enthusiasts

Audible is Amazon’s audiobook subscription service, offering access to thousands of titles across every genre imaginable. Whether your giftee loves classic literature, contemporary bestsellers, or motivational non-fiction, Audible has something for everyone.

Pros

1. Hands-Free Reading: Audible is perfect for multitaskers. Your loved one can “read” while driving, exercising, cooking, or even doing laundry.

2. Professional Narrations: Many audiobooks on Audible are brought to life by talented narrators, making the listening experience immersive and entertaining. Some narrations are even performed by A-list celebrities or the authors themselves!

3. Credits and Ownership: Subscribers get monthly credits to buy audiobooks, and the books they purchase remain theirs forever—even if they cancel their subscription.

4. Perfect For Falling Asleep: If you or your giftee love falling asleep to stories or chatter, Audible will fit well into your/their sleep routine. The app also has a timer so that the narration can stop after you/they fall asleep.

5. Free books: Free books and podcasts come with the membership.

6. Free Returns: If you don’t love an audiobook, you can return it and get your credit back. That’s right—no being stuck with a dud. You can also pause your membership if life (or your budget) gets in the way.

Cons

1. Not for Visual Readers: If your giftee prefers physically seeing words on a page, Audible might not scratch their reading itch.

2. Higher Price Point: Audible can feel a bit pricey, especially if your loved one reads many books. It's a one-book-a-month gig. Those who read more than one book a month may need to buy more audiobooks without membership credits, which tend to be more expensive than buying regular books.

3. Takes Some Getting Used To: For stories with complex plots and numerous characters, you may need more time to get used to the app, you may have to click the rewind button a few times until you understand the story, but honestly, this is something that applies too while reading physical books too, within the context of complex plots and numerous characters.

   
   

Ideal For:

• Busy readers who struggle to find time to sit down with a book.

• Those who love storytelling and immersive experiences.

• Slow Readers: The Audible app has different paces of reading ranging from very slow to very fast. Slow readers will find that on Audible, they can finish books faster, even at the normal reading pace of 1, therefore reading more books than ever before.

• Book Reviewers And Bloggers: Book bloggers can choose an even faster pace at 1.5 or 2, to get through books faster.

Kindle: The Gift of Endless Reading

Kindle is Amazon’s e-reading platform, offering access to millions of eBooks, including bestsellers, indie gems, and everything in between. A Kindle subscription (or Kindle Unlimited) lets your loved one borrow books without worrying about individual purchase costs.

Pros

1. Millions of Books: Kindle offers a staggering library of books, from chart-toppers to niche titles. Kindle Unlimited subscribers get access to a massive library of “borrowable” books.

2. Portability: Kindle apps work on phones, tablets, and eReaders, so your giftee can carry an entire library in their pocket.

3. Customisable Reading: Font size, style, and background colours are all adjustable, making Kindle a favourite for readers who love control over their reading experience.

Cons

1. Screen Fatigue: If they’re reading on a phone or tablet, the added screen time might not be a welcome gift for someone already glued to a screen all day.

2. Borrowing, Not Owning: Kindle Unlimited subscribers only borrow books—they don’t keep them. Once the subscription ends, the borrowed books disappear.

Ideal For:

• Traditional book lovers who love the look and feel of a page (even if it’s a digital one).

• Readers who like exploring new books without the commitment of buying them all.

So, Which Should You Choose?

• Pick Audible if… your loved one enjoys multitasking, appreciates great storytelling, or spends a lot of time commuting or travelling. Audiobooks are perfect for squeezing stories into even the busiest of days.

• Pick Kindle if… they’re avid readers who love the feel of words on a page and enjoy exploring new books without cluttering their shelves.

The best part? Both Audible and Kindle subscriptions are digital gifts you can purchase at the last minute and have delivered instantly. No wrapping paper required, no waiting for the postman!

Make Their Christmas Bookish

Still on the fence? Why not go big and gift both Audible and Kindle subscriptions for a double dose of bookish joy? Start with the free trial. You get one audiobook/ebook of your choice, completely free—no strings attached. Either way, you’ll be giving the gift of stories, ideas, and endless possibilities—and isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

Don’t Forget the Bonus Gift: A Free Book Review Subscription

Whether you decide on an Audible or Kindle subscription, why not make the gift even more special by signing your loved one up to my book review website, Read Read Rant? It’s the perfect companion for any book lover—a space where they can discover book reviews, new book recommendations, and literary gems they might otherwise miss.

It’s free to join, so you can’t go wrong. Think of it as the cherry on top of their Christmas gift! 🎁

Looking for more literary gift ideas or honest book reviews? Follow me on Instagram or TikTok and subscribe to my website, Read Read Rant, for tips, recommendations, and bookish goodness all year round. Let’s make this Christmas one for the (book) history books! 🎄📚