Most Amazon Prime members know about the fast shipping and Prime Video. But many do not realize that their membership also includes access to a selection of free audiobooks, with no Audible subscription required.
The feature is called Prime Reading, and it is one of the most overlooked benefits of Amazon Prime membership.
In this guide, I will explain how Prime Reading audiobooks work, how to find them, and whether they are enough if you regularly listen to audiobooks.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: Does Amazon Prime Include Free Audiobooks?
- What is Prime Reading?
- How to Find Prime Reading Audiobooks?
- What Kind of Audiobooks Are Available?
- Prime Reading vs Audible
- Is Prime Reading Enough for Audiobook Lovers?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answer: Does Amazon Prime Include Free Audiobooks?
Yes. Amazon Prime members can listen to a limited selection of audiobooks for free through Prime Reading.
However, there is one important limitation: only a few selected titles are included. Prime Reading does not provide access to Audible’s full audiobook catalog or the monthly audiobook benefits available with an Audible membership.
In short: Prime Reading is a valuable perk for casual listeners, but it is not a replacement for a dedicated Audible membership.
What Is Prime Reading?
Prime Reading is a digital library included with every Amazon Prime membership at no extra cost. It gives you access to a rotating collection of eBooks, magazines, comics, and a small selection of Prime Reading audiobooks that you can borrow and enjoy for free.
While the overall Prime Reading library contains thousands of titles, the audiobook collection is much smaller, typically around 100 rotating audiobooks at any given time. New titles are added regularly, while others are removed, so the selection is always changing.
Think of Prime Reading as a small, curated library that Amazon refreshes every few months. Titles come and go, so what’s available today may not be there next month.
Another useful feature is that Prime members can borrow up to 10 Prime Reading titles at a time. This limit applies to eBooks as well as audiobooks, giving you plenty of flexibility to explore different titles.
How to Find Prime Reading Audiobooks?
Finding Prime Reading audiobooks is fairly simple once you know where to look.
- Visit Amazon’s ‘Books with Audible Narration in Prime Reading‘ page.
- Browse the available titles and choose one that interests you.
- Open the book’s product page and select the Audiobook format, if available.
- Click “Get it through Prime Reading” under the “Read and listen for free” section.
- Once the title is added to your library, you can listen to it through the Audible app on your supported device.
The exact interface may change over time, but Amazon clearly labels audiobooks that are included with Prime Reading. Once borrowed, you can start listening without paying anything extra or signing up for an Audible membership.
What Kind of Audiobooks Are Available?
Prime Reading audiobooks cover a wide range of genres, including fiction, mystery, thrillers, romance, self-help, biographies, business, children’s books, and classics.
That said, the collection is relatively small. You are unlikely to find every bestseller or the latest release, but there is usually enough variety to discover something worth listening to.
Because the catalog rotates regularly, the available audiobooks change over time. A title that is available today may disappear in a few months, while new ones are added in its place.
Instead of thinking of Prime Reading as a full audiobook service, it is better to view it as a curated collection of free titles that comes bundled with your Amazon Prime membership.
Prime members can also get access to several Audible-related offers and benefits that are separate from Prime Reading. Check out our guide on How Does Audible Work with Amazon Prime? to learn more.
Prime Reading vs Audible
Although both let you listen to audiobooks, they serve different purposes.
| Prime Reading | Audible |
|---|---|
| Included with Amazon Prime | Requires a separate membership |
| Around 100 rotating audiobooks | Library of over a million audiobooks |
| Borrow titles for free | Access through membership benefits or audiobook purchases |
| Access ends if your Prime membership expires | Purchased audiobooks remain in your library even after you cancel your membership |
| No monthly credits | Premium Plus plans include monthly credits |
| Best for occasional listening | Best for regular audiobook listeners |
Prime Reading is a nice bonus that comes with your Prime membership. Audible, on the other hand, is a dedicated audiobook service with a much larger catalog, exclusive content, and additional membership benefits.
If you only listen to an audiobook every now and then, Prime Reading may be all you need. But if audiobooks are part of your daily routine, Audible offers far more choice and flexibility.
Is Prime Reading Enough for Audiobook Lovers?
For casual listeners, Prime Reading is a great way to enjoy the occasional audiobook without spending anything extra. It is one of those hidden Prime benefits that many members never take advantage of.
However, the selection is limited and changes frequently. If you are looking for specific books, the latest bestsellers, or want the freedom to choose from a huge catalog, you will probably find Prime Reading restrictive.
For casual listeners, Prime Reading can be more than enough. But if you regularly finish audiobooks and are always searching for your next listen, an Audible membership is likely to be a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Prime Reading audiobooks really free?
Yes. If you have an active Amazon Prime membership, you can borrow eligible Prime Reading audiobooks at no additional cost.
Do I need an Audible membership to listen to Prime Reading audiobooks?
No. Prime Reading audiobooks are included with your Amazon Prime membership. You do not need an Audible subscription to access them.
Can I listen to Prime Reading audiobooks offline?
Yes. Once you borrow an eligible title and download it to a supported device, you can listen offline.
Can I keep Prime Reading audiobooks forever?
No. Prime Reading works like a lending library. You can borrow eligible titles while they are available in the catalog, but you do not permanently own them.
How often does the Prime Reading audiobook catalog change?
Amazon updates the Prime Reading library regularly. New audiobooks are added and older ones may be removed, so the selection changes over time.
Are all Prime Reading books available as audiobooks?
No. While Prime Reading includes thousands of books and other content, only a small portion of the catalog is available as audiobooks with narration.
14 thoughts on “Prime Reading Audiobooks: Free Audiobooks for Prime Members”
Hi I have joined prime audio free for one month. I have down loaded the app but can not access prime audio can you help please
Hi Jones, I have explained the method in the article above.
It can’t be right that members of Audible are not given access to free Prime books but non-members are! It’s as if we have that privilege removed because we support Audible? Anyone figure out a fix?
What happens if you are in the middle of a book and the book choices change. Is there a set day each month that books change
Hi Laurel. The books don’t change that often. Most of the books have not changed for over a year now. However, there is no fixed day for that to happen. It is very much possible that the book you are listening to today, might change tomorrow! But the probability is very low. I hope that helps!
Thanks for the response
Laurel
Are the 2 free trial books anything i choose? Or do i have to select from preselected Amazon choices?
Hi Lashawn! You will get 2 free books of your choice. And two Audible originals which are preselected Amazon choices. So, basically you get 4 free books. during your free trial!
My friend gets books for free with her prime membership? How come I can’t?
Hi Elizabeth. In the article above, I have explained the steps that you need to follow to listen to free Amazon Prime audiobooks. This is based on Prime members on Amazon.com.
If you don’t see the free audiobooks for some reason, please contact Amazon customer care.
BEWARE!!!!!
I had all these channels and audiobooks as a prime member, but as soon as i became an audible member, the audiobooks/channels were gone! I’ve let audible know about this and they will get back to me tomorrow.
It isn’t worth getting the audible deal if they remove my free prime audiobooks.
Yes, Amin. You are right. I have mentioned that in the article as well, that the option for Audible channel for Prime won’t show up if you are an Audible member!
So, you can try listening to the free books first before subscribing to Audible membership.
Did you get a fix to this? I would have never signed up for the trial if I knew this would be the outcome.
Not exactly a fix, but here’s what you can try if you do not wish to start a paid membership:
Start your free trial, get the 2 audiobooks of your choice and then cancel your membership. Once you cancel your membership, you will again start seeing the Audible for Prime option (you are still a prime member). But now, apart from the free prime audiobooks, you will see those two audiobooks in your library. (Yes, those books will be there for lifetime unless you delete them)