Gifts for Audiobook Listeners

Audiobook people listen while doing something else: commuting, walking the dog, folding laundry, falling asleep. So the best gifts are about comfort over long hours and hearing a narrator clearly in a noisy place. Credits for more books are always welcome, and so is something to keep their hands busy while they listen.

Under $25 5 ideas

  1. JLab Go Air Pop True Wireless Earbuds

    Tiny, cheap earbuds with a long-lasting case. A stocking stuffer for the listener who keeps losing theirs.

    JLabStocking stuffer

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  2. Apple EarPods (USB-C)

    Wired earbuds that never need charging, for the listener whose wireless pair always dies halfway through a chapter. Plugs into a recent iPhone or iPad.

    AppleStocking stuffer

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  3. Anker Nano Charger 20W USB-C

    A tiny fast charger for the bag, so a dead phone does not end the book on a cliffhanger. Unexciting and always used.

    AnkerStocking stuffer

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  4. Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book by Johanna Basford

    The detailed botanical coloring book that started the adult coloring trend. Keeps hands busy while ears are busy.

    Johanna BasfordBook

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  5. White Mountain Puzzles Candy Wrappers 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

    A puzzle and an audiobook are a natural pair: hours of quiet hand work while the story plays. This one has thick pieces and a colorful image.

    White Mountain PuzzlesAn experience

    See it on Amazon

Under $50 5 ideas

  1. Audible Premium Plus Gift Membership

    Monthly credits for any audiobook they choose, plus the included catalog. You pick the number of months, it arrives by email, and nothing needs to be guessed about their taste.

    AudibleArrives by emailAn experience

    See it on Amazon

  2. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

    Say 'read my book' and Alexa resumes their Audible title in the kitchen. Good for listening while cooking with messy hands.

    Amazon

    See it on Amazon

  3. JBL Go 4 Portable Speaker

    A palm-sized waterproof speaker for the bathroom counter or the workbench. Surprisingly clear with speech.

    JBLStocking stuffer

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  4. TOZO T6 True Wireless Earbuds

    Inexpensive, reliable, waterproof earbuds that are fine to lose. Good as a backup pair for the gym bag or car.

    TOZO

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  5. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, 48 Count

    Soft, rich colored pencils for listeners who color while they listen. Pair with a coloring book for a complete gift.

    Prismacolor

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Under $100 6 ideas

  1. Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Noise Cancelling Headphones

    Solid noise canceling and very long battery life for a fraction of the flagship price. A sensible pick for a commuter who listens for hours a day.

    Soundcore

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  2. Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4 NC Earbuds

    Noise-canceling earbuds with long battery life that work equally well with Android and iPhone. Good on a bus or a loud gym.

    Soundcore

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  3. Sony WF-C700N Noise Canceling Earbuds

    Small, light earbuds with real noise canceling. A good size for smaller ears and long listening sessions.

    Sony

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  4. JBL Clip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

    Clips to a shower rod or a garden fence so the book follows them through chores. Clear voices and waterproof.

    JBL

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  5. Twelve South AirFly Pro

    Plugs into any headphone jack, like a plane seat or gym treadmill, and sends the audio to their wireless headphones. Handy for frequent flyers.

    Twelve South

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  6. AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless

    Flat speakers inside a soft headband, comfortable for side sleepers. For people who fall asleep to a book and wake up with earbuds digging into their ears.

    AcousticSheep

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$100 and up 3 ideas

  1. Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

    Excellent noise canceling and comfortable enough for a full flight. Engine drone and office chatter fade away, and the narrator is all that is left.

    Sony

    See it on Amazon

  2. Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

    Open-fit AirPods with noise canceling, for iPhone users who dislike silicone tips in their ears. They pick up where they left off as they move between phone, iPad and Mac.

    Apple

    See it on Amazon

  3. Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction Headphones

    They sit in front of the ear rather than in it, so walkers and runners hear the book and the traffic. Comfortable for people who cannot stand earbuds.

    Shokz

    See it on Amazon