How to Listen to Kindle Books Without Audible (A Complete Guide)

Hey there! I’m about to save you some serious cash and show you how to get your Kindle books read aloud without spending a dime on Audible.

After spending countless hours testing every possible method (and probably annoying my family with robot voices), I’ve put together this complete guide to listening to your Kindle books for free.

TLDR: How to Listen to Kindle Books Without Audible

1. Use VoiceView on Kindle e-readers
2. Enable text-to-speech on Fire tablets
3. Use your smartphone’s built-in screen reader
4. Try third-party text-to-speech apps
5. Use accessibility features on your device

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Can Kindle Read to You Without Audible?

Key Takeaways:

• Yes! Your Kindle has built-in text-to-speech features
• Different Kindle models have different capabilities
• There are multiple ways to get your Kindle reading aloud for free
• The quality isn’t quite as good as Audible, but it works

Look, I get it. Audible subscriptions aren’t cheap, and maybe you’ve already invested in a ton of Kindle books. The good news? You’re not stuck reading with just your eyes.

I discovered this game-changing feature when I was dealing with eye strain from staring at screens all day (running a blog will do that to you!). Your Kindle can absolutely read to you without Audible – and I’m going to show you exactly how to do it.

Here’s the thing though – not all Kindles are created equal.

Let me break this down into the three main ways you can get your Kindle reading to you:

1. VoiceView Screen Reader
   This is Amazon’s built-in accessibility feature. It’s not exactly Morgan Freeman quality, but it gets the job done. Think of it as having a helpful robot friend read to you.
2. Text-to-Speech on Fire Tablets
   If you’ve got a Fire Tablet (which technically counts as a Kindle), you’re in luck. The built-in text-to-speech is actually pretty decent. I use this while cooking dinner, and while the robot voice takes some getting used to, it’s totally workable.
3. Kindle App Read-Aloud Features
   Using the Kindle app on your phone or tablet? You’ve got options too! Both Android and iOS versions have their own text-to-speech capabilities.

Want to know the best part? All of these options are completely free. No subscription needed, no hidden fees, no “premium features” upsell.

How to Use VoiceView on Your Kindle E-Reader

Key Takeaways:

• Works on most modern Kindle devices
• Requires a one-time setup
• Can adjust reading speed and voice
• Needs headphones or speakers for some models

First things first – let’s get your Kindle e-reader talking!

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Quick Settings

• Swipe down from the top of your screen
• Tap the “All Settings” button
• Select “Accessibility“

2. Enable VoiceView

• Find “VoiceView Screen Reader“
• Toggle it on
• Follow the tutorial (trust me, it’s worth the 2 minutes)

Using Text-to-Speech on Fire Tablets

This is where things get good. Fire tablets have the most robust built-in reading features, and I’ve found them to be the closest to an Audible-like experience.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap “Accessibility“
3. Select “Text-to-Speech“
4. Choose your preferred voice
5. Adjust the speech rate and pitch

The best part? Once it’s set up, just tap and hold any text on your screen, and you’ll see the “Read Aloud” option. Super simple!

Using Your Smartphone to Listen to Kindle Books

Maybe you prefer reading on your phone? I’ve got you covered:

For Android:

• Download Google’s Text-to-Speech engine (if not pre-installed)
• Open the Kindle app
• Enable TalkBack in your phone’s accessibility settings
• Navigate to your book
• Use the three-finger swipe gesture to start reading

For iPhone:

• Turn on VoiceOver in Settings > Accessibility
• Open your Kindle app
• Use two-finger swipe down to start reading
• Double-tap with two fingers to stop

Advanced Tips and Tricks

After months of using these features, I’ve discovered some pretty neat tricks:

1. Voice Quality Upgrades

• Download high-quality TTS voices
• Try different language accents (sometimes UK English sounds better than US)
• Adjust pitch and speed for natural flow

2. Battery Saving

• Download books for offline listening
• Lower screen brightness while listening
• Use airplane mode when possible

3. Multitasking

• Set up gesture controls for easy play/pause
• Use Bluetooth headphones for wireless control
• Create listening shortcuts

Common Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Trust me, I’ve run into every possible issue. Here’s how to fix the most common ones:

1. “My Kindle Won’t Read At All!“

• Check if your model supports TTS
• Ensure you’re running the latest software
• Restart your device
• Re-enable accessibility settings

1. “The Voice Sounds Terrible!“

• Try different voice options
• Adjust speed and pitch
• Download premium voices
• Check your speaker/headphone connection

BONUS: Secret Ways to Enhance Your Listening Experience

Want to take it to the next level? Here are some pro tips I’ve discovered:

1. Use External Apps

• Voice Aloud Reader
• @Voice Aloud Reader
• Natural Reader

2. Combine with Other Tools

• Speed reading apps
• Note-taking features
• Bookmark syncing

Wrapping It Up

There you have it – everything you need to know about listening to your Kindle books without Audible. Sure, it might not be quite as polished as Audible’s professional narration, but it’s FREE and gets the job done.

Remember:

• Start with the built-in features
• Experiment with different voices
• Customize your settings
• Be patient while learning the controls

Happy listening!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this work on all Kindle devices?
A: Most modern Kindle devices and apps support some form of text-to-speech, but features vary by model. Newer devices typically have better capabilities.

Q: Does this work with all Kindle books?
A: Yes! Unlike Audible, which requires specific audiobook versions, these methods work with any text-based Kindle book.

Q: Is the voice quality as good as Audible?
A: No, it’s more robotic than Audible’s professional narrators. But for free? It’s pretty impressive, and you’ll get used to it quickly.

Q: Can I listen offline?
A: Yes! Once you’ve downloaded your books, all these methods work without an internet connection.