All Systems Red: The Murderbot Diaries

Can you really listen to audiobooks at 2x speed and comprehend them?

Yes, most people can comprehend audiobooks at 1.5x to 2x speed after a brief adjustment period. Research and listener experience suggest that 1.5x-1.75x is the sweet spot — fast enough to save significant time while maintaining good comprehension. Whether higher speeds work depends on the listener's experience and the material's complexity.

Are audiobooks good for falling asleep?

Many people use audiobooks as sleep aids. Most apps including Audible and Libby have a sleep timer that pauses playback after a set interval. Fiction — particularly slow-paced literary fiction or familiar re-reads — works better for sleep listening than dense nonfiction. The downside is you may miss content and need to rewind the next morning.

What is the best audiobook app overall?

Audible is the best all-around audiobook app for most people, offering the largest catalog, the most features, excellent apps on every platform, and a well-established credit system. Libby is the best free option for library borrowers. Scribd is the best value for high-volume listeners. The right answer depends on your budget, listening volume, and catalog needs.