What is Kindle Unlimited? Find out everything you need to know

Calling all book lovers: Take a look at our handy guide to Amazon’s booking lending service, Kindle Unlimited.

Kindle books on a pink background

by Tayo Andoh |
Updated on

Looking for a great book to read can take time. Sometimes you might be in the mood for an edge of your seat drama, a self-care book or you might fancy a light-hearted romantic novel.

Whether you’re an avid bookworm or prefer to read at a slower pace, there are a number of services aimed at making reading easier and all the more enjoyable.

We know navigating your way through the ebook world can be confusing, so we’ve created an easy guide to the most popular book subscription service out there right now - Kindle Unlimited.

What is Kindle Unlimited?

Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service that grants users access to over one million ebooks, thousands of audiobooks, as well as selected magazines and comic books. Much like a library service, you’ll be able to borrow up to 10 books at a time from thousands of amazing authors and genres.

How much is Kindle Unlimited?

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A Kindle Unlimited subscription costs £7.99 per month, but if you want to dip your toes in and see if this is the service for you, why not start with a free 30-day trial?

How does Kindle Unlimited work?

Accessing Kindle Unlimited is easy, all you need to do is subscribe to the monthly fee. After that, you can browse the catalogue of titles and simply hit the download button to start reading.

You’ll be able to borrow 10 books at a time, and best of all, you can take your time making your way through your selection as there is no due date.

If you want to embark on the Kindle Unlimited experience but don’t own a Kindle, not to worry. You can gain access to Kindle Unlimited on any of your devices by simply downloading the Kindle App or through the Kindle Cloud Reader. The Kindle app works on iOS, Android, Mac, or PC.

Some titles come with a free audiobook, indicated by a headphone symbol on the product detail page. This is WhisperSync for Voice, a handy function that allows users to easily switch between an ebook and audiobook without the worry of losing their place.

Is Kindle Unlimited included in a Prime membership?

Kindle Unlimited is a standalone subscription service and is not included in a Prime membership. You won’t need to have a Prime membership to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited.

This makes the Kindle Unlimited subscription distinctly different from Prime Reading, a service that Prime users can access for free.

Kindle Unlimited vs Prime Reading

Prime Reading is part of the Amazon Prime membership service. This gives members the ability to access thousands of new titles for free. So, what are the main differences between Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited?

Kindle Unlimited gives users access to a staggering one million titles. This gives budding readers a wider range of books to choose from, while Prime Reading offers a smaller pool of around 1,000 titles. The two services are also distinct in the type of books they offer; Kindle Unlimited is a place for all authors, including independent and self-published, while Prime Reading stocks contemporary bestsellers.

Amazon Kindle
©Photo: Unsplash

What kind of books does Kindle Unlimited offer?

Prepare to be spoilt for choice with your subscription. As mentioned earlier, Kindle Unlimited offers over one million ebook titles. However, it’s important to note that many of the books are from self-published authors. This can make it slightly harder to find mainstream books and bestsellers as emerging writers take centre stage. Of course, with a bit of digging, you can still uncover many favourites including The Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett and The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.

How can I cancel Kindle Unlimited?

To cancel your Kindle Unlimited subscription, sign in to your Amazon account and select 'Cancel Kindle Unlimited' under the section titled Manage Membership. You’ll still be able to access all Kindle Unlimited titles until your subscription expires.

Can I keep Kindle Unlimited books forever?

Accessing titles with a Kindle Unlimited subscription differs from purchasing a Kindle book. With Kindle Unlimited, you’ll only be able to read your chosen books while you are subscribed to the service. After that, you will lose any access to titles included within the subscription.

Can I use an Amazon Gift Card to purchase a Kindle Unlimited subscription?

Currently, you can’t use an Amazon Gift Card to purchase a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Is Kindle Unlimited worth it?

If you love diving into an array of different books and enjoy indie reads, then Kindle Unlimited could be the perfect subscription for you. According to the maths, you’ll need to be reading between five to eight books a month to make this service worth your while, making this suited to those who have an appetite for reading lots of different titles.

Kindle Unlimited will allow you to broaden your reading horizons with access to a range of new authors and genres while still offering the classics. If you’re more of a casual reader who prefers to dive into bestsellers and modern classics, you may want to consider Prime Reading instead.

Gallery

Top 10 Most Popular Kindle Unlimited books 2021

The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts by Alison Sherlock on white background1 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts by Alison Sherlock

The Cows by Dawn Ou2019Porter on white background2 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

The Cows by Dawn O’Porter

Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett on white background3 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett

The Resistance Girl by Jina Bacarr on white background4 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

The Resistance Girl by Jina Bacarr

The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen on white background5 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen

The Doctor by Lisa Stone on white background6 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

The Doctor by Lisa Stone

One Summer in Santorini by Sandy Barker by white background7 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

One Summer in Santorini by Sandy Barker

Little White Secrets by Carol Mason on white background8 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

Little White Secrets by Carol Mason

The House by the Sea by Louise Douglas on white background9 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

The House by the Sea by Louise Douglas

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris on white background10 of 10
CREDIT: Photo: Amazon

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

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