Simon & Schuster Audio Accessories: A Complete Guide for Beginners
You’ve got the app, you’ve got the credits, and you’ve got a commute that eats up an hour of your day. But if you’re new to audiobooks, the gear you use can make the difference between a story that pulls you in and one you keep rewinding because you missed the plot twist.
Simon & Schuster produces some of the most-listened-to audiobooks in the world—from Stephen King’s doorstoppers to Britney Spears’s The Woman in Me. But the publisher doesn’t make headphones or speakers. So when people search for “Simon & Schuster Audio accessories,” they’re usually asking something more practical: What do I need to actually enjoy these audiobooks without losing my place, draining my battery, or zoning out mid-chapter?
Here’s the honest answer: you need very little, but the few things you do need matter more than you’d think.
The Essentials: What You Need to Get Started
Let’s skip the gear rabbit hole. For audiobooks, your setup is simple: a device, a playback method, and a way to keep your place.
Your phone is enough. Whether you’re on iOS or Android, the Simon & Schuster audiobooks you buy through Audible, Libro.fm, or your local library’s Libby app will sync your progress automatically. That means you can start a chapter on your commute, finish it while washing dishes, and pick up exactly where you left off on your tablet at night. No accessories required.
Where you’ll likely want one addition: audio output. The speakers on your phone are fine for a quiet room, but they’re useless on a noisy subway or while mowing the lawn. That’s where a single pair of earbuds or headphones changes everything.
And a power bank. Audiobook apps drain less battery than video streaming, but a 12-hour Stephen King novel will still eat through a full day of heavy listening. A compact power bank—even a small 5,000mAh one—removes the anxiety of hitting 10% battery during a climactic chapter.
That’s it. Three items. If you already own a phone and any pair of earbuds, you’re technically ready to start today.
Earbuds vs. Over-Ear Headphones: Which Fits Your Routine?
This is the one real purchase most beginners face, and the right answer depends entirely on when you listen.
If you listen during a commute or in shared spaces: Go with earbuds. Wireless earbuds like Apple’s AirPods or Samsung’s Galaxy Buds offer noise isolation (not full cancellation, but enough to block out bus chatter) and they slip into a pocket-sized case. The convenience factor is hard to overstate—you’ll never leave them at home because they’re too bulky.
If you listen at home or in a dedicated workspace: Over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation (like Sony’s WH-1000XM series or Bose’s QuietComfort line) are noticeably better for immersion. The larger drivers handle narration with more warmth, and the noise cancellation means you can listen at lower volumes, which is easier on your ears over long stretches.
The trade-off to know: Earbuds win on portability; over-ears win on comfort for sessions longer than two hours. If you’re the kind of listener who plows through a 20-hour audiobook in three days, the over-ear route is worth the extra bag space.
One more thing: if you listen at 1.5x speed (and many multitaskers do), you’ll notice that cheaper earbuds can introduce a slight echo or “chipmunk” effect at higher playback speeds. Mid-range and premium models handle pitch correction more smoothly, which matters when you’re trying to follow a complex narrative at double speed.
The Case for (and Against) Dedicated Audiobook Players
You might see dedicated audiobook players—like the Audible-ready devices or older MP3 players—and wonder if they’re necessary. For most people, they aren’t.
Here’s the case for them: if you’re a parent who hands your phone to your kids during car rides, or if you’re trying to break a doomscrolling habit, a dedicated device keeps your audiobook separate from your distractions. No notifications, no urge to check email mid-chapter.
Here’s the case against: the apps on your phone already do everything better. Audible’s app, for instance, has a sleep timer, variable speed control, and chapter bookmarks that sync across devices. A dedicated player adds another device to charge and carry.
The one exception: If you listen to audiobooks while exercising and want to leave your phone in a locker, a small waterproof MP3 player with Bluetooth is a legitimate option. But for the time-pressed multitasker who’s already juggling a phone, wallet, and keys, it’s an extra thing to lose.
How to Never Lose Your Place Again
Here’s a scenario every beginner knows: you fall asleep mid-chapter, wake up, and have no idea where the story drifted off. Or you’re listening during a commute and get interrupted by a phone call, losing your mental place.
The fix isn’t a physical accessory—it’s a habit with the tools you already have.
Use the sleep timer. Both Audible and Libby have built-in sleep timers that automatically pause playback after a set duration (usually 5 to 60 minutes). Set it before you close your eyes, and you’ll never wake up to find the book has played for three more hours.
Use chapter bookmarks. If you’re interrupted and need to step away, drop a bookmark before you pause. It takes one tap, and it gives you a reference point when you return. You can also use the “clip” feature in Audible to save a specific moment you want to revisit—useful for nonfiction where you hear a stat or idea you want to remember.
The 30-second rewind button is your friend. Most audiobook apps have a rewind button that jumps back 30 seconds (or a customizable interval). When your mind wanders—and it will, especially during slow sections—one tap takes you back to the last thing you remember hearing.
None of these require a purchase. They just require knowing the features you already have.
Maximizing Your Audible Subscription
Since Simon & Schuster titles are widely available on Audible, your subscription is the gateway to most of the publisher’s catalog. Here’s how to make the most of it without wasting credits.
Use the “Plus” catalog for discovery. Audible’s Plus catalog (included with membership) has a rotating selection of titles you can listen to without spending a credit. It’s a low-risk way to try a narrator or genre you’re unsure about. If you’re new to audiobooks, start here before committing credits to a 20-hour epic.
Check the narrator before you buy. Simon & Schuster produces many audiobooks with star narrators—for example, The Woman in Me is read by Michelle Williams, and Stephen King’s Fairy Tale is narrated by Seth Numrich with King himself doing a cameo. If you’re torn between two titles, listen to a sample first. A narrator you enjoy can make a mediocre book listenable; a narrator you dislike can ruin a great one.
Know the return policy. Audible allows you to exchange a title you didn’t enjoy (within certain limits). If you spend a credit on a book with a narrator you can’t stand, you’re not stuck with it. This takes the risk out of trying something new.
Try Audible Free for 30 Days — Start your free trial on Amazon and get two free audiobooks.
The Accessory You Can Skip
Let’s talk about what you don’t need: a dedicated audiobook remote or a wearable control device.
You’ll see products like Bluetooth clickers or smartwatch apps that promise hands-free control of your audiobook. For most listeners, these are solutions in search of a problem. Your earbuds already have play/pause controls, and most have volume and track-skip functions built in. If you’re using over-ear headphones, the controls are on the ear cup.
The exception is if you listen while doing something that occupies both hands and requires you to keep your phone out of reach—like cooking with messy hands or doing mechanical work. In that case, a smartwatch with playback controls is genuinely useful. But it’s a “nice to have,” not a “need to have.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Simon & Schuster audiobooks require special equipment?
No. Simon & Schuster audiobooks are distributed through standard platforms like Audible, Libro.fm, and library apps like Libby. Any smartphone, tablet, or computer with the corresponding app can play them.
Can I listen to Simon & Schuster audiobooks on a smart speaker?
Yes. If you use Audible, you can play your audiobooks through Amazon Echo devices. The experience is fine for casual listening, but you lose the ability to easily rewind or skip chapters with precise control. For active listening, use earbuds or headphones instead.
What’s the best way to listen to an audiobook while commuting?
Wireless earbuds with noise isolation are the most practical choice. They’re compact, don’t get tangled, and let you keep your phone in your pocket or bag. If your commute is particularly loud (like on a subway), consider earbuds with active noise cancellation.
How do I keep my place when I switch between devices?
As long as you’re using the same app on all devices, your progress syncs automatically. For example, if you start a book on your phone and later open the same app on your tablet, it will ask if you want to resume from where you left off.
Is it worth buying a separate device just for audiobooks?
Only in rare cases—like if you want to keep your phone free for other uses or avoid distractions. For most listeners, a phone with the right app is all you need.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Consistent
You don’t need a drawer full of gadgets to enjoy Simon & Schuster audiobooks. You need a phone, a decent pair of earbuds or headphones, and the willingness to learn the app’s basic controls—sleep timer, bookmarks, and playback speed.
The best accessory you can buy isn’t a product at all. It’s the habit of setting up your listening environment before you press play: choosing the right playback speed, setting a sleep timer if you’re winding down, and picking a narrator you already know you enjoy.
Start with what you have. Upgrade only when a specific pain point—battery anxiety, uncomfortable earbuds, or noisy surroundings—actually shows up. That’s the approach that keeps your setup simple and your listening consistent.