MP3 Players 101: The 5 Best Options

Updated 17 Jun 2022

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We spend thousands of hours researching, evaluating, and testing items to recommend the best options for the customers. We only get paid if you purchase anything through one of our links, and all of our product opinions are our own.

Finding the correct product can be difficult and time-consuming. You might not have time to do it yourself, so let us help you. RevuuBuddy reviews thousands of items in hundreds of categories, including home appliances, toys, camping supplies, and everything in between.

We compare the most popular brands and models, and we boil them down to the top five to give you the most in-depth and dependable buying recommendation - so you can make the best buying decision possible.

BEST OF THE BEST

How We Tested

These products are recommended based on a thorough research process that aims to cut through the clutter and uncover the best products in this category. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter with the assistance of experts to provide you with these options.

Models Considered

180

Consumers Consulted

Hours Researched

Updated 17 Jun 2022

Written by

Mark Joseph Aduana

Apple iPod Touch

BOTTOM LINE
Customer Favorite
Has an extensive music library. Plus, it is easy to use.

PROS
Comes with EarPods and a charging cable. Available in 32, 128, and 256 GB. It is great for gaming because it is smooth. You can also send messages and FaceTime video chat with it. Available in different colors: gray, blue, pink, silver, gold, and red.

CONS
Has a modest camera.

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SYRYN Swimbuds Flip Bundle

BOTTOM LINE
Best for Swimmers
With a water-resistant design, simple controls, and dependable performance, this purpose-made waterproof MP3 player is ideal for everyday use.

PROS
Waterproof. Clip to the back of swim goggles and include water-resistant earbuds. The 8GB memory provides enough music for a swimming session.

CONS
There is no LED display screen. The shuffle-mode option, for example, is confusing and has few capabilities.

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Mighty Vibe

BOTTOM LINE
Spotify Shuffle
Designed for Spotify and Amazon playlists. It is super-compact and screenless, so it is perfect for taking with you on the go.

PROS
Spotify and Amazon Music playlists may be heard offline. Clip to attach even if pockets are not available. Water and drop-resistant design that fits in your pocket or handbag. Connects to both wired and wireless headphones. Battery life is 5+ hours.

CONS
There is no screen. It might be challenging to set up and refresh playlists.

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SanDisk Clip Jam MP3 Player

BOTTOM LINE
Simple Yet Solid
A fantastic budget-friendly option that sounds considerably clearer than you'd expect.

PROS
Affordable and has a compact design. It is easy to set up and has simple controls. Includes earbuds. Available in pink, blue, green, red, and black.

CONS
8GB is not a lot of storage, so users should be careful about the music they choose to keep on their phones.

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Sony NW-A105 Walkman A Series

BOTTOM LINE
Trusted Brand
A must-have for anyone who needs to listen to their music collection at its finest.

PROS
Bluetooth. Up to 26 hours of battery life. 16 GB internal storage. Android OS

CONS
To keep your battery running for longer, turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

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How to Choose the Best MP3 Players

An MP3 player is a perfect accompaniment to a dreary commute or a long walk home. While many people nowadays use cellphones as portable music players, you'll still notice several advantages to using an integrated MP3 player.

A lightweight MP3 player is ideal for fitness activities such as running or weightlifting.

MP3 PLAYER VS SMARTPHONE

Why should you spend extra money on an MP3 player when a smartphone can perform the same function?

Because of all the apps, photos, and videos kept on your phone, there may be little room for music, let alone your complete MP3 collection.
If you listen to a lot of music on the phone – perhaps while traveling or if you're allowed to do it at work – the battery may die before the day is over.
If you like to listen to music while working out, a cheap and lightweight MP3 player may be preferable to risking your expensive smartphone.
MP3 players are more durable than cellphones, and some are even water-resistant.
MP3 players generally have physical buttons, making it simpler to skip through songs and adjust the volume, especially when traveling.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR SELECTING AN MP3 PLAYER

It's vital to consider your requirements before purchasing an MP3 player. One common blunder that consumers make is buying based on the brand than on in-depth research.

So, let's take a look at some things to consider before purchasing an MP3 player.

Battery life

The battery life of an MP3 player is where it shines. Some models have a battery life of more than 60 hours. Even smaller batteries often survive for around 20 hours on a single charge. However, the battery life will vary depending on the make and model of your chosen MP3 player, so check the details of your preferred music player to discover how long it may last.

MP3 player size

When it comes to MP3 players, some people are concerned with size.

Users will differ in their requirements, and they'll have various priorities. Some consumers will want a tiny MP3 player that can be easily placed in a pocket, even if it means decreased functionality. Others will prefer a larger MP3 player with a full-color touchscreen that's easier to use and may also be used to store photos or watch videos.

There's no such thing as a wrong or incorrect option; it all depends on your intended usage for the MP3 player.

Hard drive vs. solid state

Some MP3 players feature hard drives, similar to tiny computers, while others are solid-state.

Solid-state drives, unlike traditional hard drives, have no moving components and instead store music on a memory chip. The major distinction is that MP3 players with hard drives have a larger storage capacity than solid-state devices.

Solid-state MP3 players, on the other hand, are smaller, lighter, and less durable than hard-drive models.

Storage capacity

The capacity of your MP3 player's storage determines how many songs you'll be able to store.

128 GB is the maximum storage capacity for hard drives or solid-state memories.

With that in mind, even the tiniest recorders can have 8GB or 16GB of storage space, equating to 1,000 to 4,000 songs.

Display

The MP3 player with the fewest functions is usually equipped with a tiny screen that shows only the name of the song playing and allows you to skip between songs. These don't enable you to access the player's menu and choose which track you want to hear.

This is great if you simply want to listen to any music, but not ideal if you're in the mood for anything in particular. As a result, these sorts of digital music players are generally designed to be used while working out as a way to distract yourself.

On the other side of the spectrum, you'll discover MP3 players with touchscreens that allow you to browse between artists and albums quickly to find the music you want to listen to.

TIPS

Durability is crucial. According to one specialist, one of the essential factors to consider is whether the MP3 player will function for lengthy durations and how long-lasting or durable the product, in general, will be.
If you want to wear an MP3 player while working out, we recommend a model with a built-in clip for easy attachment to your waistband or collar.
Some MP3 players can also play FM radio.
Look for MP3 players that enable you to expand the memory storage capacity using an SD card.
Check the format of your music files and make sure your selected MP3 player can play them. For example, if you get music from iTunes, your songs will most likely be AAC files rather than MP3s.
You don’t need to carry CDs in your automobile again if you connect your MP3 player to your car stereo.

DID YOU KNOW?

You may get MP3 players that are completely waterproof, allowing you to listen to music while swimming.

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MP3 PLAYER PRICE

In the world of music players, you'll discover a vast range of prices.

Budget-friendly

The price of a basic, 8GB model without many features (designed to be used while exercising and listening to music) can range from $15 to $20.

Mid-range

If you're just looking for a basic MP3 player and aren't concerned with high-end audio, touchscreens, Wi-Fi functionality, and other premium features, you shouldn't have to spend more than $50.

High-end

On the high end, a touchscreen model from a well-known brand may cost $200 to $300. A digital audio player with the best possible audio quality in mind might cost more than $600 on the top end of the spectrum.

MP3 players can more likely support balanced audio than smartphones can, and they're also more likely to have enough juice to power high-impedance headphones.

FAQ

Q. Can I connect my MP3 player to a car stereo?

A. Yes, you may play music from your device through your car speakers. This is dependent on both your MP3 player and the car stereo in question. If your stereo and MP3 player are Bluetooth-ready, you may connect them via Bluetooth to play songs that way. If you have an old automobile audio system with a cassette player, you may purchase a device that connects to the headphone jack input of your MP3 player and seats into the stereo's tape deck. If you have a more recent car radio with a 3.5mm jack input, you can buy a cable that connects it to the headphone jack on your MP3 player.

Q. What are the best practices to take care of an MP3 player?

A. MP3 players are pretty durable, but it's still a good idea to look after them, so they don't get damaged. It's vital to keep these devices dry. Unless you have a water-resistant model, aside from that, keep them out of the reach of children and animals. Most models can withstand a modest fall, but they may be damaged if they constantly strike the ground or drop high. Consider purchasing a storage case or pouch to preserve your MP3 player from scratches when not in use.