Even if 2/3 of English people use their smartphone to listen to music, the quality does not compete with an MP3 player that has a substantial internal storage and various features. With the plethora of devices flooding the market, the choice can quickly turn into a headache. Find your happiness among our selection of the best mp3 players of the moment.
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Our selection
"Technophiles will be pleased with this Walkman NW413: it features sleek, fluid lines and delivers great audio performance at the same time. You'll be able…"
"This MP3 player offers 28 hours of autonomy with 16 GB of internal memory. It also has a 1.8-inch control screen and Bluetooth connectivity for…"
"The Walkman NW-A55L from SONY offers an extraordinary sound quality! This player is equipped with technologies relating to the reading of audio formats HD3 like…"
"The Hörbert Children's MP3 Player is a great idea for introducing children to electronic devices. In its wooden casing, it is resistant to the handcuffing…"
"The MP3 player NWZ-B183R.CEW of the brand SONY is very light, because it weighs only 30 grams. It embeds a technology of connectivity of the…"
Technophiles will be pleased with this Walkman NW413: it features sleek, fluid lines and delivers great audio performance at the same time. You'll be able to enjoy your music during your workouts in complete freedom.
63,99 £ on AmazonThis all-in-one player is a versatile model that you will appreciate. It's compatible with many systems, such as Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows 8, Windows XP5 and more. For better audio performance, consider downloading the headset app. The earpieces offer great sound comfort and allow you to hear the surrounding noises. This allows you to participate in conversations even while wearing your earbuds.
In addition, they are IPX 65/68 certified and are water resistant. They even work up to 2 meters deep underwater. So you can download up to 4 GB of MP3 files and enjoy good music while playing sports or at the pool. This Walkman has a battery life of 12 hours and charges quickly.
This MP3 player offers 28 hours of autonomy with 16 GB of internal memory. It also has a 1.8-inch control screen and Bluetooth connectivity for greater convenience. On the other hand, it is rather fragile.
27,19 £ on AmazonDespite its extreme compactness, AGPTEK's M16SB MP3 player is a rather powerful model that has an internal memory of 16 GB that can be expanded to 128 GB, allowing it to store a large number of files of all kinds and in various formats (wma, flac, wave, ogg, Jpeg, gif, bitmap, amv videos, txt, etc.). This allows you to enjoy your audio and video files or your e-books at any time, anywhere.
The 1.8″ TFT LCD display and touch buttons make it easier to navigate the player's library. This one also allows the reading of video files, e-books or images as well as listening to the FM radio. Compact, lightweight and functional, this MP3 player has features that are both practical and entertaining. However, some users criticize this player for not sorting the folders in alphabetical order, making it almost impossible to search by folder.
The Walkman NW-A55L from SONY offers an extraordinary sound quality! This player is equipped with technologies relating to the reading of audio formats HD3 like the FLAC and the DSD. These technologies also concern the S-Master HX.
230 £ on FnacThe Walkman NW-A55L is compatible with Bluetooth/NFC communication mode. It easily connects to devices such as sound bars, wireless speakers and headphones. With this compact and lightweight device, you can listen to approximately 45 hours of MP3 and 39 hours of FLAC. With 16GB of built-in memory, you can store up to 4,000 MP3 [128 kbps] or 300 FLAC 44 [1 kHz/16 bit] audio files.
Thanks to the microSD slot, you can add more memory according to your space needs. Finally, this player embeds the new version of the DSEE HX technology, to process low bit rate files like MP3 with better quality. This technology also allows to retranscribe ultra compressed audio files. To top it all off, the product provides exemplary ergonomics for easy navigation. This is thanks to the player's large touch screen and intuitive graphical interface.
The Hörbert Children's MP3 Player is a great idea for introducing children to electronic devices. In its wooden casing, it is resistant to the handcuffing of your toddler, but it also allows him to play like a grown-up.
191 £ on AmazonThe Hörbert children's MP3 player is ready to go straight away, with 180 minutes of pre-recorded songs and stories in several languages. It has a solid wooden design that makes it incredibly sturdy. Even if the device is dropped, the brand assures that it will remain intact. This player is like the classic models. Your child can add new titles.
The player supports the following files: MP3, OggVorbis, CD, FLAC and WAV. Performing, the device comes with a memory card of 4GB and gives a great autonomy that can go up to 50 hours of use. Note that as this device is designed especially for children, its sound volume has been limited to protect their eardrums. Finally, the learning to handle is ensured by the colored keys.
The MP3 player NWZ-B183R.CEW of the brand SONY is very light, because it weighs only 30 grams. It embeds a technology of connectivity of the type USB. On the memory side, it has a capacity of 4 GB and it is compatible with the audio file of MP3 format.
40 £ on AmazonThe MP3 player NWZ-B183R.CEW from SONY is equipped with a built-in battery box. Its battery has a life of 23 hours and a fast recharge time of 70 minutes. This MP3 player has a stereo output mode and is equipped with wired connectivity technology. It is also equipped with a USB 2.0 port. As for the type of connector, the NWZ-B183R.CEW MP3 Player uses Hi-Speed USB (type A and 4-pin).
Its OLED screen is equipped with screen lighting. Screens of this type are higher in contrast, lighter and brighter, and have the best viewing angles. Its equalizer has 5 different bands. It should be noted that this MP3 player is capable of managing 30 pre-programmed FM stations. With its ZAPPIN technology, you will easily find songs and stations to your liking. In addition to excellent autonomy, you can also charge the battery in a minimum of time.
HIFI WALKER's H2 MP3 player provides high-resolution sound in detail. It uses the famous Texas Instruments Burr Brown PCM5102 DAC and supports Flac, WMA, MP3, WAV, and native DSD file formats (up to 128 bits/5.6 MHz).
98,40 £ on AmazonThe H2 MP3 player from HIFI WALKER has a bi-directional Bluetooth 4.0 communication mode that supports Qualcomm aptX high definition wireless audio with which you can hear all the little details of your music. It can be used as a transmitter for signal transmission and as a receiver for wireless amplified music. On the storage side, this player is equipped with MicroSD slot and USB OTG to reach a huge capacity (up to 256 GB).
The system is easy to carry and is capable of handling up to 14,999 music files. With one finger, you intuitively manipulate Play/Pause and Next/Previous. The output and line ports for headphones are flexibly used even in a home audio system or car auxiliary cable. The chassis made of high-quality zinc alloy offers the player robust protection.
Any specific needs?
Best entry-level MP3 player in 2021
Best premium MP3 player in 2021
Your guide :
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| The best | NOT EXPENSIVE | HEAVY RANGE | EXCELLENT | Very good | A great value for money | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Sony Walkman NW-WS413
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AGPTEK M16SB
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Sony NW-A55L MP3 Audio Player
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Hörbert in wood
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Sony NWZ-B183R MP3 Player
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HIFI WALKER H2 BT MP3 Player
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Technophiles will be pleased with this Walkman NW413: it features sleek, fluid lines and delivers great audio performance at the same time. You'll be able to enjoy your music during your workouts in complete freedom.
|
This MP3 player offers 28 hours of autonomy with 16 GB of internal memory. It also has a 1.8-inch control screen and Bluetooth connectivity for greater convenience. On the other hand, it is rather fragile.
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The Walkman NW-A55L from SONY offers an extraordinary sound quality! This player is equipped with technologies relating to the reading of audio formats HD3 like the FLAC and the DSD. These technologies also concern the S-Master HX.
|
The Hörbert Children's MP3 Player is a great idea for introducing children to electronic devices. In its wooden casing, it is resistant to the handcuffing of your toddler, but it also allows him to play like a grown-up.
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The MP3 player NWZ-B183R.CEW of the brand SONY is very light, because it weighs only 30 grams. It embeds a technology of connectivity of the type USB. On the memory side, it has a capacity of 4 GB and it is compatible with the audio file of MP3 format.
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HIFI WALKER's H2 MP3 player provides high-resolution sound in detail. It uses the famous Texas Instruments Burr Brown PCM5102 DAC and supports Flac, WMA, MP3, WAV, and native DSD file formats (up to 128 bits/5.6 MHz).
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Storage capacity
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4GB
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16 GB
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16 GB
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4 GB
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4 GB
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256 GB
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Features
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IPX65/68 : Waterproof to salt water, dust and sand, 12 hours battery life. Fast charging: 3min for 1h music
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Lossless speaker microphone and HIFI, touch button, voice recording
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LED backlit TFT touchscreen, 1 x 3.5 mm Stereo Jack
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up to 50 hours of autonomy, external speaker, hörbert already pre-recorded with 180 minutes of music and audio books.
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Tough aluminum finish, built-in backlit OLED display, AM/FM radio
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Scroll wheel with intuitive control, high quality zinc alloy chassis
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Connectivity technology
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USB
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Bluetooth
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Bluetooth
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Auxiliary
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USB
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Bluetooth
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Supported formats
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MP3
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MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, WAV, AAC-LC, ACELP
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FLAC, WAV, AAC, HE-AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, DSD, APE, MQA, MP3, WMA
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MP3, Ogg Vorbis, CD, FLAC, WAV
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MP3, WMA
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AAC; DSD; FLAC; APE; WAV Lossless, WMA, M4A, MP3, DFF
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Colors available
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Blue, Lime, Ivory, Black
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Black
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Blue, champagne, green, black
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Color Natural wood
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Red, blue, black
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Black
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Before buying your MP3 player, you should first identify the characteristics of a good player. These include memory capacity, battery life, supported formats, connectivity, interface and buttons.
If you want to select a given model of MP 3, you need to know from the start its storage capacity, i.e. the amount of files you will be able to store in it. Therefore, in order to buy a good MP3 player, our recommendations are based on this feature.
In most cases, the storage capacity of an mp3 player is measured in bytes. The higher the measurement value, the more files you can save and add your favorite songs at the same time without deleting the old saved files. Most MP3 players no longer have a capacity measured in bytes, but rather in Gigabytes or GB. On average, 1 GB is equivalent to 250 music files of average length of your songs.
Flash memory can be connected to some models to store music without any connection to the MP3 player. Compared to hard disk storage, flash memory has several advantages. However, the memory capacity is relatively small compared to this second storage medium.
A
good MP3 player can support different formats such as WMA, MP3, L-PCM AIFF, HE-AAC, AAC, FLAC or WAV so that you can get very diverse songs from the different sources. Therefore, even if you don't have a converter, you can listen to all kinds of music without worrying about incompatibility.
The
MP3 player is a device designed to let you listen to music
anywhere.
That's why before you do any price comparisons, you need to make sure that the device you're interested in is self-contained enough for you to listen to music wherever you go.
For most mp3 players, the charging time is limited to a few minutes, so you can enjoy it fully. For high quality models, this autonomy will be at least 12 hours. This allows you to listen to music all day without needing to recharge the player. It should be noted that some models require a full charge to be used.
For
some owners, size matters for MP3 players. You'll find users who want a small MP3 player that can easily fit in a pocket, even if that means reduced functionality. On the other hand, you'll find users who prefer to have a large MP3 player with a color touchscreen that is easier to navigate and can also be used to store photos or watch videos.
There's
no right or wrong choice here; your decision depends on what you want from your new MP3 player.
Smaller MP3 players often have only a very small display screen that flashes the name of the song being played and lets you switch between songs. These do not allow you to navigate the player to select the track you want to play.
This is fine if you just want to listen to music, but not ideal if you are in the mood for something specific. As such, these types of digital music players are generally meant to be used during exercise, when you just want a distraction.
At the other end of the spectrum, you'll find MP3 players with full touchscreens, allowing you to easily navigate between different artists and albums to find the songs you want to listen to.
One of the main selling points is the amount of play time the device can offer. ("Listen to music for 10 hours on each charge!") But what matters most is the actual life of the battery itself, because a player is only as good as its battery can be recharged - let's hope for a two- to three-year life for the battery (usually a rechargeable lithium-ion battery).
Buy a player with a replaceable battery... and buy a new battery at the same time. With the way technology is changing, chances are you won't be able to buy the battery you need by the time it works.
Don't overcharge the battery. Letting it fully discharge and letting it reach the peak of its charge (and leaving it on the charger) shortens the life of the battery. Monitor the temperature. Leaving the device in a hot or cold car, for example (or baking it on a sunny windowsill), will undermine battery life.
MP3 players are divided into several groups. There are four main ones: MP3 player with internal memory, MP3 CD player, MP3 player with removable memory and the MP3 player with hard disk. MP3 CD players, which are rather traditional, have no more real benefits than the others.
This reader is almost similar to the USB key. It works like the keys. So it is very simple and effective to download music from pc. It has a small size. It has a small LCD screen, allowing to read the titles of the songs. Its only problem is its storage capacity: from 64 MB to 256 MB. In terms of size, it saves a lot of space, but it is not flexible enough to use, you can only take a limited number of songs with you. Moreover, if you suddenly want to change your music, you have to turn on your computer. Therefore, it means you need to have a computer nearby.
The
MP3 player with removable memory is almost identical to other types of players, but with a very different size. Its memory is expandable, precisely from 64 MB to 512 MB. This type of player has an internal memory and a slot to add more memory. All this allows you to easily double your listening time. The storage capacity of the MP3 player with removable memory is the same as that of the player with internal memory. It has a slightly heavier weight and a proportion that places it between a box of cigarettes and a box of tic tacs. Here is some useful information to help you in your choice: internal storage (128 MB to 512 MB), weight between 45 g to 60 g.
The
hard drive MP3 player is the most fantastic, as it can store a significant amount of music. It has a large volume and its size is similar to that of a cell phone. The smallest ones have the size (10 cm x 5.5 cm x 2 cm). However, its large size is compensated by its huge hard drive which size is between 10 to 60 GB! Another problem is its important weight. The biggest ones can reach more than 300 g. If you have to take it with you, it is advisable to hang it on your belt or place it in a pocket of your clothing. Its autonomy can also be a problem. Depending on the model, it varies from 18 hours to 16 hours. Of course, this also depends largely on the use of the player.
The smartphone is versatile, it offers good value for money and it also lets you store a more than comfortable amount of files. But they have one big weakness: the low power output of the headphone jack. The sound is often weakened via a smartphone, whereas an MP3 player will allow you to enjoy the full performance of a high-end headset. Smartphones usually have too much bass, too.
They are said to have XXL memories and more accurate acoustics. This can meet the needs of music lovers who don't want to waste their smartphone's memory with thousands of audio tracks either. MP3 players have memories ranging from 4 to 16 GB or even 64 GB (as in the case of Apple's latest 64 GB iPod touch), which can be extended with a micro SD card. The autonomy of certain models can reach 8 hours.
Generally, the sound quality of the MP3 format is not as good as that of the CD, which means that the sound provided by the audio CD player is clearer than that of the MP3 player. Although MP3 files can be compressed to a higher bit rate, most encoding speeds are 128 KB per second compared to CD, with which listeners receive sound at 196 KB, which is approximately 50% higher.
If you're a music lover who needs a specific space for your songs, choose an MP3 player: it offers more space and performance in terms of sound quality. But if versatility is what matters most to you, a smartphone will do just fine.
For its large autonomy
Some mp3 player models have a long battery life so you can enjoy your favorite songs for hours without interruption. It can go up to 250 GB, which makes it a huge storage space, able to accommodate all your playlist. That's a big advantage if you're on the go and can't afford to recharge.
For its impressive storage capacity
With an mp3 player, you can be sure to bring all your favorite music with you. This is because this device has a large storage capacity. However, if this is not enough, you still have the possibility to increase it by inserting a memory card.
For its sound quality
The mp3 player is designed to offer its user the best possible sound quality. To this end, while listening to your favorite songs you will be able to enjoy a high definition sound and a more immersive experience.
For its resistance
This device guarantees you a long lasting use because of its resistance to drops and shocks. You can easily use it for 3 years or even 4. But for that, you need to equip it with some protections like a case for example.
For its technologies
In general, MP3 players are equipped with a USB port allowing you to easily transfer your music from your PC. Other models go further and are equipped with Bluetooth technology. This means you can easily connect with other equipment. Other more powerful models have a touch screen that allows you to control the player and adjust the sound quality.
For its soothing side
An MP3 player is often very light and can go anywhere with you. This gives you the ability to listen to music at any time. Whether you are stressed, or have a problem, this little device will help you feel better.
In our opinion, the best brands of MP3 players in 2022 are :
Sony Group Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company with headquarters in Kōnan, Minato, Tokyo. The company operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional electronics. The brand is known worldwide for offering excellent quality products.
Founded in 1938, Pioneer Corporation is a Tokyo-based Japanese multinational company specializing in digital entertainment products. This brand has earned a prominent place among the world leaders in the field with excellent quality and high performance products. This brand is reliable.
AGPTEK is a Chinese brand mainly focusing on MP3 players. Established in 2008, AGPTEK relentlessly pursues the latest product technologies and provides the best possible user experience. It designs, produces and distributes its own products to ensure customers reliable, cost-effective, yet high-quality products.
The Samsung group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate that is no longer in need of presentation, so great is its notoriety. Its products are systematically among the most popular, whatever the field: whether in the field of telephony and computing, household appliances or MP3 players.
Apple has held the top spot in the computer and multimedia sector since the early 2000s. This brand created in 1977 has a worldwide reputation and its products have never disappointed in terms of quality or performance. This brand is more than reliable and satisfies its consumers.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
The best MP3 player depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best.
Check that the instrument is fully charged and the battery is inserted correctly. For battery-operated MP 3 meters, if you insert a new battery, you should check the direction of insertion. Charge the models that work with batteries. Make sure the hold button is not activated.
Yes, you can take your mp3 player in your hand luggage. As a note, when landing and during takeoff, you must turn off your device.
If you want to listen to music while swimming, you can effectively protect your device by attaching it to your swimsuit or goggles. To avoid tension that could pull the headphones out of your ears, slide the headphone cord under the clip on your goggles. Please note that these tips will be useless if your device is not waterproof and completely waterproof.
This is especially the case if your device is not properly disconnected from the operating system's hardware disconnect. A simple restart of the computer usually solves this problem. If this is not enough, formatting your MP3 player is mandatory, using the standard procedure for formatting your operating system on a USB medium in FAT16 or FAT32 format.
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