Buyer's Guide: The Best MP3 Players

Not everyone listens to music on a smartphone! Sports enthusiasts can, for example, find it handy to have a separate device, while some people don't, and may have no intention of, owning a smartphone. Here are a few things to look for when shopping for an MP3 player:

Into sports? Sporty types or users who don't want to be weighed down should look for a super-small MP3 player. Such models usually play music and play music only but, then again, no other functions are really necessary. Look for a model with a microSD card slot if you want to boost storage capacities.

Music aficionado? Just a few years ago, you would have had trouble finding a decent MP3 player. Today, however, you just need to look for a model with a decent digital-to-analogue converter and a good pair of headphones. As it happens, you'll find one such model in our buyer's guide!

How about a mini-tablet? Some MP3 players now run on iOS or Android, just like smartphones. When considering one of these models, make sure you check how powerful it is (for glitch-free apps and glitch-free music) and check that its OS (version and system architecture) is compatible with the apps you want to use.

With these factors in mind, here's our pick of the best MP3 players out there right now.

Editor's Choice

This compact, robust and easy-to-use MP3 player is perfect for joggers, skiers, cyclists and more, bringing music wherever you want to go. The Clip+ isn't without fault, but given its budget price tag and handy microSD card slot, you can't really ask for a whole lot more.

Sound quality is very good, and the audio output is worthy of a higher-end device. The only drawback is that the output isn't powerful enough to use with a pair of big, hi-fi-style headphones. Then again, that's not really what this MP3 player is designed for! Stick to lightweight headphones or earphones and it'll work like a dream!

Two Alternatives