MP3 PLAYERS

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Best MP3 Players

We've researched and compared the most popular MP3 players on the market to help you choose which one is best for you. There is a huge variety in the functionality, size and price between the top six choices. Some work very well for watching videos, whereas others can only be used to store and listen to music. Do your research and be sure to consider how much you will want to store and whether you will need a device with a long battery life or something that is light and easy to carry around.

 
Last Update: May 20, 2013
MP3 Players
Apple
Apple iPod touch
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 Best for:Those looking for much more than a media player. In fact, it has many of the same features as an iPhone, without paying for a carrier.

Price Range: $160-$399

Battery Life: 48h 18m

Overall Rating:
Apple
Apple iPod nano
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 Best for:Apple-fans who want the size and simplicity of a basic MP3 player, along with a touchpad and user interface similar to that of other apple products.

Price Range: $99-$239

Battery Life: 27h 22m

Overall Rating:
Creative
Creative Zen X-Fi
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 Best for:Customers who may not want an Apple product, but still want a plethora of added features and wi-fi compatibility. The Creative Zen X-Fi provides great audio quality at a very reasonable price.

Price Range: $124-$299

Battery Life: 36h

Overall Rating:    
Zune
Microsoft Zune HD
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 Best for:Users who want to focus on music, video and other media, rather than gaming or apps. Although the choice of games is narrow, the big screen is great for movies.

Price Range: $324-$727

Battery Life: 33h

Overall Rating:
Sandisk
SanDisk Sansa Clip
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 Best for:Casual users on a budget. Although storage and battery life are both a little bit lower than from other MP3 players, the extremely low cost more than makes up for it.

Price Range: $39-$61

Battery Life: 14h 53m

Overall Rating:
Cowon
Cowon J3
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 Best for:Those willing to use a slightly larger music player in order to get the best possible sound quality.

Price Range: $179-$259

Battery Life: 44h 48m

Overall Rating:

Feature comparison

Feature Apple iPod touch Apple  iPod nano Creative Zen X-Fi1 Microsoft Zune HD SanDisk Sansa Clip Cowon J3
  Apple -i Pod -touch Apple -i Pod -nano Creative -Zen -X-Fi1 Microsoft -Zune -HD San Disk -Sansa -Clip Cowon -J3
Overall Rating            
Price Range $160 - $399 $99 - $239 $124 - $299 $324 - $727 $39 - $61 $179 - $259
Storage Medium Flash memory Flash memory Flash memory Flash memory Flash memory Flash memory
Battery & Charge Options Li-ion, USB Li-ion, USB or optional charger Li-ion, USB lithium-ion polymer battery Li-ion, USB lithium polymer, USB
Dimensions (WxHxD) 2.3 x 4.3 x 0.3 inches 1.6 x 1.5 x 0.4 inches 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.4 inches 3.3 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches 2.16 x 1.36 x 0.6 inches 2.2 x 4.2 x 0.4 inches
Weight 3.56 oz 0.74 oz 2.4 oz 2.6 oz 0.8 oz 10.9 oz
Display Size (Diagonal) 3.5 inches 1.5 inches 3 inches 3.3 inches 1.3 inches 3.3 inches
Display Resolution 640 x 960 pixels 240 x 376 pixels 320x 240 pixels 480x 27 2pixels 96 x 96 pixels 480 x 272 pixels
Memory Card Support x_grey_sign x_grey_sign microSD SD x_grey_sign microSD
FM Radio x_grey_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign
Audio Record Options v_sign x_grey_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign
Video Record Options v_sign x_grey_sign x_grey_sign x_grey_sign x_grey_sign x_grey_sign
Supplied with headphones, USB cable headphones, USB cable headphones, USB cable headphones, USB cable headphones, USB cable headphones, USB cable
Battery Life (MP3 Playback) 48h 18m 27h 22m 36h 33h 14h 53m 44h 48m
Battery Life (Video Playback) 8h 50m N/A 5h 8.5h N/A 13h 22m
Audio MP3 Playback v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign
Video MPEG-4 MP4 Playback v_sign x_grey_sign v_sign v_sign x_grey_sign v_sign
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