MP3 Players: Reviews

Updated October 2010

When it comes to MP3 players, it's pretty much all about the iPod. We looked at reviews from consumer electronics to determine the best and most affordable iPods and other MP3 players. ConsumerSearch editors also look at alternatives, such as portable media players and smartphones.

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Best MP3 player

Apple iPod touch

*Est. $230 for 8 GB Compare Prices

The Apple iPod touch blows other MP3 players out of the water and earned more than a dozen expert recommendations -- including three Editors' Choice awards -- in its first few weeks on the market. The new… expandfourth-generation touch is thinner and sleeker than its predecessor, and it's faster too, thanks to a new A4 processor. Reviewers are pleased that the iPod touch (finally!) includes a camera. In fact, it has cameras front and back to enable video chat using Apple's FaceTime feature. Sound quality hasn't changed substantially, and experts say most users will be pleased as long as they upgrade to better headphones. Battery life has improved, lasting nearly 40 hours in one audio test (browsing the web or running apps will drain the battery faster). Reviewers cite few drawbacks, although some would like to see integrated GPS. The iPod touch is expensive if you just want an MP3 player, but reviewers say all the extra features make it worth the price. The touch is also available in 32 GB (*Est. $300) and 64 GB (*Est. $400) capacities. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

iLounge.com: Jeremy Horwitz at iLounge.com highly recommends the 32 GB iPod touch.

Laptop Magazine: The Apple iPod touch receives an Editors' Choice award from Laptop Magazine.

Anandtech.com: Anand Lai Shimpi says the iPod touch has made a number of improvements, including a slimmer design and new features.

CNET: CNET gives an Editors' Choice award to the new Apple iPod touch.

PCMag.com: The iPod touch also receives an Editors' Choice award from PCMag.com.

TrustedReviews.com: TrustedReviews.com gives its Recommended award to the iPod touch.

PC Pro: Jonathan Bray at PC Pro gives the iPod touch a Recommended award.

Audio/Video Revolution: Mike Flacy at Audio/Video Revolution says the iPod touch is noticeably faster than earlier models.

Wired: Wired gives the iPod touch an overall rating of 8 out of 10.

Engadget.com: Joshua Topolsky says the new iPod touch is "a product without a peer." The touch has made improvements over the previous generation, and performance is faster.

Techland.com: "Now more than ever before is the right time to buy an iPod touch," Peter Ha writes at Techland.com.

IGN.com: Scott Lowe at IGN.com says the latest iPod touch is "the greatest iPod to date" and gives it an overall rating of 9 out of 10.

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Buy from Amazon for $174.99
PCConnectio- n Express for $189.00	BuyDig.com for $229.00	Amazon for $174.99

Best iPod alternative

Microsoft Zune HD

*Est. $180 for 16 GB Compare Prices

Although the iPod touch receives more recommendations, experts say the Microsoft Zune HD is a worthy alternative that's less expensive -- if you're not already married to iTunes. With a sleek design and 3.3-inch touch… expandscreen, the Zune HD earns numerous accolades for its sexy design. The touch screen is very responsive, and videos and pictures look great on the OLED display. The Zune HD also boasts an integrated FM radio, Wi-Fi capability and HD video output with the optional Zune AV Dock (*Est. $70). Sound quality is comparable to the iPod touch, although the on-screen volume adjustments on the Zune HD annoy some reviewers. Although many experts are impressed with the Zune HD, they say it can't compete with the iPod touch when it comes to apps, games and web browsing. Microsoft's mobile browser loads pages slowly, and the Zune HD has far fewer apps. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: The Zune HD scores an "excellent" rating from CNET's Donald Bell.

Arstechnica.com: Although he finds the interface a little frustrating and dislikes the on-screen volume adjustment, Nate Anderson at ArsTechnica.com says he thinks Microsoft has a winner in the Zune HD. Overall, he calls it an "excellent media player."

PCMag.com: PCMag.com prefers the iPod touch (it earns an Editors' Choice award), but the Zune HD gets an "excellent" rating.

Laptop Magazine: The Zune HD gets high marks for its stunning screen and HD radio, although K.T. Bradford says Microsoft has to offer more in the way of apps if it wants to truly compete with the iPod touch.

PC World: Ginny Mies says the Zune HD is a "huge step forward for Microsoft," and she praises the sexy design and video quality.

Wired: Like other reviewers, Mark McClusky is impressed by the OLED touch screen and HD radio, but he thinks the iPod touch is superior when it comes to apps and the user interface.

Electronista.com: The Zune HD gets high marks at Electronista.com.

CNET: This article from CNET is a great comparison between the iPod touch and Zune HD. Three CNET editors rate the MP3 players on multiple criteria, although they conclude that the iPod touch is a "better product for most people."

Amazon.com: More than 650 reviewers give the Zune HD extremely high ratings at Amazon.com.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $319.64

Budget MP3 player

SanDisk Sansa Clip+

*Est. $35 for 2 GB Compare Prices

Even though it's been around for a while, reviewers continue to recommend the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ as the best budget MP3 player available. Experts say it is a better value than the iPod shuffle, its main competitor. The… expandSansa Clip+ is less than 2 inches tall, and it includes a 1-inch display and wearable clip. It also boasts an FM radio and microSD memory card slot to expand the player's capacity. Reviews indicate that the Sansa Clip+ is sturdier than its predecessor, and a redesigned button layout improves navigation. Audio quality is surprisingly good for such a small MP3 player. Reviewers find few drawbacks to the SanDisk Sansa Clip+, although the radio reception is shaky in some areas and the text on the small display can be hard to read. In addition to the 2 GB model, the Sansa Clip+ comes in 4 GB (*Est. $40) and 8 GB (*Est. $60) capacities. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: The SanDisk Sansa Clip+ earns an Editors' Choice award from CNET, where Jasmine France calls it an "unbeatable value." Although France says she would appreciate longer battery life, she recommends this tiny MP3 player.

PCMag.com: PCMag.com also bestows an Editors' Choice award on the SanDisk Sansa Clip+. Thanks to its small screen and good sound, Tim Gideon says it easily beats out the iPod Shuffle in the budget MP3 category.

Anything But iPod: Grahm Skee at AnythingbutiPod.com says he is happy with this update to the popular SanDisk Sansa Clip, especially the addition of a microSD memory card slot.

Computer Shopper: The SanDisk Sansa Clip+ earns another Editors' Choice award from ComputerShopper.com.

Electronista.com: Jon Fingas at Electronista.com says the SansaClip+ is "possibly the best wearable MP3 player yet." However, he says he thinks SanDisk can lose the slotMusic and slotRadio card support for future players, because it's not widely used anyway.

PC World: Ginny Mies at PC World says the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ feels a little sturdier and more solid than its predecessor.

Gizmodo.com: Dan Nosowitz at Gizmodo.com says he thinks the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ is a better choice than the iPod shuffle, largely because it offers much better sound quality.

Amazon.com: More than 750 owners rate the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ on Amazon.com.

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Buy from Amazon for $29.99
eBay for $38.81	eBay for $53.31	Amazon for $29.99

Budget iPod

iPod shuffle

*Est. $50 for 2 GB Compare Prices

If you want an iPod but don't want to spend much money, reviewers recommend the latest iPod shuffle, which makes some distinct improvements over the previous generation. For one, Apple put physical controls back on the… expandshuffle, which makes it easier to change tracks or pause a song. The VoiceOver button on the top of the player is nifty for checking song titles and battery life through your headphones. The shuffle weighs less than half an ounce, and it sports an integrated clip for running or the gym. More than 15 hours of battery life is another plus. Because the shuffle is so small, it can be hard to open the clip without accidentally pressing the buttons. Although many experts say they wish it came with more memory, most acknowledge that this is the best iPod shuffle yet. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

iLounge.com: The fourth-generation iPod shuffle earns a B rating from iLounge.com.

Laptop Magazine: Laptop Magazine gives its Editors' Choice award to the iPod shuffle.

Macworld: Macworld gives the iPod shuffle a 4 out of 5 rating.

CNET: The iPod shuffle earns a good rating from CNET. "The iPod shuffle's buttons are back, and the lightest, smallest MP3 player on the planet is now better than ever," Donald Bell writes.

PCMag.com: PCMag.com gives the Apple iPod shuffle a good rating.

Pocket-lint.com: Stuart Miles gives the iPod shuffle a very high rating of 9 out of 10 and a Hot Product award.

IGN.com: Scott Lowe at IGN.com says the iPod shuffle is much better than the previous generation, which relied on an earphone remote instead of physical controls.

SlashGear.com: SlashGear.com doesn't rate the iPod shuffle, but Vincent Nguyen has a detailed test-based review.

Macnn.com: MacNN.com gives the new iPod shuffle a 3.5-star rating.

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