MP3 Players: Reviews

Updated October 2009

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Best MP3 player

*Est. $140 for 8 GB Compare Prices

The newest iPod nano continues to impress reviewers, and it easily wins the title of best overall MP3 player. Introduced in September, the fifth-generation iPod nano adds a slightly larger 2.2-inch display, a video camera… and a pedometer; it's also the first iPod to include an FM radio. These extra features, coupled with the nano's slim, lightweight design, lead many experts to conclude that this is the best nano yet. Audio quality is good (though not the very best), and video playback is impressive, despite the small screen. Reviewers like the simplicity of the video camera, but nearly all question the placement near the bottom of the iPod, because it's easy to obscure the lens with your fingers. Video quality isn't stellar, but it's good enough for posting videos to YouTube or Facebook. A 16 GB version (*Est. $170) is also available.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Donald Bell at CNET gives the new iPod nano an "excellent" rating, saying the fifth-generation model is "the best one yet." Bell ...

PCMag.com: Tim Gideon gives the Apple iPod nano an Editors' Choice award, saying "nothing else in this price range comes close to its ...

Arstechnica.com: Like most reviewers, ArsTechnica.com questions the placement of the video camera, but editors say it feels more natural after ...

TrustedReviews.com: Britain's TrustedReviews.com recommends the new iPod nano, and reviewer Hugo Jobling says this nano is "inarguably Apple's best ...

iLounge.com: Although Jeremy Horwitz says the video quality is "mediocre," he raves about the sound quality of the new iPod nano. Horwitz says ...

Laptop Magazine: Jeffrey Wilson at Laptop Magazine says the iPod nano won't wow you with its audio quality, but he thinks it's a good value and ...

Macworld: Christopher Breen at Macworld runs through the nano's new features, concluding that it is a "far more functional, flexible and ...

T3.com: Katherine Hannaford likes the larger screen, built-in pedometer and video filters on the new iPod nano, but she doesn't ...

Pocket-lint.com: Dan Sung at Pocket-lint.com gives the iPod nano a rating of seven out of 10. Although he wishes the nano could take still ...

Amazon.com: Only 20 reviewers comment on the latest Apple iPod nano on Amazon.com. Many reviewers say they think this is the best nano yet, ...

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Best touch-screen MP3 player

Apple iPod touch

*Est. $280 for 32 GB Compare Prices

The award-winning iPod touch also received an update in September. Though the third-generation touch doesn't include any exciting new features (there's still no camera), experts say the iPod touch remains one of the best… MP3 players available for those who want a more capacity and a bigger screen to watch videos or play games. The design and 3.5-inch touch screen are unchanged, but the 32 GB and 64 GB (*Est. $380) models received a boost in processor speed and now boast voice-controlled music playback. Sound quality is good -- but not the very best -- and video looks great on the large display. Reviewers say the iPod touch is unrivaled when it comes to web browsing and third-party apps, but Microsoft's new Zune HD is a worthy competitor in other areas. The iPod touch also comes in an 8 GB capacity (*Est. $190), but experts recommend skipping it because it didn't receive the processor upgrades.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: The iPod touch earns an "outstanding" rating from Donald Bell at CNET, who says it "still leaves its competitors in the dust." ...

iLounge.com: Jeremy Horwitz at iLounge.com says he thinks the third-generation iPod touch is "unquestionably better" than the previous model, ...

TrustedReviews.com: The new iPod touch is also recommended by TrustedReviews.com. Hugo Jobling calls it an "utterly fantastic device," although he ...

PCMag.com: PCMag.com gives its Editors' Choice award to the iPod touch, saying it is "the best iPod around." Although Tim Gideon says he ...

CNET: If you're deciding between the iPod touch and Zune HD, this comparison is a must read. Three CNET editors rate both MP3 players ...

Macworld: Jason Snell at Macworld compliments the iPod touch on its faster speeds, which is great news for gamers. Overall, he calls it "a ...

Pocket-lint.com: Although he acknowledges that the new iPod touch hasn't received many major changes, Dan Sung at Pocket-lint.com says he notices ...

PC World: The iPod touch tops this list of best MP3 players at PC World. Although the list was updated at the end of September, the full ...

Outside Magazine: Outside magazine has brief reviews of audio players, and the iPod touch wins the Gear of the Year award. Jeremy Spencer says the ...

Amazon.com: Approximately 40 reviewers give the new iPod touch an overall rating of four out of five stars. Some owners are disappointed that ...

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Best iPod alternative

Microsoft Zune HD

*Est. $290 for 32 GB Compare Prices

Although the iPod touch receives more recommendations, experts say Microsoft is finally giving Apple some serious competition with the Zune HD. With a sleek design and stunning 3.3-inch touch screen, the Zune HD earns… numerous accolades for its sexy design. The touch screen is incredibly responsive, and videos and pictures look fantastic 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. $90). 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 only a couple of apps so far. Still, reviewers say the Zune HD is a terrific alternative, if you don't want an iPod. A 16 GB capacity (*Est. $220) is also available.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: The Zune HD scores an "excellent" rating from CNET's Donald Bell. The OLED display, video quality and long battery life get high ...

Arstechnica.com: Although he finds the interface a little frustrating and dislikes the on-screen volume adjustment, Nate Anderson at ...

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

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 ...

PC World: Sept. 15, 2009Ginny Mies says the Zune HD is a "huge step forward for Microsoft," and she praises the sexy design and video ...

Wired: Like other reviewers, Wired is impressed by the OLED touchscreen and HD radio, but thinks the iPod touch is superior when it ...

Electronista.com: The Zune HD gets high marks at Electronista.com. Reviewer Jon Fingas says video looks great on the display, although direct ...

CNET: This article from CNET is a great comparison between the iPod touch and Zune HD. Three CNET editors rate the MP3 players on ...

Amazon.com: More than 150 reviewers give the Zune HD extremely high ratings at Amazon.com. Many owners really like the Zune Pass music ...

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Best sound quality

Sony X Series Walkman

*Est. $380 for 32 GB Compare Prices

If sound quality is your one and only consideration -- and you're willing to pay for it -- reviews indicate that the Sony X Series Walkman deserves a look. Like the iPod touch and Zune HD, the X Series Walkman boasts a… sleek design, built-in Wi-Fi and a large touch screen. Experts say the Sony X Series Walkman provides better sound quality than its competitors, and one reviewer calls it a "superb choice for audiophiles." The touch screen is highly responsive, and the noise-canceling headphones are much better than those shipped with the iPod. However, Sony's web browser is universally panned and the high price is a significant downside. Still, the Sony X Series earns a number of recommendations, especially for those looking for great audio quality or an iPod alternative. The Sony X Series Walkman also comes in a 16 GB model (*Est. $290).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Jasmine France at CNET says the Sony X Series Walkman is a "superb choice for audiophiles who want a luxury device." She rates ...

PCMag.com: The Sony X Series Walkman gets high marks at PCMag.com, where Tim Gideon calls it "the best non-iTunes-centric player you can ...

Anything But iPod: Grahm Skee at AnythingbutiPod.com says the Sony X Series is an "awesome music player" that is worth the price if you can afford ...

Laptop Magazine: Like most reviewers, Jeffrey Wilson at Laptop Magazine says he thinks the Sony's web browser is its biggest weakness. Still, he ...

PC World: Ginny Mies at PC World has lots of good things to say about the 3-inch display on the Sony X Series Walkman, saying it's "one of ...

Gizmodo.com: Dan Nosowitz at Gizmodo.com says he thinks the Sony X Series is not a serious contender against the iPod touch, and he describes ...

Wired: Not surprisingly, Terrence Russell at Wired isn't impressed with the web browser, but the sleek design, audio quality and ...

Amazon.com: In about 20 customer reviews, the Sony Walkman X Series earns an overall rating of four out of five stars. One reviewer says it ...

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Budget MP3 player

SanDisk Sansa Clip+

*Est. $50 for 4 GB Compare Prices

Reviewers rave about the SanDisk Sansa Clip+, saying it is a terrific update to the popular SanDisk Sansa Clip. Experts say it's the best MP3 player under $100, and it easily outclasses the iPod shuffle, its main… competitor. The new Sansa 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, but high-quality headphones will greatly improve the listening experience. Reviewers find few downsides 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 4 GB model, the Sansa Clip+ comes in 2 GB (*Est. $40) and 8 GB (*Est. $65) capacities.

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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 ...

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 ...

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

Computer Shopper: The SanDisk Sansa Clip+ earns yet another Editors' Choice award from ComputerShopper.com. Like other reviewers, Matt Safford is ...

Electronista.com: Jon Fingas at Electronista.com says the SansaClip+ is "possibly the best wearable MP3 player yet." However, he thinks SanDisk can ...

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

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

Amazon.com: Only a handful of owners rate the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ on Amazon.com. Overall, the few reviewers posting here are overwhelmingly ...

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Nu-Image Corporation

for $56.99

B&H Photo Video Pro Audio

for $44.89

J&R Music and Computer World

for $46.00

Samsung P3 *Est. $150 for 8 GB

3 picks by top review sites.

Cowon S9 *Est. $260 for 32 GB

3 picks by top review sites.

iPod Classic *Est. $240 for 160 GB

2 picks including: Amazon.com, iLounge.com…

Creative Zen Mozaic *Est. $60 for 4 GB

2 picks by top review sites.

Sandisk Sansa Fuze *Est. $65 for 8 GB

1 pick including: Amazon.com, PC World…


	Samsung YPP3JCB 8 GB MP3 player from Amazon.com New: $186.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Cowon S9 32 GB Video MP3 Player with Touchscreen (Titanium Black) from Amazon.com New: $299.99 $259.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Apple iPod classic 160 GB Black (7th Generation) NEWEST MODEL from Amazon.com New: $249.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Creative Zen Mozaic 4 GB MP3 Player (Black) from Amazon.com New: $79.99 $49.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8 GB Video MP3 Player (Black) from Amazon.com New: $144.68 $68.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

MP3 Players: Reviews

Best MP3 player

Best touch-screen MP3 player

Best iPod alternative

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Budget MP3 player

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