Best MP3 Players

iPod nano tops music-centric players

Experts say the new fifth-generation iPod nano is the best all-around MP3 player, especially if you care more about music than watching video. It comes in 8 GB (*Est. $140 for 8 GB) and 16 GB (*Est. $170) models in nine different colors. Although it looks the same as the previous generation, the nano has added a host of features, most notably a built-in video camera.

Other new features include a slightly larger 2.2-inch screen, pedometer, built-in Nike+ functionality, a speaker and the first FM tuner in an iPod -- all wrapped up in a glossier aluminum case. In order to accommodate the larger screen, the size of click wheel has been reduced; some reviewers find it a little too small to navigate efficiently. Reviewers acknowledge that there are MP3 players with better sound quality, and they frequently fault the nano for lacking richness. Donald Bell at CNET says both the Sony X Series Walkman and Cowon S9 offer better sound quality, but they lag behind the iPod nano in other areas. Not all reviewers are unhappy with the sound quality -- Jeremy Horwitz at iLounge.com says it provides "cleaner-sounding audio that's as close to audiophile-quality as any iPod we've previously tested."

The video camera is very easy to use, although nearly every expert questions why Apple positioned it near the bottom of the iPod. Given that placement, it's easy to accidentally obscure the lens with your fingers while shooting video. Reviewers describe the nano's video quality as "decent" and "acceptable," and some wish it could take still pictures. Although the video camera is impressive for a small, inexpensive device, most reviewers say you shouldn't buy the nano just for its video-recording features.

Overall, reviewers are impressed with the new iPod nano, especially for those who want a small MP3 player without the apps, web browsing and extras on the iPod touch. Christopher Breen at Macworld says the new iPod nano is "a far more functional, flexible and entertaining iPod than its predecessor," and Katherine Hannaford at T3 magazine says "we have no hesitation in recommending the latest iPod Nano." CNET calls it the "best Nano yet," and Hugo Jobling agrees when he says the iPod nano is "inarguably Apple's best yet."

The iPod classic has largely been pushed to the side by the iPod touch and nano, and Jeremy Horwitz at iLounge.com calls it a "dead-end for everything save storage capacity." The iPod classic only comes in a 160 GB version (*Est. $240 for 160 GB), although you can choose between black and silver. It plays music and video, and it can display photos on its 2.5-inch color LCD display. Although the classic does get a few recommendations, most experts say the iPod touch or iPod nano are better choices unless you have a large music library. Because it has a hard drive (as opposed to flash-based memory), the iPod Classic has a larger capacity than any other iPod and it can hold up to 40,000 songs. Donald Bell at CNET says the iPod classic is "still one of the best-designed high-capacity MP3 players on the market."

Creative makes several iPod nano competitors for Windows users who don't need or want to use iTunes, including the Creative Zen Mozaic, which comes in 2 GB (*Est. $50), 4 GB (*Est. $60 for 4 GB), 8 GB (*Est. $76) and 16 GB (*Est. $100) capacities. The Creative Zen Mozaic includes a 1.8-inch TFT display, a built-in speaker and integrated FM radio. It gets decent reviews overall, but many experts find the interface annoying and not very user-friendly.

With a 3-inch touch screen, the newly released Creative Zen X-Fi 2 looks like the iPod touch, but it's priced closer to the iPod nano. The X-Fi 2 comes in 8 GB (*Est. $130), 16 GB (*Est. $180) and 32 GB (*Est. $230) versions; it includes an integrated FM radio, built-in speaker, microphone and microSD memory card slot. It also boasts file support that is often lacking on comparable MP3 players, including DivX and Xvid. The Creative Zen X-Fi 2 has yet to attract many reviews, but the editors of TechRadar.com give it a lengthy analysis. Sound quality is good, and audio is superior to the new iPod touch and nano when using the X-Fi enhancers. The noise-isolating headphones are also better than those on the iPod. Their biggest complaint is the touch screen, which they call "an absolute nightmare." Overall, TechRadar.com says the Creative Zen X-Fi 2 is a "decent MP3 player."