-
Best MP3 player
Pros: excellent performance, sleek and thin, adds cameras, video chatting and faster processor, longer battery life
Cons: no GPS, poor-quality earbuds, expensive
885909394845
8 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB
Wi-Fi, Nike+ iPod support, Maps location-based service, Bluetooth 2.1, video recording
Rechargeable lithium-ion
N/A
1 year limited
MC540LL/A
Apple
Widescreen multi-touch
Yes
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
N/A
3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, dock connector
AAC, Protected AAC, HE-AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
Yes
32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
10,000 ft.
No
Earphones, dock connector to USB cable, quick start guide
3.5
960 by 640
40
7
4
Mac: Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later, iTunes 10 or later; Windows: Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP Home or Professional or later, iTunes 10 or later
4.4
2.3
0.28
3.56
-
Best iPod alternative
Pros: gorgeous touch screen, hD radio, wi-Fi-capable, zune Pass subscription service
Cons: few mobile apps, web browser is slow, windows-only
882224858090
16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB
Wireless, built-in FM/HD radio, video support
Rechargeable
4,000, 8,000 or 16,000
1 year limited
END-00001
Microsoft
OLED color
Yes
N/A
N/A
3.5 mm headphone jack, connector port
WMA, WMA Pro, WMA Lossless, AAC-LC, MP3
Yes
N/A
N/A
N/A
Headphones, Zune sync cable, three pairs of foam earpiece covers
3.3
480 by 272
33
8.5
3
Windows: Windows 7, Vista, XP with Service Pack 2; Mac: Mac OS X with Boot Camp running Windows 7, Vista or XP
4
2.1
0.35
2.6
-
Budget MP3 player
Pros: great value, small and lightweight, microSD memory card slot, fM radio
Cons: 1-inch screen is hard to read, radio reception is finicky in some areas
081258008802
2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB
Digital FM tuner, built-in microphone, wearable clip
Rechargeable
500, 1,000 or 2,000
1 year limited
SDMX18R-004GK-A57
SanDisk
OLED
No
N/A
N/A
MicroSD and MicroSDHC memory card slot, USB 2.0, headphone jack
MP3, WMA, secure WMA, Audible, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, audio books and podcasts
No
N/A
N/A
40
USB 2.0 transfer cable, earphones and quick start guide
1
N/A
15
N/A
N/A
Windows XP SP2, Linux or Max OS X 10.3 (Mass Storage Class Only)
2.16
1.36
0.6
0.85
-
Budget iPod
Pros: physical controls, small and lightweight, good battery life
Cons: clip is awkwardly positioned, small amount of storage
885909432677
2 GB
VoiceOver
Rechargeable lithium-ion
N/A
1 year limited
MC645LL/A
Apple
N/A
N/A
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
N/A
3.5 mm stereo headphone jack for audio and USB charging
AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
No
32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
10,000 ft.
No
Earphones, 45 mm USB cable, quick start guide
N/A
N/A
15
N/A
3
Mac: Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later, iTunes 10 or later; Windows: Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP Home or Professional (SP3) or later, iTunes 10 or later
1.14
1.24
0.34
0.44