Best MP3 player Apple iPod nano *Est. $140
Best touch-screen MP3 player Apple iPod touch *Est. $280
Best iPod alternative Microsoft Zune HD *Est. $290
Best sound quality Sony X Series Walkman *Est. $380
Budget MP3 player SanDisk Sansa Clip+ *Est. $50

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Creative Zen

*Est. $60 for 2 GB

Reviewed October 2009

Lots of features
Good sound
Good video quality
Less expensive than iPod nano

Videos must be converted before playback
Battery life shorter than claimed

Where to Buy

for $61.99

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Although it's not exactly an iPod killer, the Creative Zen gets a thumbs-up from reviewers for doing a lot of things right, and if you aren't already committed to iTunes, the Zen is a less expensive alternative to the iPod nano (*Est. $140 for 8 GB). Audio quality is excellent and video quality on the 2.5-inch screen is very good, though you'll have to convert videos using included software before viewing. The feature lineup includes an FM tuner, voice recording and support for music subscription services. There's also an expansion slot for microSD memory cards, though the tracks stored on external cards aren't integrated with the libraries stored in the player's internal memory. Memory capacities from 2 GB through 32 GB are available. Although the Creative Zen is a great choice for many, especially PC users, it can't quite match the seamless user experience of the Apple iPod nano. The Creative Zen hasn't been discontinued, but there are newer models on the market, including the Creative Zen MX (*Est. $120 for 16 GB). The Creative Zen MX gets lower ratings from users posting to Amazon.com.

Most major reviewers do a very credible job reporting on the Creative Zen. CNET, PCMag.com and PC World offer reporting and useful opinions based on hands-on testing. ConsumerReports.org provides the least insight, but its ratings are backed by well-regarded testing as well. Lots of user reviews can be read at Amazon.com.

Where To Buy

Featured Stores	Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
	2129 store reviews	In Stock.	$61.99	See It
			See All Stores

Our Sources

1. CNET

Although this isn't among one of CNET's more detailed reports, Jasmine France does a nice job reporting on highs and lows, and putting the Creative Zen in its correct place in the market. In the end, she says, "We're hard-pressed to find anything not to like about the Creative Zen."

Review: Creative Zen (16 GB), Jasmine France, April 25, 2008

2. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

PCMag.com gives the Creative Zen one of the lower ratings of any reviewer, but still finds enough to like to say that the player is "worth a try" for users looking for an iPod alternative. Large screen size and decent features, performance and expandability are the positives. Poor battery life and erratic start-up times are among the negatives.

Review: Creative Zen, Tim Gideon, Oct. 31, 2008

3. PC World Details/Subscribe

The Creative Zen is complimented in this review for its great feature lineup. Darren Gladstone says it racked up consistently high marks in PC World's audio lab tests. He adds that the Creative Zen is easy to use, but that one-handed operation can be tricky.

Review: Creative Zen, Darren Gladstone, March 21, 2008

4. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

To see ConsumerReports.org' ratings of 35 flash players, which includes a rating for the Creative Zen, you'll need a subscription. ConsumerReports.org does its homework in the laboratory, but comments are brief, and you can find similar assessments elsewhere for free.

Review: iPods and MP3 Players, Editors of Consumer Reports

5. Amazon.com

More than 750 users chime in with opinions about the Creative Zen. The vast majority give it four or five stars (out of five), but a few opinions from less-than-satisfied owners can be found as well. Unhappy owners often received a player that failed prematurely and found customer service was less than helpful.

Review: Creative Zen 16 GB Portable Media Player, Contributors to Amazon.com