MP3 Players: Ratings of Sources
Total of 24 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Best 5 MP3 Players
by Donald Bell
Our Assessment
CNET is one of the best sources for reviews of MP3 players. The reviews are current, detailed and balanced; it's also easy to tell which MP3 players receive the best ratings. Senior editor Donald Bell picks five of the best MP3 players, and he maintains lists of the best hard drive, flash memory, small and cheap MP3 players. Some players are included on more than one list.
MP3 Players
by Editors of PCMag.com
Our Assessment
Several recently reviewed MP3 players earn Editors' Choice awards from PCMag.com, including the new iPod touch and iPod nano. For a budget pick, PCMag.com editors like the SanDisk Sansa Clip+. Although it… loses out on the Editors' Choice award to the iPod touch, the Zune HD also gets a high rating. The reviews at PCMag.com are detailed and relatively comparative. Given the large number of recent reviews, this is one of the best sources to check for reviews of MP3 players.
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3. Which? magazine
As of Oct. 2009
MP3 Players
by Editors of Which? magazine
Our Assessment
Britain's Which? magazine, which conducts Consumer Reports-like testing, has reviewed more than 220 MP3 players and recommends 65 players. Some of these models are only available in Europe or have been discontinued, and some models are listed multiple times with different capacities. Which? magazine has yet to review the latest iPod models.
MP3 and Video Player Reviews
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
Our Assessment
Laptop Magazine covers all things mobile, including MP3 players. Reviews are competent and occasional comparisons are made. It includes a good number of recent reviews, and there is a useful variation in ratings to tell which MP3 players post the best performances. The Zune HD and new iPod nano get the highest ratings among MP3 players reviewed this year.
5. ConsumerReports.org
As of Oct. 2009
iPods and MP3 Players
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
ConsumerReports.org conducts thorough tests on dozens of MP3 players, rating each player on criteria such as audio quality, ease of use, damage resistance and headphone quality. Eleven MP3 players are… recommended. Although testing is top-notch, there is little commentary or analysis to accompany the ratings. ConsumerReports.org has not yet tested the latest iPods, and many of their recommended iPod players are now discontinued.
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Top 10 MP3 Players (Flash-Based)
by Editors of PC World
Our Assessment
PC World provides a 10-best list of flash-based MP3 players. Ratings are derived from hands-on evaluations by editors and formal lab testing. The iPod touch earns top marks for its impressive list of features. For Windows users, the Creative Zen X-Fi doesn't fall too far behind.
Prizefight: Zune HD vs. iPod touch
by Editors of CNET
Our Assessment
If you're trying to decide between Microsoft's Zune HD and the new iPod touch, this article from CNET is a must read. Three CNET editors rate and compare both players on navigation, sexiness, compatibility,… sound and value. A winner is declared for each category. Overall, the iPod touch wins the prizefight: "Clearly there are going to be people who will prefer the Zune HD's more streamlined purpose, gorgeous screen, and drool-worthy Zune Pass music service. But when push comes to shove, our editors believe the iPod touch is a better product for most people," CNET says.
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Reviews
by Jeremy Horwitz
Our Assessment
ILounge.com provides valuable iPod-specific reviews. Write-ups are exceptionally detailed, and many are comparative in nature. Each product reviewed gets a letter grade, but there is little variation in ratings -- most products earn some form of recommendation, except the iPod shuffle, which gets a rare grade of C.
Latest Reviews
by Editors of Trusted Reviews.com
Our Assessment
Britain's TrustedReviews.com has very detailed, multi-page reviews of electronic equipment, including MP3 players. MP3 players are rated on various criteria, and the best players earn a TR Recommended label. The new iPod touch wins that award, as does the latest iPod nano.
All MP3 Players
by Editors of T3.com
Our Assessment
Although shorter than some other expert sources, T3.com has a good number of relatively detailed MP3 player reviews. There are several single-product reviews available, including of the Microsoft Zune HD… and new iPod nano. There's also a helpful group test of three competing MP3 players -- the iPod touch, Sony X-Series Walkman and Cowon S9. The Sony and Cowon players are said to be competitors to the iPod touch, but T3.com says the touch is the clear winner.
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Reviews
by Grahm Skee
Our Assessment
AnythingButiPod.com has detailed reviews of non-iPod MP3 players, complete with illustrations and some comparisons. Products aren't rated, but the site offers great analysis on the SanDisk Sansa Clip+, Sony Walkman X Series, Samsung P3 and Cowon S9.
Browse iPod Reviews
by Editors of Macworld
Our Assessment
Not surprisingly given its focus, Macworld only reviews iPod MP3 players. Reviews contain good details, and each product is rated on a five-point scale. Macworld also includes comparative speed tests for the various generations of the iPod ouch.
Reviews
by Editors of ArsTechnica.com
Our Assessment
ArsTechnica.com has some of the most detailed computer and electronic reviews available, but it covers fewer MP3 players than other sources. Editors have lengthy analysis of the fifth-generation iPod Nano and Microsoft Zune HD. There is no rating system, but the review provides lots of details on the new MP3 players.
Reviews
by Editors of PC Advisor
Our Assessment
PC Advisor, a British magazine, reviews a number of recently released MP3 players, including the latest iPod nano. Both of these MP3 players get four stars or more, in addition to the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ and Sony Walkman X-Series. Some of the reviews here are duplicates of reviews posted at Macworld.
Reviews
by Editors of Electronista.com
Our Assessment
Electronista.com contains thoughtful, detailed reviews of the latest electronic gadgets. Reviews are lengthy and illustrated with multiple photos, and each product is rated out of five stars. Some comparisons between models are also included within the lengthy write-ups.
MP3 Players
by Editors of Pocket-lint.com
Our Assessment
The Sony NWZ-X1050 and iPod touch get high ratings of 8 (out of 10), but the new iPod nano gets a slightly lower rating. Dan Sung says the video quality is pretty impressive, but the smaller click wheel makes the nano more "fiddly" to control.
MP3 Players
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
Many popular MP3 players get lots of user feedback on Amazon.com. Most of the highest-rated MP3 players are older or discontinued models, which makes Amazon.com less helpful in evaluating new models. On the… positive side, if you read deep into reviews, you'll find some nuggets of wisdom about ease of use or durability that typically don't turn up in professional reviews. That makes Amazon.com certainly worth a stop once you've narrowed down your choices.
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Portable Media Players
by Editors of Wired
Our Assessment
Wired hasn't covered many MP3 players recently, but the Zune HD and Sony Walkman X1051 get high ratings. The new iPod ano is also tested, but it gets lower ratings. Wired's reviews offer fewer details than other sources, but reviews are balanced and clearly list pros and cons.
MP3 Players
by Editors of GoodGearGuide.com.au
Our Assessment
This Australian site covers a wide range of products and gives star ratings. Some reviews, however, are reposts from sister publications, such as PC World (U.S.), and many discontinued models remain on the site. Not all players reviewed are available in the U.S. The site does include original reviews of the Creative Zen MX, Cowon S9 and new iPod nano, which receives an Editors' Choice award.
iPod
by Susie Ochs
Our Assessment
MacLife.com doesn't review many MP3 players -- only the new iPod nano and iPod shuffle have been reviewed recently. Reviews are thorough and reasonably detailed, and each player is rated on a five-point scale. Susie Ochs gives a high rating to the iPod nano, but the iPod shuffle fails to impress.
MP3 and Portable Media Player Reviews
by Editors of ComputerShopper.com
Our Assessment
ComputerShopper.com used to be a comprehensive source for MP3 player reviews, but it has only reviewed one player in 2009. The test-based reviews are detailed, and editors employ a rating system and give an Editors' Choice award to the best players. ComputerShopper.com gives that award to the SanDisk Sansa Clip+, saying it's an excellent budget MP3 player.
The 10 Best MP3 players
by Ceiri O'Driscoll
Our Assessment
Britain's Independent picks 10 of the best MP3 players, but the reviews are superficial and focused mainly on features. It doesn't appear the author has tested these players, and some of the MP3 players recommended are not available in the U.S.
Tech Review: Folding Headphones, Cheap MP3 Player, Gripping Bag
by Jim Rossman
Our Assessment
This brief article only includes testing details on one MP3 player, but Jim Rossman's notes on the usability of the SansaDisk Sansa Clip+ are very helpful. The player has obviously been tested, but it is not rated in any way.
Audio Players
by Editors of Outside magazine
Our Assessment
Outside magazine probably isn't the first source you would check for MP3 player reviews, as its gear reviews are focused on outdoor gear and equipment. There are a few MP3 players reviewed, but commentary is pretty brief, although it is based on testing. The iPod touch wins a 2009 Gear of the Year award.
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