SanDisk Sansa Fuze

*Est. $55 for 2 GB

Reviewed

October 2010

Pros

Good value
Good audio quality
Lots of features

Cons

Poor display
Video and photo files need conversion

Where to Buy

for $51.95

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For those searching for a less expensive alternative to the Apple iPod nano or touch, reports say that the SanDisk Sansa Fuze is worth a look. Audio quality is excellent -- so much so that better-quality headphones are a worthwhile investment. Battery life is good. The feature lineup includes an FM tuner and voice recording. You can expand the player's memory via the memory card slot, and tunes stored on external cards are integrated into the player's library. Although all reviewers rate the iPod nano as a superior MP3 player, they also say that the Fuze's value and performance is hard to ignore. SanDisk has recently released a newer version, the Sansa Fuze+ (*Est. $75 for 4 GB), which has a sleeker design and a 2.4-inch display.

Lots of reviewers have published their take on the SanDisk Sansa Fuze. CNET, PCMag.com and PC World all provide testing-backed commentary. ConsumerReports.org also delivers sound testing, but falls short in the commentary department. Go to Amazon.com if you want to see how owners react to the Fuze once they get it home.

Where To Buy

SanDisk Sansa Fuze 2 GB Video MP3 Player (Black)

(2,126 reviews)
Buy new: $72.99 $51.95 9 Used & new from $30.00

In Stock.

Our Sources

1. CNET

CNET rates the SanDisk Sansa Fuze higher than any other "budget" MP3 player. Great value and solid sound quality are listed as major pluses in this comprehensive review, which is one of the few that makes note of a recent firmware update to broaden file support.

Review: SanDisk Sansa Fuze (2GB, Black), Jasmine France, March 12, 2008

2. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

PCMag.com delivers a satisfactorily detailed report on the SanDisk Sansa Fuze. Although not innovative, the player is described as "simple, yet solid." One key complaint -- limited file support -- has been fixed in a firmware update.

Review: SanDisk Sansa Fuze, Tim Gideon, March 13, 2008

3. PC World Details/Subscribe

PC World falls short of most top reviewers when it comes to discussion, but the magazine's opinions are backed by lab and hands-on testing. Sound quality is described as being on a par with the Apple iPod nano, but the feature lineup is much more impressive. As with all other reviewers, video playback is a major negative.

Review: SanDisk Sansa Fuze, Travis Hudson, May 12, 2008

4. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org provides the less commentary than most top reviewers, but the quality of its testing is well regarded. The SanDisk Sansa Fuze is among 35 flash-based MP3 players tested in the magazine's current update.

Review: iPods and MP3 Players, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

5. Amazon.com

Although Amazon.com has lots of different flavors of the SanDisk Sansa Zune listed, the 8 GB version draws the most user feedback by far. Over 350 owners weigh in, granting the Fuze a composite rating of four out of five stars.

Review: SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8 GB MP3 Player, Contributors to Amazon.com

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