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Portable CD Players: Ratings of Sources
Total of 8 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Amazon.com
As of Jan. 2008
Portable CD Players
by Contributors to Amazon.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Quite a number of portable CD players are rated here, some with dozens of reviews, but many models have been discontinued. Some owners write detailed reports, which are helpful in distinguishing between… models with similar scores. The Sony D-NF430 gets the most and the most consistent reviews, winning praise for numerous features that are not found on many other portable CD players. The Coby MP-CD521 receives a better-than-average score from more than two dozen owners, although reliability complaints bring its rating down.

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2. ConsumerReports.org
Sept. 2002
Disc Jockeys
by Editors of Consumer Reports
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Consumer Reports compares 15 portable CD players that play CDs or CDs/MP3s, recommending models primarily based on sound quality, "bump immunity," battery life and ease of use. This is the most… comprehensive review we found; most other sources only included a few models in roundups. Unfortunately, this report is now over five years old, and technology changes rather quickly. All the tested CD players have been discontinued.

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3. Dimension Music
As of Jan. 2008
Portable MP3 Players -- CD
by Various Reviewers
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Dimension Music is an MP3 enthusiast site that features in-depth professional reviews and ratings, as well as brief member reviews and ratings. The portable CD players covered here are only those that also… play MP3s. The top rated model, the Havin Exonion, is not available in the US. The next three top rated models are made by iRiver, including the RioVolt. Most tested players have now been discontinued.

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4. BestBuy.com
As of Jan. 2008
Portable CD Players
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Best Buy sells a few personal CD players, and most get owner-written reviews. All the models get overall good ratings, but since they are based on fewer than ten reviews each, the scores aren't that useful. The least expensive model -- the Insignia NS-P4112 -- and the most expensive -- the Sony D-NF430 -- both receive good scores.
5. ConsumerGuide.com
As of Jan. 2008
Portable CD Players
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Consumer Guide picks five portable CD players as Best Buys, including Sony's D-EJ001 and Panasonic's SL-SV590A and SL-SW967VS. There are also six recommended Budget Buys. However, we downgraded this review… in our chart because this site does no comparison testing. The "expert reviews" rate the models in value, performance, ease of use and features. However, there's no evidence of testing, and most models have been discontinued.

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6. CNET
Feb. 2002
Portable CD Players
by Editors of CNet.com
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Only one CD player is currently reviewed at CNet, which devotes much more time to MP3 players. The one model covered is the Sony D-SJ01, which gets good scores in both the editors' rating and owner reviews. It has a rugged, water-resistant design, logical button placement and great sound. This review is now six years old.
7. AudioReview.com
As of Jan. 2008
Product Reviews-Portable CD Players
by Contributors to AudioREVIEW.com
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment AudioREVIEW's ratings are based on input from owners, who don't generally make comparisons with other models. A number of the most highly rated CD players on this site are no longer on the market. Most models receive only a handful of reviews.
8. Epinions.com
As of Jan. 2008
Personal CD Players
by Contributors to Epinions
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Many of the numerous portable CD players included here get just one or two reviews, so this site isn't very helpful. However, the now-discontinued Aiwa XP-V70 gets an almost perfect score from 32 owners, with the vast majority praising its anti-skip protection. The Sony Walkman D-EJ100 and Sony D-NF430 also get good ratings, with several reviews each.

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This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

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