Whether you love cranking up the Led Zeppelin while running or falling asleep to a podcast, most of us couldn't imagine a life without music and audio. With a portable MP3 player, you can take your own personal soundtrack with you whilst saving your phone's precious battery. And if you're looking to achieve better productivity this year, music is a great way to stay motivated during work, exercise or study.
MP3 players are only getting better, with the classic iPod being joined by the latest USB and Bluetooth players that can link to your iTunes, Audible and Spotify apps. To help you find your pick, we've reviewed the best MP3 players from Amazon and eBay including models from Apple, Sony and Sandisk, with options for budgets under £50, mini and kids players, and even those for swimming.
Quick List - Top MP3 Players
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For those of us who began downloading music prior to the smartphone era, you’ve likely amassed a digital library of downloaded tracks. Storing all that music on your phone can take up a lot of space that could be better used for photos or apps. Plus, using streaming services when outside the home can seriously drain your data.
Perhaps you’re looking to limit screen time, break your Twitter addiction, or you just aren’t much of a smartphone user. Either way, with an MP3 player, you can carry thousands of songs in your pocket without any other pesky distractions!
In addition, if you like to use your favourite beats to keep you motivated while working out or running, an MP3 player lets you leave your phone at home or in a locker so you won’t have to worry about it getting dirty or lost.
Before we dive headfirst into the tech specs, let’s get the hardware considerations out of the way! The best thing about an MP3 player is that you can take it with you when you’re out and about. Therefore, when comparing MP3 players online, it's wise to go for one that's small enough to be easily transportable.
You’ll want something that can fit into your pocket, with dimensions of around 6 x 1 x 9 cm. If you’re looking for something to take with you on a run, consider a mini MP3 player that's smaller still, and can be clipped onto clothes or worn on a sports band.
Why not play your music out loud and on-to-go with a bluetooth shower speaker!
Most MP3 players will have some type of screen as part of their operating interface. A full-colour screen is a good choice if you wish to display photos, play videos, use apps or view album artwork on your device, but if you want to avoid yet another over-stimulating screen, consider an MP3 with a basic monochrome display for easy navigation without too many distractions.
Many modern players also use a touchscreen or touch-button interface. Of the two, touchscreens are more intuitive, lower profile and easier to clean. However, some may prefer or require the tactile sensation of buttons, so check to see which options are available.
To enhance your listening experience, why not consider going old-school with a turntable or internet radio!
Like most devices, every MP3 player has a storage limit, and it's usually in GB (gigabytes). If you intend to use your MP3 as a storage device for your entire music library, look for a model with 32 GB of memory or higher.
For those wanting to save money, smaller-capacity MP3 players often tend to be cheaper. An 8 GB or 16 GB player will be more than sufficient to store a decent amount of music, especially if you love to listen to the same few albums on repeat.
Unsure how much space you want? Look for a player that allows you to expand its storage capacity via an SD or MicroSD memory card. Just be aware that most devices will have a limit on the amount of extra storage that they can support – so make sure to check the maximum storage to ensure your memory card will work.
Not all audio files are MP3's, and different MP3 players will support different audio formats. The audio file extension (e.g. the .MP3, .WAV, and so on), relates to the degree of compression the track has undergone when converted to a digital format.
Where and how you obtain your digital music (and the degree to which sound quality and compression matter to you) will influence the format your music is stored as.
All MP3 players will support MP3 formats, but other common audio file types generally supported are WMA and WAV files. If you download your music through iTunes you’ll likely have some AIFF, ALAC and AAC files, too. So before buying, make sure the MP3 player supports your audio files of choice.
Left the tangle of wired headphones behind long ago? Though it's unlikely that today's MP3 players won't be Bluetooth-compatible, it pays to double-check that they can connect to your wireless headphones and that they support the same Bluetooth version as them.
You might also like to check for devices that offer wireless connectivity features – WiFi-enabled devices, for example, let you download songs directly from the internet without having to connect to your computer.
Some MP3 players can even be paired with your Spotify or Apple Music account so you can take your favourite playlists and podcasts with you wherever you go.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sony Sony 16 GB MP3 Walkman Player|NW-A105 | ![]() | An MP3 Player Truly Made for the Modern Era | |
2 | Apple iPod Touch|32 GB | ![]() | A Technologically-Advanced Player That Still Has It All | |
3 | Timoom M6 Full Touch MP3 Player | ![]() | Top Pick for a Mini MP3 Player on a Budget | |
4 | SanDisk Clip Sport Plus | ![]() | A Light, Waterproof Option for Running or Working Out | |
5 | Mighty Vibe Spotify and Amazon Music Player | ![]() | A Tiny Device That Lets You Use Streaming Services Offline | |
6 | Astell & Kern A&Norma SR25 Audio Player | ![]() | The Higher Than High-End Player With Unrivalled Audio Quality | |
7 | RUIZU Kids Cute Panda MP3 Player|X31-PD-8G | ![]() | A Cheap and Cheerful MP3 Player for Kids | |
8 | Sony Waterproof All-in-One MP3 Player|NW-WS413 | ![]() | The Best Waterproof MP3 Player for Swimmers | |
9 | AGPTEK USB Portable MP3 Player | ![]() | A USB Player for Quick File Transfers | |
10 | AGPTEK 32 GB MP3 Player | ![]() | A Good All-Rounder at an Affordable Price |
Topping the charts this time is the newest iteration of the pioneering personal music player, the Sony Walkman. An MP3 player for the modern era, the NW-A55L provides audiophile-approved high quality digital playback, Bluetooth connectivity, and a high resolution, 3.1-inch LCD touchscreen interface.
Although a little bit pricier than some others on our list, the trusted Sony brand guarantees quality, safety and longevity, so it's more than worth the investment. Compatible with most audio file types and with expandable storage options, this award-winning device was a clear winner.
The most technologically-advanced MP3 player on the list, the latest 7th generation Apple iPod Touch comes with all the features of the iPhone, minus the phone! This device lets you download a plethora of apps and music directly from iTunes via WiFi – without the need to connect to a computer.
Whichever colour you decide to go for, be aware that (much like your iPhone) you won’t be able to expand the storage capacity past the device’s internal memory unless you sign up for an iCloud subscription, although there are higher-storage options of 128 and 256 GB if you're willing to pay for them.
This full-colour touchscreen MP3 player is Bluetooth 5.0 enabled, holds up to 32 GB with a further expandable storage capacity of up to 128 GB, and it’s only around 8 x 6 cm; tuck it in your pocket or strap it to your arm on a run and you'll barely notice it's there.
What’s especially cool about this device is that it supports an incredibly wide range of audio formats so you’re unlikely to run into too many compatibility problems if you've had trouble in the past. Its features don't stop there though, as it also boasts great HIFI lossless sound quality, a good battery life, and several apps including a pedometer and voice recording.
SanDisk has chosen to forego some of the usual bells and whistles to create a clippable device that focuses on bringing you music while you run, cycle, or work out. That's not to say it's limited to this use though – use the waterproof Clip Sport to enjoy your music and audiobooks wherever you are, rain or shine.
With an impressive 20-hour battery life, sufficient storage and Bluetooth connectivity (a must for most headphone-wearing active types nowadays), the only slight downside is that this device does feel a little old-school without a touchscreen, but that just means it's easier to change tracks mid-run!
Love streaming music while you’re out but hate the drain on your mobile data? The Mighty Vibe allows you to stream your Spotify or Amazon Music completely offline. Once your playlists are synced via the Mighty app, you’re free to listen away without the need for WiFi or data.
Although it doesn't have a screen, navigation on this player is fairly straightforward, and that just means less screen time! It’s also lightweight, wireless and resistant to sweat and raindrops. Overall, we'd say it's a good option for taking on a run, to the gym or travelling.
We won't glaze over how stylish it is with its off-shot screen and aluminium case (which actually suppresses noise for better sound quality), but it is more than that too, with so many high-end specs we've lost count. Yes, it's expensive, but this winner of What HiFi's Product of the Year is the cream of the crop.
Had enough of hearing Baby Shark? Perhaps it’s time to get your kids their own personal MP3 player which they can take anywhere. Available in this super cute panda design, this player features a myriad of functions such as a radio, voice recorder and alarm clock.
Plus, the 64 GB capability means you can load up with all their favourite songs and videos and keep them entertained for hours. They can enjoy up to 100 hours of worth of listening and after this, it only takes 2 hours to fully charge back up!
Ever wished you could have your music with you while you’re in the pool? Available in 4 colours you can match to your swimming togs, this all-in-one Sony MP3 player comes built into a pair of fully-waterproof headphones suitable for use in the pool, fresh water and the sea.
With up to 12 hours of battery life, it will definitely last through any endurance session. You can even turn on the ambient noise mode to communicate with your coach or your mates without having to stop and remove the earbuds. Its storage is low, but with such a specific purpose, you shouldn't need it to hold much more.
Want a quick and efficient way to get your music from your computer to your MP3? This compact MP3 player connects directly via USB for seamless file transfer. Interestingly, it's powered by a single AAA battery, which could cut down on how often you need to remember to charge it.
As it's only the size of a regular USB flash drive and has a memory of just 8 GB, this is a good option for a player you can pop in your pocket, travel with or connect to your car's stereo. It does have an expandable memory of up to 128 GB if you fancy boosting it with a MicroSD card, though.
AGPTEK 32 GB MP3 player is a pretty good all-rounder at a decent price. It's slim yet very robust with intuitive smart-touch buttons. Impressively, it has a digital reduction chip which helps you to enjoy original sound quality.
This particular MP3 has a variety of great features including the ability to listen to eBooks, photo browsing and a built-in pedometer! It really is like a smartphone, yet it is smaller than a one, which is ideal if you’re looking for something compact that won't have you squinting at the screen.
Yes, if your MP3 player can connect to the internet then it can stream music. The more basic and cheap MP3 players normally don't have the ability to support streaming apps since they don't connect to the internet and instead rely on music files being downloaded.
Yes, you can play audiobooks on a MP3 player. Similar to streaming apps, most audiobook files are owned by Audible and have a AA/AAX format so your MP3 player will need to be able to connect to the Audible app to play effectively.
Written and researched by Wren Mann
No. 1: Sony|Sony 16 GB MP3 Walkman Player|NW-A105
No. 2: Apple |iPod Touch|32 GB
No. 3: Timoom|M6 Full Touch MP3 Player
No. 4: SanDisk |Clip Sport Plus
No. 5: Mighty |Vibe Spotify and Amazon Music Player
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