Best Mp3 Player Reviews 2020

In this era of smartphones, why would you want to haul around a separate device to listen to music and watch videos on the go? Mp3 players aren’t obsolete, so don’t disregard the idea of buying an Mp3 player just yet! For one thing, Mp3 players mostly boast a compact footprint, have a longer battery life, and are much lighter than even average-sized smartphones. We have scoured the internet in search of the best Mp3 player brands, narrowing it down to 5 great choices.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Screen Size

Battery Life

Memory

Weight

Formats

Our Top Choice

FiiO X5 2nd gen

FiiO has been creating HiFi portable music products for over a decade, and the X5 2nd gen is no different. One thing’s for sure, it will make your ears scream with joy!

2.4-inch (6.1cm) display. Lightweight at 165 grams. Plays variety of formats. Expandable memory.

Lacks some UI features. No internal memory.

2.4-inch

10 hours +

Up to 256 GB

165 g

Yes

Best Value

Apple iPod Touch 6th Generation

Just when you thought Apple would stray from the Mp3 business, the company decided to release an update to its highly successful iPod Touch series: the 6th generation iPod Touch.

Apple’s latest iOS (9.x). Faster processor. Onboard camera. 4” IPS LCD display.

Lacks microSD card slot for memory expansion.

4 inches

Up to 40 hours

88 grams

Limited

Onkyo DP-X1 Mp3 Player

Onkyo is known for high performance audio and the DP-X1 portable music player just another great addition to their lineup.

Compatible with any headphone. Based on Android operating system. Behemoth storage capacity.

Does not come with protective case.

4.7 inches

Up to 16 hours

Up to 400 GB

203 grams

Yes

Sony NWZ-A Series

Sony introduced the Walkman in 1979. We now have the latest iteration of the iconic music player – the Sony Walkman NWZ-A Series, and it delivers a much better performance.

Slim and lightweight design. Up to50 hours battery life. Bluetooth and NFC capabilities.

Not loud enough for some users.

2.25inches

Up to 50 hours

Up to 192 GB

2.33 ounces

Yes

SanDisk Clip Sport

If you think SanDisk just makes class leading memory cards, it does, but it also has a knack for making feature-rich and superbly performing Mp3 players, like the Clip Sport.

Lightweight and inexpensive. High top volume. MicroSD card slot for memory expansion.

No lock switch. No touchscreen operation.

1 inch

25 hours

32 GB

28 grams

Yes

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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How Do I Choose the Best Mp3 Player?

The good days of Mp3 players might seem to be waning considering the vast amount of other devices that make great music players such as smartphones and tablets. But if you want a device to store all your favorite albums, is a joy to use, and offers sheer portability and top-notch battery life, Mp3 players are still hard to beat.

However, shopping for the best Mp3 player can be overwhelming given the plethora of options available above and beyond the Apple iPod, but you can rest assured there is a great fit out there. First, determine what you will be using the Mp3 player for; whether you’ll be using it at the gym or track, or simply need a device that can store and play lots of music. Regardless of the purpose, great Mp3 players must offer a perfect balance of sound quality, ease of use, and portability.

But take note that it is possible to significantly boost sound quality by simply replacing the manufacturer headphones for high-quality over the ear headphones or in-ear headphones. If you plan on using your Mp3 player outdoors, consider buying one that’s water-resistant.

Battery life can vary across Mp3 players, with some delivering premium sound for an astounding 50 hours on a single charge, and others for 10 hours. How fast you run out of battery juice also depends on the applications you’ll be using; for example, videos can drain your battery a whole lot faster than simply playing music. Although most Mp3 players offer great portability, some are heavier than others, such as hard drive-based devices compared to flash memory players.

And lastly, let’s not forget storage capacity! Most high-end Mp3 players can store up to an impressive 256GB worth of music. But flash-based Mp3 players offer a respectable 32GB of onboard storage equal to roughly 4000 songs.

Price

The price of an Mp3 player is mostly influenced by its features; there are cheap Mp3 players you can get for under $50 and top-of-the-line models with several more features that cost 10 times as much. True audiophiles can have a great music experience with inexpensive Mp3s because some offer a high top volume, a MicroSD card slot for memory expansion, and even a handy clip support, making them easy to haul around. But cheaper Mp3 players generally do not arrive with a display so you will not be able to watch videos or scroll through tracks. Devices outfitted with Bluetooth and NFC connectivity features are generally priced higher due to the larger memory and power needed to support these functions.

Features

As mentioned earlier, you can buy basic Mp3 players or ones that are rich in features. But if you just want a handy music player that can store and play a fair amount of music, investing in a top-of-the-line Mp3 player doesn’t make sense.

So what makes an Mp3 player a great one? Here are a few common features to look for.

Great battery life, preferably 10 hours or more of audio playtime
Storage capacity of at least 8GB
Lightweight and compact footprint
Connectivity to transfer music such as USB, Bluetooth, and/or NFC
Comes with headphones to get started
Belt clip to easily carry around

You can of course buy an Mp3 player with more than the aforementioned features, but if you want a device that will get you through the day, these should serve you well.

Construction and Design

Mp3 players come in several sizes, and the one you choose depends on personal preference. In addition, some Mp3 players are available in a wide assortment of colors to match individual lifestyles. Most good Mp3 players are fitted with a USB port, allowing you to both transfer music from your PC and charge the device simultaneously. Although not common, some mini music players are outfitted with a camera for you to shoot photos and videos, and a touchscreen.

Performance and Ease of Use

One of the most notable traits of Mp3 players is that they are easy to use. They are preloaded with the necessary software to enable you to play a wide range of music formats. Some of the Mp3 players we reviewed even offer Wi-Fi capabilities to access social networks and websites such as YouTube. If you’re looking to do a whole lot more with your Mp3 player, you can look for a music player that offers great app compatibility for first-hand access to the Google Play Store for app and game download.

What is the Best Mp3 Player?

Buying an Mp3 player isn’t an easy task, considering the range of features and brands available. Buying one will solely depend on your individual needs. Most Mp3 players come with native memory card expansion capabilities via a microSD card, so you will literally never run out of space to store even big music libraries. When choosing our top 5 choices, we not only looked at the best features of each Mp3 player, but also diligently read customer reviews. Here are the best Mp3 players on the market.

Our Top Choice

The X5 second generation is already a joy to carry, but if you’d like to go smaller, the FiiO X3 second generation has a smaller screen, but offers more or less the same sound quality as its bigger cousin.

FiiO X5 2nd gen– lighter, smaller and with all-new digital architecture for premium sound quality

Features

FiiO has managed to rock the music player industry ever since its inception. That's really no surprise, considering the company only makes top-notch products that render unmatched sound quality. The X5 second gen is perhaps the best example yet.

The X5 2nd gen follows in the same footsteps as its predecessor - the original X5, which was an instant hit when first released. It simply doubles up on the listening pleasure, with the most notable difference being its smaller button layout and superior sound quality.

The X5 second gen has myriad features, but here are the ones that grab attention.

Lightweight at just 165 grams
Can be ordered in 3 different colors –titanium, black and gold
Uses standard 3.5mm headphone port
2.4"color HD screen and made of high quality aluminum alloy
Large 3300 mAh battery for more than 10 hours of audio playback
2 microSD card slots for a total memory expansion capacity of 256 GB
Supports a wide range of formats, from Apple’s AAC format to native DSD decoding
Made of top quality parts from Texas Instruments
Fitted with 2 crystal oscillators for superior sound accuracy
Employs smartphone technology for instant on and off and deep standby to preserve battery life
Package includes USB data/charging cable, 2 screen protectors, 3 sets of body stickers, quick reference guide and warranty card (1 year limited warranty

Looking for more Mp3 products with different configurations, check out the FiiO Mp3 lineup on Amazon.

Best Value

If can’t benefit from a touch screen or the latest A8 chip, 64-bit processor found in the 6th generation iPod Touch, but still want to listen to podcasts, scroll through photos, or watch videos and listen to music, the Apple iPod nano 7th generation is an excellent buy.

Apple latest 64 GB iPod Touch available in different memory variants up to 128 GB and 5 solid colors

Features

The all-new iPod Touch is still a premium device. It comes with the latest OS from Apple, which means you can do just about everything iOS 9 is capable of, including reading emails and playing the latest games. Whether you own a current generation iPod or are new to theApple ecosystem, there’s a lot to like, starting with the 8 megapixel iSight camera. You also get Apple’s finest 64-bit A8 chip, whichis basically the same processor fitted in the iPhone6, and makes the device stand head and shoulders above its competition.

Still not convinced? Check out some of the Apple iPod Touch’s key features.

Latest 8 megapixel iSight camera
Runs on Apple’s latest iOS 9, so you can play games and even access your email
Excellent battery life of up to 40 hours of music playback and 8 hours ofvideo playback time
Lightweight at 88 grams and wonderfully slim at just 6.5 mm
Uses Siri, Apple’s onboard assistant, to set reminders, send messages and more
4-inch widescreen retina display with oleophobic coating
Can be ordered in several different colors and native memory sizes up to 128 GB
1 GB RAM compared to 512 MB with the 5th generation iPod Touch

Looking for other iPod MP3 Players? Check out the entire lineup on Amazon today.

The Onkyo DP-X1 is a portable high-res and performance music player, but in order to enjoy its full potential, it delivers optimal sound when paired with the Onkyo ES-HF300 over the ear headphones. These headphones ring in with a range of premium features including a copper core cable and wide range titanium drivers for unmatched sound quality.

Onkyo DP-X1 Android based Mp3 player

Features

Although the Onkyo DP-X1 comes with a higher price tag, it really excels in terms of features and performance. It is setup for audio prowess, meaning you can enjoy great audio and support for several different formats, including WAV and AIFF.

With two amps, the device is able to render a balanced output via a 2.5 mm connection. To top it off, it offers a mega storage capacity of 432 GB through 2-200 GB microSD cards over and above the native 32 GB memory. The Onkyo portable music player runs on Android’s 5.1.1 OS platform, so you can have most of the functionality of a smartphone, except voice capabilities

The Onkyo DP-X1 is no ordinary music player, so the list of features is extensive. Here are the most notable ones.

Playback support for a wide range of formats
First in segment support for MQA sound quality
32 GB native storage + ability to expand up to 400 GB through microSD card
Playback up to16 hours high res sound quality
Weighs just 203 grams and has a 4.7 inch display
Ability to download latest music from Onkyo music
Intuitively placed physical buttons for access to specific functions without turning on the screen
Package includes micro USB cable for data and power transfer and user guide

Not convinced? Check out other Onkyo products and pick your favorite.

For an Mp3 player that combines sleek design with blistering performance, it’s hard not to recommend the Sony NWZ-A Series.But if you want really want to enjoy the best this music player can deliver, we recommend pairing it with the Sony extra bass Bluetooth headphones.

Sony NWZ-A Series with Bluetooth and memory expansion capacity up to 192 GB

Features

The new Sony Walkman has all the features you need to enjoy music the way it's meant to be and on the go. It offers great battery life and is lightweight! This all-new version is hardly the same, with a higher price tag and a bucketload of features to be on par with the competition, such as 64 GB onsite storage + memory expansion to a whopping 182 GB via microSD slot, and a neat 2.25" anti-reflective display.

The NWZ-A Series Walkman Mp3 player comes with many features. Here are some that will surely be music to your ears.

Long battery life of 50 hours of Mp3 playback and 30 hours hi-res audio
64 GB onboard memory expandable to an astounding 192 GB
2.25 inch bright color display with LED backlight
Bluetooth and NFC wireless capabilities
Comes with USB cable and quick start guide

Not the right walkman mp3 player for you? Browse the rest of Sony's range.

The SanDisk Clip Sport MP3 player offers great quality at the right price. And since it does offer expandable memory support, it is a good idea to top up your storage with a SanDisk 32 GB memory card.

SanDisk Clip Sport with 8GB onboard memory and available in 6 different colors.

Features

If you’re a fitness enthusiast, chances are that you want an Mp3 player that’s lightweight and plays premium quality sound, all at an inexpensive price. This is exactly what you get with the SanDisk Clip Sport. Mp3 player. This Mp3 player is somewhat different than other music players on our list, most notably because it hasa belt clip, making it a great gadget for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Checkout theSanDisk Clip Sport’skey features:

1-inch clear display
8 gigs of internal storage with ability to expand via microSD card
Supports a wide range of music formats
Lightweight, yet delivers nothing short of premium quality sound
Allows transfer ofyour designs from PC via USB
One year limited warranty
Comes with a decent pair of earphones

You don't have to decide right now. Browse SanDisk's full range of MP3 players.

Get the Best Mp3 Player of 2020!

When choosing an Mp3 player, there are several choices to pick from. We hope that our reviews of the best portable music players will help you make a wise choice in order to enjoy hours of listening pleasure.

Our Top Choice

FiiO X5 2nd gen

Best Value

Apple iPod Touch 6th Generation

Onkyo DP-X1 Mp3 Player

Sony NWZ-A Series

SanDisk Clip Sport