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How to buy the best MP3 player for you
Want to find the best in MP3 players? In this video guide to buying the best MP3 player, Which? experts help you find the best model for you.
Video guide to buying the best MP3 player
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Not sure what to look when shopping for an MP3 player? Check out the Which? MP3 player video buying guide to hear our expert's advice on capacity, portability and file formats, and tips on buying the best MP3 player for your needs.
Choosing the best MP3 player for you
What type of MP3 player user are you?
To choose the best MP3 player decide how and when you will mainly want to use it.
For fitness fans, the best MP3 player will be a small, light solid-state model easily attached to a belt clip. If you’re a commuter, look for MP3 players with a long-lasting battery and a reasonable memory. If you have a lot of CDs, you can store about 3,000 on an MP3 player with a 120GB hard disk.
The iPod versus other MP3 players
The Apple iPod range dominates the MP3 player market, selling more models than those from all other MP3 player manufacturers put together.
The iPods are easy to use, sound great and Apple’s iTunes Store has the largest selection of legal digital content on the web. However, other MP3 players with comparable capacity cost less and often offer more features, for example an FM radio.
How reliable is an MP3 player?
Problems with the display or screen, the battery or on/off failure are the top reasons why an MP3 player breaks down. The best MP3 players and MP4 players are those that last. We rate reliability based on the real experiences of thousands of owners.
Headphones and speaker docks for your MP3 player
Once you’ve chosen the best MP3 player for you, there are other items you can buy to improve your listening experience.
Replacing the headphones that come with your MP3 player can often make a surprisingly big difference to the sound you enjoy. But which are the best for comfort, sound and for stopping noise leaking in or out? An MP3 speaker dock can also give you great sound. Here are some of the best.
Which? tests more thoroughly than any other organisation
We have tested hundreds of MP3 players and MP4 players, putting them to the test for their sound quality, usability and battery life.
Handel to Red Hot Chili Peppers: rating MP3 player sound quality
Which? experts listen to everything from Handel to Pink Floyd and the Red Hot Chili Peppers using the supplied headphones and a high-quality set to rate the best MP3 players and MP4 players. We also test MP3 players to see how much sound leaks from the headphones.
