MP3 player reviews: How to buy
Choosing the right MP3 player
How will you use your MP3 player?
The type of MP3 player you buy should really be determined by how you’re going to use it. If you have an enormous music collection, then opt for an MP3 player with a large amount of data storage, such as the iPod Classic, which can hold 160GB.
If you’re more likely to use your player on the move, say on a long daily commute, a more compact device might be the order of the day.
Many MP3 players have the added bonus of a small viewing screen (making them MP4 players), so you can watch videos and browse digital photo collections, which make them ideal for catching up on TV programmes or even watching a film during a long flight.
For the sporty among us, a video-playback facility isn’t really going to enrich a trip to the gym, so we’d recommend that you opt for a smaller device that won’t get in the way of your exercise routine.
Of course, there’s no reason why any of The Which? Best Buy MP3 players can’t be enjoyed in any number of scenarios, but we reckon that you'll get the most enjoyment from your MP3 player purchase if you plump for our recommendations. For sheer versatility, these marvellous gadgets are hard to beat.
Around the house
If your CD collection is stacked on groaning shelves and is in danger of swamping your home, an MP3 player with a large capacity could be the answer to clearing away your CD clutter and even give you the chance to rediscover of some old classics.
Even the most expansive collection will fit onto an MP3 player that has a hard disk with an 80GB memory. An MP3 player that size can store around 2,000 albums, meaning that your entire music collection could be in one place, accessible by the click of a button.
Having access to your entire CD collection in one device also means another chance to listen to forgotten music that was previously lurking on dusty old CDs that had been consigned to the bottom of a pile or scattered around the house.
Of course, once your music collection has been loaded onto the computer and MP3 player, it’s a perfect opportunity to declutter and hide them away out of site.
And while compressed digital files don’t boast the same sound quality as a regular CD, connecting your MP3 player to a decent amplifier and good speakers will mean most people are unaware of the drop in quality.
MP3 players are all very portable
Music on the move
Using an MP3 player in tandem with your home hi-fi may only have a niche appeal, but picking the right model for simply carrying in your pocket is the key consideration for many people.
The Apple iPod Classic and Touch, for instance, are relatively large, but they are still small enough for portable use, so if you want to a small, lightweight MP3 player, there’s an absolute wealth of choice.
After all, MP3 players are primarily designed to be used on the go. For most of us, that means it has to be small and light enough to slip into a pocket unnoticed, and have enough battery charge to outlast even the most gruelling of commutes.
The best MP3 players weigh in anywhere between a barely noticeable 43g to just 82g – less than the average mobile phone.
Active lifestyle
If you’re determined to jog to the beat of your music collection, an MP3 player is ideal. An accompanying soundtrack can take your mind off the monotony of a training schedule, whether running round the park or working out at the gym. Something suitably up-tempo may even encourage a few personal bests while you’re at it.
We check players’ suitability for use when running or walking – whether it can be easily attached to a belt clip, or held comfortably in one hand. If you stick it in your pocket, we check there’s a hold function so the player doesn’t independently pump the volume up when you least expect it.
Unsurprisingly, models that are more suited to sports and fitness tend to be smaller, lighter solid-state MP3 players. Video screens and photo playback are not much use while you’re pounding the streets.
Smaller memory means you’re unlikely to be able to get your entire music collection onto the MP3 player, so be prepared to upload and download different playlists if you want to vary your MP3 collection.
Shopping online
Expect the best bargains to be found in the run-up to Christmas, but at almost any time of the year there are savings to be made online on the best MP3 players.
Don’t forget your rights when shopping online. You have from the day you order until seven working days from the day after you receive goods to change your mind and return them. The seller is responsible for the goods until they are handed over to you, so if an item is damaged you can send it back (at no cost to you) and get a replacement or refund.
Remember, if the goods cost more than £100 (but less than £30,000) and the amount put on your credit card is less than £25,000, your credit card company will be just as liable as the trader if there is a problem with the goods.
To find out more about your rights as a buyer check out our consumer rights reports.