MP3 players: How to buy the best MP3 player Top MP3 player brands
The Microsoft Zune HD - only available in the US at present
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Apple is the only MP3 player manufacturer. Yet while it may be the most famous, there are a number of other companies that are active in this area.
Below is our round up of some of the names you’re likely to see when you’re out shopping for your new player.
You can find out how long lasting each brand is by checking our MP3 player reliability page.
We’ve surveyed the views of thousands of our members to provide ratings for all the top brands including Apple, Sony, Samsung and Philips.
Archos
This French company, which introduced its first MP3 player in 2000, has typically produced large internet tablet-style devices.
However in 2009 it introduced a range of cheaper models with small memories, including Archos 2, Archos 3 and Archos Clipper. It also launched a new version of the Archos 5, the first MP3 player to run on Google's Android operating system.
Creative
Creative was one of the first companies to introduce MP3 players. Its responsible for the popular Zen range and in 2009 launched the Creative Zen X-Fi 2, its new flagship model which is operated using a 3-inch touchscreen.
Microsoft
Microsoft introduced the Zune in 2005 and the latest model, the Zune HD, in 2009. Zune players have the ability to wirelessly share their content with other Zunes and to sync with computers. They have their own online music, video and podcast store, Zune Marketplace.
However the players are available only in the US.
Philips
Philips produces a number of MP3 players, mostly under its GoGear brand name. These tend to be light, solid-state players with small memories. Although they can often play videos they’re principally music players.
Which? send out 35,000 questionnaires each year to discover what our members think of the top MP3 player brands. You can check their customer scores at our MP3 player owners views page.
Sony's flagship MP3 player, the Sony NWZ-X1050
Samsung
Like Philips, Samsung tends to produce small, solid-state players with limited memories.
However in 2011 it launched a new flagship player, the Samsung S WiFi 5.0. This advanced device is designed to rival the iPod Touch and is packed with fantastic features, including a web browser, video camera and a powerful 1Ghz processor.
SanDisk
More famous for making memory cards, SanDisk is also responsible for the Sansa range of MP3 players. These typically are small, solid-state players with limited memories, although not surprisingly most have card slots so you can expand the storage capacity.
Sony
Sony practically invented the portable-music product category with its Walkman tape and CD players. However Apple has since stolen its crown as the number one portable-music player manufacturer.
Sony has tried to fight back by focusing on ultra-portable models such as the NWZ-W262 and cheap options such as the NWZ-E464.