Best MP3 Player Reviews

Wize Buying Guide for MP3 Players Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and today there are thousands of different mp3 players on the market. When you're shopping around for an mp3 player, think about the features that are most important to you and how much you want to spend. Do you want to use an mp3 player mostly for music, or do you listen to podcasts and audiobooks ? Do you want the ability to watch movies and store photos? Do you need a durable mp3 player for high-impact activities? Chances are there's an mp3 player that's just right for you, and today's competitive market makes it possible to find good-quality models at an affordable price.

Compatibility

Most mp3 players transfer data using either FireWire or USB connections. USB-capable mp3 players are more common and are supported by both Macs and PCs. A FireWire connection tends to be a faster method of transfer, but it is generally only supported by Macs. Make sure you check an mp3 player's connectivity before you buy; you don't want to get stuck with an mp3 player you can't load up with music. If you shop for music and audio online, you'll also want to think about compatibility of the download service you use. If you shop on iTunes, you're going to have to get an iPod. But there are other download services that will work with non-iPod players like the Zune and the SanDisk Sansa, including Yahoo Music and eMusic.

Most mp3 players are called "mp3 players" because they support mp3 files, but there are players available that support a wide variety of other audio formats, including WMA, AAC, FLAC, OGG and WAV. High quality mp3 players are compatible with all systems, which is why they are the most common, and you probably won't need to look for anything else unless you are a serious audiophile.

Display

For basic audio playback, a display screen isn't even necessary, which is why the iPod Shuffle is a simple and economical choice for some consumers. Displays range from huge, sharp and full-color to more modest black-and-white. Again, think about what you need from your mp3 player when you're looking at displays: do you want photo storage or video-playback capability? Or is it more important to have a light, compact and portable player?

Technical Specifications

One of the biggest decisions you'll need to make when buying an mp3 player is whether you want a flash-based unit or a hard drive model. Flash models are sleek and small, perfect for traveling light or taking your mp3 with you on your workouts. These units won't have as much memory; however, they are expandable with an additional memory card.

A hard drive model offers you a much larger memory from the onset, perfect for shoppers with large music collections or lots of big files to store. These units are generally best geared for home and office use; they might also be right for you if you're taking a long trip and want your whole library with you.

Most MP3 players have built-in rechargeable batteries, although there are still some players on the market that take AA or AAA either instead of built-in power or as an added feature. Make sure the battery life of the mp3 player you buy is at least 12 hours for music and four hours for video.

Where To Shop

The best place to start shopping for your MP3 player is online. When you've found a few models you like, visit a store to see your favorites in person and get a sense with what you're comfortable with and what's attractive to you.

You can buy online or at a retail store, but it's always a good idea to do some price checks online before you buy to make sure you're getting the best possible deal. The right mp3 player will keep you tuned in and entertained for years!