The 11 Best MP3 Players for Distraction-Free Listening
Rediscover the joy of distraction-free listening with a new generation of these old-school devices.
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Cue the nostalgia: MP3 players are back! Once ubiquitous, these pocket-sized devices designed for playing music (and nothing else) were retired to junk drawers and electronics recycling bins when we switched over to smartphones. However, a growing interest in old-school technology has renewed curiosity in these compact music players, making way for an all-new generation of MP3 players designed for high-fidelity audio.
Today’s MP3 players offer a dedicated platform for listening to music, free from the distractions of notifications and other apps. Most of them still have a dedicated audio jack (something you won’t find on many of the latest smartphones!), which delivers superior sound quality through wired earbuds or noise-canceling headphones. They also have easily expandable memory, so you can have access to tons of tunes even if you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection.
In other words, they’re the total package for audiophiles. Here’s how to find the best MP3 player at any price point.
The Best MP3 Players
- Best Overall: Sony NW-A306 Walkman MP3 Player
- Best Budget: AGPTEK A09X Portable Music Player
- Best Under $100: Phinistec Z6 MP3 Player
- Stellar Performance: Sony NW-WM1AM2 Walkman MP3 Player
- Best for Runners: SanDisk Clip Sport Plus MP3 Player
What to Consider
Hardware
When shopping for an MP3 player, consider the size and quality of your digital music collection. If you own a lot of music in lossless file formats and don't want to compromise on audio quality, you should consider getting an MP3 player with an advanced DAC (digital-to-analog converter). A high-end MP3 player will also improve the quality of the sound from high-impedance headphones.
Having said that, if you're simply looking to untether your music library from your smartphone, a more affordable model should fit the bill just fine. If it has a dedicated audio jack (most MP3 players do), then you’re already a step ahead in terms of audio quality than you’d get from a jackless smartphone.
Storage
In addition to the audio hardware and performance, it’s important to consider the amount of available storage an MP3 player offers. You should either consider a product with ample onboard memory or one with a built-in microSD card slot for easy expansion. Today’s splurge-worthy MP3 players will most likely offer you a combination of both. Just be sure to pick up a high-capacity microSD card so have somewhere to store all your extra tracks.
Connectivity
Bluetooth connectivity is a must if you plan to use your MP3 player with wireless headphones or earbuds. This is especially true if you like to listen to music while running on the treadmill or working out and you don’t want headphone cords to get in your way.
On the other hand, Wi-Fi-equipped products are all but guaranteed to bring you access to your favorite streaming service. If you're subscribed to one, look for onboard Wi-Fi so you can frequently update your library and access the latest tracks.
When it comes to wired connectivity, avid audiophiles with vast collections of headphones and earbuds should look for players with more outputs. Such products cost more, but their audio performance and ability to accommodate virtually every wired headset are worth investing in.
How We Selected
To find the best MP3 players, we evaluated options that ranked well in other critical reviews and online reviews from real customers. We considered the reputation of the brand behind each MP3 player, as well as the quality of the audio, the availability of a headphone jack, the amount of storage space, and whether it had extra features (like a waterproof case). We also looked at MP3 players at different price points, from frugal to splurge-worthy, to find options that could fit the budget of every audiophile or someone looking to give someone the gift of a lightly-electronic listen.
Check out these thoroughly researched MP3 players that are worthy of your ever-growing music collection.
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