If you're only interested in high-end options you may want to check out our article on the best DSD players, and those with more particular needs might be interested in our lists concerning specific types of MP3 players, such as those that are waterproof or models with Bluetooth capabilities. They're also not totally lacking of any modern capabilities, as both are compatible with Bluetooth headphones and can have their storage expanded with microSD cards.
MP3 PLAYER WITH BLUETOOTH PORTABLE
The Soulcker Portable and Victure MP3 are two budget friendly options, and while they're certainly not the most luxurious selections, they're more than capable of meeting the needs of someone who just wants to listen to some tunes while they run without their phone jiggling around in their pocket.
MP3 PLAYER WITH BLUETOOTH FULL
All three are well built and even offer USB DAC functionality for use with your computer, but the amount of playtime they provide on a full charge and the slickness of their user interfaces are less astounding than those of some more expensive choices.įor all the users who will only be listening to basic MP3s, it may seem like overkill to pay the price for a device filled with cutting edge features you'll never take advantage of. These devices offer many of the same advanced features as the aforementioned high-end picks, but there are definitely a few noticeable compromises.
In the midrange we have choices like the Fiio M3 Pro, Shanling M0, and iRulu F20. All of these options utilize high-quality amplifiers and offer great signal to noise ratios, but even if you don't care about such things these models may be worth considering just because of their sturdy builds and pleasing user interfaces. However, its lack of Bluetooth is definitely worth noting. Some might prefer the chunky aesthetic of the Cowon Plenue D2, and extreme audiophiles may be especially attracted to its 2.5mm balanced output. This means that besides MP3s and hi-res audio files you can use it to stream music and podcasts from popular apps like Spotify, YouTube, and SoundCloud. The Sony NW-A105 is definitely similar, but its Android OS opens up many possibilities since it allows for the use of a multitude of apps from the Google Play store. The Sony NW-A55 is a well-rounded player with an excellently pocketable form factor, and support for the most recent Bluetooth codecs such as aptX HD and LDAC.
It's hard to go wrong with any of these devices, but each offers a few distinct features that may help you decide. If you're enticed by the latest tech and consider yourself an audiophile you'll want to take a look at the Sony NW-A55, Sony Walkman NW-A105, and Cowon Plenue D2. We also widened out the price range of our list by adding the Sony Walkman NW-A105 and the Victure MP3, with the Sony serving as a high-end luxury model and the Victure as a super budget-friendly pick for those who don't care about cutting edge features. These models replace the Sony NW-A45, Cowon Plenue D, and Fiio M3K respectively, and provide many of the same features as their predecessors along with technical upgrades such as improved processors and amplifiers.
MP3 PLAYER WITH BLUETOOTH UPDATE
For this update we replaced several top picks with their recently released successors, including the Sony NW-A55, Cowon Plenue D2, and Fiio M3 Pro.