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Buying an MP3 Player Tips
Reviewing MP3 Player Comparisons
Shopping.com Tip: There are many MP3 player comparisons available on the Web, with one of the best being from Consumer Search. CNET also reviews new MP3 players as soon as they hit the market.
The Consumer Search comparison details the best and worst features of each, the price, and where you can buy them. It is Apple-friendly, and does give the Apple iPod Nano the best overall recommendation.
It lists the Toshiba Gigabeat as the closest competitor to the iPod, at a price point of roughly $225 with 30 GB of memory.
The Creative Zen V at roughly $80 is listed as the best budget player, with a built-in voice recorder which is missing from the Nano.
The 2GB iRiver Clix wins the prize for the most features, with a touch screen, alarm clock and voice recorder.
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MP3 Player Buying Guides on the Web
The Internet is full of MP3 player buying guides; there are so many that it can be very confusing! The best one we have found is the one on CNET (www.cnet.com), which breaks down recommendations and buying information into categories, such as hard drive based MP3 players, flash-based MP3 players and MP3 CD players. It even includes a guide on how MP3 players work for newbies to this technology.
Another great buying guide that will help you clarify which type player you need is on About.com under Portables. This guide helps you clarify what you need in a player, and what you don't.
The key questions to ask yourself when shopping for an MP3 player are these:
How long will I use my player at a time - how much memory will I need?
Will I be using it while working out in rugged environments?
Do I want it to replace my car radio - should I get a built-in FM tuner?
Do I need it to also record voice messages?
How important is sound quality?
Does it have to work with a MAC (some players are PC only)?
Does it have to have a long battery life, and do you need the batteries to be easily accessible?
Does it have to look cool?
Review the answers to these questions with the available MP3 players on the market, and choose the most affordable one that meets your criteria best!
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If You Must Have Pink
Shopping.com Tip: Pink is the hot new color, and it is no coincidence that pink MP3 players have become hot items. What are the best pink MP3 players?
One of the best bets is the new pink iPod Shuffle, which is wearable, extremely portable, and is priced at roughly $80.
The 1GB Sony Walkman MP3 player also comes in stylish pink, with a sleek case to match. It has a built-in FM tuner and advertises 28 hours of music playback for roughly the same price as the iPod Shuffle.
Creative Labs has jumped on the pink bandwagon also, with the Creative Labs Zen Micro Pink. It comes in a 5GB version as well as an 8GB photo version for between $220-260/each.
If your MP3 player isn't pink, don't worry. All you have to do to stay up with the times is buy a pink case or "skin," and you too will be stylish!
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Looking for the Cheapest MP3 Player?
The team at PC Magazine has compiled a list of MP3 players that are less than $100 each. The cheapest MP3 player on the list that also can claim a decent review is the Creative Zen Nano Plus - which runs roughly $60. It is flash-based, and there were some complaints that the earbuds were too large. Other good bets are the iPod Shuffle at roughly $80, and the Sony Network Walkman NW-E505 which runs from $55 to $80. The Sony player is rated as great on battery life, but it doesn't support WMA music formats.
There are literally thousands of used MP3 players sold on eBay every day, as well.
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How Do You Compare MP3 Players?
Shopping.com Tip: There are many MP3 players on the market today, so making a final decision can be a daunting prospect. How do you best compare MP3 players?
To start, think about how you plan to use your new MP3 player. Are you planning to just use it when you go to the gym? Will you use it in the car to replace your radio? If your answer is yes to both, how long do you work out and how long is your commute?
If you don't require a long playlist, then a 256M or 512M player, like the iPod Shuffle, may be a more cost effective choice for you. If you require a longer playlist, then look for one with an expansion slot for a larger memory card or one that has 20G of built-in memory or larger.
MP3 players are usually categorized into flash memory-based players, which have smaller amounts of memory capacity at a lower cost, and hard drive-based players which are more expensive, but store more.
Next, ask yourself how long you plan to use it between charging cycles. If you are a road warrior or an outdoorsy type, a comparison based on battery life is in order.
Are you the type that is always dropping your cell phone? Some MP3 players are hardier than others, such as the Rio Forge, which is completely encased in rubber.
If you are planning to use your MP3 player as part of a fitness program, another factor to consider is other functions, such as timers and distance monitors. The Philips MP3RUN 256MB Runner's MP3 Player contains both, AND comes in a rugged case.
Be sure to check out MP3 player consumer reviews to make sure there are no hidden "bugs" in the players you have shortlisted.
Last but not least, make sure you listen to each player and compare sound quality as this can vary quite a bit from player to player.
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Great MP3 Player Stores on the Web
If you are looking for a bargain and have already tested products at your local store, the Internet is a great place to find one!
If you don't mind shopping the used market, both eBay and Amazon.com have a wide selection of used MP3 players of every make and model. Amazon is also a great place to get a new one at a discount.
Overstock.com has bargains that vary from week to week.
PC Richard also has a great selection of products, including iPods and iPod accessories.
Other online stores with bargains include Walmart, Best Buy and Circuit City.
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How to Buy an MP3 Player
Shopping.com Tip: When you buy an MP3 player, you are buying companions for many of your outside activities! Most electronics shops today carry MP3 players in all shapes and sizes, however, great deals can also be had on used MP3 players that are still in great shape. Camera stores have also started carrying MP3 players in their inventories, since they are such a hot item.
MP3 players are items that users upgrade constantly, so if you don't mind having last year's model, eBay is a good place to look. Some of the players that are offered on eBay do have diminished battery capacity, so it is best to question the seller on how long it has been used before purchasing.
If you are buying your player from a store, ask to listen to it first. How does it sound? Do the ear buds work properly? Is it easily transportable?
Look around it for signs that it has been dropped, as this can affect performance.
Also, although the iPod is the best known brand in the market, there are many other brands of MP3 players that are quite well-made, with good sound quality. Take a look at all players that meet your needs, and make the best decision for you!
