TOP 10 Best MP3 Players According to Customer Reviews

My rating may be bewildering: why describe mp3 when every smartphone has this feature? According to experts, so far no mobile gadget can produce such a sound as a player. Even the budget line will improve the sound in the "heavy" headphones, straighten the beaten compressed files. Athletes and swimming enthusiasts will also be interested in my rating of the best MP3 players of the year. I will present the original models that can withstand real, and not on the manufacturer's promises of diving. Original models with wireless connection should be of interest to users of full-size headphones, and why - the answer in the description. Well, such a function as DAC is available only in players.

Inexpensive mp3 players

DIGMA U3 4Gb

A multifunctional budget player opens the rating. It works like an MP3 player, USB stick, radio. With a voice recorder and 4 GB of built-in memory, as in the Sony NWZ-B183F. Price - .

Pros:

• Stylish sporty design. In shape - like a big flash drive.
• Built-in USB connector, protected by a cover.
• Simple mechanical button operation.
• The information display backlight turns off automatically after 10-15 seconds to save power.
• Recording to the recorder in WAV format, like DIGMA Z416B.
• Supports MP3, WMA, WAV files.
• You can listen to tracks on the car radio.
• Connect to a third-party device via AUX.
• High-quality sound, setting through the equalizer.
• The maximum memory capacity is 64 GB, which is 2 times more than in DIGMA Z416B.
• Upgrade available.

Minuses:

• There is no hold button.
• Very "braked" control. If you need a track from another folder, then by clicking on the "menu", you will first go to the settings, and then you need to scroll through to find the playlist. Then he will transfer to “All Songs”, then to “Albums” and only at the end to “Artists”, where there is a track.

Decent sound, beautiful view, versatility, built-in USB-connector, total memory capacity - 64 GB, which is 4 times more than in the Ritmix RF-4850 8Gb.

Ritmix RF-4850 8Gb

It is considered a female model, decorated with Swarovski Zirconia crystals and a pattern. Three body colors. Plays lossless audio format and AVI video, supports FM radio. Price - .

Pros:

• High-quality sound in MP3, WMA, lossless FLAC / APE formats.
• Multifunctional: plays music, recording to a voice recorder, as in DIGMA U3 4Gb, FM-radio, displaying text files and photos.
• Large internal memory - 8 GB, 2 times more than the Sony NWZ-B183F.
• The original "feminine" design.
• You can view image files as in DIGMA Z416B.
• Slim - only 8.9mm.
• Large 1.8 ″ color LCD screen.
• Can be improved according to the latest version, reflash.

Minuses:

• Mini USB, we could put a modern micro, and we need an adapter.
• Plays tracks incorrectly, moreover, it “chooses” unloved ones on its own. The same track may sound stuttering, but after a while it’s already normal.

Users believe that the gadget is not worth its money: apart from the design, nothing stands out. The sound is bad, even the equalizer setting does not straighten out dull bass. The middle is flat, the top is squeaky.If functionality is important for watching video + music, then it is better to buy DIGMA Z416B or watch stories on your mobile.

DIGMA Z4 16GB

Player with an AT J2127 audio processor, with built-in audio decoder, with support for traditional formats and lossless FLAC with zero loss of quality, with support for reading books and remembering the last open page, Bluetooth support. Price - .

Pros:

• Display with color LCD screen and ID3 tag support. Reproduces videos, images, text materials.
• Communication protocol - Bluetooth for connecting with wireless headphones or speakers.
• FM radio, like in the Ritmix RF-4850 8Gb, but with many preset stations - there are 30 of them.
• Autonomous work - 20 hours, as in Sony NWZ-B183F.
• Charging via micro-USB from PowerBank.
• There is a special clip for attaching to clothes.
• The volume of built-in memory is 16 GB.
• Dictaphone with MP3 and WAV recording as in DIGMA U3 4Gb.
• There is a variable speed playback function.

Minuses:

• I would like more memory - the same as in DIGMA U3 4Gb 64 GB.
• There is no WMA support, as in the Ritmix RF-4850 8Gb or in the Sony NWZ-B183F. Because of this, some compressed files do not open correctly.
• You can't write songs from the radio: it's very strange that the previous model of the DIGMA U3 4Gb brand has such an opportunity.

Excellent, according to reviews, a sports media player. Compact, lightweight, with a clip for fastening, it plays the whole range of "necessary" formats: MP3, WAV, APE, FLAC, OGG, AAC, M4A and images: JPG, BMP, GIF. Supports reading books, connects via Bluetooth to wireless gadgets. It works for a long time without recharging - 20 hours, like the Sony NWZ-B183F.

Sony NWZ-B183F

The classic model is miniature (its size is like that of a Bic lighter), with an aluminum body. With quick charge function and continuous playback up to 20 hours, like DIGMA Z4 16GB. Price - .

Pros:

• Four vibrant body colors.
• The minimum number of plastic elements, the main material is aluminum.
• The ability to store, play music by folders.
• Fast charging in 3 minutes.
• Full charge recovery in 1 hour 10 minutes.
• There is a bass boost mode for electronic music.
• Bright screen backlight with wide viewing angle.

Minuses:

• Very fine print on display.
• The buttons are small, with a tight stroke.
• Only two formats - MP3 and WMA, even the budget DIGMA U3 4Gb supports more.
• The volume of built-in memory is scanty - 4 GB, there is no slot for a memory card, as in the Ritmix RF-4850 8Gb or DIGMA Z4 16GB.

According to reviews, you shouldn't pay almost 3 thousand for the model: in terms of sound quality, memory size, ease of operation, DIGMA Z4 16GB is much better.

Hi-Fi players

Fiio M3K

A compact model with rounded sides, a silicone case, lightweight - 77 g, with a huge maximum supply of a memory card - 2000 GB, with an audio DAC chip. Price - .

Pros:

• Good MZK firmware with the most necessary functions: a player with covers, a file manager, playlists, a five-band equalizer.
• Microphone and ADC for monaural mp3 recording.
• The built-in AK4376A audio chip with its own amplifier, which is used in mobile devices, supports 32-bit encoding with low noise and low power consumption.
• Touch control with keys or vertical navigation bar.
• Perfectly plays any format of music.
• It can be used as a PC sound card to convert sound from digital to analog.
• OS Linux.
• Battery life is 23–26 hours, which is almost 2 times longer than in the Cayin N3. Standby time - up to 38 days.

Minuses:

• The screen is average in quality, in the bright sun you have to look for a viewing angle for information to be read.
• Low power, it is better not to connect high-impedance headphones and low-sensitivity full-size headphones to it.
• Poor recording quality.
• No FM radio like in Sony NW-A55.

A media player with decent sound, versatile in genres, with low background noise, with a USB-DAC function, like the more expensive Sony NW-A55.

Cayin n3

Powerful yet compact model, featuring a DAC chip, a full 130mW per channel amplifier into 32 ohms, Bluetooth wireless technology and aptX support. Price - .

Pros:

• USB-C jack. Charging, access to a memory card, DAC function, reading flash drives, sound output to external DACs, coaxial output with a special adapter.
• You can control the buttons on the headset.
• Chip AK4490EN with reduced power consumption.
• Low-pass filter on a Texas Instruments OPA 1652 chip.
• Headphone amplifier OPA 1622.
• The Gain three-position gain switch gives higher pairing compared to the two-position gain in the Fiio M3K.
• Wireless Bluetooth v 4.0 with aptX support. It can be used as a transmitter or receiver.
• Ingenic X 1000 processor on Linux.
• Great sound for the mid-price segment.

Minuses:

• Touch buttons without backlight, in the dark it is difficult to hit them, they are closely located.
• Unusual interface.

Perfectly balanced compact player with good sound. Unlike the Fiio M3K, it produces bass with emphasis in the middle bass region, which degrades listening to rock songs. But the smoothed mid-frequencies “correct” poor-quality recordings, transform them into “convenient for listening”.

Cowon PLENUE D

Discreet, no frills design, compact, high-resolution music sound up to 100 hours in mp3 format and 50 hours in FLAC format, with built-in stereo DAC. Price - .

Pros:

• Built-in memory of 32 GB.
• Touch screen, as in Sony NW-A55.
• Digital equalizer with forty-eight user genres for a specific type of headphone presets.
• Long battery life - up to 100 hours - in mp3 mode.
• Intuitive interface.
• Great sorting of music by genre.
• Touch screen and keyboard. Nice drowning buttons.
• The harmonic distortion level is 0.0004%.

Minuses:

• Only a player, without the possibility of a USB DAC, like the Cayin N3 or Fiio M3K.
• Not enough memory, it was possible to catch up to 128 GB.

A model without any “side” functions such as a USB DAC, like the Cayin N3, is just a great music player. He plays music of all genres, according to reviewers and testers, 100% for his niche. Integrated high-end DAC, responsive interface, powerful proprietary processing complex JefEffect 5, five-band equalizer with 48 different presets, BBE, Mach3Bass, 3D
Surround, MP Enhace. The player decently wins back with any, even “crooked” headphones with low sensitivity or high impedance.

Sony NW-A55

The player with accelerated transmission via Bluetooth, full support for HD aptX, noise reduction function, connects with MAC and Window, with USB DAC. Battery life - up to 45 hours. Price - .

Pros:

• A special assembly technology increases the sound quality: first-class frame made of milled aluminum, soldering the board lead-free with gold, gilding on the built-in plate and contact springs.
• Ergonomically located control buttons, are the first time in the dark and touch.
• Audio profile LDAC TM with a traditional Bluetooth connection increases the data transfer rate by 3 times compared with a conventional audio profile.
• Updated firmware.
• Noise reduction function, surround mode.
• Like the Cayin N3 or Fiio M3K, it can be used as a DAC via a USB connection.
• Enhanced resolution technology for recovering compressed DSEE HX and S-Master HX audio files.
• Vinyl processor, equalizer.
• Own type of connector for charging is proprietary.

Minuses:

• Quiet sound, you have to twist to the maximum. I would like, as in Cowon PLENUE D, up to 130 mW.
• Does not support OGG format like Cayin N3 or Cowon PLENUE D.

A great player with a normal "live", and not sterile, as in Cowon PLENUE D, sound (according to reviews). Simple intuitive menu, convenient interface, scrolling in 4 directions, provides quick access to settings. Memorizes the track and its storage location. You can listen in mp3 or FLAC. The sound is well detailed, high do not cut the ear, dense with a distinguishable lower bass register. Sound playback is 100% higher than on any smartphone.

Sports players

Sony NW-WS625

Compact, lightweight headset - headphones + player with 16 GB of internal memory, remote reception from mobile gadgets via Bluetooth / NFC, with a waterproof built-in microphone. Price - .

Pros:

• The special "licked" form, low weight - 32 g.
• Increased waterproof IPX68: the gadget can be immersed in a pond to a depth of 2 m for up to 30 minutes.
• A complete set of ear pads of different sizes and properties. There are regular and waterproof liners.
• Management - on the headphone or through an external remote control, made in the form of a ring. The remote control is protected only from splashes, sweat, rain.
• Autonomous work - up to 12 hours
• Own charging port, as in Sony NW-A55.
• There is a quick recharge function for 3 minutes.

Minuses:

• Mediocre sound. Could have provided at least 2 timbral modes on the equalizer to switch when changing ear pads. And so when changing waterproof earbuds, the sound becomes deaf, like in a barrel.
• The docking station must always be carried with you, from another source the gadget is not charging.

According to user reviews, one of the best waterproof sports gadgets. Convenient for active sports, can be used as a Bluetooth headset. The player will not satisfy the special audiophile needs: the sound is simple, with emphasized tops. The bass is average, enough for any compositions and genres. If you need both sound and the ability to play sports, that is, not such advanced gadgets for water resistance, but with good sound, I recommend DIGMA Z4 16GB.

AfterShokz Xtrainerz

Another sports model with the same level of water protection as the Sony NW-WS625. It is positioned as a special gadget for swimming. Button control, flexible titanium frame. Price - .

Pros:

• Dustproof and waterproof.
• Ergonomic fit with a flexible and lightweight titanium headband.
• Special design Open Fit. Ears are open, you can hear the surrounding noises while exercising on the street.
• Charges quickly (in 90 minutes) via a standard USB port.
• The function of enhancing bass and volume under water.

Minus:

• No wireless connection.

An excellent model for swimming, for diving to a depth of 2 meters in fresh and salt water. Unlike Sony NW-WS625, an equalizer is built in to improve sound (land / water).