It may have been a while since you've used a standalone MP3 player. Most of us now stream our music through services like Spotify or Apple Music rather than maintain a physical or digital music collection.

However, our smartphones aren't always the best way to listen to music. Battery life, data allowances, and screen time restrictions all impact our music playback. If you're after a separate device to listen to music on, we can help.

Here are the best MP3 players you can buy today for all budgets.

Premium pick

1. Sony Walkman NW-ZX300

9.00 / 10
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Sony were the originators of personal audio with their Walkman cassette and CD players. Although never as popular as the ubiquitous iPod, the Sony Walkman MP3 players continue to offer great value for money. The Sony Walkman NW-ZX300 is one of the best MP3 players for audiophiles, too.

The NW-ZX300 weighs 157g, has a 30-hour battery life, and charges in 5.5 hours. It also runs the purpose-built Sony Original OS, rather than a mobile operating system like Android or iOS. The device supports a comprehensive selection of file formats, including Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files, and can even upscale your compressed audio files thanks to a feature called DSEE HX.

The rigid aluminum frame is designed to resist electrical noise, giving clear audio reproduction and playback. The NW-ZX300 comes with a balanced plug for headphones, providing dedicated right and left audio channels. There's support for Bluetooth as well, using Sony's LDAC to transfer data at nearly three times the rate of standard Bluetooth profiles.

Key Features
  • Aluminum frame to reduce noise interference
  • Lead-free solder for an efficent electrical connection
  • Support for high-resolution audio formats
Specifications
  • Brand: Sony
  • Storage: 64GB
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Display: 3.1-inch, color
  • App Support: No
  • High-Res Audio: Yes
  • Weight: 159g
  • Battery: 30 hours
Pros
  • 64GB of onboard storage is expandable via microSD card
  • Sony's LDAC offers wireless audio at three times the standard Bluetooth rate
Cons
  • An expensive option with only limited onboard storage
  • Practical but industrial design
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Sony Walkman NW-ZX300

Although Apple has discontinued the legendary iPod Classic, the iPod Touch 256GB is a worthy successor. That said, the iPod Touch barely resembles the comparatively basic iPod Classic. The Touch is more like an iPhone without the cellular connection. It has access to the App Store, runs Apple's iOS mobile operating system, and comes with apps like Apple Music pre-installed. You can load your own music via iTunes too.

Unlike many standalone MP3 players, the iPod Touch has an 8MP primary camera with a 1.2MP front-facing camera. While you can only access the internet via Wi-Fi, the most significant difference between the iPhone and the iPod Touch is price. You'd pay almost double for the equivalent amount of storage on an iPhone. If you don't need 256GB of storage, you can save some money by opting for the 32GB or 128GB model instead.

Key Features
  • Runs iOS 14, the same operating system as the iPhone
  • Comes in editions up to 256GB
  • Includes Apple's A10 Fusion Chip
Specifications
  • Brand: Apple
  • Storage: 256GB
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Display: 4-inch, 1136 x 640
  • App Support: Yes
  • High-Res Audio: No
  • Weight: 88g
  • Battery: 40 hours
Pros
  • Supports high-resolution audio formats, like FLAC and Linear PCM
  • Access to iPhone apps via the App Store
  • Wi-Fi connectivity allows access to streaming services
Cons
  • Very similar to an iPhone but without mobile connectivity
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Apple iPod Touch (7th Generation)

In their heyday, cheap MP3 players would lack features or storage space, but not anymore. The Soulcker 16GB MP3 Player is an affordable, but feature-packed, option. This 16GB MP3 player has microSD card support so that you can expand your storage up to an additional 128GB. It also has a Bluetooth 4.0 connection, making it a breeze to connect to your favorite Bluetooth headphones and speakers.

The device supports all major audio file formats; MP3, WAV, WMA, APE, FLAC, and AAC. There is a built-in speaker, an FM radio, support for ebooks, a 2.4-inch color screen, and a voice recorder. It even offers 55 hours of playback from a two-hour charge. Of course, if you're after a standalone MP3 player, you may not need all of these features. However, for the price, it's an excellent choice.

Key Features
  • 16GB onboard storage, expandable via microSD card to 128GB
  • Support for ebooks
  • 2.4-inch color screen
Specifications
  • Brand: Soulcker
  • Storage: 16GB
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Display: 2.4-inch, color
  • App Support: No
  • High-Res Audio: No
  • Weight: 105g
  • Battery: 55 hours
Pros
  • Support for MP3, WAV, WMA, APE, FLAC, and AAC
  • Includes a pedometer app
  • Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless headphones and speakers
Cons
  • Can only create three playlists on the device
  • Users report many small unfixable bugs in software
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Soulcker 16GB MP3 Player

The MP3 was initially designed to compress audio into smaller files, making them well-suited for low-storage devices. However, with portable devices now often starting at comparatively large 32GB editions, it's possible to carry high-resolution audio around in your pocket. The HiBy R3 Pro is a multi-functional music player that supports a wide range of formats and even integrates with the Tidal streaming service. The device comes with a 1,600mAh rechargeable battery that'll last for between 16 and 20 hours, depending on your usage.

The 3.2-inch display allows you to interact with the player, control playback and volume, and select playlists. The unit supports DSD256 decoding, PCM playback at up to 32bit / 384kHz, MQA, and lossless formats like FLAC, APE, and OGG. You can connect wireless headphones to the R3 Pro via the Bluetooth 5.0 connection, offering high-quality wireless audio. There's also a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection for internet access and Tidal support.

Key Features
  • Supports PCM playback, DSD256 decoding, and MQA
  • Works with lossless formats like FLAC, APE, and OGG
  • Bluetooth 5.0 connection
Specifications
  • Brand: HiBy
  • Storage: None, microSD card support
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Display: 3.2-inch, color
  • App Support: No
  • High-Res Audio: Yes
  • Weight: 318g
  • Battery: 20 hours
Pros
  • Support for Tidal streaming service
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Up to 20-hour battery life
Cons
  • Has no onboard storage, so must use a microSD card
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HiBy R3 Pro

The FINIS Duo is among the best waterproof MP3 players on the market, but it is also fairly unique. The Duo is primarily aimed at swimmers who want to be able to listen to music underwater. To that end, the device is IPX8 rated for waterproofing up to 3 meters for 30 minutes.

It is unlike other MP3 players on this list, though, as it uses bone conduction, rather than headphones, to playback your music. The Duo can be placed onto a headband or the strap of your goggles and rests on your cheekbone. You won't have to recharge it too often either, as the battery lasts up to seven hours. It has 4GB of onboard storage for MP3 or WMA audio files.

Key Features
  • Bone conduction headphones with integrated MP3 player
  • IPX8-rated for water resistance
  • 4GB of onboard storage
Specifications
  • Brand: FINIS
  • Storage: 4GB
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Display: No
  • App Support: No
  • High-Res Audio: No
  • Weight: 150g
  • Battery: 7 hours
Pros
  • Waterproofing offers protection to three meters for up to 30 minutes
  • Bone conduction headset uses vibrations to transmit audio
  • Seven-hour battery life
Cons
  • Desktop software complicted and difficult to use
Buy This Product

Swimmers can opt for bone-conducting waterproof headphones with an integrated MP3 player, like the FINIS Duo, but other fitness enthusiasts might prefer more traditional options. The Sony Walkman NW-WS413 is a set of waterproof in-ear headphones with an integrated 4GB MP3 player. The headset is IP65-rated as waterproof up to two meters, even if saltwater for ocean-based activities. The over-ear band ensures the headphones stay secure.

The headphones have seven-hour battery life and can be recharged in just 90 minutes. There's also a three-minute quick charge that provides 60 minutes of playback. You can transfer music onto the NW-WS413 using a Windows or macOS PC via the included USB 2.0 cable. Microphones built into the earbuds enable the Ambient Sound Mode, which allows you to hear noises in your surroundings.

Key Features
  • Lightweight at just 32g
  • Suitable for use in fresh and salt water
  • Wrap-around design for a secure fit
Specifications
  • Brand: Sony
  • Storage: 4GB
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Display: No
  • App Support: No
  • High-Res Audio: No
  • Weight: 32g
  • Battery: 12 hours
Pros
  • Comes with Swimming Earbuds for underwater use
  • Ambient Sound Mode allows you to hear your surroundings
Cons
  • Only 4GB of storage
  • Sound quality isn't great
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Sony Walkman NW-WS413

You may not want to give your children something easy to damage or expensive. If you're after an affordable, but resilient MP3 player, then the Mighty Vibe is an excellent choice. The device is the spiritual successor to the discontinued iPod Shuffle but has one key difference; Spotify. The Mighty Vibe allows you to download up to 1,000 tracks from Spotify or Amazon Music to listen to on the device, without your phone.

This makes it the perfect MP3 player for kids; download their favorite Spotify playlist to the device, and they can listen for up to five hours on a single charge using wired or wireless headphones. The player weighs just 20g, and is water and drop resistant. It does, however, require a Spotify Premium subscription to download music.

Key Features
  • Integration with Spotify and Amazon Music for offline playback
  • 8GB onboard storage
  • Support for wireless headphones via Bluetooth and wired sets using 3.5mm jack
Specifications
  • Brand: Mighty
  • Storage: 8GB
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Display: No
  • App Support: No
  • High-Res Audio: No
  • Weight: 20g
  • Battery: 5 hours
Pros
  • Works with music and podcasts
  • Shuffle-based playback
  • Drop and water resistant
Cons
  • Spotify and Amazon Music features require premium subscriptions
  • Relatively short five-hour battery life
Buy This Product
Mighty Vibe

FAQ

Q: Does Anyone Still Use MP3 Players?

Although MP3 players were popular in the early 2000s, interest in the standalone portable device has dipped significantly since smartphones' introduction. Apple, the market leader in MP3 players with the iPod, unveiled the iPhone in 2007, a smartphone capable of efficiently storing and playing music while also offering a camera and doubling as a cellphone. The expansion of mobile internet services has also ushered in music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, so you no longer need MP3 files to listen to your favorite tracks.

However, some people still prefer maintaining their own music library and listening to it on the go. While there are some cloud-based storage options, generally, the best option is to use a dedicated MP3 player. As single-function devices, they have longer battery life than most phones, and using a separate player helps preserve your phone's battery as well. Similarly, you may not have a mobile internet connection all the time, a significant weakness of most streaming services. MP3 players don't require internet connectivity, so they can be used wherever you are.

Q: Can You Listen to An MP3 Player Without Headphones?

You would generally need to use a set of wired or Bluetooth headphones to listen to most MP3 players. However, Bluetooth-equipped models can also be used with wireless speakers. Likewise, devices with only a wired 3.5mm jack can be plugged into external speakers with an auxiliary input. If you were hoping to find a model with an in-built speaker, though, you are likely to be disappointed.

Q: What Are MP3 Songs?

An MP3 file is a digitally compressed audio format. Although CDs ushered in the transition from analog formats, like vinyl and tape, to digital audio, the MP3 file was one of the first mainstream methods of storing audio in a digital format. However, CD-based audio is capable of storing high-quality, and therefore large files. In the early days of the MP3, digital storage was still at a premium, so keeping uncompressed CD audio wasn't an option. Instead, MP3s are formed by taking the CD-quality file and compressing it to a much smaller size.