11 Best MP3 Players to Rekindle Your Love for Portable Music

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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.

NW-A306 Walkman MP3 Player

The NW-A306 Walkman MP3 player — Sony's latest — has all the bells and whistles you're looking for: superb audio quality in wired and wireless mode, support for a wide array of audio files, expandable storage, Google's Android platform with access to all streaming services, and robust connectivity, all at an agreeable price. It also has a decidedly premium aluminum frame and a striking textured back finish for improved grip.

A high-resolution amplifier, a sophisticated enhancement engine, and support for a plethora of audio codecs, among other bits, power the player's fantastic sound. Expect to hear every note of your favorite songs in crystal-clear clarity. There’s even an option to add a nostalgic, vinyl-like effect to your favorite digital tracks, in case you’re really feeling nostalgic. The cassette tape player interface is just as remarkable — the throwback graphics remind us that Sony Walkman players ruled the portable music world back in the day.

The player has long battery life. You can get up to 26 hours of listening over a streaming app, 32 hours of 96 kHz FLAC high-resolution audio playback, or 36 hours of 44.1 kHz FLAC playback on a full charge, which could make this MP3 player a great gift for a traveler who needs a device that can stay powered through a long-haul flight. But be mindful that streaming content over Wi-Fi, checking your email, and using Android apps as you would on your phone significantly impact it.

As for storage, the NW-A306 Walkman MP3 player has 32 GB built in. However, a chunk of that gets eaten up by the Android OS. If you’ve got a big music library, you’ll want to make use of the expandable microSD card slot for more space.

A09X Portable Music Player

This portable music player by AGPTEK stands out with an eye-catching, minimalist design and an affordable sub-$50 sticker, making it a wonderful gift price point. The device looks considerably more expensive, thanks to a metal frame, curved glass panels, and touch button controls. Plus, it comes in two fun colors — pink or blue — to make the MP3 player feel a little more personalized to your preferences.

Its audio capabilities and support for lossless formats are also solid for the money. It's not compatible with streaming services, but this is not a dealbreaker given its price tag. The budget-friendly portable music player could make a great gift for a kid who’s just starting to develop their taste in music.

The MP3 player has a color display, plenty of expandable storage, long battery life, integrated FM radio, a built-in speaker, and one of the newest versions of Bluetooth. It can also double as a voice recorder.

Z6 MP3 Player

This portable media player from Phinistec delivers a ton of essential features in a compact package that costs less than $50 before any additional deals and discounts. With a metal body and glass back, the product’s housing with tactile buttons belies its price tag. The same goes for its support for a wide range of audio file formats, a rich set of connectivity features, and insane battery life. You could listen to music for three hours every day for a month before you need to recharge this bad boy.

Another surprise, considering its agreeable price: this portable media player has plenty of storage. You get 32 GB right off the bat with the built-in storage, plus an accompanying 64 GB memory card to triple the total storage from the base level — no extra spending required. In case you need even more capacity, it supports up to 256GB microSD cards.

The product’s retail package includes a carrying pouch and convenient USB-A and microUSB adapters.

And if you want to make playlists the retro way, this device also supports FM radio recording. Tune into your local stations and tap record when a song you’re dying to hear finally gets played.

NW-WM1AM2 Walkman MP3 Player

Sony’s NW-WM1AM2 Walkman is the best media player for discerning audiophiles who have a bottomless budget. It has a beautiful aluminum frame with impeccable craftsmanship and best-in-class sonic capabilities. Of course, the Android player also offers access to every music-streaming service and digital audio format out there.

The audio player packs high-end hardware with a pair of wired audio outputs. As expected from a Sony player, the Walkman can deliver Hi-Res Audio content in wired and wireless modes. Other noteworthy product highlights include a sharp 5-inch touchscreen, intuitive button controls, and plenty of expandable storage. You have 128 GB built in to the device, and there’s an SD card slot if you want to expand storage for your growing music library.

Considering its hardware and acoustic capabilities, the 40-hour maximum battery life of the Sony NW-WM1AM2 is nothing short of spectacular. For comparison, other high-end rivals typically offer less than 20 hours of playback between charges.

Given the price, the Sony NW-WM1AM2 Walkman MP3 Player is an investment in years of high-fidelity audio quality, so you’ll want to find ways to safeguard the device against drops and scrapes. Consider ordering a Miter Case or soft clear TPU case with the portable music player so it’s protected from day one.

Clip Sport Plus MP3 Player

The SanDisk Clip Sport Plus is our favorite pick for workout warriors who want a break from their phones. It's cute, compact, water-resistant, and super affordable. And as its name suggests, this MP3 player clips onto your clothes, leaving your hands free. It’d be a great gift for a runner or exercise enthusiast.

Features include a petite 1.44-inch color display, your choice of storage capacity (16 or 32 GB), and an FM radio. Bluetooth connectivity is also onboard for pairing the gadget with your go-to gym headphones or earbuds.

The Clip Sport has solid battery life, too. And in spite of its low price tag, it includes a pair of earbuds in its retail package (although you might want to upgrade to a better pair if you want superb sound quality). Available in black, red, or blue, the audio player comes with a 2-year warranty.

Given the simplicity of design, price, and warranty, we love this as a gift to a junior audiophile.

R5 Gen 2 MP3 Player

The HiBy R5 MP3 player is sleek, easy to use, and, given how feature-rich it is, reasonably priced at under $350. Its audio performance is also stellar, courtesy of its high-quality audio components. The player also supports a wide range of audio file formats and streaming services. Plus, it comes with 2.5-, 3.5-, 4.4-millimeter audio outputs, so you’ve got options when it comes to ways to listen to your tunes.

Compared to our top pick from Sony, the HiBy R5 stands out with a bigger touchscreen and more onboard audio connectors. It also comes bundled with a protective leather case.

The R5 Gen 2 comes with 16 GB of storage, which might not be enough for very large libraries of music. The good news is that the device has a microSD card slot that can expand your capacity to nearly 2 TB. The player also runs a more dated version of Android that's generations behind the Sony Walkmans, but that shouldn’t make a huge difference if you’re mainly using it to listen to music.

M11 Plus Portable Music Player

The FiiO M11 Plus is the best MP3 player under $1,000. It packs three wired audio outputs (2.5, 3.5, and 4.4 millimeter), and it can stream high-resolution audio over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Plus, the feature-rich media player runs Android, so you can also access apps and streaming services. Its large 5.5-inch bezel-less touchscreen is ideal for navigating Google’s platform. It feels more like a smartphone than an old-school portable music player.

This premium media player has a sleek design with elaborate audio control buttons on its side. It has plenty of expandable storage, and it can improve the sound quality of your computer as a desktop DAC. Its 14-hour maximum battery life could be longer, but its top-shelf hardware and features are trade-offs worth making. Just be sure to keep a USB-C cable and a portable charger on hand so you can juice up the battery on the go. On the upside, don’t worry about the battery draining if you leave this MP3 player in a bag for weeks on end — it can remain in deep standby for up to 1,000 hours.

In a manner befitting its price category, the retail package of the FiiO M11 Plus includes a protective leather case and a glass screen protector.

Xperia 1 V

If you’re looking for a smartphone that doubles as a high-quality portable music player, check out the Sony Xperia 1 V. Unlike most flagship smartphones, this one boasts a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, ensuring you get dynamic and clear sound from any content — from your personal collection to the best streaming services.

Sony’s smartphone can even make your old MP3 files sound better. It’s compatible with hi-res audio (both wired and wireless), as well as Sony’s immersive 360 Reality Audio immersive sound format. And if you want to listen to your music out loud, the smartphone’s front-facing speakers will impress you with their balance and volume.

The latest Xperia 1 V is also an excellent 5G Android phone with a fast chip, a captivating 4K display, and a superb triple camera. Another benefit? Its grippy body. This phone is unlikely to slip from your hands, even as you’re grooving to the latest album from your favorite artist.

The strength and quality of the sound cannot be overstated. This is a premium player at a premium price, but if you are a die-hard listener, it's worth it.

Walkman NW-WS413 Sports Wearable MP3 Player

Sony’s NW-WS413 earphones have an integrated MP3 player with 4 GB of storage and a fully waterproof body, which allows you to take the headset player for a swim — even in saltwater! According to its maker, the product can survive submersions of up to 6.6 feet underwater. If you’re looking for a gift for a swimmer or kayaker, or need a playlist to pump you up next time you’re swimming laps in the pool, these are the earphones to get!

The media player is also dustproof and sweatproof. It has a comfy and secure fit and dependable battery life for its form factor. You can play music for up to 12 hours on a full charge.

Other noteworthy highlights include a handy USB dock for fast charging and transferring music from a computer, and two sets of earbuds (regular and a swim version). You can order the Sony NW-WS413 in black or blue.

M0 Pro

By their very nature, all portable music players are, well, portable. But the Shanling M0 Pro might just be the most travel-friendly of the bunch. With its 1.5-inch full-color touchscreen, this petite MP3 player keeps your music quite literally at your fingertips. It’s as small and sleek as an Apple Watch, making it a great gift for a traveler who needs something that won’t weigh down their carry-on bag or can be slipped into a pocket.

Just because it’s portable doesn’t mean this MP3 player skimps on features, though. The capable device supports a wide range of audio file formats and delivers punchy, balanced sound. Its case is well constructed from aluminum and glass. It comes in three eye-catching colors. And at full charge, its battery can stream music for nearly 15 hours.

With that being said, there’s one tradeoff: no internal storage. That means you’ll have to insert a microSD card to begin building your library. It supports up to 32 GB in external memory, though, so with the card, you’ll be able to store a whole lot of music in one tiny package.

A02X MP3 Player

For its sub-$30 price tag, the AGPTEK A02X MP3 Player is a worthwhile option if you’re looking for a reliable MP3 player to use with wireless headphones.

While it has no 3.5-mm audio jack, it can pair with wireless earbuds seamlessly using Bluetooth 5.3. You could also get a USB-C to 3.5-millimeter audio adapter if you want to use wired headphones, or use the built-in speaker to play your music out loud.

We’re impressed with its fast charging (going from dead battery to full charge in 2 hours flat) and its long battery life — you can stream music continuously for up to 40 hours on this baby. It supports nearly every audio file type you might have in your library.

It’s lightweight and portable — take it to the gym, on a trip, or on a hike. And thanks to its tactile buttons, you can toggle between songs and settings easily without even looking at it, making it a great portable music player to use in the car. It's also a great gift for older folks thanks to the analog-style dial.

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