MP3 Player Best Buy Guide
There are two basic types of MP3 player. Jukeboxes use hard disks to store gigabytes of data (thousand of CDs worth), while solid-state models are smaller, lighter and cheaper, but can't hold as many songs. There are also small-capacity hard-disk models that sit somewhere in between these two extremes.
If you like the idea of MP3, but also want to be able to play CDs, and own a computer that can burn CDs, you might want to have a look at an MP3 CD player. See below for our Best Buy.
Solid-State MP3 Players
We were impressed by the Creative Muvo TX, which boasts 256MB of lightweight solid state memory, decent sound quality and ease of use. The unit has a clever two-piece design: one bit houses the battery and the other the memory and hi-tech gubbins. The memory part can be plugged directly into a computer for transferring MP3s without the need for docks and special leads. The FM radio version cost £80 from John Lewis, but the standard one can tracked down online for around £60 or even a bit less if you're lucky or persistant.
The Apple iPod Nano is the best small-capacity flash MP3 player we looked at. It has a capacity of 8 GB, and the same good looks, sound quality and ease of use as its brother, but in a smaller package. It comes in a choice of five colours. It costs around £99 for the 4 GB version and £129 for the 8 GB version from shops such as Currys and Dixons, or can be purchased online from a variety of stores.
Alternatively, you could try the iRiver iFP-899T, which packs 1Gb of songs in its tiny prism-like frame that is light enough to be worn around the neck. This much solid-state memory is expensive - the unit costs £160 online. The sound quality with the supplied headphones wasn't brilliant, but it improves if you substitute the headphones for better ones. The player was easy to use, and its ability to hold that many songs in such as small package is useful, although it's not quite enough for Best Buy status.
Hard Disk MP3 Players
The Apple iPod is hard to beat. It's easy to use, has excellent sound quality and looks stylish. Its only drawbacks are a short running time on a single charge and the price - but both of these have been improved in the new face-lifted models. The 80 GB model is about £160 on the high street, with the 160 GB version weighing in at around £230. The iPod is still so popular that online prices don't see much as a decrease.
The Cowon iAudio M3 is the nearest anyone's got to beating the iPod. It looks sophisticated, it's pretty easy to use and with some decent headphones the sound quality is very good. The biggest difference between this and an iPod is the inclusion of a radio, which you can record straight to the hard drive. It supports MP3, OGG, WMA, ASF and WAV files, and can be operated with a LCD remote controller.
The Archos AV320 was the most impressive of two video-capable MP3 players we looked at. It's expensive but you can record video straight on to it, or transfer video via a computer before watching it on the go. It can playback MP3s and display photos. We advise waiting until more products like this are released before buying one, but if you have to be cutting edge it's £299 from John Lewis, or you might be able to find it for less online.
MP3-Capable CD Players
If you still want a CD player but are interested in MP3s, you can get a CD player that can playback MP3s. You have to burn the MP3 files onto a CD with your computer, but then you just pop it in the player to listen. We recommend picking up the Philips EXP521, £50 online.
Alternatively, try the Sony D-NE301. It didn't score quite as highly as the Philips, but it looks better and has superior battery life. It's available online for around £45 or also from Argos.
But Which Type is Right For Me?
For hard-disk MP3 players storage isn't much of an issue, since they have so much of it - 10 or 20Gb is more than enough for most music collections. Only consider getting more than this if you have a very large collection or want to use the player to carry or back up large computer files, or if you want a player that also plays video.
Solid-state players don't have removable storage, so the amount of memory you have is critical. Buy one with at least 128Mb, which will give you two hours of listening. You can get players with 64Mb of storage, but you might find this a bit limited. If the player has removable memory, the capacity of a single card is less important. You can buy several smaller cards to organise your music. If you also have a digital camera, shop around for an MP3 player that uses your existing memory card.
For all types of player, buying headphones separately can improve sound quality - the headphones that come with most players aren't that great. A decent pair needn't cost more than £20 to £25.
