12 Best MP3 Players Perfect Sound

Turn on the headphones and turn on the music, for many people, mobile music is the most natural thing in the world. Playlists of favorite songs are stored on the ubiquitous smartphone , which acts as a media player on the side. The best MP3 players only play a subordinate role. There's a lot to be said for music specialists, above all a long battery life. These often small and very light devices can play hours of music on a single charge and thus save smartphone battery for power-hungry video and social media tasks.

The following comparison of the best MP3 players presents the 12 latest models and compares them in terms of size, weight, compatible music formats, and battery life. The following guide covers the different types of MP3 players, presents well-known audio formats and mentions important purchasing criteria when buying a media player.

Big comparison of the 12 best MP3 players with headphones and USB cable

1. AGPTEK A65 MP3 Player

• Bluetooth connectivity technology
• Component type memory, display
• WAV supported standards
• Media type SD card
• Memory storage capacity 32GB
• Screen Size 1.5 inch
• Battery life 30.0, 6.0 hours

The AGPTEK A65 MP3 player is made of ABS plastic and supports MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, DRM, ACELP and WAV audio formats as well as AVI and AVM video formats. The internal memory is 32 gigabytes (GB) in size, but according to the manufacturer it can be expanded up to 128 gigabytes (GB) with an external SD memory card. The MP3 player is operated using seven buttons on the device, including an independent volume button and an on/off button. This player is equipped with a 1.5 inch TFT color screen. According to the manufacturer, this device consumes very little power.

With shuffle mode: Thanks to shuffle mode, the AGPTEK A65 MP3 player is perfect for sports activities, according to the manufacturer. The surface of the player absorbs vibrations, so music plays without problems and distractions even during sports.

USB 2.0 and Bluetooth 5.0 ports are available as connection options for MP3 players. The manufacturer defines the Bluetooth connection range as 10 meters. The MP3 player is equipped with an intelligent noise reduction master chip, which can protect the noise and noise from outside. This model comes with a USB cable, matching headphones, sports armband, running and arm clips, and manual. Other functions of the MP3 player:

• FM radio
• Alarm clock
• Calendar
• Binder
• Stopwatch
• Text sync
• eBook
• Breakpoint playback

How does an MP3 player work? MP3 technology makes it possible to compress audio files and store them on the small hard drive of the playback device. There, the files are converted by the chip and played back as sound through the connected headphones. This guide provides more information on how MP3 players work following a product comparison.

Advantages

• Very easy
• Long battery life
• Random mode
• With bracelet and sleeve clip
• e-book support

Deficiency

• Complicated handling according to Amazon buyers

2. AGPTEK A19X MP3 player

• Bluetooth connectivity technology
• Component type memory, speaker, display
• Standard MP3 supported
• Memory storage capacity 32GB
• Screen Size 2.4 Inch

At first glance, the AGPTEK A19X MP3 player looks like a phone from the 00s. At a second glance, the beautiful player turned out to be a true all-round talent. Because apart from the possibility of using the device to listen to music, the MP3 player from AGPTEK offers a number of other conveniences. At the top of the front, the device is equipped with a 2.4-inch TFT display which provides clear and vivid images. In the lower area is the user interface, which knows how to be stylishly convincing with a touch surface.

In addition to music, videos can be played and images displayed. The A19X MP3 player supports the following formats:

• MP3
• WMA
• MONKEY
• FLAC
• WAV
• JPG
• BMP
• AMV
• AVI

Score player with multiple functions: Besides playing music, pictures and videos, the player can shine with other convenience functions: FM radio, Bluetooth (for Bluetooth headphones or speakers), calendar, stopwatch, alarm clock.

The MP3 player has a storage capacity of 32 gigabytes equipped and can be easily expanded up to 128 gigabytes using an SD memory card. According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts up to 48 hours without interruption. If Bluetooth is used, the battery life is reduced to 6 hours. The battery is fully charged again in 2 to 3 hours. A suitable USB cable and in-ear headphones are also included with the product.

What speaks for an MP3 player instead of a smartphone? Using an MP3 player offers the advantage of no longer having to download music to your smartphone. This gives users more storage space on their phone, which they can use for other apps. The battery life of the smartphone is also extended considerably.

Advantages

• Retro phone design
• Video view
• Very long battery life

Deficiency

• Cannot be paired with smartphone
• No clips for clothes

3. Surfans F20 MP3 Player

• Model name Surfans F20
• Bluetooth connectivity technology, USB
• Component type display
• Supported standards FLAC, WAV, WMA, M4A, MP3, MP2, AAC
• MicroSD media type
• Memory storage capacity 32GB
• Screen size 2 inches
• 10 hours battery life

The Surfans F20 MP3 player has a 2-inch HD display. It has no internal storage space. Audio files can be stored on the supplied 32 gigabyte microSD memory card. If you want to store your entire music collection on your MP3 player, you can use a microSD memory card of up to 256 gigabytes.

With tin alloy body: The body of the MP3 player is made of tin alloy. According to the manufacturer, it provides a pleasant taste and high stability.

With a 1,500 milliamp hour lithium-ion battery, the MP3 player has up to 15 hours of battery life, according to the manufacturer. Can be charged via micro USB cable. According to the manufacturer, the striking ALPS scroll control wheel allows smooth operation. Thanks to the integrated microphone connection, the MP3 player can be used as a dictaphone. To reduce acoustic distortion, it has DSD decoding technology. With the help of the equalizer function, the treble and bass can be adjusted according to the preferred music genre.

The Surfans MP3 player has an angular design with a gray color scheme. It is 12 centimeters high, 8 centimeters wide and 4 centimeters deep. It weighs 110 grams.

What is a compressed audio file? Formats such as MP3 or WMA are called compressed audio files. The goal is to get the audio file, which is actually very large, as small as possible to fit more music into the available storage space. Approximately 10 megabytes of audio can be counted per minute if the music comes directly from a CD. For songs with a duration of 4 minutes, which is 40 megabytes. This can be reduced to about 1 megabyte per minute using the compression method. However, the quality suffers. Because in order to get a tenth of its original size, a lot of detail in the audio file is omitted. The uncompressed audio files are WAV or FLAC format.

Advantages

• Includes 32 gigabyte memory card
• Supports memory cards up to 256 gigabytes in size
• 2 inch HD screen for video
• Tin alloy case

Deficiency

• Relatively short battery life

4. SanDisk Clip Jam MP3 player

• Component type display
• AAC supported standards
• MicroSD media type
• Memory storage capacity 8 GB
• 1 inch screen size
• 18 hours battery life

The SanDisk Jam Clip MP3 player is characterized by its compactness and light weight of only 70 grams. Many consumers know SanDisk manufacturers, especially from the field of storage media, especially SD Cards. But SanDisk is also well represented in entertainment electronics. However, the built-in lithium-ion battery has a run time of up to 18 hours. With 8 gigabytes of memory the player has enough capacity for up to 2,000 songs.

Available in multiple colors: The SanDisk Clip Jam MP3 player is not only available in black but also in blue, green, pink or red.

If the storage space is insufficient, you can upgrade with a microSD card. This player is compatible with many audio formats such as MP3, WMA, AAC and Audible. Compatibility with lossless formats like FLAC is unfortunately not available.

What is a DSP chip? A DSP chip or digital signal processor is an electronic component and is used for continuous processing of digital signals - for example audio or video signals. The abbreviation DSP stands for Digital Signal Processor.

Advantages

• Small and compact
• 8 gigabytes of internal memory
• Expandable storage
• Available in various colors

Deficiency

• No video view

5. Vorstik V1 MP3 player

• USB connectivity technology, AUX
• Part type Battery, Memory, Speaker, Display
• AAC supported standards
• MP3 media type
• Memory storage capacity 64GB
• Screen Size 1.8 inches
• 50 hours battery life

According to the manufacturer, the Vorstik V1 MP3 player is ideal for sports activities. With 8 gigabytes of internal memory, up to 1,000 songs with an average duration of 6 to 8 minutes can be stored. According to the manufacturer, the memory can be expanded up to 64 gigabytes with a microSD card. The card is not included in the shipping package. According to the manufacturer, the MP3 player is equipped with a high-resolution 1.8-inch TFT touch screen to display the most important information about songs, artists and albums.

Long Playback Duration: According to the manufacturer, the Vorstik V1 MP3 player supports up to 50 hours of music playback on a full charge. The charging time of the battery until it is fully charged is 2.5 hours. The 3.7 volt battery has a capacity of 300 mAh.

According to the manufacturer, the MP3 player is equipped with a high-quality chip for noise reduction and offers an automatic shut-off switch to save power when not in use for a long time. This model supports music and video playback, has an FM radio function and offers voice recording at a maximum distance of 10-15 meters. Other features include an integrated step counter and e-book functionality. According to Vorstik, the following formats are supported:

• Music formats: MP3, WMA, APE, AAC, WAV, FLAC
• Video formats: AMI, AMV
• Image formats: JPG, JPEG, BMP
• E-book format: TXT
• Lyrics format: LRC (for lyrics)

What audio formats are there? Apart from MP3, there are various other audio formats. The most famous include WMA, AAC, FLAC or OG. This guide provides information on what distinguishes the various audio signals following the product description.

Advantages

• According to the manufacturer, ideal for sports activities
• Supports TXT (e-book) and LRC (lyrics) formats
• Equipped with chip for noise reduction
• Sound recording possible
• Equipped with TFT touch screen

Deficiency

• No clips for clothes
• Does not include memory card

6. Sony NW-E394 . MP3 Player

• Model name NWE394B.CEW
• USB connectivity technology
• Component type memory, display
• Standard MP3 supported
• Media type No
• Memory storage capacity 8 GB
• 1.77 inch Screen Size
• 35 hours battery life

The Sony NW-E394 MP3 player has 8 gigabytes of internal memory and supports PCM, WMA, AAC and MP3 audio formats. In addition, the photo must be able to be stored in the player and the radio function used. Beside the MP3 player there is a volume control and a hold button for operation. Housing and front panel made of aluminum, music is transferred to the Walkman via drag-and-drop via PC or laptop. The latter must have a Windows operating system as a minimum requirement of Vista and above or macOS X10.6 and above.

Optionally available with headphones: The Sony NW-E394 MP3 player is optionally available with blue or red over-ear headphones. Alternatively, the model can be purchased separately or in combination with black in-ear headphones.

The MP3 player's built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 35 hours of battery life and a maximum playback time of 50 hours when playing MP3s with a fully charged battery. The integrated display has a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels (QQVGA) and measures 1.77 inches. A stereo mini jack and a USB 2.0 high-speed connection are available as connections. This model comes with a USB cable, quick guide and user guide, and the optional headphones mentioned above.

Who Invented the First MP3 Player? The first MP3 player was developed in 1995 by the German company Pontis. It came to the German market in 1999, although it would have been available as a prototype two years earlier.

Advantages

• Video view
• 8 gigabytes of internal memory
• Aluminum case
• Optional with or without headphones
• Long battery life

Deficiency

• Memory cannot be expanded

7. AGPTEK U3 MP3 Player

• USB connectivity technology
• Component type battery, memory, display
• Standard MP3 supported
• Media type USB, SD Card, Micro SD
• Memory storage capacity 8 GB
• Screen Size 1.3 inch
• 10 hours battery life

AGPTEK U3 is a mini MP3 player whose design is based on a USB stick. With the integrated USB stick, the player can be connected directly to a computer to download music tracks via drag-and-drop. Power is supplied by AAA batteries, which should provide enough energy to enjoy up to 10 hours of music. The MP3 player has a fixed internal memory with a capacity of 8 gigabytes, which can be expanded up to 128 gigabytes with an expandable microSD card. The internal memory should be able to store up to 2,000 songs.

Supported formats and systems: The AGPTEK U3 MP3 player supports MP3 and WMA audio formats and, according to the manufacturer, has seven different sound modes. It is compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2K, XP, Vista, Linux 6.2 and macOS 10 operating systems and later compatible versions.

The MP3 player should be very easy to use, and the portable music player can also be used as a dictaphone or radio receiver. The integrated, energy-efficient LC display shows the name of the currently playing song, has a screen diagonal of 1.3 inches and a resolution of 128 x 64 pixels. The case of the MP3 player is made of plastic and must be soft and dirt-resistant. According to the manufacturer, fingerprints are barely left on the device. The MP3 player is only available in red and black color design.

What are LCDs? Liquid crystal display or liquid crystal display, in English liquid crystal display (LCD), is a display or screen whose function is based on the fact that, at a certain level of electrical voltage, the liquid crystal affects the direction of polarization of the lamp.

Advantages

• Small and compact
• Can be used as a USB stick
• 8 gigabytes of internal memory
• Storage space can be expanded
• Seven sound modes

Deficiency

• Battery change required

8. AGPTEK G02 Mini MP3 Player

• SML model name
• USB connectivity technology
• Component type memory, display
• Standard MP3 supported
• Media types MP3, WMA, WAV
• Memory storage capacity 8 GB
• 1.97 inch Screen Size

The AGPTEK G02 MP3 player is a mini-format MP3 player that can be easily attached to clothes using a clip on the back and is therefore ideal for sports activities, according to the manufacturer. It is operated using various buttons on the housing. In this way, the title can be controlled, the volume adjusted or the song pressed further. For even more security, the case comes with a silicone cover, which is supposed to keep out sweat, among other things. The MP3 player has 8 gigabytes of internal memory and according to the manufacturer cannot be expanded with a microSD or external SD card.

Equipped with ergonomic headphones: According to the manufacturer, the AGPTEK G02 MP3 player is equipped with a lightweight, ergonomically shaped headband headphone that offers a firm grip during sports activities, but does not restrict the wearer's freedom of movement.

The mini player can be connected to the AUX port in the car to listen to music through the car audio system. When fully charged, the device can be used thanks to the built-in lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 110 mAh. Play music for up to 10 hours. The MP3 player supports MP3, WMA and WAV audio formats and has an integrated FM radio function with up to 20 station presets. According to the manufacturer, the player is designed for a temperature range of -5 to +40 degrees Celsius. A USB 2.0 port is also available. The MP3 player is not waterproof.

What is an SD card? SD card is a digital storage medium that works on the principle of flash storage. It was developed in 2001 by the companies SanDisk, Panasonic and Toshiba. The abbreviation SD comes from English and stands for Secure Digital Memory Card. The often-read term microSD stands for the very compact flash memory card format used for MP3 players, among other things.

Advantages

• Mini format with clip to attach to clothes
• AUX interface for car
• Equipped with ergonomic headphones
• Sweat-resistant silicone case

Deficiency

• Memory expansion not possible with SD card
• Not waterproof

9. AGPTEK A02GU-DE2 MP3 Player

• USB connectivity technology
• Component type memory
• Standard MP3 supported
• Mp3 media type
• Memory storage capacity 8 GB
• Screen Size 1.8 inches
• 70 hours battery life

The AGPTEK A02GU-DE2 MP3 player has a storage capacity of 8 gigabytes and is available in two color designs, blue and rose gold. According to the manufacturer, the memory can be expanded up to 64 gigabytes with a microSD card. The MP3 player is equipped with a 1.8-inch screen and is operated using five buttons on the case and independent switches. Thanks to the OTG function, music can not only be played via a USB cable via a PC, but also directly from an Android smartphone. According to the manufacturer, playlists can be synced via MediaMonkey for free.

Equipped with radio and e-book functions: According to the manufacturer, the AGPTEK A02GU-DE2 MP3 player has many functions such as an integrated FM radio, clock, recording and picture functions, as well as e-book functions for TXT - format.

The MP3 player has an integrated rechargeable battery with a playback time of up to 70 hours and a charging time of 3 to 4 hours. After just 2 hours of charging, up to 80 percent of the battery capacity should be restored. The MP3 player supports the following formats: MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV and several others. According to the manufacturer, the player comes with a USB cable for charging, a simple pair of headphones and a user manual.

Advantages

• 8 gigabytes of internal memory
• Storage space can be expanded
• With radio and e-book function
• OTG function
• Video view

Deficiency

• Awkward operation according to Amazon shoppers

10. Ruizu X02 MP3 Player

• Bluetooth connectivity technology, USB
• Component type memory
• Standard MP3 supported
• Media type Flash, MicroSD
• Memory storage capacity 8 GB
• 1.46 inch Screen Size
• 40 hours battery life

The Ruizu X02 MP3 player is ideal for athletes, such as jogging, running, hiking or traveling. The player has an integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 420 mAh, which promises up to 80 hours of playback time. Charging is done via a USB charging cable and takes between 2 and 3 hours. The MP3 player has 8 gigabytes of internal memory, which the manufacturer says is enough for 4,000 songs. Memory can be expanded with a microSD card up to a maximum of 128 gigabytes.

Easy-to-Use Design: According to the manufacturer, the Ruizu X02 MP3 player has an easy-to-navigate interface and a simple but stylish no-frills design. The model should be suitable for athletes who need simple control during sporting activities.

The MP3 player supports MP3, WMA, APE, WAV, FLAC audio formats and many more, with a maximum recording bit rate of 1,536 kilobits per second. Thanks to the integrated FM radio tuner, you can listen to your favorite stations on the MP3 player. In addition, this model offers e-book functionality, but only supports articles in TXT format. According to the manufacturer, the playback button can be pressed while reading text to start or disable autoplay.

How to increase MP3 player battery life? There are two factors that can affect the battery life of an MP3 player: screen brightness and playback volume. If you reduce both, you can significantly increase the runtime of the media player. As an additional purchase, a power bank can make sense, with which the battery life can be doubled or tripled.

Advantages

• Long battery life (up to 80 hours)
• According to the manufacturer, ideal for athletes
• E-book function with autoplay
• FM radio tuner to listen to radio
• Expandable memory (up to a maximum of 128 gigabytes)

Deficiency

• No Bluetooth function
• No built-in sleep timer

11. Mechen M3 MP3 Player

• M3 model name
• Bluetooth connectivity technology
• Component type Internal speaker
• Standard MP3 supported
• MicroSD media type
• Memory storage capacity 32GB
• Screen Size 2.4 Inch
• 3 years battery life

The Mechen M3 MP3 player offers a lot of possibilities. In its main function it plays MP3 and WMA compressed audio formats, but also uncompressed formats such as FLAC and WAV supports the device. The storage capacity of 32 gigabytes can be expanded with a microSD card up to 128 gigabytes. The noise reduction chip ensures smooth file playback.

The 2.4-inch color screen works with touch, the original buttons are just on the side to adjust the volume and turn the player on and off. Wired headphones are included. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.0, wireless headphones and Bluetooth speakers can be paired with the player. However, connection to smartphones and tablets is not provided. The MP3 player does not have a built-in speaker.

Highlight recording function: The recording function of the device is very wide. Voice recordings can be saved in WAV format, using the built-in microphone or Lin-In input. The latter also offers the option to record music directly from the smartphone with an MP3 player. Just connect your smartphone with the included audio cable and start recording.

FM radio is also integrated. However, this only works if wired headphones are used. Radio programs can also be recorded. Videos can be played with the Mechen M3 MP3 player. However, this only works if it was previously processed with a video converter. To receive the tool, the user must send a message to the manufacturer.

Advantages

• Touch screen
• Bluetooth for headphones and speakers
• Audio recording via Line-In
• Memory expansion up to 128 gigabytes possible
• Can also be used as a voice recorder if needed

Deficiency

• No built-in speakers
• Videos can only be played after conversion

12. HTOOA X52 MP3 Player

• Bluetooth connectivity technology, USB
• Component type speakers
• Standard MP3 supported
• Media type USB, SD card
• Memory storage capacity 16GB
• Screen Size 1.5 inch
• Battery life 30.0, 8.0 hours

According to the manufacturer, the HTOOA X52 MP3 player uses a professional DSP chip for noise reduction and offers the possibility to adjust the music style via the built-in equalizer. There are many standard equalizer options such as Rock, Hip-Hop, Funk, Classical and Techno. The player has 16 gigabytes of internal memory for up to 4,000 songs, but can be expanded with a TF card up to 128 gigabytes of memory. This Chinese manufacturer uses Bluetooth version 5.0 for its connection. The following popular audio formats are supported, among others:

• MONKEY
• FLAC
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Multi-Function Device: HTOOA X52 MP3 player can not only play music, but also can play reading e-books in TXT format, used as FM radio and voice recorder and used as pedometer in sports. It also has a built-in stopwatch, alarm clock, calendar, and AMV photo and video viewer.

The built-in battery offers a maximum playback time of 30 hours via headphones or wired speakers and an operating time of 8 hours when connected via Bluetooth. Charging time is 2 hours. All important information is displayed on the 1.5 inch color screen. This model comes with wired headphones and a loaded USB cable. Due to its compact design with a clip on the back, HTOOA says the MP3 player can be easily clipped to clothes for maximum grip.

Advantages

• With Bluetooth version 5.0
• Multifunctional devices: e-book reader, calendar, alarm clock, pedometer and Co.
• Can be used as a voice recorder
• Equipped with noise reduction chip
• Predefined equalizer options for different music styles

Deficiency

• No touch operation

What is an MP3 player?

An MP3 player, sometimes referred to as an MP3 player, is a portable media player specially designed for playing MP3 music files. Even cheap MP3 players can play WMA in addition to the audio format that gives its name the standard file format of Windows media players.

What is MP3? MP3 stands for ISO MPEG Audio Layer 3. The audio format was developed in 1982 by the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits in Erlangen, Bavaria, and Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen-Nuremberg in collaboration with AT&T Bell Labs and Thomson. MP3 is a method for compressing digitally stored data, officially on the market since 1995 and is currently the most common audio format. No MP3 videos.

For a long time, the MP3 player was considered the successor to the CD player. However, as more and more smartphones can play MP3 files, small music players have faced stiff competition over the past few years. The high-quality MP3 player can also play audio formats such as AAC for apps from the Apple Store or AA or AAX. The latter is the audiobook format from Audible.

Smartphone or MP3 player – which one is worth it? Almost everyone today has a smartphone that can play music like an MP3 player. Therefore, a separate purchase of such a media player is beneficial for anyone who listens to a lot of music and doesn't want to overload the battery and memory of their smartphone. The MP3 player offers a much longer runtime with a large storage volume. Even those who like jogging or doing other types of outdoor sports where a relatively large smartphone is more distracting are better served with an MP3 player because the device is much more compact and much lighter than a smartphone.

How are MP3 players made?

Most MP3 players are built very similarly, whether they have a color screen and have Bluetooth or other features. The hallmark of MP3 players is that they are small, flat, light and functional. While many devices are made of plastic, there are also some that are made of aluminum, which usually has a slightly sturdier case. Some portable players also come with a silicone case to protect the device. The other components of the player are:

• Display
• Memory
• A battery
• A processor
• Various connections

Usually, music is listened to through earphones or headphones connected directly to the MP3 player. MP3 players with Bluetooth can be combined with other Bluetooth devices. With newer MP3 players, color screens, mostly as LCD or as OLEG screens. Some players are operated exclusively via the touch screen, others by the corresponding buttons on the device's home.

MP3 device memory is hard disk or flash memory. Devices equipped with hard drives can often be identified by the fact that they are larger. The energy consumption of MP3 players with hard drives is also higher. On the other hand, flash memory is more expensive, which affects the price of the player. Disadvantages of MP3 players with flash memory: They are more sensitive to shock and damage.

The most important part of the sound chip: the data is stored in the MP3 device after compression. Tones are transmitted through the tone chip, which is the most important component of the device. The chip converts the information available in digital form into analog tones. If the sound chip is high quality, the sound playback quality is also high.

Most MP3 players come with rechargeable batteries, only some devices use batteries. Batteries have a longer life and are rechargeable. A lithium-polymer battery or lithium-ion battery is used as the battery in most built-in MP3 devices. It is characterized by long service life and excellent performance.

How does an MP3 player work?

Based on MP3 technology, this little pal represents the era of portable music. The MP3 player has its roots in psychoacoustics. This format has been certified as an ISO standard since 1992, but started in the 1980s. The MP3 format was developed as an audio compression method by scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute.

This is how MP3s work: People subconsciously can't hear everything there is to be heard through their ears. Slight deviations in pitch or volume go unnoticed. MP3 compression builds on this. Unnecessary voting information, i.e. information that has no effect on the outcome of the vote, is left out. There is no visible difference when listening to the original track and the tracks in MP3 format. However, storage space can be compressed up to one tenth using the compression method.

Compared to CDs, MP3 players have very high data transmission rates, which are completely hassle free due to the bit rate. The following applies: the higher the bit rate, the better the sound quality. The bit rate of the common MP3 format is between 128 and 160 kilobits per second, which corresponds to a high-quality audio signal.

The sampling rate measured in kilohertz also plays a role. It stands for sampling frequency of analog voice signal. Measurements are made digitally separated from each other in points. The same is true here: the higher the sampling rate, the better the sound experience. The sampling rate for most MP3 devices is between 8 and 48 kilohertz. The sampling rate of a normal CD is 44.1 kHz.

Audio encoding makes it possible to store large music collections in small portable players. Even titles from the Internet can be loaded onto an MP3 player.

MP3 player function

Anyone who thinks that MP3 players are just for playing music is wrong. Modern devices can do more things, such as reading and recording.

1. Read audiobooks: Some MP3 devices can read audiobooks that are preloaded onto the device. The device remembers where the audiobook was stopped while reading and continues at this point the next time it starts.
2. Pairing with speakers or a computer: An MP3 player can be paired with speakers, for example – with multiple devices via a Bluetooth interface. If the MP3 player does not have such an interface, the connection is made using the appropriate cable. MP3 devices can also be connected to computers and loudspeakers to listen to music or watch videos. The advantage of combining with other devices is that titles and videos only need to be loaded once onto one device, not multiple.
3. Sporty companion: Many MP3 players are perfect for sporting activities, and not just because of their small and compact size. Monotonous activities can be "accompanied" with music. It has been shown that music increases endurance and motivates athletes to improve. The clip attached to most MP3 players allows sports fans to attach the audio player to their outfit. It's not that easy with a smartphone.

Pros and cons of MP3 players

Many people have completely replaced their MP3 players with smartphones. However, even in today's day and age, using an MP3 player can bring benefits. The two main advantages of the MP3 player are its large storage space, which reduces smartphone capacity, and its long operating time. The reason is, smartphone batteries are widely used to listen to music for a long time.

Modern MP3 players can also do more than just play music. They function as a dictaphone, as a "radio-to-go" or have a built-in pedometer. Information such as time and date is displayed on a large color screen, and some devices even have an integrated appointment calendar. MP3 players are usually cheap to buy and offer several gigabytes of storage capacity.

Advantages

• Cheap to buy
• Long battery life, large storage capacity
• Protects smartphone battery and storage capacity
• High mobility
• Support for many audio, image and video formats
• Many additional functions

Deficiency

• Easy to replace with a smartphone
• Not always waterproof

An overview of the different types of MP3 players

There are different types of MP3 players. The difference is not only in terms of the media that can be played, but also in terms of shape, size and price segment. However, most of the media players on the market fall into the following categories:

• Classic MP3 Player: The classic MP3 player is shaped like a USB stick and has a USB connector protected by a removable cover. It can be used to transfer music from a computer to an MP3 player. Power is usually supplied by conventional batteries. Screens are kept to a minimum and are mostly small, monochrome, and off. Such a player cannot display photos or play videos. The internal storage space is small but can be expanded with an external SD card. The advantages of such MP3 players: They are very cheap.
• MP3 player with extras: Some MP3 players have an integrated radio function. If the WLAN function is also available, the device can be used to access Internet radio stations or streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer. WLAN is currently only rarely found in MP3 players. Tip: To connect your own MP3 player to the Internet while you are on the move, you can simply open a hotspot on your smartphone.
• MP4 players: Most of the MP3 players available today are actually MP4 players – that is, MP3 players that can also play MP4 format. They are slightly larger than classic MP3 players and usually have large color screens. They have an integrated rechargeable battery and are not battery dependent. Data is usually transferred via a mini USB cable. The media player can play various digital formats, such as WMA, FLAC, AVI or AMV.
• MP5 player: The MP5 player is the most modern representative of its kind, even bigger than an MP4 player, having a nearly 3-inch screen, which is usually a touchscreen. They are almost always equipped with WLAN and Bluetooth and support all common formats, such as APE, RM or DAF. The downside: MP5 players cost a lot more than MP3 players.

Overview of the most important audio formats

• MP3: The MP3 format – short for Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 – was developed by the Fraunhofer Institute towards the end of the 1980s and is characterized by the fact that all sound signals that are barely visible to humans are eliminated. This is done to compress files and save disk space. Due to the loss of individual sound signals, the sound quality of the MP3 format is considered "suboptimal", but listeners will hardly notice the difference in other audio formats in their everyday music use.
• WMA: The WMA format developed by Microsoft (short for WindowsMedia Audio) is a so-called proprietary audio codec that belongs to the media platform of the Windows operating system. This format is used as an audio data compressor and, like MP3 technology, mostly for lossy compression. The codec works with 24 bits per 96 kilohertz and an adjustable bit rate of up to 768 kilobytes per second.
• AAC: AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) competes directly with audio formats such as MP3 or WMA. It is used in Apple's iTunes in combination with the DRM system. This format is mainly played by Apple's iPod and iPhone.
• FLAC: The FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codes) format is a lossless audio format that uses more storage space than, for example, MP3, but has a higher sound quality. It is often used for multilingual movie video data.
• OGG: OGG, also known as "Vorbis", is a patent-free audio format that uses lossy audio data compression. It was developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation and is intended to be a patent-free alternative to MP3.
• MEPG-2: The MEPG-2 format is a common standard for encoding video and audio from lost compressed files. Generic refers to the format and decoding method used to determine quality without further parameter setting.

Important purchasing criteria for MP3 players

In general, MP3 players are small, light and designed in a convenient format. However, there are differences in their design that should be considered when buying a music player:

• Storage capacity: The internal memory of MP3 players may vary in size. While many models with only 8 gigabytes have less storage space compared to other devices, other devices offer up to 160 gigabytes of storage capacity by expanding with a microSD or SD card. That's enough room for more than 10,000 songs in MP3 format. However, high integrated storage capacity is usually associated with much higher acquisition costs. Music lovers should think about how much music they want to store on their player. The following applies: One gigabyte is sufficient for nearly 100 songs in MP3 format. The file size always depends on the length and quality of the respective song. If you want to play videos on an MP3 player in addition to music, you will need to set a higher storage capacity.
• Battery life: Battery life is an important criterion for mobile use of MP3 players. Battery life can vary widely from device to device. Many low-cost models only offer a short runtime of just under 5 hours, while music can be listened to for up to 50 hours and more with a high-quality MP3 player. As with storage capacity, battery life has a significant impact on the price of a media player. For the occasional listening to music on the go, while jogging or at the gym, a 5 to 10 hour run is usually easy enough.
• Dimensions and weight: For use on the go and outdoors, MP3 players need to be as compact and light as possible. However, storage capacity and battery life are closely related to the size of the device. In addition, the display must match the dimensions of the case. The smallest MP3 player on the market no bigger than a lighter, inexpensive and ideal for travel. However, they are not suitable for playing videos. If this is important to you, you should look for a larger, heavier model. There, shoppers benefit from a large color screen, more integrated storage space, and longer battery life. They are slightly more expensive than small MP3 players.
• Supported formats: An overview of the most important audio formats can be found above in the guide. Commonly used formats include MP3, MP4, WMA, OGG and AVI. MP3 players with this format are suitable for all media, problems can only occur with lossless formats such as FLAC or AAC come. If the MP3 player cannot play the file, it can be converted to a compatible format using the appropriate conversion program. Often there are free offers on the Internet.
• Screen: If you only want to use your MP3 player to listen to music, you don't need to worry too much about display conditions. However, if you also want to play photos and videos on your device, you should pay attention to a high-quality screen with an adequate size and resolution. High-resolution displays such as screens The screen size of a multimedia player is usually between 1.8 and 3 inches. Some devices in the upper price range have touch screens, which makes them very easy to use.
• Tone and sound quality: Even if data is stored in compressed form, noise cancellation plays an important role in sound quality. The integrated equalizer has a positive effect on sound intensity, as well as highs and lows. Automatic adjustment of MP3 player sound reproduction is also recommended. The headphones used complement other sound quality.
• Additional features : Not all MP3 players have additional functions such as WLAN, Bluetooth, sleep timer or integrated pedometer. Even the use of well-known streaming services like Spotify, Deezer and Co. can only be done occasionally. If such things are important to you, you should consider a much higher price.

Frequently asked questions about MP3 players

Which is the best MP3 player?

There is no such thing as the best MP3 player. Buyer requirements for media players depend on the personal application. When an athlete is looking for a portable MP3 player that is compact, durable, and lightweight, music lovers may want additional features such as a large color screen. Therefore, it is important to clarify your own requirements for the player before purchasing an MP3 player.

Where can you buy an MP3 player?

MP3 players can be purchased almost everywhere these days: in supermarkets, drug stores, or even at gas stations. If you are looking for a reliable model, you should visit an electronics store or check with an online retailer. Specialist trades offer the advantage of individual advice, but usually have only a limited selection of products. On the other hand, there are a large selection of MP3 players on comparison portals on the Internet that can be compared at a glance. Buying online also provides access to reviews from other customers.

How much does an MP3 player cost?

The price range of MP3 players is relatively large. Classic MP3 players range between 30 and $300 depending on equipment, technical details and device size. Prices usually increase as the number and quality of playable file formats increases. A very high-quality version of the media player is only available for over $500.

What is the distortion factor?

Distortion is a measure of unwanted distortion. This occurs mainly in audio devices such as amplifiers, loudspeakers or microphones, but plays a minor role in most MP3 players.

How does the music get into the MP3 player?

Most MP3 players on the market are simple models with plug-and-play functionality. Therefore, special software for downloading music is not required. Instead, the media player is recognized by the computer like a USB stick. Whether the buyer wants to store Audible or WMA files in their MP3 player their preference doesn't matter.

Is there a waterproof MP3 player?

Yes, there are players who are suitable for swimming. They are waterproof and can be used in swimming pools. However, the device should not dive to the bottom of the deepest lake.

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