MP3 players are one of the most popular devices on the market today. They come in all shapes and sizes, and there are a variety of them that can be used for different purposes. Here are the best MP3 players of 2022:
- The Google Pixel 3 XL is a great choice for those who want an affordable MP3 player that has many features. It has a 6-inch display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, and 4GB of storage. It also has a face scanner to make it easier to unlock the device.
- The Apple iPhone XS Max is another great option if you want an expensive but high-quality MP3 player. It has an A12 Bionic chip, Face ID, and 256GB of storage. It also has a 12MP camera and is water resistant up to 50 meters.
- The Amazon Kindle Oasis is another great option if you want an affordable but high-quality MP3 player with many features. It has 8GB of storage, a fast processor, and backlit keyboard for easy typing in your music files.
On the budget end, they can go places that you might be afraid to risk breaking or losing your phone—and plenty of them are smaller than the standard smartphone to boot.
Even if you have one of the increasingly rare phones with a headphone jack, these can’t drive headphones as well as a high-end MP3 player. The headphone amplifier built into a quality MP3 player will have more power to drive more sensitive headphones, plus the sound quality will often be miles better.
While we frequently call them MP3 players, these portable playback machines can handle many more formats than just MP3 files. Many higher-end players and some budget models feature support for hi-res audio formats and lossless audio files like FLAC and ALAC. Some even support more advanced audio formats like DSD.
An important aspect you’ll need to consider when shopping for a player is the headphones you’ll use with them. Any player can drive a standard set of earbuds, but a higher-end digital audio player can drive more power-hungry headphones.
The above doesn’t matter if you intend to listen with wireless earbuds or a portable speaker. On the other hand, this requires Bluetooth. Many players offer Bluetooth support, but not all of them do.
Most of the reasons for buying an MP3 player involve playing your own music files, but occasionally, you’ll want to stream too. Some players—usually higher-end models—work with streaming services. That said, even in pricier players, sometimes an FM radio is all you get in addition to your own digital music collection.
Best MP3 Player Overall: Astell&Kern A&Norma SR25 MKII
Astell&Kern is a manufacturer of high-end digital audio players, and for years the company has often been ahead of the competition. While the Astell&Kern A&Norma SR25 MKII may seem expensive compared to MP3 players both old and new, this is among the company’s most affordable models, and you’re getting a lot for the money.
✓ Fantastic sound quality✓ LDAC and aptX HD for great Bluetooth sound✓ Expandable storage up to 1TB✓ Balanced output for high-end headphones
✗ Angled screen won’t be for everyone
At the core of the A&Norma SR25 MKII is a dual DAC from Cirrus Logic, capable of playing back files up to 32bit/384kHz for lossless files. It also features Native DSD (DSD256) support, in case your collection includes these files. In addition to the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, you get a 4.4mm balanced output for connecting to high-end headphones.
Speaking of headphones, you shouldn’t need to be too careful about the ones you use with this model. The Astell&Kern A&Norma SR25 MKII can easily drive power-hungry over-ear headphones, though we can’t guarantee it will work with every single pair of headphones out there.
If you’d rather opt for wireless headphones, fear not. Not only does the A&Norma SR25 MKII support Bluetooth, but it supports both the LDAC and aptX HD for high-quality wireless sound.
The player features 64 GB of internal memory and support for microSD cards up to 1TB. If you want to listen to music that isn’t part of your personal collection, this player’s Open APP Service lets you install Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and other music streaming services so you can listen to whatever you want.
The only weird aspect of the Astell&Kern A&Norma SR25 MKII is the angled screen, which may take some getting used to. But other than that, this is the best MP3 player out there.
Best Budget MP3 Player: RUIZU A55 64GB HiFi Lossless MP3 Player
You may not have ever heard of RUIZU, but it’s time to start paying attention. The A55 64GB HiFi Lossless MP3 Player packs many features you’d expect to find in more expensive MP3 players into a dramatically more affordable package.
✓ Supports multiple hi-res formats including DSD256✓ Built-in 10-band equalizer✓ Expandable storage up to 512 GB✓ Super affordable for the feature set
✗ Not as nice looking as more expensive players✗ Small screen
The A55 supports a few different sample rates depending on the file format, but for most lossless files like FLAC, it tops out at 24bit/192kHz. It supports WAV files up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD256.
The RUIZU A55 features a headphone jack that should be fine for in-ears, but we’re not certain it would power heavy-duty headphones. That said, it also supports Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless playback, though the company doesn’t specify which Bluetooth audio codecs it uses.
If you like to shape your sound signature, the RUIZU A55 features a built-in 10-band EQ. While some purists prefer not to use EQ, this is handy if, for example, you’re using wireless headphones with an EQ feature built into a smartphone app that you can’t access while listening to the A55.
This player comes with 64 GB of onboard storage. Hi-res files can use up space fairly quickly, so it’s good to know the microSD card slot lets you add up to 512GB of additional storage.
Best MP3 Player with Bluetooth: FiiO M11Plus
If you’re spending a few hundred dollars on an MP3 player, chances are good you’re listening to hi-res or lossless files via wired headphones. That said, sometimes you want to listen to music wirelessly. If you’re looking for a high-quality player with Bluetooth, the FiiO M11Plus is a fantastic choice.
✓ aptX HD and LDAC Bluetooth support✓ Supports FLAC up to 32-bit/384kHz✓ MQA and DSD256 support✓ 2. 5mm TRRS and 4. 4mm TRRRS balanced connections✓ Up to 2TB microSD support
✗ Only 64GB onboard storage
While it can play MP3s, the M11Plus is focused much more on hi-res files. With PCM files like FLAC, it supports up to 32-bit/384kHz resolution. That’s not all, as it also features support for MQA and DSD256. Onboard storage is 64GB, but you can upgrade it with support for microSD cards up to 2TB.
Looking at the Bluetooth connectivity, the M11Plus features support for aptX HD and LDAC, two higher-quality Bluetooth codecs. While these codecs aren’t lossless and definitely will degrade the sound compared to a wired connection, they sound better than the standard SBC and AAC codecs.
If you’re listening via wired headphones, you’ve got plenty of options. You get a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as a pair of balanced jacks. These come in 2.5mm TRRS and 4.4mm TRRRS varieties, meaning no matter how you connect your headphones, you can likely connect them here.
The FiiO M11Plus feels relatively heavy, but when it comes to electronics this can be a good thing. Here it’s especially nice because the weight comes from the aluminum body, which gives the player a much more solid feel than players built with plastic.
Best MP3 Player for Kids: TIMMKOO MP3 Player with Bluetooth
If your kids want a smartphone, but you don’t think they’re ready, an MP3 player can be a good alternative. The TIMMKOO MP3 Player with Bluetooth features a built-in speaker and a touch screen, but no social media or web access.
✓ Built-in speaker so no worries about lost headphones✓ Plays back video too✓ Surprisingly long battery life✓ Some lossless formats supported
✗ Only 8GB internal storage
This player features 8GB of internal space, 6GB of which is useable. That’s not much room for a big music library, but fortunately, the storage is expandable via microSD, up to 512GB.
The TIMMKOO MP3 player features a 1,800mAh lithium-ion battery that can provide up to eight hours of video playback. On the other hand, if you stick to music, you can get up to 50 hours of playback time. When it comes time to recharge, the TIMMKOO can be charged through a USB-C port.
In addition to the built-in speaker and headphone jack, the TIMMKOO also features Bluetooth 4.2 for connecting to headphones or a portable speaker.
If you’re looking for something for younger kids, this probably won’t cut it. Instead, you should opt for the AGPTEK MP3 Player for Kids. It’s colorful, tough, and much simpler to use than any other players we’re looking at. It can even work as a sleep aid with soothing sounds built-in.
Best MP3 Player for Workouts: SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus
While some of the more premium players on this list are great, you don’t exactly want to bring them on a run or to the gym. If you’re looking for an MP3 player that is rugged enough to handle a workout but won’t cost too much to replace if something goes wrong, the SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus is your best bet.
✓ Light and easy to carry✓ Clips on to clothing✓ IPX5 water-resistant✓ Built-in FM radio
✗ Only 16GB storage✗ Storage isn’t expandable
The SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus is smaller and lighter than other MP3 players we’re looking at, which makes it easier to move with. As the name implies, it has a built-in clip that lets you attach it to your clothing, meaning you don’t have to risk slipping out of your pocket. This model is also IPX5 water-resistant, go you don’t need to worry about a little sweat.
The 16GB Clip Sport Plus supports Bluetooth, which is nice as wired headphones can get in the way with certain workouts. On the other hand, if you do decide to opt for wired headphones, these act as an antenna to let you use the built-in FM radio.
When it comes to storage, you’re stuck with the onboard 16GB, as there is no expandable storage. 16GB can hold quite a few MP3s, however, so you can expect to hold anywhere from 1,000-4,000 songs depending on how long they are and the bitrate of the MP3.
The built-in battery gets you up to 20 hours of playback time on a single charge, though this will vary based on volume.
