MP3 players allow you to listen to music on the go. You can block out others’ conversations on public transport while listening to your favorite song. You can listen to music that energizes you when you work out, and you can give a clear sign to strangers who may want to talk to you that you are busy listening to music.
MP3 players are not as popular as they once were. However, there are still plenty on the market. But how do you choose the best one for you? To help you decide, we have come up with a list of things to consider before making your decision.
Continue reading to see our suggestions.
Why use an MP3 player instead of using a mobile phone?
There are several reasons why using an MP3 player can be preferable to using a mobile phone.
Exercise
Exercise comes with the risk of breaking your music listening device. If you have an expensive smartphone and don’t want to risk damaging it, you can purchase a more affordable MP3 player. Many MP3 players have built-in clips because their manufacturer knows that most people use an MP3 player while jogging or at the gym.
Hiking and camping
When you are camping or hiking, you increase the risk of dropping your phone and damaging it. Why not buy a cheap burner phone for the trip and take a low-cost MP3 player? Keep your expensive phone at home and safe.
Save your phone’s battery
If you listen to all your music on an MP3 player, you will save your phone’s charge for other things such as calling and texting, as well as using the internet. Keeping all your music on an MP3 player will also free up space on your phone for other things like photos.
Things to consider when buying an MP3 player
Knowing what features you are looking for before you search for an MP3 player will save you a lot of time and prevent you from paying for features that are not necessary for your requirements. Take a look at the things you should consider when buying an MP3 player below.
Memory size
The memory of an MP3 player indicates how much music it can hold. Memory is measured in GBs. For example, 1GB will hold about 240 songs, and 40 GB will hold about 10,000. If you travel a lot, you may want to consider an MP3 player to store your entire music collection.
Exercise
If you only listen to your MP3 player when exercising, you may only need enough space to listen to a few albums at a time. Smaller models are great for exercise because they are more compact and contain fewer moving parts. Solid-state MP3 players are great for fitness fanatics - these devices are intended to be jog-proof. As mentioned previously, many MP3 players come with a clip, so you don’t need a bag or pockets to carry it in.
Aesthetics
MP3 players come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Although some may be less aesthetically pleasing, they may contain more memory or be more durable. Always opt for content over style.
Size
As a general rule, the size of the MP3 player will tell you how many songs it can store. The larger its size, the more songs it can hold. If you want to carry hundreds of albums with you, you will have to sacrifice how discreet your device looks.
Functions
Various added functions may appeal to you—some people like their MP3 player to do more than play your saved songs. For example, some MP3 players play the radio or can act as a USB file storage device. Other additional features include voice recording, play videos, and display photos.
Video playing and displaying photos
If opting for features that involve images, choose a device with substantial screen size and resolution. Make sure your MP3 player plays MP4 files. This is the most popular format for videos and allows you the largest variety of downloadable content. The more formats your MP3 player supports, the more content it can access.
Compatibility
Check that the device comes with the software you need to connect it to a computer. You can generally download this software at no extra cost. Some older models of MP3 may connect to your computer via firewire. However, firewire is no longer available in most modern computers. Instead, make sure both your chosen MP3 player and your computer has USB 2 capabilities for fast downloads.
Battery life
Many small MP3 players can run off a standard AA or AAA battery, giving you up to 15 hours of playing time. Larger MP3 players usually have a sizeable Li-ion battery that can be charged but not changed. These batteries provide at least 10 hours of playback.
If you are going camping or something similar and will be unable to charge your MP3 player, you may consider choosing an MP3 player with removable batteries so you can take a few spares. You can also use rechargeable removable batteries, saving you money in the long run.
MP3 players price range
You can buy an MP3 player for as little as $45 and as much as $1300. The price varies depending on the brand, hardware, and materials used.
FAQs
Is it illegal to download music from a YouTube video and convert it to MP3?
It is illegal to download a copyrighted music video and convert it to MP3. However, it is not unlawful to do the same to a non-copyrighted music video or song.
What are some excellent MP3 player brands?
Some popular MP3 player brands include Sony, Victure, Aftershokz, and apple. There are many more MP3 player brands you can find with a quick Google search.
Do MP3 players need wifi?
Most mp3 players do not need wifi. This is because you listen to songs you have saved to your device but usually do not stream music. However, you do need access to a computer to download your music onto your MP3 player.