10 Best MP3 Players to Buy in 2023 – Top MP3 Player Reviews

Editor’s Note: Our product picks are current as of February 2023. The discontinued iPod touch will be available while supplies last, so we stand by our recommendation. We’ll continue monitoring the product landscape to make sure we’re bringing you the most up-to-date products and industry information. If you’re looking to buy ASAP, we recommend the latest .

If you or one of your loved ones truly care about the sound quality of your music, it’s time to invest in an MP3 player. Unlike today’s smartphones, MP3 players have a built-in audio jack (or a few), and — save for the iPod Touch — easily expandable memory.

To determine the best MP3 players worth buying for yourself or gifting to your favorite audiophile, we constantly evaluate products from reputable audio brands at various price points — from super affordable to undeniably luxurious. Our picks all play high-res audio, have impressive battery life, and are small enough to slide into your pocket.

The Best MP3 Players

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.

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 splurgeworthy MP3 players will most likely offer you a combination of both.

Connectivity

Bluetooth connectivity is a must if you plan to use your media player with wireless headphones or earbuds. 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.

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.

Check out these thoroughly researched MP3 players that are worthy of your ever-growing music collection.