There is such a thing as a budget MP3 player. Listening to the music that you love is a great feeling. Even better, you can happily listen to your music knowing that you didn’t shell out more than $200 for a great MP3 player. Look out for the size of a budget player, and test out buttons before you buy (some players are cheaply constructed).
Note: all prices were approximate at the time of this writing.
Apple iPod Nano 8GB (2010 Version) -- $130+
Yes; you can buy an Apple MP3 player for less than $200. The iPod Nano comes in under the $200 mark. If you don’t mind the size of the Nano (smallest iPod thus far), this compact player has everything that you could want. The 2010 Nano comes with 8 GB, it’s rechargeable, and it supports WAV, MP3, and various other formats.
SanDisk Sansa e280 -- $119+
If you’re not an Apple Nano fan, SanDisk Sansa might be the next best thing. SanDisk has been part of the MP3 market almost as long as Apple has. As such, SanDisk offers up some appealing MP3 alternatives including the SanDisk Sansa e280. The SanDisk e280 comes with 8GB, a rechargeable battery, and 20 hours of play time. This player has also gained praise across the board from consumers.
Sony S-Series Walkman -- $103+
Sony attempts to bring back nostalgia by naming this MP3 player the “Walkman.” While some consumers will gravitate towards the Walkman based upon its name, others will enjoy the features that the S-Series Walkman comes with. The Walkman features 16GB, support for MP3, WMA, AAC, and LPCM files, a rechargeable battery, and 42 hours of play time – more than double most others in its class.
Microsoft Zune HD -- $165+
Not to be outdone by Apple, Microsoft has also entered the MP3 race. Microsoft’s Zune HD does compare relatively well to other MP3 players on the market. This player comes with 16GB, MP3, WMA, and AAC support, a rechargeable battery, and 33 hours of play time. If you’re looking to compare the Zune HD to the Sony S-Series Walkman, note that Sony beats the Zune by 9 full hours. The difference between the two really boils down to looks.
Creative Zen -- $140+
Creative might not be as well known as Sony, Microsoft, or Apple, but the Creative Zen is starting to turn heads. This MP3 player comes with 16GB, and supports all the same files as other MP3 players. The difference here is the sounds that the Zen makes. Zen is also capable of playing videos, and it comes with a nice selection of features.