MP3 Players Buying Guide

MP3 players are portable audio devices that can play digital audio files through the MP3 format. They are the successor of the much traditional cassette players and the more recent CD players. The biggest advantage of MP3 players is that they can store the audio files directly into the device, unlike traditional players where having CDs and cassettes were a necessity. These players are compact and you can play them anywhere. You can also listen to your favorite songs with just a pair of headphones. To know more about the MP3 players of today, read through this informative guide that will tell you everything that you need to know about such players.  

Types of MP3 Players 

Hard Drive Based Player 

These players use small hard drives to store information. Within a hard-drive, a magnetic disc spins while a magnetic head whips back and forth to read and write the data. Such MP3 players have the highest capacity for storing media and are quite popular. However, they tend to be bigger and heavier. 

Flash Memory Based Players 

Flash memory players have fewer chances of malfunctioning, as they do not have any moving parts. In such players, data is stored on a solid-state chip. This chip is then covered in transistors. That is why such players are compact and lightweight, resulting in extended durability. However, such MP3 players are more expensive as compared to their counterparts.  

CD MP3 Players 

CDs are very common if you are interested to record your own MP3 encoded music onto them. A typical compact disc has a storage of around 700 MB. Such players are perfect for people who want to record their music but do not want to spend on other MP3 players. 

Benefits of MP3 Players 

Time Efficient 

MP3 players take very less time to download & upload the files. Usually, the media is downloaded from HTTP or FTP sites and are quite fast with MP3 technology. 

Convenient 

It is very convenient to use MP3 players. The ID3 tag of the MP3 files undertakes many functions like storing the artist's name, the title of the song, the year it was recorded & the genre it is categorized into. You can also create your own playlists due to the digital format of MP3 files. 

Portable 

The typical MP3 player is concise and lightweight. This gives you the freedom to play music anywhere and anytime. This has made them quite convenient to carry around wherever you go.  

Better Storage Capacity 

MP3 players are quite popular because of the storage options they provide in comparison to other forms of media. While CD players offer around 700MB of data, which is equivalent to around 80 minutes of recorded music, a standard MP3 player offers a storage capacity of anywhere between 2GB and 80GB depending on the model and technology used. 

Factors to Consider While Buying an MP3 Player 

Capacity 

Hard disk-based players offer the highest storage capacities. They're ideal if you want to carry all of your media in your pocket, or if you want your player to double as an external hard drive. With a storage capacity of 80GB, they offer an efficient medium of storing numerous audio files. Thus, it depends on your requirement on what you want to go for.   

Screen Size and Resolution 

MP3 players usually come with various resolutions and screen sizes. This will allow you to enjoy the audio with a compatible video medium. The videos showcased need not necessarily be related to the audio but could be any background playing on the screen. However, most of them do not come with any video. So, choose accordingly.  

Price 

The price of an MP3 player is what attracts the people. The storage and other multifunctional features entirely justify the price. Standard MP3 players start at $20 and go up to $45 for the ones that come with advanced features like Bluetooth.  

Conclusion 

MP3 players are a perfect medium for audio formats as most of the songs are easily compatible according to this format. This allows download and storage of MP3 format songs into the device conveniently. Of course, today's phones do offer audio entertainment as well. However, the battery becomes an issue for phones as long hours of media playing can drain the battery rapidly. But with MP3 players, this is not the case as they can run up to many hours of audio playing with just a single line of charge. For more information on your buying choices, take a look at our most recommended products that have been reviewed based on their durability, performance and quality.