# A Good Cheap MP3 Player **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867 "2009-01-25T02:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/1 "2009-01-25T02:37:42Z")
I am getting a little tax refund back, not much, anyway, I have a CD portable walkman which is fine. But I was looking at iPods, but I really don’ t think I need something that fancy. I basically use my CD walkman when I’m at the gym to listen to books on tape, or CDs I burned of old time radio shows. I also have about 300 CDs at home and that’s enough for me, so I don’t buy a lot of music. Does anyone have a decent alternative that isn’t so expensive as an iPod. I really don’t need excellent sound quality when I’d just be listening to a book on tape. As long as it’s decent so I can rip a song to from my CD collection, I’d be satisfied. I just think it’d be a bit easier than carrying around that CD walkman (I am putting this here in this forum 'cause it’s music, but feel free to move it if you think it’s better in IMHO or wherever) ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/2 "2009-01-25T02:49:41Z")
Archos still sells it’s 6 gig [104](http://store.archos.com/product_info.php?id=66). I’ve got one, and it’s a great little MP3 player. It’s simple to use, works very well with WMP, and it’s cheap as hell. I’ve never had a problem with it. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/3 "2009-01-25T03:00:06Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > Archos still sells it’s 6 gig [104](http://store.archos.com/product_info.php?id=66). I’ve got one, and it’s a great little MP3 player. It’s simple to use, works very well with WMP, and it’s cheap as hell. I’ve never had a problem with it. $500 is cheap? The only reason to get so much memory is if you’re going to be stranded on a a desert island and won’t have access to your computer or CD collection for a really long time. Otherwise, you can get an MP3 player with a flash drive for under a hundred dollars that will store a week’s worth of old-time radio or whatever you rip from CDs. When it gets full, just delete what you’ve already heard and add what you want to hear next. But if you can afford it, I’d go with Archos before I’d ever waste money on an iPod. They were around long before Apple was, and you don’t need an iPod to use iTunes. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/4 "2009-01-25T03:05:50Z")
The ipod shuffle 1G is under $50.00. The 2G is under $70.00. Did you see them? The Zen Mosaic by Creative is around $60.00 and I think the Zen Stone is much less- maybe 10 or twenty bucks. ---
**Author:** ![Prox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@Prox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prox)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/5 "2009-01-25T03:28:15Z")
I have a 2 gig [Sansa Clip](http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B000W09ZTK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232853867&sr=8-2) and it’s great. You can use WMP to sync it, or just drag and drop like I do. I mostly use it to listen to podcasts or audio books, but music sounds great on it also. I think you can get a 4 or 8 gig version also. Oh, and it’s tiny. Great for using while exercising. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/6 "2009-01-25T03:37:44Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > $500 is cheap? The 104 is $50, not $500. And it’s data storage system has replaced flash drives for me. I mean, I understand that iPods are cooler, and have a littler easier ‘on-the-fly’ playlist creation… but tripling your memory storage is definitely worth it, especially if you listen to a lot of spoken word pieces, which tend to be longer. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/7 "2009-01-25T03:40:21Z")
> [@Prox](#): > > I have a 2 gig [Sansa Clip](http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B000W09ZTK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232853867&sr=8-2) and it’s great. You can use WMP to sync it, or just drag and drop like I do. I mostly use it to listen to podcasts or audio books, but music sounds great on it also. I think you can get a 4 or 8 gig version also. > > Oh, and it’s tiny. Great for using while exercising. I just got the 4GB Sansa clip for $49.99 from Best Buy and I love it so far. ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/8 "2009-01-25T03:44:18Z")
I have a Creative Zen Micro 6gb. It’s a basic, no-frills mp3 player, no fancy graphics, no video, no games, etc. I had to replace it with an 80gb ipod classic because 6gb was just too small. But it does sound better than the ipod (I’ve played the same mp3’s on both, and the Zen sounds noticeably better). Pros: Very small Pretty durable - it’s been dropped a number of times and plays fine. Great sound Can get new ones on ebay for around $75 You can replace the battery yourself if it ever dies (never had to do this myself though) Can be used as a data drive for PC - you can specify a portion of it to be used as such Very easy to use - once you install the software, you can drag and drop your mp3 files into it. Cons: It has a touch pad, not buttons, and it can take some getting used to as it is very sensitive. Only holds around 1200 mp3’s (at 160kps) Black and white menus, no games, videos, photos, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/9 "2009-01-25T04:26:10Z")
> [@Ataraxy](#): > > I just got the 4GB Sansa clip for $49.99 from Best Buy and I love it so far. I bought the 8GB Sansa Clip from Walmart ($69.99) and I, too, love it. Small, easy to load and use, and has an FM tuner (which IPODs don’t). The included earbuds aren’t that good (many reviews of the Clip say that the player produces very good sound, but advise ditching the earbuds and getting some better ones), but they’re certainly servicable–especially for audiobooks or talk radio. The 2GB Sansa Clip is $39.99 at Best Buy. ---
**Author:** ![cordylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@cordylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cordylus)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/10 "2009-01-25T07:05:13Z")
I’m very happy with my Sansa E240. Its got 2GB but it has a slot for micro sd or sdhc. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and had been using an ipod shuffle without a display which was a nightmare. I managed to pick up the sansa from newegg for $40. I hate itunes and WMP so a big part of the appeal was the simple interface. Works just like a thumb drive. I had several 1 and 2 GB micro cards already and managed to get an 8GB for $15 from newegg. I figure it works out to $65 delivered for a 10GB player. If I need to I can pop out the 8GB chip and use it in my camera or cellphone or whatever. Another big plus is the user changeable battery although I think you have to order replacements from Sansa. Has an FM tuner and can play tiny little videos if that kind of thing floats your boat. They replaced the E series with the newer view but you can still find them if you shop around. [Newegg Sansa e260 4GB](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855125012) ---
**Author:** ![rexnervous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/11 "2009-01-25T12:55:07Z")
> [@Apocalypso](#): > > I have a Creative Zen Micro 6gb. > > … > > Cons: > … > Only holds around 1200 mp3’s (at 160kps) > … This astounded me (and not in a snarky or critical way, Apocalypso). It’s just that sometimes an innocent out-of-the-blue comment highlights the amazing leaps technology has made. The fact that a really small piece of plastic and metal can hold 1,200 songs - that’s enough songs that the OP could exercise one hour per day and assuming an average song length of 3 minutes would take 60 days before he ever repeated a single song - and that’s considered a “con” in this day and age…just wow. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/12 "2009-01-25T13:13:55Z")
> [@Apocalypso](#): > > I have a Creative Zen Micro 6gb. It’s a basic, no-frills mp3 player, no fancy graphics, no video, no games, etc. I had to replace it with an 80gb ipod classic because 6gb was just too small. But it does sound better than the ipod (I’ve played the same mp3’s on both, and the Zen sounds noticeably better). > > Pros: > Very small > Pretty durable - it’s been dropped a number of times and plays fine. > Great sound > Can get new ones on ebay for around $75 > You can replace the battery yourself if it ever dies (never had to do this myself though) > Can be used as a data drive for PC - you can specify a portion of it to be used as such > Very easy to use - once you install the software, you can drag and drop your mp3 files into it. > > Cons: > It has a touch pad, not buttons, and it can take some getting used to as it is very sensitive. > Only holds around 1200 mp3’s (at 160kps) > Black and white menus, no games, videos, photos, etc. Just adding my own experiences with a Zen Micro… when I got it in the first place, I treated it like I did previous flash-based players with smaller capacities. (The ZM had a micro hard drive storage.) I would walk around with it or play it on the bus. At first, it was great, but it seemed to develop more and more issues with syncing and occasionally playing, until I eventually had to send it back for servicing - at my own expense, because Creative didn’t allow the local store to take it in at their service counter during the first year warranty protection period! 😕 (I had the service plan from the local store, but that didn’t do me any good.) When I finally got it back, with a hard drive upgrade, I ended up treating it a bit more delicately… I use it around the house, plugged into its dock or resting comfortably on a hard surface, occasionally take it with me to the library during the summer. When my mom picked it up in England to take it on the train, I actually called her on the cell phone and told her that I didn’t like to play it too much in an environment where it would be shaking and getting vibrations 😉 Under those conditions, it’s done great. So I wouldn’t recommend it as an exercising music player, but that’s just me and maybe I’m being overprotective. I wouldn’t buy a micro-drive based player again either - except for MAYBE an apple because I’ve heard that they do the portable hard drives better. And, to answer the OP, I’ve had a lot of good experiences with Sandisk and RCA brand flash MP3 players. Also the little creative muvo. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/13 "2009-01-25T13:16:33Z")
Look in pawn shops. I’ve gotten very serviceable iPod Minis for 100 and less there. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/14 "2009-01-25T14:59:00Z")
> [@cordylus](#): > > I’m very happy with my Sansa E240. Its got 2GB but it has a slot for micro sd or sdhc. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and had been using an ipod shuffle without a display which was a nightmare. I managed to pick up the sansa from newegg for $40. I hate itunes and WMP so a big part of the appeal was the simple interface. Works just like a thumb drive. I had several 1 and 2 GB micro cards already and managed to get an 8GB for $15 from newegg. I figure it works out to $65 delivered for a 10GB player. If I need to I can pop out the 8GB chip and use it in my camera or cellphone or whatever. Another big plus is the user changeable battery although I think you have to order replacements from Sansa. Has an FM tuner and can play tiny little videos if that kind of thing floats your boat. They replaced the E series with the newer view but you can still find them if you shop around. > > [Newegg Sansa e260 4GB](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855125012) I have the e260, and probably one of the best advantages over anything Apple puts out is that not only does it have an FM tuner, but it has a voice recorder and built in mic. For my work I ofter have to record things. Also you can use it to record off of the FM tuner, so if I want to listen to the news when I have to do something else, I just record it and listen to it later. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/15 "2009-01-25T15:32:32Z")
[This one (2GB Sansa e250) - $24](http://sellout.woot.com/Default.aspx?WootSaleId=7816&ts=1232897871&sig=24f9f9a9494f6045) is refurbished, but I’ve bought several of these from Woot and they are great. I have the 8GB e280: I love the FM tuner, voice and FM recording, and MicroSD expansion. The only problem with the SD card expansion is that whenever you have a card in there, it takes forever to start up because it has to re-index the database each time (because it can’t know if you’ve changed the card while it was turned off). So I just put a card in when I need it, instead of leaving it in all the time. But they are cheap, and awesome little devices. Does videos, too. EDIT: Oh, and if you want the one from Woot! you have to get it TODAY (if you’re not familiar with how Woot! works). ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/16 "2009-01-25T18:28:35Z")
Watch [woot.com](http://woot.com) and pick up a Sansa. I got my 16 gig View for 40 about a month ago… and a 6 gig e260 for $40 about a year and a half ago. You have to keep an eye out, but they’re rock solid and cheap as heck. The two gig is a bit small, but hey, it’s cheap as heck. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/17 "2009-01-25T19:06:31Z")
The Sony NWZ-B135 I have is pretty decent. Better sound quality than my iPod, lighter, a simple drag-and-drop approach to loading files (no software needed) and a small display. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/18 "2009-01-25T19:23:50Z")
Most Sansas are [audible.com](http://audible.com) compatable, as well. [FreemattandGrace.Com](http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2008/01/sandisk-sansa-view-review.php) This site will break down the plusses and minuses of most models for you. ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/19 "2009-01-25T22:04:03Z")
> [@rexnervous](#): > > This astounded me (and not in a snarky or critical way, Apocalypso). It’s just that sometimes an innocent out-of-the-blue comment highlights the amazing leaps technology has made. > > The fact that a really small piece of plastic and metal can hold 1,200 songs - that’s enough songs that the OP could exercise one hour per day and assuming an average song length of 3 minutes would take 60 days before he ever repeated a single song - and that’s considered a “con” in this day and age…just wow. Heh, when I first got it, I was all “that little thing holds over a thousand songs!?!”. After a while it was “it only holds a little over a thousand songs!”. I have over 500 cd’s and I want to be able to listen to any song any time I want. The games and movie/tv shows you can download to the ipod classic sealed the deal for me. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867/20 "2009-01-26T00:45:24Z")
Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll check them out [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-cheap-mp3-player/482867.md?page=2)