10 best MP3 players of 2020

A few years ago, it seemed that smartphones would finally oust MP3 players from the market. However, there is still a niche where smartphones have not yet stuck their electronic nose - portable Hi-Fi models and devices for sports. It was occupied by MP3 players.

In our top 10, we show you how to choose the best MP3 player for your needs. The list of models has been compiled taking into account reviews, popularity and rating on the Yandex.Market website.

What to look for when choosing an MP3 player

Display

Have you ever had to squint to read information from your mobile phone screen? This can happen with MP3 players too. Therefore, make sure your display is legible and large enough to display all the information you want to see.

Storage size (GB)

MP3 players have internal memory that allows you to store music, videos, and other files. Storage capacities can range from 2GB to 256GB, although the latter is rare.

Battery life

An important advantage of most MP3 players is that their battery will last much longer on a single charge than a smartphone. For those who are traveling and do not have access to an outlet, this can be a great boon. Most MP3 players have a battery life of 15 to 30 hours.

Wi-Fi (Internet connectivity)

If you are interested in accessing websites like social media, YouTube, etc., look for a Wi-Fi model. If the MP3 player you are interested in supports Wi-Fi, you need to be connected to a wireless network to access any online content.

Availability of additional features

Advanced MP3 players have options such as a radio, the ability to work with audiobooks, a voice recorder, watching videos, etc. They make the device versatile, but also greatly affect the price. There will be such models in our rating.

2020 MP3 players ranking

10.xDuoo X20

• Hi-Fi player
• support for 32/384 files
• DAC ESS ES9018
• Bluetooth
• color
• microSD cards
• working time 8 h
• weight 138 g
• dimensions 56x110x16.6 mm
• metal case

The rating of MP3-players opens with a model from the Chinese company xDuoo. It is widely known in narrow circles of lovers of compact and portable Hi-Fi devices, who even want to enjoy the full sound of the subway. The firm of brooms does not knit, and even if not each of their players becomes a revelation on the market, then all of them are traditionally of high quality.

The same can be said about the former flagship, the X20 player. Despite the moderate price, it has what it needs: from ES9018K2M as a DAC to two generators to minimize distortion due to loss of synchronization. The model also has a USB Type C connector, Bluetooth with aptX, a balanced headphone output (if you don't need one, the helpful Chinese have put convenient plugs in the set by default) and much more.

As for the design, the device is downright primitively brutal - it is a rectangular piece of technology with chopped edges and push-button control. But do not rush to frown - the buttons are much more convenient than the touchscreen, if you operate the device "blindly" in a jeans pocket, which many of us do.By the way, despite all the manufacturability, the player still fits in this very pocket without any problems.

pros: power, sound, build quality, functionality, the kit includes a leatherette cover.

Minuses: poor translation of the interface into Russian.

9. Astell & Kern KANN

• Hi-Fi player, 64 GB
• support for 32/384 files
• DAC AKM AK4490EQ
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• touch screen 4 ″
• microSD cards
• working time 15 h
• weight 278 g
• dimensions 71.2 × 115.8 × 25.6 mm
• metal case

And this is a device for real audiophiles who are ready to pay a high price for the heavenly beauty of sounds. Because Astell & Kern KANN is one of the most expensive models in the MP3 player ranking.

For their money, the user actually gets a portable music center that can be safely carried in his pocket. Well, relatively calm, since the device is still quite large and weighs 280g.

The body is made of aluminum, inside is a 6200 mAh battery (not a bad figure for a player) and a very powerful amplifier. When released two years ago, Astell & Kern KANN was considered the most powerful MP3 player ever. It is capable of delivering quality sound even with non-standard headphones requiring 8-12 ohms.

pros: sound quality, power, two memory card slots, user-friendly interface, access to AK Connect.

Minuses: price.

8.iBasso DX150

• Hi-Fi player, 32 GB
• support for 32/384 files
• DAC AKM AK4490EQ x 2
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• color touch screen 4.2 ″
• watching video
• microSD cards
• working time 11 h
• weight 245 g
• dimensions 69 × 128.5 × 19.5 mm
• Android operating system
• metal case

What distinguishes iBasso DX150 from other Hi-Fi players in the rating is the ability to expand the memory capacity up to 2 TB by installing a memory card. Another interesting step from the manufacturer is the ability to swap amplifiers. True, for this you have to arm yourself with a screwdriver and unscrew the two side screws.

It is also the first rating model that allows you to read e-books while listening to music. Although this is not an e-ink and not even a smartphone, the iBasso DX150's screen is large and touch-sensitive, bright and contrasting enough to make it comfortable to read from it.

As for the sound, it is neutral, without any special individual characteristics, and the player's power is enough to make any headphones sound good. An excellent and high-quality equalizer will help with this.

pros: sound, versatility.

Minuses: idle mode drains battery, buttons are awkward to press blindly

7. Shanling M0

• Hi-Fi player
• support for 32/384 files
• DAC ESS ES9218
• Bluetooth
• color touch screen 1.54 ″
• microSD cards
• working time 15 h
• weight 38 g
• dimensions 40x45x13.5 mm
• metal case

A few years ago, when smartphones weren't as feature-rich as they are today, tiny MP3 players like the iPod nano were very popular. And Shanling M0 is very similar to an improved and modernized version of such devices.

It is the smallest and lightest among the rated Hi-Fi players. And its price matches the size - for Hi-Fi it can even be called budget.

The kid is packed in a metal case, equipped with a touch screen, but the mechanics of the player were cheated by giving only one button, and that one is rotary, so you can't switch tracks in your pocket. Caring manufacturers put a leather case, a plastic hanger in the set with Shanling M0, and also made it possible to wear it on the arm as a bracelet.

As for the sound, it is better than one would expect for such money: inside there is a DAC, an amplifier, and other elements necessary for this. The device is perfect for those who are tired of flat smartphone sound, but are reluctant to spend money on high-quality Hi-Fi equipment.

pros: size, ease of use.

Minuses: Cannot be used blindly.

6. Ritmix RF-3410

• digital player, 4 GB
• for sports
• screen 1 ″
• microSD cards
• radio
• working time 10 h
• weight 19 g
• dimensions 70.1 × 28.1 × 17.1 mm
• voice recorder

From hi-fi devices with DACs and amplifiers, we are moving on to a simple budget model for more than a modest amount. Ritmix RF-3410 is intended primarily for athletes, it can be hung on a clip to a belt or on a bag.

It is plastic, small and light, which can be even somewhat inconvenient, since the control buttons on the case are also tiny and difficult to press.But such a crumb will not interfere with training.

pros: size, price, presence of an equalizer and a voice recorder.

Minuses: The volume can be adjusted only through the menu, noise is produced when the track is paused.

5. Sony NW-A55

• Hi-Fi player, 16 GB
• file support 24/192
• Bluetooth
• color touch screen 3.1 ″
• microSD cards
• radio
• working time 45 h
• weight 99 g
• dimensions 55.7 × 97.3 × 10.8 mm
• metal case

Not an expensive MP3 player, but not as specialized as the Shanling M0. Its appearance is standard - a small brick with a large touch screen. The interface is simple, user-friendly, the player reads most of the popular formats. There is a slot for microUSB.

A nice feature of the NW-A55 is the ability to read the Cyrillic alphabet, including Russian-language tags, and its software is run-in and has a high quality performance. In general, this model is an excellent option for those who are just discovering the world of Hi-Fi music.

Important: When connecting headphones to the player, never select the third option (other than branded). Users have speculated that Sony's marketing geniuses are deliberately cutting back on sound in order to stimulate sales of the “firm”.

pros: price / sound ratio, radio availability, abundance of settings, high-quality firmware.

Minuses: cheating with headphones.

4. Hidizs AP100

• Hi-Fi player, 8 GB
• file support 24/192
• DAC Cirrus Logic CS4398
• 2.4 ″ color screen
• microSD cards
• working time 10 h
• weight 156 g
• dimensions 65.5x107x16.2 mm
• metal case

Several years ago, the Chinese company Hidizs decided to enter the Hi-Fi portable devices market. And the very first model she released - Hidizs AP100 - turned out to be so successful that it is popular with audiophiles to this day. For the price, this good MP3 player fits right between the lower and mid-range.

The device's capabilities are not bad: it is almost omnivorous (thanks to the latest AP100 processor at that time, it reads all formats without any problems), and has excellent sound, according to user reviews. And if you buy an external amplifier for it, the device will be almost in no way inferior to such monsters of Hi-Fi audio as the players from Astell & Kern.

pros: excellent battery, good sound / price ratio.

Minuses: not the best equalizer.

3. DIGMA S3

• digital player, 4 GB
• color screen 1.8 ″
• watching video
• microSD cards
• radio
• working time 12 h
• weight 32 g
• dimensions 42.5 × 88.8 × 10 mm
• voice recorder

The first in the top three is the most budgetary model of the rating. For a modest price, you will get an almost omnivorous player of music files, in a case that is quite durable for a cheap product and even with a touch of originality - the track control buttons are made in the form of a cat's paw. Both the case itself and the material of the buttons are pleasant to the touch, do not slip or creak.

As for the functionality, it is very good for this amount. Unlike many other budget MP3 players, the DIGMA S3 finishes a track smoothly (fade out) before switching to another. There is a key lock button and a slot for a memory card. Moreover, the baby even catches the radio! Of course, when changing a track, you will have to pause, go to the menu and select another track, but for this price you can make a couple of additional finger movements.

However, if good surround sound is important to you, it is better to look at other models. On this player, FLAC is indistinguishable from an ordinary MP3 file from the Internet. But if you are indifferent to musical beauties, prefer listening to audiobooks, listening to the radio while working or giving a gift to your child, then this player is a great option.

pros: price, design, assembly.

Minuses: inconvenient menu.

2. Sony NW-WS413

• digital player, 4 GB
• for sports
• waterproof case
• without screen
• working time 12 h
• weight 32 g

This is perhaps the most original looking player in our collection. Most of all, the device resembles ordinary wireless headphones, however, the modules are slightly larger than usual. The target audience of the player is athletes, including swimmers: therefore, the model is completely waterproof. But other, less athletic, categories of citizens will find the Sony NW-WS413 useful for themselves, because it is small, lightweight and does not restrict movement at all.

The controls, despite the size of the buttons, are very convenient, they are convex and press easily even under water.Moreover, music will not prevent you from hearing sounds from the surrounding world (there is a special function for this). We also add that if you want to listen to tracks in the pool, do not forget to choose the right attachment. The set of nozzles includes the usual ones, and there are waterproof ones, so it is important not to confuse them.

pros: weight, size, ease of use, waterproof, there is a fast charging mode.

Minuses: small amount of memory, small selection of formats.

1. Fiio X3 II

• Hi-Fi player
• file support 24/192
• DAC Cirrus Logic CS4398
• color screen 2 ″
• microSD cards
• working time 11 h
• weight 135 g
• dimensions 57.7 × 96.7 × 16.1 mm
• metal case

According to users of the Yandex.Market site, the best MP3-player is the model from the Chinese company FiiO. It is a stylish and solid looking device in a steel gray metal case. The design has been carefully thought out for maximum user comfort, for example, the side buttons are convex and the middle one is marked with a ledge to make it easier to distinguish one from the other by touch.

One of the advantages of the Fiio X3 II is its versatility. It is capable of reading and playing almost all popular lossy, lossless and Hi-Fi formats up to 24 bit / 192 Hz. Moreover, it can be used as a third-party DAC, for example, when playing a streaming service from a computer, since the player has a USB connector.

In addition to the device itself, the kit also contains a silicone case for it, screen protectors, a cable with a micro USB connector, a 3.5 mm adapter and three sets of decorative stickers for the case.

In general, this model is one of the most optimal in terms of price / quality ratio. Pleases her undemandingness to the headphones, the power is enough to make even the most capricious of them sound.

pros: optimal price / quality ratio, sound, omnivorous.

Minuses: the interface is not Russified.