Best MP3 Players to Enjoy Music on the Go in the UK

Sony NW-A45 is able to do it all. As far as mp3 players are concerned, the model isn't all that cheap. It is, however, pretty cheap considering everything that the player has to offer in return. The model's functionality and overall performance are probably its biggest selling points. But we'd like to start in a different place.

Let's talk form factor first. The player looks sleek and effortless. It is available in multiple colour schemes, from Horizon Green and Twilight Red to Grayish Black, Pale Gold, and/or Moonlit Blue.

The model measures 1.1 x 5.6 x 9.8 centimetres in overall dimensions and weighs less than 100 grams, which is pretty impressive considering the relatively massive 3.1-inch touchscreen and its functionality. Through that touchscreen, you'll be able to effortlessly access the model's numerous tools. It will let you change tracks, create playlists, and adjust settings with but a light swipe/tap.

The device's battery will usually last up to 45 hours (listening to 128 kbps mp3). Considering that the player doesn't take longer than 2 hours to fully recharge, that battery life is nothing to scoff at.

The model offers 16GB built-in storage space. Needless to say, that is not a lot. But you can always expand that not-so-large storage space with any microSD.

MusRun k188 is so simple but, at the same time, so functional and well-rounded that the model is equally suitable for kids and adults. That being said, considering the overall package, the product was clearly designed with athletic people in mind.

In addition to the quality player that we'll cover in a moment, you'll receive a sports armband and decent earphones. Add to that the model's pedometer functionality and you have an excellent product for runners.

Of course, that pedometer component isn't the only thing that's interesting about this gadget on the functionality front. Again, the earphones are pretty good considering the budget price range. But you don't have to rely on these earphones. Incorporating the Bluetooth 5.0 module, the player lets you listen to music without wires.

You'll have no issues accessing the model's other functions/settings too. The touch buttons will always respond to your hands, gloves or no gloves. The colour display is accessible and straightforward. The menu easy to follow and every tool/setting is clearly laid out.

We wouldn't say that the player is packing all that many different settings. Its functionality is nothing to write home about. At the same time, it is nothing to complain about either.

SanDisk SDMX30-032G-G46K attracts with its tiny form factor first and foremost. The model measures 5.7 x 3.7 x 1.5 centimetres in overall dimensions and weighs less than 25 grams. Needless to say, these numbers are absurdly low.

We're not saying that the model's super-compact profile doesn't entail any disadvantages. The battery doesn't last longer than 18 hours, which is really good considering the model's size but not that great compared to your average MP3 player. The display could use some improvement too, although it is difficult to improve without increasing the player's size.

Having said all that, the tiny form factor offers more advantages than disadvantages. First and foremost, it makes the model superb for running. In fact, the model is excellent for all athletic activities. Aside from the small size, the player comes equipped with a nice little belt clip. You can clip the player onto your clothes/gear knowing it will stay put for a worry-free workout.

Besides, the display isn't all that bad. Of course, it is pretty small. But the model clearly wasn't designed with images/video in mind. It is a music player and nothing else. For a music player, the screen is large enough. Plus, it is pretty crisp and easy to manoeuvre. The physical buttons underneath the screen are perfect for seamless navigation on the go. The buttons have a nice tactile feel to them too.

AMDISI MP3C is a really practical gadget first and foremost. It is particularly affordable considering the model's specs/performance. We really like the screen-to-buttons ratio.

The ratio is especially important because the player supports not just audio formats like MP3, WAV, WMA, APE, FLAC, and AAC but image/text formats like JPEG, BMP, and TXT. The sizable 2.4-inch colour screen will let you enjoy bright and vivid HD images. You'll be able to read ebooks too. The "FLAC" part means that the player will allow you to listen to lossless tracks.

The touch buttons make the menu easy to manoeuvre. You'll have no issues accessing/sifting through the player's many settings. Plus, the highly sensitive touch buttons are backlit too, so you'll be able to control the player in the dark without making any noises.

The overall product isn't flawless. The earphones that come with the player are underwhelming in many regards. At the same time, considering the model's price tag, you can't really expect much at all from the earphones.

The internal storage space is limited to 16 gigabytes, which isn't necessarily bad since it will let you store around 4000 songs (128 kbps MP3) but we've seen better numbers at this price range. That being said, the model features a microSD slot, so you'll be able to expand that storage space to almost 150 gigabytes.

Timoom MP3 Player is the most affordable product on this list. The budget price doesn't really reflect that much on its quality though. It is flawed but there isn't really much to complain about, provided you take the model's price into account.

The biggest issue we have with the player is storage space. Its internal 16-gigabyte drive is pretty good. You'll be able to store ~4000 128 kbps MP3 songs. At the same time, the model does not incorporate a microSD slot, meaning you won't be able to expand that storage space.

It is a shame considering that the player supports MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, WAV, DRM, ACELP, AMV, AVI, JPEG, BMP, GIF, and TXT formats. AMV and AVI are video formats, so the player will let you enjoy high-quality video and it could use extra storage space.

Then again, who would even store video on an MP3 player these days? We all have smartphones and the most budget smartphones have no issues storing videos better than pretty much any player.

To sum this rant up, the somewhat limited storage space can be an issue but will unlikely prove to be an actual issue.

The model's battery life is a different story. It will be able to deliver somewhere around 30 hours of continuous playback in a row. That's not bad but we've seen better performance in this department. On the bright side, the player takes one and a half hours to recharge, so the ~30-hour battery life is understandable and very much excusable.