Choosing Which MP3 Player is Right For You

MP3 players are a relatively new technology, so it can be difficult for some folks to determine which player is right for them. Like most electronics, MP3 players aren’t a once size fits all type product. There are many different styles and a couple different types of MP3’s, all of which may or may not work for you. To determine the type of MP3 that will work best for you, there are some basic questions you can ask yourself to find the right product for you.

How Will You Use It?

It’s important to ask yourself how you will use an MP3 player, because what you plan on doing with your MP3 will determine what type you will buy. If you plan to walk or jog with your MP3 you will want a lightweight variety, probably a flash memory based MP3. If you’ll be doing anything at all that will involve bouncing around, a flash memory based MP3 is a better idea because the hard drive varieties do not react well to the bouncing and shaking that takes place during certain activities. If you won’t be running or walking with your MP3 and you want a lot of music stored on your MP3, then you’ll likely want to look at the hard drive based players because they hold more music.

How Much Can You Afford?

No matter what you plan on doing with your MP3, running for exercise or simply listening to music while working, you should buy the flash or hard drive MP3 player that offers the largest storage capacity in your price range. Even if you do not think you need that much storage space, it’s better to buy an MP3 with more storage than you’ll need instead of not enough. The more storage space the better, and you will find some variation from brand to brand and model to model in every price range.

Are You Electronics Savvy?

If you look at a particular MP3 player and all of its specs sound good, you need to take a close look at the user interface. Does everything make sense to you? Is the MP3 player set up in such a way that it will be easy to find songs and artists? If the user interface doesn’t make much sense you won’t get the use out of the player to make it worth its purchase price. Don’t buy an MP3 player unless you are totally comfortable with the user interface, as that will be the key to your enjoying your favorite tunes.

How Do You Want To Power Your MP3?

There is a difference in the way flash based models and hard drive models are powered. Most of the flash memory based MP3’s use disposable alkaline batteries while many of the hard drive varieties have a rechargeable battery that is very hard to locate. If you want something simple and easy, you should check how easy the power source is to access to replace, if necessary. Sometimes rechargeable sounds better than it really is, so find out for yourself just how easy it will be to keep your favorite songs coming when the batteries run low!

Do You Prefer One File Format?

Most players support the MP3 file format, but if you prefer another file format such as WMA, AAC, or even Ogg Vorbis you can double check which players will support these file formats and then you can choose from those selections. If you are new to the world of MP3 you probably don’t have a preference, but many like the idea of wide file format support on their MP3 player.