10 Best MP3 Players That Deliver Way Better Sound Than Your Smartphone

The NW-A306 Walkman MP3 player — Sony's latest — has all the bells and whistles you're looking for: superb audio quality in wired and wireless mode, support for a wide array of audio files, expandable storage, Google's Android platform with access to all streaming services, and robust connectivity, all at an agreeable price. It also has a decidedly premium aluminum frame and a striking textured back finish for improved grip.

A high-resolution amplifier, a sophisticated enhancement engine, and support for a plethora of audio codecs, among other bits, power the player's fantastic sound. There’s even an option to add a nostalgic, vinyl-like effect to your favorite digital tracks. The cassette tape player interface is just as remarkable, reminding us that Sony Walkman players ruled the portable music world back in the day.

The player has long battery life, but be mindful that streaming content over Wi-Fi, checking your email, and using Android apps as you would on your phone significantly impact it.

This portable media player delivers a ton of essential features in a compact package that costs only $60 before any additional deals and discounts. Crafted from metal and glass, the product’s housing with tactile buttons belies its price tag. The same goes for its support for a wide range of audio file formats, a rich set of connectivity features, and insane battery life.

Despite its agreeable price, the media player has plenty of built-in storage. It also comes bundled with a 64GB memory card, so you won’t have to spend extra to get started. In case you need even more capacity, it supports up to 256GB microSD cards.

The product’s retail package includes a carrying pouch and convenient USB-A and microUSB adapters.

This portable music player by AGPTEK stands out with an eye-catching, minimalist design and an affordable sub-$50 sticker. The device looks considerably more expensive, thanks to a metal frame, curved glass panels, and touch button controls.

Its audio capabilities and support for lossless formats are also solid for the money. It's not compatible with streaming services, but this is not a dealbreaker given its price tag.

Available in several colors, the player has a color screen, plenty of expandable storage, long battery life, integrated FM radio, a built-in speaker, and up-to-date Bluetooth 5.3. It can also double as a voice recorder.

The SanDisk Clip Sport Plus is our favorite pick for workout warriors who want a break from their phones. It's cute, compact, water-resistant, and super affordable.

Features include a 1.44-inch color display, adequate memory for the price, and FM radio. Bluetooth connectivity is also onboard for pairing the gadget with your go-to gym headphones or earbuds.

The Clip Sport has solid battery life, too. And despite its low price tag, it includes a pair of earbuds in its retail package. Available in black, red, or blue, the audio player comes with a 2-year warranty.

Sony’s NW-WM1AM2 Walkman is the best media player for discerning audiophiles and the one to get if your budget has no limits. It has a beautiful metal body with impeccable craftsmanship and best-in-class sonic capabilities. Of course, the Android player also offers access to every music-streaming service and digital audio format out there.

The audio player packs high-end hardware with a pair of wired audio outputs. As expected from a Sony player, the Walkman can deliver Hi-Res Audio content in wired and wireless modes. Other noteworthy product highlights include a sharp 5-inch touchscreen, intuitive button controls, and plenty of expandable storage.

Considering its hardware and acoustic capabilities, the 40-hour maximum battery life of the Sony NW-WM1AM2 is nothing short of spectacular. For comparison, other high-end rivals typically offer less than 20 hours of playback between charges.

The HiBy R5 MP3 player is sleek, easy to use, and, given how feature-rich it is, reasonably priced. Its audio performance is also stellar, courtesy of its high-quality audio components. The player also supports a wide range of audio file formats and streaming services.

Compared to our top pick from Sony, the HiBy R5 stands out with a bigger touchscreen and more onboard audio connectors. It also comes bundled with a protective case.

However, the R5 Gen 2 lacks onboard storage, so you must spend extra on a microSD card. The player also runs a more dated version of Android that's generations behind the Sony Walkman's.

The FiiO M11 Plus is the best option under $1,000. It packs three wired audio outputs, and it can stream high-resolution audio over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Plus, the feature-rich media player runs Android, so you can also access apps and streaming services. Its large 5.5-inch touchscreen is ideal for navigating Google’s platform.

This premium media player has a sleek design with elaborate audio control buttons on its side. It has plenty of expandable storage, and it can improve the sound quality of your computer as a desktop DAC. Its 11.5-hour maximum battery life could be longer, but its top-shelf hardware and features are tradeoffs worth making.

In a manner befitting its price category, the retail package of the FiiO M11 Plus includes a protective leather case and a glass screen protector.

The iPod touch can do so much more than just play your music collection, thanks to a powerful chip, a crisp Retina display, two cameras, and Apple iOS.

Apple’s platform sets the iPod Touch apart from all competitors, bringing access to millions of apps, games, and all music and video streaming services. The iPhone-resembling player is also compatible with FaceTime and iMessage — all you need is an iCloud account.

The iPod Touch comes with a set of wired EarPods. There are six color variants (pink, blue, gold, red, silver, and space gray) and three storage options to select from.

Sony’s NW-WS413 earphones have an integrated MP3 player with 4GB of storage and a fully waterproof body, which allows you to take the headset player for a swim — even in saltwater! According to its maker, the product can survive submersions of up to 6.6 feet underwater.

The media player is also dustproof. It has a comfy and secure fit and dependable battery life for its form factor.

Other noteworthy highlights include intuitively placed controls and a handy USB dock for fast charging and transferring music from a computer. You can order the Sony NW-WS413 in black or blue.

The audio jack-toting Sony Xperia 5 IV smartphone is also an awesome audio player. Like the brand’s greatest media players, it can deliver an amazing sonic experience from any content — from your personal collection to the best streaming services.

Sony’s smartphone can even make your old MP3 files sound better. It is compatible with hi-res audio (both wired and wireless), as well as Sony’s immersive 360 Reality Audio format.

The latest Xperia 5 is also an excellent 5G Android phone with a fast chip, a captivating OLED display, and a superb triple camera. A bigger (and pricier) Sony Xperia 1 IV with similar audio capabilities is also available.