MP3 Player Reviews

With over 70% market share in 2007, Apple's iPod has dominated the MP3 player field since its 2001 introduction. However, it was not the first on the market (1997's Korean-made MPMan), nor is it the only highly rated line available. This page is a guide to reputable sources of MP3 player reviews, featuring both iPod and its competitors.

Though sometimes considered to be on the lower-end of the MP3 player market, players that use flash-based memory are typically smaller, lighter and more reliable, making them ideal for athletes. Higher storage capacities have made them more appealing. Some well-reviewed models include the iPod Touch and the Samsung S5.

MP3 players that use hard drives have achieved very high storage capacities. Top rated models include the Microsoft Zune 80GB and the iPod 80 GB.

• • The Mahalo Guide to the iPod Touch
• Official Site: Apple iPod Touch (8 or 16 GB)
• Apple Store: iPod Touch
  • CNET 8.3/10 Rating
  • PC World 78/100 Rating
  • iLounge "B-" Rating
  • PC Magazine 5/5 Rating
  • Consumer Guide 5/5 Rating
  • MacNN 4/5 Rating
  • Playlist Magazine 3/5 Rating
  • Consumer Reports Review
  • Engadget Review
  • Gizmodo Review
  • MacInTouch Review
  • Macguide Review

• • The Mahalo Guide to the iPod Nano
• Official Site: Apple iPod Nano (3rd Gen) (4 or 8 GB)
• Apple Store: iPod Nano
  • Consumer Reports 69/100 Rating
  • CNET 8.0/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 4.5/5 Rating
  • PC World 79/100 Rating
  • Consumer Guide 4/5 Rating
  • iLounge "A" Rating
  • MacNN 3.5/5 Rating
  • LAPTOP Magazine 4/5 Rating
  • Playlist Magazine 4.5/5 Rating
  • Ars Technica Review

• • The Mahalo Guide to the iPod Classic
• Official Site: Apple iPod Classic (80 or 160 GB)
• Apple Store: iPod Classic
  • CNET 8.0/10 Rating
  • Consumer Reports 67/100 Rating
  • Consumer Guide 4/5 Rating
  • iLounge "B+" Rating
  • Playlist Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • MacNN 4.5/5 Rating
  • Digital Trends Review
  • AppleInsider Review
  • The Gadgeteer Review
  • Ars Technica Review

• • The Mahalo Guide to the iPod Shuffle
• Official Site: Apple iPod Shuffle (3rd Gen) (1 GB)
• Apple Store: iPod Shuffle
  • CNET 6.3/10 Rating

• Official Site: Creative ZEN V Plus (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 GB)
• Amazon.com: Creative ZEN V Plus
  • CNET 8.3/10 Rating
  • Consumer Reports 68/100 Rating
  • PC World 82/100 Rating
  • PC Magazine 4/5 Rating
  • IGN 8.6/10 Rating
  • Consumer Guide 3/5 Rating
  • LAPTOP Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review

• Official Site: Creative ZEN (4, 8, 16 GB)
• Amazon.com: Creative ZEN
  • CNET 8.3/10 Rating
  • LAPTOP Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • Popular Mechanics Review
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review

• Official Site: Creative ZEN Vision W (30 or 60 GB)
• Amazon.com: Creative ZEN Vision W
  • Consumer Reports 65/100 Rating
  • CNET 8.0/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • Laptop Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • BusinessWeek 2.5/5 Rating
  • Consumer Guide 4/5 Rating
  • Gear Diary Review

• Official Site: Creative ZEN Stone Plus (2 GB)
• Amazon.com: Creative ZEN Stone Plus
  • CNET 7.0/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 3/5 Rating
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review

• • The Mahalo Guide to SanDisk Sansa

• Official Site: SanDisk Sansa View (8 or 16 GB)
• Best Buy: SanDisk Sansa View
  • CNET 7.3/10 Rating

• Official Site: SanDisk Sansa Connect (4 GB)
• Amazon.com: SanDisk Sansa Connect
  • CNET 8.0/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 4/5 Rating
  • PC World 79/100 Rating
  • LAPTOP Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • Computerworld.com Review
  • USA TODAY Review
  • The New York Times Review
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review
  • Digital Trends Review

• Official Site: SanDisk Sansa Shaker (512 MB or 1 GB)
• Best Buy: SanDisk Sansa Shaker
  • CNET 7.0/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • Gear Diary Review
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review
  • CrunchGear Review

• Official Site: SanDisk Sansa Clip (1 or 2 GB)
• Best Buy: SanDisk Sansa Clip
  • CNET 7.5/10 Rating
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review
  • CoolTechZone.com Review

• Official Site: SanDisk Sansa Express (1 or 2 GB)
• Amazon.com: SanDisk Sansa Express
  • CNET 6.7/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 4.5/5 Rating
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review

• • The Mahalo Guide to the Microsoft Zune

• Official Site: Microsoft Zune 30GB
• Amazon.com: Microsoft Zune 30GB
  • CNET 8.0/10 Rating
  • Consumer Reports 61/100 Rating
  • PC Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • PC World 81/100 Rating
  • IGN 8.1/10 Rating
  • LAPTOP Magazine 3/5 Rating
  • Consumer Guide 4/5 Rating
  • Engadget Review
  • Gizmodo Review
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review
  • Digital Trends Review
  • Gear Diary Review

• Official Site: Microsoft Zune 80GB
• Amazon.com: Microsoft Zune 80GB
• CNET: Zune: a rant in 5 parts
  • CNET 8.3/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 4/5 Rating
  • PC World Review (Rating pending)
  • Gizmodo Review

• Official Site: Microsoft Zune 4GB/8GB
• Amazon.com: Microsoft Zune 8GB
• Amazon.com: Microsoft Zune 4GB
  • CNET 7.7/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 3/5 Rating
  • Engadget Review
  • Gizmodo Review

• • The Mahalo Guide to iriver

• Official Site: iRiver Clix (2, 4, 8 GB)
• Amazon.com: iRiver Clix
  • Consumer Reports 73/100 Rating
  • CNET 8.7/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 4/5 Rating
  • PC World 77/100 Rating
  • CrunchGear Review
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review

• Official Site: Toshiba Gigabeat U-Series (2 GB)
• Amazon.com: Toshiba Gigabeat U-Series
  • CNET 7.3/10 Rating
  • PC Magazine 3.5/5 Rating
  • AnythingButIpod.com Review
  • CrunchGear Review