Budget MP3 player

[lucas]

Howdy folks,

Anyone got any tips on a cheap and good quality MP3 player? My iPod is on the way out, and I'm averse to shelling out for another Apple product (pretty though they are)... any suggestions welcome!

[nswef]

I have a sansa san disc and it does ok. I've never had an Ipod but have a feeling this Sansa isn't nearly as easy to navigate. It works for me and has made walking much better.

[KayLR]

+1 on the Sansa ...I have a Sansa Clip. Much less expensive than an iPod, probably not as many bells and whistles, but my clip gives me my tunes and that's really all I care about.

[bunnys]

I just bought an iPod 4th generation reconditioned for a significant savings. It has a new case, new battery, new earphones and a 1-year warranty.

Although, I still haven't figured out how to use it.

[Tiam]

I have a Coby that only cost about 30 dollars. I like my Ipod better, I admit, but this one works.

[SteveinMN]

Reconditioned iPods are a good way to buy them -- a distinct savings off the usual retail price.

One thought, however, is that pretty much every mobile phone these days -- even "dumbphones" will play MP3s. The considerations there are whether you will need to buy a memory chip to hold the music you want to listen to (they're not hugely expensive in "normal" sizes, but one likely will be an additional expense) and how you connect the phone to your MP3 source (over the air, Bluetooth to your PC, card reader, whatever). When my iPod (aged one with a black & white screen) needed a battery replacement, I moved my MP3 listening to my phone. It's not as nice as the iPod, but the price sure was right.

[Jilly]

I have one that works really well, and I think that I paid $10/US for it. Well, I paid for it with a gift card. I think I bought it at Walgreen's or someplace inexpensive like that.

That was a few years ago and it became lost somewhere (I am hoping) in the mess of my moving-around life this year, otherwise I could share the brand. I wanted one for traveling, when I was taking care of my mother, and my plan was to start as inexpensively as possible and work my way up until I was satisfied with the price and quality. The thing works like a dream, and that I was able to buy it for a song was a nice surprise.

[JaneV2.0]

I have a SanDisk Sansa and love it. It has supplemental microSD storage, FM, and recording capabilities. It has held up well. I like to use it for podcasts as well.

[bae]

Snag a used ipod.

[happystuff]

Sansa Sandisc clip here too. Actually two of them! 1 gig each. Found them on the Target clearance rack about 3 years ago for $15.00 each. They have held up great and I love them! Currently have one at work and one at home, but plan to reload one of them to learn Korean.

[Rosemary]

Another Sansa Clip fan here. Easy to use, very small and portable. Two modes of connecting to the computer. I also have two (4 GB) and have had them for several years. Paid $20-30 for them at the time - this is a good time of year to watch for sales.

[Selah]

I adore my San Disc Sansa Clip!

[lucas]

Howdy folks,

Thanks for all your input... definitely gonna look into the sansaclip option!

[pony mom]

I see so many things made specifically for ipods, like clock radios and receivers and speakers. Are there things like this for mp3 players that aren't ipods?

[JaneV2.0]

I see so many things made specifically for ipods, like clock radios and receivers and speakers. Are there things like this for mp3 players that aren't ipods?

Likely anything with an aux jack will work. I don't have the Clip--my unit is slightly larger with a screen--so I can't speak for that, but mine plugs right into my car and sits on a little rubber mat while I drive, and I can plug it into a stereo unit as well. Also, Amazon sells docks specifically designed for Sandisk models.

[puglogic]

Where is the best place to look for a reconditioned iPod? Mine may not last much longer.

[treehugger]

You could also ask around among your friends for an old/unused cell phone with MP3 capabilities. Then just charge and use as an MP3 player, rather than as a phone.

Kara