MP3 & Digital Music Buying Guide

Don't be mystified by jargon or fooled by hype. Our comprehensive Buying Guides help you choose the right products.

What you need to know, from the kind of user you are to current technologies:

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED?

By now you should have a pretty good idea of how to choose an MP3 player. But the fun isn't over yet. You can pick from an endless number of accessories that will enable you to use an MP3 player as your car stereo, protect your hardware, improve your player's sound quality, and much, much more. Here are the main types of add-ons for portable audio players

Headphones | Optional add-ons | Battery type and life

Headphones

Some people don't care about which headphones they use, but they probably haven't tried on a high-end pair; the difference will blow you away. The sound quality on MP3 players varies but nowhere near as much as that of headphones, so be sure to budget for a new set. If you want more 'oomph' from your digital music, bite the bullet and invest in a decent pair -- your ears will appreciate it.

Some headphones can keep external noise from interfering with your music. Noise-cancelling models work by electronically negating external sound, while sound-isolating headphones form a seal around the ear canal to stop other audio from getting in. Both types are great for planes or other boisterous environments, but we wouldn't recommend them for biking through city streets or any other activity that requires awareness of your surroundings.

The Etymotic ER-4 earbuds have rubber seals that block out lots of surrounding noise.

Here's an example of the over-the-ear style of headphone (in this case, the inexpensive yet noise-canceling RCA HPNC300).

Optional add-ons

Scour product reviews and manufacturer Web sites to determine whether any optional add-ons are available. Examples include in-line remote controls, jogging kits, deluxe carrying cases, flash memory adapters, FM transmitters, flash memory, docking stations, USB/FireWire kits, extra rechargeable batteries, car adapters, and more. Just because these extras are optional doesn't mean they won't enhance your enjoyment of the device.

How about using an MP3 player in your car? As far as cassette adaptors go, they work with anything that has a mini headphone jack, so there are no compatibility issues. Yet you have to be careful with power adaptors for both car cigarette lighters and wall plugs. Use only those provided by the manufacturer; even if the plug physically fits, you still need to confirm the adaptor's polarity, voltage, and amperage. While amperage can usually be 20 percent less or up to 100 percent more than what's needed by the player, polarity and voltage must be identical to the unit's requirements. If you're unsure about these factors, skip the bargains and buy the power adaptor sold by the manufacturer -- you'll avoid frying your player.

The Ten Technology Navipod lets you control your iPod from across the room.

Battery type and life

Most hard-drive based players come with non-removable lithium-ion batteries, which typically last two to four years. Many manufacturers have some sort of return/repair plan, so check the warranty policy before you buy.

Flash and MP3 CD players are split between those using AA or AAA batteries and those with an internal rechargeable cell. Since flash players need to be synced more often and it's easy to recharge as you sync, flash players with rechargeable batteries are usually preferable. Generally speaking, the larger the player, the longer the battery life, but this isn't always the case, so be sure to read the battery-test results in our reviews before you pull out your wallet.