Flash MP3 Players

Philips GoGear Muse

The GoGear Muse is Philips' best portable media player to date, featuring a number of enhancements over previous models, including a redesigned user interface and slicker design. It doesn't offer the best audio quality we've ever heard, but its format support is hard to beat

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 6.8

Apple iPod shuffle (September '09, 3rd gen, 4GB)

Apple's latest iPod shuffle line-up offers two storage capacities -- 2GB or 4GB -- and five colours. Apart from that, it's business as usual. But that's not necessarily a bad thing -- the shuffle's tiny dimensions are certainly pleasing, and its basic feature set will appeal to those who appreciate simplicity

Editor's rating 6.3

Apple iPod touch (3rd gen, 64GB)

Apple's third-generation iPod touch may lack a camera, but it's the best portable media player that you can currently get your hands on. As well as sporting a number of useful new features, such as voice control, a faster processor means it performs even more smoothly than before

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 9.0

Apple iPod nano (5th gen, with video camera)

The fifth-generation iPod nano is the best version yet, packing in plenty of features, including a video camera, while retaining the straightforward functionality that's a hallmark of Apple devices. It's not perfect, though, and owners of previous models will have little reason to upgrade, but it's a great device nonetheless

Editor's rating 8.7

Sony Walkman NWZ-S544 (S series)

The 8GB, flash-based Sony Walkman NWZ-S544 is a solid entry-level MP3 and video player. Although it's missing some of the previous generation's features, it offers superb sound quality, excellent battery life and a big, bright screen. It's also easy to use and attractive

Editor's rating 7.0

Sony Walkman NWZ-S545 (S series)

One of two new additions to the S-series Walkman line, the 16GB NWZ-S545 MP3 and video player offers excellent audio, great battery life and a large screen. It should also be available at a lower price than its predecessor, the NWZ-S639F, so the fact that it has fewer features shouldn't be a massive concern

Editor's rating 7.0

Philips GoGear Vibe

The GoGear Vibe budget MP3 player compensates for its deeply irritating navigation system by offering a well-rounded feature set and good sound quality. Photo- and video-playback capability are of limited use on a 38mm colour screen, but Philips deserves credit for squeezing in such features at this price

Editor's rating 6.0

Philips GoGear Opus

The GoGear Opus manages to stand out from the crowd of iPod nano rivals by offering some impressive extra features, such as support for the BBC's iPlayer and the ability to record FM radio. The screen isn't great, but sound quality is good and it's a decent media player overall

User rating 10.0

Editor's rating 7.0

Sony Walkman NWZ-X1060 (X series)

Expensive it may be, but the Sony Walkman NWZ-X1060 offers some distinct advantages over its rivals. With its effective on-board noise-cancelling technology, great OLED touchscreen and truly excellent audio quality, the question is: can it dethrone the iPod touch?

Editor's rating 7.0

Samsung YP-U5

Those seeking an affordable secondary MP3 player could do far worse than the YP-U5. Its battery life is good, it offers above-average sound quality and it supports a decent range of audio formats, although AAC is notably missing. A fitness app also makes it well-suited to gym fanatics

Editor's rating 6.7

Microsoft Zune HD preview

The Zune HD looks like a real threat to the iPod touch. With an 84mm OLED touchscreen, high-definition radio tuner, and high-definition video playback via a dock accessory, it offers features that Apple's device can't yet match. It also looks like it might be cheaper

Samsung YP-Q2

Up close, its plastic design leaves something to be desired, but the YP-Q2 budget MP3 player still represents excellent value for money. Its overall performance is good, there's a decent array of features, and the relatively large screen makes viewing photos and videos a pleasure

Editor's rating 6.7

iriver P7

With its sleek aluminium body and large screen, the gorgeous iriver P7 touchscreen portable media player looks like it belongs in a modern art museum. The included PC software isn't great, but the unique touchscreen interface makes for a refreshing change and the P7's audio capabilities are good

Editor's rating 6.3

Samsung YP-P3

It's not a stretch to say the touchscreen YP-P3 is an audiophile's portable media player. It sounds stellar, packs an enormous amount of features into a compact package and boasts a gorgeous display. The user interface might take a while to get used to, but there's very little to complain about really

Editor's rating 8.7

Sony Walkman NWZ-X1050 (X series)

The Sony Walkman NWZ-X1050 is a pricy portable media player, but it offers some distinct advantages over its rivals. Chief among them are its effective on-board noise-cancelling technology, excellent OLED touchscreen and truly fantastic audio quality. But is it better than the iPod touch?

Editor's rating 7.0

Sony Walkman NWZ-W202

The cordless Walkman NWZ-W202 is a great alternative to the latest iPod shuffle for those who prefer their MP3 player to have great sound quality rather than minuscule dimensions. While the eye-catching design may put some people off, gym fanatics should definitely consider this robust, practical device

User rating 1.0

Editor's rating 8.2

Apple iPod shuffle (3rd-generation, 4GB)

The third-generation iPod shuffle is the smallest MP3 player currently available, and only slightly larger than a paper clip. While its unobtrusive design feels sturdy and the voice feature that tells you what you're listening to is useful, quirky controls mean it won't be for everyone

User rating 5.0

Editor's rating 6.3

Cowon D2+

The D2+ is a great touchscreen MP3 player that's packed full of useful features and offers outstanding audio quality, thanks to its sound-enhancement settings. Users of its predecessor, the iAudio D2, won't notice a great deal of changes though, and the lack of AAC support is hard to justify

Editor's rating 7.3

Cowon S9

The S9's main strengths are its sensitive touchscreen, great features and superb sound quality. Despite a disappointing lack of AAC support and an average user interface, it's Cowon's best MP3 player to date, although it's not as great a threat to the iPod touch as the company might like

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 8.8

Sony NWZ-B133 Walkman

Sony's B-series Walkman is tiny and cheap, and is clearly designed for on-the-go use with its built-in USB interface and simple design. While it offers a good range of features, such as an integrated FM tuner and voice recording, it's not laden down with frills. The sound quality is good, though not spectacular

User rating 10.0

Editor's rating 7.0