Our guide to MP3 players

Digital technology is changing the way we listen to music.

You can buy songs direct from online shops, and there’s also a wealth of free music available on the internet. You can even convert your entire CD collection to MP3 format and then take your favourite tunes with you wherever you go.
This guide will help you through this revolution in audio, so that you can find the very best products to meet your needs.

What is an MP3 player?

The term MP3 refers to the way computers can squeeze a large CD track into a much smaller size. The greater this compression, the smaller the size of the song, but this also means lower quality sound. You can adjust this easily, but the standard compression is 128KB.

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The right MP3 player for you

The term MP3 refers to the way computers can squeeze a large CD track into a much smaller size. The greater this compression, the smaller the size of the song, but this also means lower quality sound. You can adjust this easily, but the standard compression is 128KB.

  • Small and compact
    MP3 players have shrunk in size in recent years, and you can now get feature-packed models without spending a lot of money. They’re great for taking to the gym, and with an average capacity of 1 or 2GB, that’s more than enough for a decent workout!
  • Mid-level
    These players go one step further, with larger capacities and colour screens. They often have photo and video playback as well, which means you can watch all your favourite multimedia, even on the go.
  • Premium
    As well as larger capacity and video playback, these top-ofhe-range multimedia players have a host of additional features. Some have built-in FM radio or Bluetooth connectivity, while others offer wi-fi internet access or memory card slot for increased capacity.


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What capacity is right for you?

  • 2GB or less
    Great for going to the gym , light use or those just starting out with digital music
  • Up to 8GB
    Great for going to the gym , light use or those just starting out with digital music
  • 16GB or more
    Great for going to the gym , light use or those just starting out with digital music


  • View our full range of MP3 players

How much music can I store?

This depends on the quality of the recording and of course the length of each song. If you go for higher quality, you won’t be able to hold as many songs. This chart gives you some idea, based on the standard MP3 compression rate of 128KB, and an average track length of 4 minutes.

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Where can I get music from?

It’s now very simple to transfer digital music onto your MP3 player. Software is sometimes included in the box which lets you convert your own CD collection into the right format for your music player, or you can download content from the internet.




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