Why You Need an MP3 Player in 2026 (and What to Buy)

One of the easiest ways to block out the noise of the outside world is to delegate your phone’s functions to other devices—those that aren’t constantly connected to the internet and don’t require a subscription to operate. This led me to rediscover an old favorite: my MP3 player.

Modern MP3 players, unsurprisingly, are much more functional than they were twenty years ago. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, many of which mimic the designs of popular older MP3 players, and are manufactured by companies you’ve likely never heard of, like FiiO and AGPTEK. They support the latest music codecs, Bluetooth, FM radio, built-in speakers, and even features that smartphone manufacturers have long abandoned, such as expansion slots and a standard headphone jack.

But if you’re truly nostalgic for the old days, you can restore a vintage Apple iPod or Microsoft Zune. There are even creative modifiers that can customize traditional models.

Whatever your method of participation, acquiring a standalone MP3 player means joining a movement that challenges the current trend toward streaming everything. Here’s how I got started with an MP3 player, and where to start if you’re interested in reviving your own for modern use.

These MP3 players are a ready-made solution.

Let’s be realistic: MP3 players are no longer the gadget category they once were. They’re no longer available in brick-and-mortar stores or online, as they once were. However, you can find a few reasonably priced models on Amazon and other global gadget marketplaces.

The most common and well-established brand you’ll see on Amazon is AGPTEK . Based in Brooklyn, the company sells virtually all types of gadgets. It’s one of those brands that uses off-the-shelf components, allowing them to create affordable gadgets without breaking the bank.

AGPTEK offers several music players, but the A02 is their most popular. It’s legendary for its 70-hour battery life, and I bought it for its impressive feature set. The AGPTEK A02 uses the latest Bluetooth 5.3 codec. I can carry the player in my pocket or leave it on the table, and the sound remains clear even at the other end of the house. It uses USB-C for charging and data transfer, and there’s a microSD card slot that supports up to 128GB of storage if you need more than the 64GB of internal storage. There’s also a physical lock switch to prevent accidental track changes.

Innioasis is another brand that’s often seen on the market, known for its iPod knockoffs. They also sell touchscreen MP3 players, but their most popular models are the “imitative iPod” ones. The most popular model is the Y1, which looks like an iPod Classic. This $50 device features USB-C and Bluetooth, instead of the proprietary 30-pin charging cable of the previous model. No special software is required to transfer music to the device. Most models come with 128GB of internal storage.

Innioasis touchscreen models are hybrid digital music players: they have Wi-Fi access, allowing you to download Spotify playlists and Audible audiobooks. However, they can’t access the internet outside this range, so if you want to listen to new music while running, you’ll have to wait until you have internet access again.

These high-quality options are perfect for audiophiles.

The Sony Walkman NW-A306 is a premium digital music player. It features high-quality internal components, such as Sony’s proprietary S-Master HX digital amplifier, which reduces distortion and noise at various frequencies, and high-quality film capacitors, which produce clearer sound than a standard phone DAC (digital-to-analog converter). These components are typically found in high-end Sony home stereo systems, but here they’re housed in a more compact package.

For those on a budget but still want a full-featured MP3 player, FiiO is currently a favorite among audiophiles. The JM21 player is slim and runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chip, which is commonly found in Android smartphones. It features dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, meaning it plays music with fully balanced sound, just like Sony music players. It also has standard 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks if you prefer to use high-quality studio headphones.

Choosing between these two models depends on what’s more important to you: ease of use or power. Sony players, such as the NW-A306 and the slightly larger NW-ZX707 , are compact and offer up to 36 hours of battery life. They also feature Sony’s AI-powered DSEE Ultimate, which improves low-quality audio, making it clearer. However, Sony users have complained that the device can be slow even compared to modern mid-range Android devices. It’s not exactly powerful.

The FiiO is an easier sell because it was recently updated. The JM21 has a 700 mW output, so it won’t crackle when you crank up the headphone volume. Users also prefer the interface to Sony MP3 players, noting that the soundstage, or perceived “distance” between instruments, seems much wider. However, the MP3 player feels a bit “brick-like” compared to lighter Sony models. Battery life is only 12-15 hours, and it lacks Sony’s AI-powered audio processing, so even if your audio files are of poor quality, you’ll hear everything.

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