Top Portable MP3 Players of 2025

Explore the best portable MP3 players of 2025 that deliver exceptional sound quality for music lovers.

Introduction to Portable MP3 Players

Portable music players might seem like relics from a bygone era, overshadowed by multifunctional smartphones that can play music. However, they are still a fantastic source for high-quality audio. These devices can hold thousands of albums and even budget-friendly models often outperform the most expensive smartphones, especially when paired with high-quality headphones or Hi-Fi systems.

While modern smartphones juggle multiple tasks—from GPS tracking to video calls and internet browsing—portable music players (or “digital audio players”) are primarily focused on storing music and delivering the best playback quality possible. They generally feature substantial memory capacities (often expandable) and powerful internal components. To stay relevant in a competitive market, most models now also offer Wi-Fi and built-in access to music streaming services.

Our expert reviewers, boasting over 150 years of collective experience, have been testing portable music players since the heyday of Walkmans, iPods, and tablet-shaped MP3 players. Although the selection has diminished due to the rise in smartphone music consumption, brands like Sony MP3 players, Astell & Kern MP3 players, and FiiO MP3 players continue to produce fantastic digital audio players that provide audiophile-level sound quality and superb portable designs.

Quick Recommendations

• Best Overall Portable Music Player — Astell & Kern A&norma SR35. This device meets and exceeds expectations for its category.
• Best Budget Portable Music Player — Sony NW-A306. If you're on a budget, this smart, affordable player offers great sound quality at an attractive price.
• Best Premium Portable Music Player — Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000. The high-end player justifies its price with impressive performance and an exquisite design.

1. Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 — Best Overall Portable Music Player

Specifications:

• Memory: 64 GB (expandable up to 1 TB via microSD)
• Maximum File Support: 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD256, MQA
• Headphone Outputs: 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and 2.5mm
• Battery Life: 20 hours
• Dimensions: 10.8 x 6.4 x 1.6 cm
• Weight: 184 g

Pros:

• New benchmark for sound quality
• Well-equipped functionality
• Sleek, compact design

Cons:

• Battery life could be improved
• Price is no longer "entry-level"

The A&norma SR35 is Astell & Kern's budget offering. While it is significantly more expensive than the affordable Sony NW-A306 and even the previous model SR25 MKII it replaces, the performance it delivers is truly remarkable.

This stunning device boasts many features that contributed to the success of its award-winning predecessor, including three headphone outputs (3.5mm, 4.4mm, and 2.5mm), support for MQA, DSD256, and PCM playback up to 32 bit/384 kHz, and 64 GB of built-in memory (expandable to 1 TB with a microSD card). It can also function as a DAC, improving performance when connecting wired headphones to devices like laptops.

The SR35 supports Roon and has built-in access to streaming services. Its two-way Bluetooth support (with aptX HD and LDAC codecs) allows you to stream music to wireless headphones or speakers, as well as receive music from other devices.

The SR35 keeps pace with any rhythm you throw at it. As our experts noted, “The SR35 possesses the power and rhythm to get you singing along to energetic tracks, and the insight to immerse yourself in the details of more tranquil pieces.”

Overall, the sound is very pleasing, with a slightly richer tonal balance and a blend of power and refinement that feels very mature for a device of its level, making it compatible with most headphones.

“Given the SR35’s price, it is a more advanced model capable of more than the few budget models that still exist,” we concluded.

2. Sony NW-A306 — Best Budget Portable Music Player

Specifications:

• Memory: 32 GB (expandable up to 2 TB via microSDXC)
• Maximum File Support: 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD256, MQA
• Headphone Outputs: 3.5mm
• Battery Life: Approximately 32 hours
• Dimensions: 9.8 x 5.7 x 1.2 cm
• Weight: 113 g

Pros:

• Clear, detailed sound
• Pocket-sized dimensions
• Excellent high-resolution audio support
• Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Cons:

• Android OS is bulky and takes up space
• Interface can feel clunky
• Only half of the internal storage is available for music

If you're looking for a portable player that you can take anywhere without breaking the bank, the NW-A306 is the perfect choice. It’s compact enough to fit comfortably in your hand and pockets, and we love the textured back panel, providing good grip without sacrificing style.

The NW-A306 has minimal ports, but that's not a dealbreaker; a USB-C cable allows you to charge the device, transfer files, and use the Walkman as a DAC, while the 3.5mm headphone jack allows you to connect various wired headphones. The available built-in storage seems limited compared to other players—only half of the 32 GB is usable, while the other half is taken up by the Android operating system—but it can be expanded with a microSD slot.

The internal setup of the NW-A306 is feature-rich: it supports high-resolution audio files extensively at such an affordable price. Its full Android OS means it operates similarly to a smartphone (for better or worse) and allows for the downloading of your favorite music streaming apps. It even supports higher-quality Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and aptX.

As our experts noted, the Walkman “is versatile enough to handle a variety of genres and even discern differences in file quality… It's easy to keep track of how each instrument interacts with others, and the lack of harshness means it's comfortable to listen to for extended periods.”

In the end, the sound is pleasantly detailed and clear. In fact, the maturity and balance of its sound suggest a lineage that ties it to the high-end Sony NW-WM1ZM2. It can also play music at high volumes without producing harsh or muddled sounds. It’s not perfect; we wish there was more dynamics and drive in songs where it’s needed.

Nonetheless, this is a quality, affordable high-resolution player worth considering if your budget doesn’t stretch to the pricier Astell & Kern SR35.

3. Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000 — Best Premium Portable Music Player

Specifications:

• Memory: 256 GB (expandable up to 1 TB via microSD)
• Maximum File Support: 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD256, MQA
• Headphone Outputs: 3.5mm, balanced 2.5mm, Pentaconn 4.4mm
• Battery Life: 10 hours
• Dimensions: 13.7 x 7.7 x 2 cm
• Weight: 493 g

Pros:

• Detailed, authoritative sound
• Well-equipped
• Stunning chassis

Cons:

• Heavy for a portable player
• Operation can feel a bit clumsy at times

The magnificent A&ultima SP3000 is undoubtedly not for casual listeners. Its price is four times the average, making it inaccessible for many.

However, if you truly value quality on the go (and have the funds), this high-end Astell & Kern has to be on your wishlist. Notably, it has a successor (as of late October 2024) — the A&Ultima SP3000M, which is surprisingly cheaper and marketed by A&K as “the best portable music player in the world.” However, since it was recently announced, we have yet to test it.

The SP3000, which we tested in our labs (and which we expect to drop in price soon), has many useful features made to the highest standards, even if it is slightly thicker than typical portable devices.

Compatibility with high-resolution files is not an issue. The SP3000 supports files up to 32 bits/768 kHz, PCM, and DSD512, plus MQA, thanks to the new flagship DAC chip from Asahi Kasei — AK4499EX. Bluetooth compatibility also allows seamless use with wireless headphones. Given the uncompromising nature of this build, it’s no surprise to find aptX HD and LDAC codecs on the specifications list.

Elsewhere, A&K engineers have worked to reduce internal noise through a separate analog signal to optimize player sound, and it’s paid off.

This leads us to the essence of the SP3000, where this premium player truly shines. Overall, the A&K player has many strengths, combining a palpable sense of musical understanding, dynamic contrasts, rhythmic patterns, and artistry with intuition.

“Information organization is superb,” we said in our review of the A&ultima SP3000, “the player sounds as cohesive and balanced as any other… the tonality is pleasing, and it’s pleasantly surprising to discover how authoritative and powerful the SP3000 sounds.”

If you have the money and are passionate about sound quality (and have equally impressive audiophile headphones or Hi-Fi system components to pair it with), we wholeheartedly recommend A&ultima SP3000.

Also Consider

• FiiO M23: The latest mid-range player from FiiO is nearly the perfect device with an abundance of features on the market at this level, excellent design, and expansive, detailed sound. However, it’s simply not as musical as Astell & Kern SR35 in this list.
• FiiO M11S: If great, open, and clear sound is your priority, the M11S from FiiO is a fantastic cheaper alternative to A&K SR35 from this list. It boasts remarkable features and feels just right.
• Astell & Kern A&futura SE180: The SE180, positioned between the two Astell & Kern models in this list, is notable for its interchangeable DAC module, allowing you to change its sound, yet it still sounds outstanding.
• Sony NW-WM1ZM2: An exceptionally powerful and well-built amplifier that can be called excellent, even considering its high price. However, you need to be cautious when selecting additional equipment, as it has a relatively low output power.

How to Choose the Best Portable Music Player for You

Regardless of your budget, you might be surprised at what you can get for your money these days. Each of the players mentioned here supports low-quality “vanilla” files like MP3 and AAC, but in 2024, we can all do better. All models also support high-resolution audio files, such as 24-bit FLAC and WAV, DSD, and sometimes even MQA. We recommend reviewing the specifications of each player to ensure it supports the types of files you already own.

Do you have an extensive digital music collection? Regardless of how large the internal memory is, all digital audio players have microSD card slots, so your collection of tracks, albums, and artists can keep growing. Expandable memory also means you can store all your music in the highest quality without worrying about large WAV/DSD files taking up all your internal storage.

You should always check the actual internal memory size of the player (sometimes the OS takes up more space than stated in the specifications), so you can understand whether you need to purchase additional memory cards. For instance, 32 GB of internal memory will fill up quickly with large high-resolution files, so ensure that the expandable memory accommodates 1 TB or more, allowing you to carry more albums with you.

There are even MP3 players that can double as DACs to enhance the sound between your smartphone/laptop and your headphones/speakers. Most also have built-in access to music streaming services, while others have even more features that replicate smartphone capabilities (for better or worse). You can disable additional features you don’t need to focus solely on the music—it's your choice.

Many players also offer more than one type of headphone jack. The standard 3.5mm headphone jack is available on most wired headphones (thankfully, it's long gone from smartphones), but you may also see a 4.4mm balanced headphone jack compatible with some headphones. For added convenience (though with lesser sound quality), players often also feature Bluetooth for connecting to wireless headphones.

Most importantly, these MP3 players or high-resolution players must provide excellent sound quality, far surpassing the sound quality of your smartphone. Of course, the best players that rank higher in price points offer audiophile-level sound quality—greater clarity, higher resolution, and more dynamics, not to mention advanced DAC functions and digital filters. Such high-end models also boast more luxurious designs and are made from premium materials, making them often quite heavy—better suited for desktop placement or a bag rather than a suit pocket.

However, the budget and mid-range models we recommend above still provide pleasant sound for your money. And remember, regardless of the design, portable players should ideally be easy to carry and grip comfortably in your hand.

Is It Worth Buying a Hi-Res Music Player?

Whether you're an avid audiophile or just love music and want to save space on your smartphone's memory and battery life, it’s worth considering a dedicated music player.

Despite the demise of the iPod, portable MP3 players of yesteryear that you can take anywhere are still alive and thriving. Nowadays, they are much more advanced than just MP3 storage and playback devices. Modern portable music players fully support high-resolution audio formats like WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, and DSD (which your smartphone cannot process), coming equipped with high-quality DACs, amplifiers, and software, primarily designed to ensure that music files are played in the best lossless quality possible.

Many digital audio players today allow you to download Tidal and Qobuz, so you can stream your favorite playlists. Since many players now run all day without needing a charge, you can always take your music library with you and enjoy it without interruptions, even in crowded environments. Most players also feature expandable memory, allowing you to carry thousands of albums.

Ultimately, it all comes down to your music listening habits. If you want to listen to music separately from your phone, travel frequently, or seek the best sound quality from a portable device, a portable music player is a great option.

Is MP3 Quality as Good as CD Quality?

No, not even close. MP3 is one of the lowest-quality formats, while CD quality (also known as "lossless") is much higher.

MP3 is a format with significant compression and loss, featuring small file sizes. During compression, much of the information from the original recorded file is lost or discarded, leading to MP3's sound quality being the lowest among common audio formats. The bit rate used when encoding MP3 files also impacts sound quality. MP3 files encoded at 128 kbps will lose more sound quality data than those encoded at 320 kbps.

WAV is the standard format in which all CDs are encoded. This format is uncompressed and lossless—hence the larger file sizes. Most importantly, it retains information during encoding and, therefore, sounds much better than MP3. CD quality is 16 bit/44.1 kHz—compared to MP3, CD quality is encoded at 1411 kbps.

If you care about sound quality, ensure your digital music files and portable player match, at the very least, CD quality.

How Many Songs Can a Music Player Hold?

This will depend on the format and size of your files. For an approximate estimate: the average size of a three-minute song in MP3 format at 128 kbps is 3 MB, while the same song in WAV/CD format is significantly larger—30 MB, and FLAC files occupy an intermediate space—15 MB.

This means that a standard player with 32 GB of built-in storage can hold just over 10,000 MP3 files. To store several albums from CDs or high-resolution files, you'll need larger storage (at least 64 GB), while a 1 TB memory card will further increase it.

Just keep in mind that the declared memory size won't be entirely usable for storing your music. Some of that 32 GB (or 64 GB) of internal memory will be occupied by the system and software of the player, so check the actual available memory in the settings.

Do MP3 Players Need Wi-Fi?

Not necessarily, but most modern portable music players have internet access, allowing for easy updates to firmware or software via Wi-Fi. Many players will have a minimal version of an OS or be equipped with a full Android OS, just like any smartphone—either way, Wi-Fi connectivity is useful for keeping the player up to date.

You’ll also need Wi-Fi to download streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz and listen to songs online. However, if you aren’t streaming online music and just want to play music files stored locally on your device, you can completely disable Wi-Fi. This will avoid connection issues and save battery life.

Can You Stream Music on a High-Resolution Audio Player?

If the player has Wi-Fi connectivity and you can download music streaming apps like Tidal, Qobuz, and others, then yes. While you may primarily buy high-resolution MP3 players for offline listening, any player with Wi-Fi capability can stream music.

Many portable players today also support Bluetooth streaming, allowing you to connect a pair of high-quality wireless headphones and enjoy music without wires.

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