The Top 5 MP3 Players For Running And Sports

It's easy to get bored and lose motivation while running or working out. Many people find that when they put on earphones or earbuds and turn on the music, everything changes.
I myself faced this problem. When I realized what a difference music would make to my workout, I wanted to buy an MP3 player designed specifically for running. I wanted a device that would not be burdensome while I was running or working out, and that would just play the music so I could enjoy the exercise.
After a lot of research, I found the one I like (the iPod Shuffle 4^th Generation). Read on to find the one that’s best for you.

Top Five MP3 Players for Running

iPod Shuffle 4th Generation	NWZ-W273 Walkman	Aerb 4G Waterproof	Sansa Clip Zip	GoGEAR SoundDot
No need to press buttons	Clear bass and stereo	Snug fit	Display screen shows what song you're listening to	Simple to use
Strong clip	Song search feature	Water resistant to three meters	15 hours of battery life	2GB of storage (about 400 songs)
Light as a feather	Compatible with iTunes and Windows	Floats in the water	Memory card availability	Simple design; USB port hidden by clip
Stores hundreds of songs, podcasts, or audio books	Completely waterproof	Adjustable positioning for swimming or running	Best-selling on the market	Very inexpensive
15 hours on a full charge	Quick charge feature	Great quality for the price	Good value for the price	Reliable

1. iPod Shuffle 4th Generation

Apple targeted a very specific group of users when they released the iPod shuffle in 2010: people who are ready to run or workout and who don't want to worry about holding a device or pressing a lot of buttons. This is the lightest MP3 player I've ever put my hands on. It's really small, has a chic design, and comes with a very strong clip, these features alone put it at the top of my MP3 players list.
If you have heard of a so-called fifth generation iPod shuffle, that is a misnomer. When Apple introduced the iPhone 5 in 2012, they also began offering the iPod shuffle in seven new colors. Otherwise, the device is unchanged.
It comes with a single 2GB module with no memory card available. If you are the type of runner who wants access to big playlists while on the trail, then the iPod shuffle isn't for you. But you still can put hundreds of songs, audio books, and Podcasts on this device. You must have iTunes on your computer in order to sync the device and load your audio files.
Pros: Lightweight, Simple to use, Good quality.
Cons: The clip is too close to the edge and buttons.
Bottom Line: The super lightweight iPod Shuffle does a good job balancing clarity of sound and ease of use to make it a functional MP3 player that’s well worth considering if you’re looking for a compact device.

• Colors: black, gray, red, blue, green, pink, and purple
• Battery duration: up to 15 hours on a full charge
• What comes in the box: iPod shuffle, earphones, USB Cable, Quick Start guide
• Official price: $49.99

The World's first small MP3 player

Apple iPod shuffle 2GB Silver (4th Generation)

I highly recommend the iPod shuffle. I got the silver model more than two years ago, and I have never had a problem with it. Because they are small, you may want to pick a bright color to make it easy to find

2. NWZ-W273 Walkman

The Sony NWZ-W273 is designed for sporting types who don't like to deal with dangling headphone wires or Bluetooth streaming, this device allows you to be wireless, hands-free, and distraction-free whether you're at the gym, pool, or outdoors. The stereo and bass are clear and strong.

The ZAPPIN search feature allows you to easily navigate through your song collection by playing back main melodies. The device comes with a 4GB capacity storage and you can easily drag and drop songs using iTunes, Windows Media, or your browser.

Sony says that swimmers love this device, It is waterproof and easy to wear under your cap. (At one point, Sony actually packaged these MP3 players submerged in a bottle of water.) A rubber adjustment band comes in the box.

The awesome thing about this Walkman player is that when you are in a rush, a three-five minute charge will give you an hour of non-stop music playback (Sony calls this a "quick charge" feature).

Pros: Quick charge, Waterproof, Comfortable.

Cons: Small buttons, it comes pre-loaded with some terrible songs.

Bottom Line: While it will cost you a hefty $99.99, the Sony NWZ-W273 is an outstanding waterproof MP3 player.

• Colors: black, white, pink, and blue
• Battery duration: up to eight hours on a full charge
• What comes in the box: NWZ-W273 Walkman, earbuds, USB cradle, adjustment band, notes about water resistant specifications, and Quick Start Guide
• Official price: $99.99

3. Aerb 4G Waterproof MP3 Player

Swimmers will adore this amazing waterproof MP3 player, It is well-made, and with its competitive price offers quality appearance and functionality.

The headphones fit snugly behind ears and ergonomic buttons control Forward/Back, Play/Pause, and Volume Up/Volume Down, the device is easy to use, offers crystal-clear sound, and includes an FM radio.

The Aerb comes with 4GB of memory storage and is 100% water-resistant to three meters, if you drop it in the water, it floats for easy recovery, and a clip makes it possible to attach the player to your goggles, belt, or clothing, the player can rotate in any direction, so it suits joggers and swimmers alike.

Pros: Snug fit, Good quality, Affordable price.

Cons: It plays only MP3 and WMA files, no shuffle mode.

Bottom Line: Aerb 4G is one of the best waterproof MP3 players, designed for swimmers and people who sweat more than usual, it is for sure a versatile device, that’s well worth considering if you’re looking for such qualities.

• Colors: black, green, pink, and yellow
• Battery duration: up to 16 hours on a full charge
• What comes in the box: MD190 Waterproof MP3 Player, waterproof earphones, USB cable, and English language user's guide
• Price: $49 to $59

4. SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip

For the price, the Sansa Clip Zip packs in a lot of features. A small screen displays information about the song you are playing, an arrow button allows you to return to a previous list, and there is a stopwatch.

This device feels nice in your hand, or can hang from clothing, the best features however are the amazing battery life (around 15 hours) and memory card availability an addition to the stopwatch and FM tuner.

I doubled my device's storage capacity by inserting a Micro SD card with 8GB. This device is also one of the most inexpensive MP3 players on the market.

Pros: Smooth interface, Memory card expansion, FM radio built-in.

Cons: No seal on Micro-SD slot.

Bottom Line: Sansa Clip is a strong performing MP3 player, with multiple useful features that help you concentrate on your workout.

• Colors: black, grey, orange, red, white, purple, blue, lime, and teal
• Battery duration: up to 15 hours on a full charge
• What comes in the box: Sansa Clip Zip MP3 Player, earphones, USB 2.0 transfer cable, Quick Start guide, and starter CD (Sansa Updater and Rhapsody trial offer)
• Official price: $49.99 (4GB) or $69.99 (8GB)

5. GoGEAR SoundDot

When I first got my GoGear SoundDot player, I wasn't sure it was any good, the low price made me suspicious, I knew I could always use it as a hard drive if it didn't stand up as an MP3 player.

Now I'm glad I have one, the clip hides the USB plug, making it easy to attach anywhere. GoGear SoundDots are just like any other MP3 players out there, with the usual "Play," "Pause," "Volume," etc. buttons.

There is 2GB of memory storage (about 400 songs) and a light at the bottom where you connect your headphones, when the device is on, the display shows the battery charge status (green for full, orange for low), and there's a shuffle mode.

Syncing music is easy, just drag and drop, If you have software problems, reset to the manufacturer's setting (using the small button on the back). If you still have issues or you'd like to get the latest firmware for your device, download free Songbird from the Philips website.

Pros: Reliable, Ease of use, Integrated USB connector, Great value for the price.

Cons: No expandable memory.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for an iPod shuffle alternative at a low price range, you’ll find GoGear SoundDot a really amazing simple device to use, with no complicated qualities.

• Colors: white, pink, and blue
• Battery duration: up to six hours on a full charge
• What comes in the box: GoGear SoundDot MP3 player, headphones, and Quick Start guide
• Price: about $20

Seven Tips to Get the Best Out of Your MP3 Player

1. When you first buy an MP3 player, test it see if it can can play. Check out all the buttons and leave it charging for 8-12 hours the first day. You will get more out of the battery life.
2. Don't recharge the MP3 player if it's not in low battery status.
3. Don't let your MP3 player battery completely die. Recharge it before it shuts down automatically due to the very low battery.
4. If your MP3 player shuts down due to low battery, it cannot be switched on until after it is plugged in to a power source for a few minutes. Leave it charging for 15-30 minutes and then you will find that it is ready to play.
5. It is best to charge your player all the way. Most players require between two to three hours to charge, especially the players that give more than six hours of music playback.
6. As you may know, each battery comes with a limited number of charging cycles. Manufacturers do not reveal how many cycles their products can charge, but typically, between 300 to 500 full charging cycles are available, depending upon the brand and how often the device is recharged.
7. This tip is very cool: If you go on vacation or plan to not use your player for a while, leave your battery at about 70% charged status and switch off your device. Remove the battery (if the battery can be removed). When you come back and reinstall the battery, the charge will only be slightly lower than you left it.