Dedicated Music Players

Sometimes you want a music player, not a computer. Dedicated players do one thing: load your MP3, FLAC and hi-res files onto a card and press play. They are small, light, cheap to run and last for days on a charge. The FiiO Snowsky Echo Mini has made the pocket MP3 player famous again; the Snowsky Echo, Echo Nano and Disc continue the retro theme, and the INNIOASIS Y1 is the colourful touchscreen player that went viral.

For better sound

The Shanling M0 Pura, M1 Plus and Q2 are tiny players with audiophile DACs, Bluetooth and a USB DAC mode; the Shanling M5 Ultra and the ONIX XM5 and Tocata XM2 are dedicated players with flagship-grade sound and balanced outputs, for listeners who do not want streaming apps on their player.

Dedicated or Android?

Choose a dedicated player for simplicity, battery life and your own files. Choose an Android player if you want Tidal, Qobuz or Spotify on the device. Either way, a pair of wired earphones or headphones will show you what the player can do.

Free next day UK delivery on eligible orders over £50, and free change-of-mind returns. Not sure what suits you? Ask us: real people, expert advice.