Rating of the best MP3 players from Aliexpress 2022 (TOP 12)

MP3 players with a built-in Bluetooth module are extremely popular among modern buyers due to their versatility and ease of use. “Fans” of equipment in this segment are not embarrassed even by the high cost of their “favorite” players. Today we will figure out which advanced MP3 audio player with Bluetooth is best for a savvy buyer, and we will also find out what technical characteristics a high-quality device should have, based on the above review of top portable gadgets for playing audio with Bluetooth, included in the rating of the best players of 2021.

AIKEGLOBAL Hifi

The AIKEGLOBAL Hifi player is compact in size (4.8x3x1.5 cm) with a small 1.2-inch display. Metal body, 5 shades. There is no built-in memory. Supports mp3, wav formats. The lithium-ion battery provides 10–20 hours of operation. Charges by connecting to a PC. Controlled by buttons on the body. Equipped with a 32 GB SD/FT memory card. The headphone jack is standard – 3.5 mm. The ratio of useful signal power to noise power is 65 dB. The kit includes a storage case with a clasp for securing. Interface language: English, Chinese.

Advantages:

Cute little portable device.
Good sound quality.
Informative display.
Works with a memory card.
Normal playback.
Inexpensive.

Flaws:

No built-in memory.
An SD card, headphones, and micro USB adapter are not included in the kit; they must be purchased separately.

AIKEGLOBAL Hifi player for 120 rubles, the cheapest of those included in the rating. Despite its simplicity, it plays music from a flash card normally with acceptable sound quality. Provides better signal-to-noise ratio than HIPERDEAL. 83% of users agree that this is a good player for the money.

Astell & Kern Kann

For those who don't mind spending more time in the world of Hi-Res audio.

Characteristics

64 GB + dual memory card slot | Screen diagonal: 3.3 inches | Battery life: 14 hours | Dimensions: 11.5 x 7.1 x 2.5 cm | Weight: 278 g

BEHIND

Great feature set
High detail
Powerful and dynamic sound

Against

Not everyone will like the appearance

Arguably the best Hi-Res audio player in the sub-$100,000 category, Kann boasts a durable build, good battery life, and a long list of features.

It features unbalanced (3.5mm) and balanced (2.5mm) outputs, aptX Bluetooth for wireless streaming of music in higher quality than CD, and built-in support for 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 formats. As for the sound, you can expect outstanding volume, detail, dynamics and realistic textures.

The owner of many talents, in whom it is difficult to find a serious flaw.

HIPERDEAL

HIPERDEAL is very similar to AIKEGLOBAL Hifi, not only in price and size, but also in many characteristics. The plastic case is made in several colors. Less operating time – up to 10 hours. The equalizer allows you to customize the sound for any musical genre (natural, pop, rock, classical, jazz, soft, DBB). It can be used to read e-books. Has a lower noise level (40 dB).

Advantages:

Convenient, interesting miniature device with beautiful colors.
Plays music well.
Perfect for a walk.
The case conveniently attaches to anything.

Flaws:

It seems fragile.
Control buttons sometimes do not work correctly.
SD card, USB cable, headphones are not included.

Price HIPERDEA - 157 rubles. This small, cute player produces good sound. In terms of useful signal power to noise, CARPRIE strip MP3 is inferior. You shouldn't expect good functionality from a device at this price, but 84% of buyers are satisfied with the ease of use and sound quality.

CARPRIE strip MP3

CARPRIE strip MP3 is almost identical to the described players. Dimensions - 8.5x2.5x0.9 cm, without display. The case has no memory, it runs from a memory card. Supports up to 32GB TF card. The 80 mAh battery provides operation for 10 hours (up to 48 hours in standby mode). Supports mp3, wma formats. Recharges from PC. Controlled by keys on the front panel. Noise - 89 dB.

Advantages:

Beautiful finish.
Easy.
Made with high quality.
Works perfect.
The sound quality is good considering the price.

Flaws:

Doesn't have its own memory.
No display.
Card not included.

CARPRIE strip MP3 for 170 rubles without display, looks beautiful. But it has a less reliable body than the AIKEGLOBAL Hifi. 90% of buyers are satisfied with the sound quality for an inexpensive player.

DZ3176-01

It is similar in design to CARPRIE strip MP3, also looks like a flash drive, but thicker (9.5x2.6x1.6 cm). Available in four colors. There is a screen, support for FM radio. It has no memory itself, you can insert a TF card. Power supply: AAA element (not included). It works up to 20 hours. Multilingual support (3 languages). Control buttons are located on the front and side surfaces.

Advantages:

Backlit screen.
Powered by a small battery.
The controls are simple.
The sound quality is normal.
The radio picks up well.
Reads the card without problems.

Flaw:

No battery included.

The price of DZ3176-01 is 282 rubles. This is more advanced compared to previous models, although also inexpensive. Differs from the named participants in the rating in the way he eats. But there is an option to listen to the radio. There is virtually no difference in sound quality. He is at the average level. 85% of users recommend it for purchase.

Players with good sound

The main criteria for choosing mp3 players for most music lovers are the cost of the device and sound quality.

Cayin N3

Built on a simplified version of the AK4490EQ chip with reduced dimensions, power consumption and improved sound quality. Three-position impedance switch allows pairing with any headphones. There are 5 digital filters to improve the sound. Equipped with Bluetooth v4.

The 1 GHz processor ensures smooth operation of the shell. From the playback window you only have access to the main settings; to open the full list of configuration parameters (the same equalizer), you need to return to the main screen. Three themes are supported.

The set includes active noise canceling headphones. Clear sound comes from any headphones, despite their resistance and connection interface. FLAC (44.1 kHz) at half volume drains the battery in 11-13 hours. The battery is fully charged in 2 hours.

Below the display there are 5 control buttons without backlight. The screen dims in the sun, and the picture fades when viewed from angles.

Advantages:

Autonomy.
Build quality.
Volume reserve.

Flaws:

Many functions for control via smartphone.
Unresponsive sensor.

Fiio M3K

A gadget in an aluminum case with a voice recorder and great battery life. The battery provides up to 18-20 hours of autonomy at half volume, and charges in just over 2 hours. The controls are represented by 4 touch buttons in the corners and a panel in the center. Despite using a budget processor, it handles FLAC at up to 384 kHz.

The Linux-based shell is represented by large buttons on the main screen:

file manager;
media library – displays tracks sorted by album, artist;
Dictaphone;
system settings.

It demonstrates excellent sound quality for the price category, but the bass at low frequencies is barely audible. The equalizer can be adjusted only by selecting presets; manual movement of the sliders is not provided. The player does not have built-in memory; it supports flash cards up to 2 TB.

Advantages:

Large memory cards are supported.
Battery life.
Regular firmware updates.

Flaws:

High frequencies cut off.
Problems with Latin track names.
You cannot upload a folder with subdirectories to a playlist.

Sony NW-A55

MP3 player with DSEE HX technology for improved sound quality. Equipped with a backlit TFT display with a resolution of 800×480 px. Thanks to artificial intelligence, the processor recognizes the genre of the track being played and automatically switches equalizer settings.

The aluminum body improves the sound, and thanks to the rounded edges, the player is comfortable to hold in your hands. The equalizer has 5 presets:

Dsee HX – the algorithm will try to improve the sound of mp3;
DC-Phase-Linearizer – improvement of low frequencies;
VPT – environment simulation;
Dynamic – Normalizer – minimizing the volume difference between tracks;
Vinyl Processor – will make tracks warmer and more pleasant.

Master HX eliminates distortion and crackling at high volumes. To connect with headphones and a smartphone, you can use Bluetooth v4.2. Low frequencies are not cut off, the sound is dense, high frequencies also sound detailed. The rechargeable battery allows you to listen to music for up to 45 hours in mp3. The built-in SD card slot adds additional space to the 16GB of internal memory.

Advantages:

Waterproof housing.
Lots of playback settings.

Flaws:

The equalizer cannot be adjusted manually.
There is no plug for the USB port.
FLAC reads as one track.

Cowon PLENUE J

A compact gadget with a 2.8-inch diagonal touch display and a dividing capacity of 240 × 320 px. The internal memory capacity is doubled compared to the previous model - 64 GB, and it is expandable with a flash drive up to 128 GB. The stated operating time of the lithium-polymer battery is up to 53 hours of mp3 playback and up to 27 hours of lossless listening. The latter format's frequency is limited to 192 kHz. A full charge takes about 2 hours.

The rubberized back panel prevents the player from slipping from your hand. It runs Linux, which is why it starts up quickly (no longer than 3 seconds), shuts down, and slowly eats up battery power. The settings include an alternative design theme and the BBE function - sound insulation from a professional audio processing studio. The low maximum volume can easily be increased by deleting the System directory and indicating that you are outside the European Union (the EU takes care of your hearing).

Advantages:

Large amount of built-in memory.
Playing mp3 up to 2 days.
Responsive optimized shell.
High volume.

Flaws:

Many defective samples.
Old tracks (recorded in the 90s and earlier) sound disgusting.
It takes a long time to recognize memory cards.

ZHKUBDL

The model is a little more expensive, with small dimensions (9.5×4×1 cm), and a 1.8-inch display. Provides a multilingual interface (17 languages). The case is durable, made of aluminum. This model already has built-in memory (16/32 GB). Reads formats: mp3, wma, wmv, asf, wav, mtv and amv. The lithium-ion battery provides 20-30 hours of operation. Provides quite extensive functionality: games, listening to music, e-book, voice recorder, FM radio. There are six playback modes (normal, repeat one, repeat all, repeat folder, etc.). The equalizer has several settings: normal, rock, pop, classic, soft, jazz, DBB. Noise - 89 dB. The kit includes a headphone case, a USB cable, and a gift bag.

Advantages:

Beautiful design.
Easy.
Good equipment.
Multifunctional.
Long operating time without recharging.
The amount of memory corresponds to the declared one.
Good sound.

Flaws:

A bit strange menu.
The headphones that come with the kit are of low quality.
Short cable.

The ZHKUBDL player costs 800 rubles. It provides normal sound, although it is better to use other headphones (not the ones included in the kit). The model can play radio, different file formats, work as a voice recorder, etc. It also differs from previous models in its rich equipment, aluminum body, and the ability to select the interface language. 95% of users are satisfied with the quality of work.

IQQ X22

MP3 player (9x4x1 cm) in a more modern design with built-in speaker and 1.8-inch touch screen. The body is made of metal. 16 GB of internal memory can be expanded with external storage up to 36 GB. Communication is via Bluetooth. Powered by a polymer battery that provides over 20 hours of use or 3-4 days of standby time with Screensaver. Can be used to listen to music, watch videos, photos, read e-books, as a voice recorder, FM radio, alarm clock. The screen with a protective interface does not have a harmful effect on the eyes, for example, when reading a book for a long time. The optimal signal-to-noise ratio is 100 dB. Wide language support, there is a Russian language, which models from the cheap segment cannot boast of. Works with Bluetooth headset and headphones.

Advantages:

Quality workmanship, metal body.
Great speaker.
The connection with Bluetooth headphones is normal.
When listening to music, the sound is clear.
Wide functionality.
Large built-in memory that can be supplemented with external storage.
Convenient controls.
Instructions in Russian.

Flaws:

The set includes not very high quality cheap headphones.
There is not enough fastener to attach it to the belt.
A bit heavy.

IQQ X22 for 1300 rubles looks very stylish. The quality of workmanship is superior to ZHKUBDL and other cheap models. Large set of functions, clear good sound. 93% of users consider the player to be of high quality and easy to use.

Premium players

Premium players should look stylish and provide an unforgettable experience from listening to any composition.

Sony NW-ZX300

MP3 player with proprietary technology for removing noise and distortion over a wide range of S-Master HX. Processes files with a frequency of up to 384 kHz and can improve the sound quality of files with low bitrates. The aluminum housing protects electronic components from external interference. The highly sensitive touch display allows you to control all aspects of playback except volume. It can be changed using buttons on the side. There is plenty of free space under the screen.

Plays the full range of audio files from MP3 to FLAC, supports the latest MQA format. Can act as a computer sound card thanks to a USB-DAC converter. Sony NW-ZX300 does not distort the sound at high and low frequencies and runs on DAP OS.

Advantages:

Crystal clear sound.
Functional OS based on Linux.
Ergonomic aluminum housing.

Flaws:

Problems with displaying covers when copying files without Media Go.
Media Go is not supported.

Astell&Kern A&norma SR15

A player with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi interfaces, a pair of DACs, 2.5 and 3.5 mm headphone jacks. Wireless interfaces, equalizer and volume control are accessed through a scrollable panel. The volume rocker sticks out a little from the case and can get caught in your pocket when you take it out. The bright 3.3-inch display performs well in sunlight, but its top corner leans to the right and the bottom to the left. The picture is a little cluttered based on holding the gadget with the right hand.

Powered by a 4-core AK70 MKII processor, the SR15 provides the listener with detailed, vibrant sound. The experience can be compared to switching to Blu-ray after DVD. Decodes all modern audio formats, including PCM and DSD64. The built-in memory is expandable with an SD card up to 2 TB. The battery life is decent - playing FLACK 385 kHz for about 9 hours at maximum volume.

Advantages:

Clear sound.
Availability of a pair of DAC and Wi-Fi module.
Compatible with wireless headphones.

Flaws:

Unusual display geometry.

BENJIE X3 S8

BENJIE X3 with a 1.8-inch color touch screen is large in size (9.5 x 3.8 x 3 cm). The built-in 4 GB memory can be expanded with a microSD (TF) card up to 128 GB. A lithium battery with a capacity of 280 mAh provides 10–20 hours of operation, 560 hours in standby mode. Charging takes 2 hours. You can listen to audio files of any format, listen to the radio, record files from the radio, play video in amv format, record voice within a radius of 10–15 m, read e-books, view photos, images, add songs to a playlist. The functions include a recorder, screen lock, sleep timer, clock. The kit includes a USB cable, a headphone case, and a pouch. There are 4 modes to protect your eyes. There are 10 levels of brightness adjustment in the settings. Language support - 28 languages including Russian. The BENJIE S8 model has a large built-in memory (8 GB) and Bluetooth.

Advantages:

Stylish appearance.
Small, light.
High quality build.
Durable design.
Bright big screen.
Good sound.
All functions work great.

Flaws:

Mediocre speaker.
Not everyone understands the menu system.
The headphones included are of poor quality.

The price of the BENJIE X3 S8 MP3 player is 1,580 rubles. According to an analysis of reviews, 93% of buyers are satisfied with the quality of workmanship and functionality. There are even more features here than in the IQQ X22, but it is inferior in size to the built-in memory.

Players for sports

A sports gadget should be miniature, fit securely on clothing or your hand, and have convenient controls.

Shanling M0

A miniature player with touch controls, where all actions are carried out by swiping. A small display occupies the entire area of the front panel, but is surrounded by large frames. Its brightness level is sufficient for interaction under sunlight. The battery lasts for ~12 hours of music playback.

Runs the compact MTouch OS. The settings include a multi-band equalizer with presets, channel balance, digital filters and the function of playing the contents of a directory with all subfolders. Filters significantly change the concept of sound. Bluetooth allows you to interact with smartphones.

The SoC includes a DAC and amplifiers that provide high-quality midrange sound. A slight increase is noticeable at low and high frequencies. There is enough volume even in budget headphones.

Advantages:

Output power.
Availability of Bluetooth.
Sound quality.

Flaws:

Inconvenient controls.
Not localized firmware.

Digma Z4 16GB

Player with integrated DAC and 16 GB of memory. It is distinguished by high-quality assembly and is intended for use by people leading an active lifestyle. The reliability of the latch for attaching to clothing is ensured by spring clamps. Equipped with a USB interface for charging and pairing with a computer. The picture is displayed on a 1.5-inch screen with a resolution of 128 × 128 pixels. Below it are 9 touch keys with a locking function.

Reads only popular file types, including FLAC. Of the equalizer settings, only switching between 7 presets. The MP3 player is equipped with an FM receiver with broadcast recording function and works with wireless headphones via Bluetooth without A2DP support. The battery provides about 20 hours of mp3 playback.

Advantages:

Reliable fastening.
Radio recording.
Operating time without recharging.

Flaws:

The included headphones must be replaced immediately.
There are many unnecessary functions for the player (reading books, viewing photos).

Sony NW-WS413

Sports player with Bluetooth for pairing with a smartphone and remote control for controlling the player while swimming. Headband headphones are equipped with buttons to control the device and indicate its status. Protected from the harmful effects of environmental factors. They are not afraid of water, but sweat can have a negative effect.

The battery lasts for 10-12 hours at a volume of about 70%, its charge is restored in 90 minutes. After the first 3 minutes of fast charging, the player will work for about 1 hour.

The sound quality is decent for a sports gadget, and the volume is sufficient for any headphones. Bass in the NW-WS413 is pronounced, but without artifacts.

Advantages:

Water protection.
Pairing with headphones via Bluetooth.
Function of listening to surrounding sounds.

Flaws:

FLAC is not supported.
There is no FM receiver.

RUIZU X50

It features smaller dimensions (5.8×3.7×1.6 cm) and screen diagonal (1.5 inches). The case is plastic. Bluetooth works within a radius of 10 m. Supports MicroSD (TF) cards up to 64 GB. According to the manufacturer, you can listen to music for 80 hours. In addition to the functions typical of the BENJIE X3 S8, a pedometer, stopwatch, and alarm clock have been added. There is a clip for attaching to a belt or belt. Comes with headphones and USB cable. Supports 28 languages, including Russian.

Advantages:

Looks beautiful and reliable.
Strong clothespin.
Long working time.
Wide functionality.
Great sound.
Connects to headphones without problems.
Remembers the last track.
The controls are simple and understandable.

Flaw:

The included headphones are weak.

The price of RUIZU X50 is 1600 rubles. 97% of people who use this player respond positively to its performance. The model is superior to the BENJIE X3 S8 and REDANT X7-7Keys in functionality, although it is inferior to both in terms of reliability.

Cowon Plenue D2

Class-leading sound combines features and practicality.

Characteristics

BEHIND

Balanced, dynamic and energetic
Pocket format
Superior in sophistication to its predecessor (Plenue D)

Against

Outdated interface

The PD2 (or Plenue D2), a new version of the 2022 Award-winning Plenue D (see below), is itself a full Award winner, winning the award in 2022. The price increase is quite justified: the sound has become cleaner and more sophisticated, and has also noticeably increased in transparency.

If you add 64 GB of expandable memory, two outputs - 2.5 mm balanced and 3.5 mm - as well as support for PCM 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD128 formats, to the best-in-class sound, you get an undisputed leader.

REDANT X7-7Keys

A larger player (9x4x1 cm) with a built-in speaker and a 1.8-inch screen diagonal in a metal case. Provides 6 types of memory size - from 4 to 40 GB. Some of them already included a MicroSD card (16–32 GB). Provides Bluetooth connection to Bluetooth headphones or headset. Control is carried out by seven touch icons, locked with one button. It receives power from a lithium battery, from which it operates for up to 20 hours. Features include listening to music, e-book, voice recording, video playback, FM radio (headphones only), photo viewing, alarm clock. The signal/noise power ratio is about 100 dB. Includes USB cable and wired headphones. Supports 25 languages, including Russian.

Advantages:

Beautiful view.
Good build quality. Metal body.
Built-in speaker.
Long working time.
Multifunctionality.
Great sound.
Quick pairing with Bluetooth headphones.
The track is saved during the shutdown time.

Flaw:

Simple and weak headphones included.

REDANT X7-7Keys for 1620 rubles is suitable for sports, walking, traveling, etc. This is an ideal example of an MP3 player with Bluetooth with extensive functionality in the mid-price range. 98% of buyers recommend it for purchase, as they have no complaints about the quality of work.

How to choose

Considering the high cost of the vast majority of players with additional options, in particular Bluetooth, it is advisable for the buyer to carefully study the list of basic characteristics presented below that deserve special attention when choosing a quality device for listening to music. These usually include:

Battery life. The longer the gadget operates without recharging, the more comfortable it is for the user and the more beneficial it is for the battery. The optimal figure for a player in the segment under consideration is considered to be 10–12 hours of active use.
Compatible formats. The wider the range of extensions supported by a device, the higher its cost will be. A potential user just needs to make sure that it can play basic formats such as MP3, AAC, AAC (DRM), Apple Lossless, WAV, AVI, MPEG-4, H.264, MP4.
Amount of built-in memory. The optimal figure, sufficient for storing a large number of tracks in the device’s “storage”, is considered to be 32 GB. If it is necessary to use additional “virtual” memory, before purchasing a player, the user should pay attention to the presence of a built-in slot for a “flash drive”.
Built-in media type. Flash is considered the most popular and comfortable for using technology of this kind - a medium that determines the light weight of the player’s structure, as well as its “durability” even with regular use by the user.
Additional options. When analyzing the presented range of equipment, it is important to pay attention to the additional functions of the devices provided by the manufacturer. Among such “bonuses” you can most often find a built-in Internet browser, voice recorder, touch screen or functional touch panel, FM tuner, digital equalizer, the ability to subsequently flash the device, and so on.

IQQ X02

IQQ X02 differs from REDANT X7-7Keys in its smaller thickness (9x3.9x0.6 cm) and plastic body. The amount of built-in memory is identical, you can choose the capacity. Its standby time is very long - 3-4 days. Noise - 108 dB. In terms of capabilities, it is no different from REDANT X7-7Keys.

Advantages:

Fashionable design.
Small, thin, light.
Proper screen with eye protection.
Good sound quality.
Sufficient number of functions.
Possibility of increasing memory capacity.

Flaw:

Some people are annoyed by the sound made when pressing a button.

MP3 player IQQ X02 costs 1,650 rubles. This is the thinnest device among those described with an attractive design. It has easy, intuitive controls and perfectly performs all the stated functions. Somewhat inferior to REDANT X7-7Keys in terms of quality and reliability. Of the people who sent reviews, 99% rated his work as excellent.

BENJIE k1

A very compact device (4.6x3.8x1.1 cm) with a 1.5-inch touch screen. The display is equipped with four types of eye protection and 10 brightness settings. The case is metal. Memory - 8/16 GB without expandability. Provides Bluetooth connection. Lithium battery with a capacity of 300 mAh. The player can work up to 30 hours. Touch control. The functionality is the same as the two previous models. The signal power to noise ratio is lower at 89 dB. In addition to the usual set of headphones and a USB cable, the kit includes a clip attached to the back of the player for attaching to a belt, and a watch strap that allows you to wear the device on your hand.

Advantages:

Reliable assembly.
Miniature.
Good loud sound.
Easy to use.
Normal operating hours.
Quick connection with Bluetooth headset and headphones.
Extensive functionality.
Normal equipment.

Flaws:

Very small touch buttons.
The strap doesn't look very nice.
The menu is not fully Russified.

The price of BENJIE k1 is 1800 rubles. This is the smallest device in the rating, but it performs all the declared functionality well. You can wear it on your hand or on your belt (belt). 97% of buyers positively assessed the functionality and quality of work. The model surpasses the BENJIE k1 in terms of assembly reliability and case strength.

Astell & Kern A&norma SR15

Jack of all trades: DAC, preamp and quality sound.

Characteristics

Memory capacity: 64 GB + microSD card slot | Screen diagonal: 3.3 inches | Battery life: 9 hours | Dimensions: 9.9 x 5.7 x 1.6 cm | Weight: 154 g

BEHIND

Clear and refined sound
User-friendly interface
DAC and preamp

Against

Not everyone will like the appearance

Winner of the 2022 Product of the Year Award, the Astell & Kern A&norma SR15 may look unusual, but its intricate design reflects its outstanding capabilities. This device boasts a simple and user-friendly interface, large memory capacity and support for Hi-Res audio files - as well as extremely detailed and dynamic sound, which has long been a hallmark of the brand; no smartphone can even dream of such quality.

This gadget can also be used as a DAC and preamplifier to improve the sound quality of your smartphone or laptop.