Donald Bell,
Senior Editor
July 26, 2007
While most people are happy with the built-in rechargeable batteries found in most MP3 players, there are some people who really need the convenience of quickly replacing their MP3 player's battery with a common, off-the-shelf alkaline AAA. We often get questions about disposable-battery MP3 players from campers or people who enjoy traveling to remote corners of the world. After all, who wants to be stuck halfway up Mount Everest looking for a USB port?
Cheap, battery-powered MP3 players can be purchased online by the fistful. The trick is to actually find one that's any good. Usually, these tiny players are plagued by horrible interface design, unreadable displays, and maddening menu navigation.
The following are our chosen few AAA-powered MP3 players that really strike a great balance between battery life, usability, features, format support, and sound quality. The Creative Zen Nano Plus, especially, is the closest you can get to an inexpensive, battery-powered audio Swiss Army Knife. Also, just because these players use AAA batteries doesn't mean they have to be disposable batteries. Rechargeable AAA batteries are cheaper than ever and are much more convenient than shopping for new batteries each week.
| Product name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Prices | $29.96 to $29.99 | $20.35 to $32.02 | $16.99 to $23.22 |
| CNET editors' rating | ||||
| Average user rating | ||||
| Review date | June 05, 2006 | October 31, 2005 | April 18, 2007 | June 28, 2007 |
| The Bottom Line | If you're looking for a feature-packed flash player but you don't want to spend a ton to get one, Creative's Zen Nano Plus is the device for you. | With its many features as well as its compatibility with audiobooks and subscription-based music, the SanDisk Sansa m200 series is an overall great value. | If you want to get your children started on digital music at a young age, the Sansa Shaker provides a great way to do so: it's inexpensive, simple, and acts like a toy. | If you're looking for a better-sounding alternative to the Sansa Express, the RCA Pearl does the trick--but be prepared to deal with a funky user interface and disposable batteries. |
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| Features | ||||
| Battery technology |
Alkaline |
Alkaline |
AA alkaline |
AAA alkaline |
| Digital player (recorder) |
WMA Protected WMA (DRM) MP3 |
WMA Protected WMA (DRM) Audible MP3 |
MP3 |
WMA WAV MP3 |
| Digital Player total harmonic distortion |
0.1 % |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Software type |
Drivers & Utilities Creative MediaSource |
Info unavailable |
Drivers & Utilities |
Drivers & Utilities |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) |
1.3 in x 0.5 in x 2.6 in |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
1.1 in x 0.9 in x 3.1 in |
| Color |
Dark blue |
Black |
Blue |
Black |
| PC interface(s) supported |
Hi-Speed USB |
Hi-Speed USB |
USB |
Hi-Speed USB |
| Mfr estimated battery life |
18 hour(s) |
19 hour(s) |
Info unavailable |
15 hour(s) |
| Flash memory form factor |
Integrated |
Integrated |
SD Memory Card |
Integrated |
| Weight | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
1.2 oz |
| Manufacturer warranty |
1 year warranty |
1 year warranty |
Info unavailable |
1 year warranty |
| Height |
2.6 in |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
3.1 in |
| Equalizer factory presets | Info unavailable |
Classic Rock Jazz Pop |
Info unavailable |
Bass Flat Rock Jazz Pop |
| Depth |
0.5 in |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
0.9 in |
| Width |
1.3 in |
|||
