MP3 players are a really handy device that allows you to listen to your digital music. There are tons of brands and devices available.
If you’re looking to purchase an MP3 player for a kid, you’re going to consider different features and styles than you would if you were picking up one for yourself.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 5 hrs of research
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I decided to put together a little MP3 Player Buyer’s Guide and point out what features are available that would be best for your kid’s needs.
After I explain all I know about MP3 players, I’m going to review different devices and let you see what’s playing music nowadays. Well, let’s get to it.
What is the Best Mp3 Player for Kids in 2020?
An MP3 player is a handy little device that lets you listen to lots of music you have stored conveniently on it already. The original MP3 players were very simple having very few buttons with a simple user interface, but the newest ones are quickly becoming more sophisticated almost exponentially.
Before purchasing an MP3 player you wish to give as a gift to a child, there are many features that you should be knowledgeable about.
Name | Item Weight | Dimensions | |
---|---|---|---|
Sony (Editor’s Choice) | 5.4 ounces | 0.4 x 1.7 x 3.6 | Check Price |
Wiwoo B4 (People’s Choice) | 3.52 ounces | 1.6 x 0.3 x 3.4 | Check Price |
RUIZU (Best Price) | 3.52 ounces | 3.5 x 1.5 x 0.3 | Check Price |
1.6 ounces | 3.5 x 1.5 x 0.3 | Check Price | |
4.8 ounces | 2.5 x 1.4 x 0.6 | Check Price | |
3.84 ounces | 1.6 x 0.4 x 3.1 | Check Price | |
3.2 ounces | 4 x 2.1 x 1.6 | Check Price | |
2.4 ounces | 3.2 x 1 x 0.5 | Check Price |
1. Sony – Best Music Player for Kids (Editor’s Choice)
Of all the companies that we reviewed, there are likely none that are as well-known or well respected as Sony which can also trace its founding back further than all of the other companies on our list combined.
This experience has been put to good use as Sony is widely regarded as one of the best consumer electronics manufacturers in the world. This reputation precedes Sony and has a special focus on audio electronics with the original Walkman cassette tape player even revolutionizing the portable audio device market.
As such, it only makes sense that the Sony Walkman NWE394/B MP3 player continues that tradition as the best performing MP3 player for kids that we saw.
More Starting Options
Ease of Use
This consideration can be a bit tricky because, in some respects, the Sony Walkman NWE394/B is much easier to use than competitors are, but that does not mean that the MP3 player is easy to use for children.
Instead, this product is best understood as being more appropriate for older children likely 10 years and up though for a sophisticated enough mind the controls are incredibly easy to use and exceptionally robust.
For instance, the Sony Walkman NWE394/B is the only MP3 player that we reviewed which gives you more audio equalizing control than simply a volume-limiting feature.
- Comes with 4, 8, or 16 Gb
- Can support 128 GB TF card
- Has a 1.71” TFT screen
- Comes with numerous apps
- Is USB rechargeable
- Can play numerous audio file formats
- Easily connects for file transfer
- Can adjust audio effects
- More durable than most
- Is a more expensive MP3 player for kids
- A bit more complicated
2. Wiwoo B4 – TOP Mp3 Player for a Kids (People’s Choice)
You will be forgiven if you have not heard of our Editor’s Choice best all-around MP3 player for kids’ parent company as Wiwoo has only been around for a couple years.
That said, the brand is laser-focused in its market and specializes exclusively in MP3 players with a single exception for a sports band that is compatible with all of Wiwoo’s various MP3 players.
That said, this is not the absolute best performing MP3 player we saw, but when you consider the price to feature ratio, it does present an exceptional value.
Good Video Playback
Regardless, the Wiwoo WB4BL001 also comes with a fairly nice screen that is 1.71” in diameter, about what you would expect for an MP3 player and uses a TFT LCD display type for a bright, clear picture.
The Wiwoo WB4BL001 comes with 8 GB of memory can accept some microSD cards up to 64 GB which is important for long movies with larger file sizes.
Solid General Options
When looking for anything for children, the most important thing is that it keeps them entertained and, most importantly, quiet. If a product can accomplish this, it does not necessarily even need to be all that durable or long-lasting assuming it is priced appropriately.
On top of that, the Wiwoo WB4BL001 can also be used to record a surprisingly good quality audio, providing your child with more entertainment to keep them occupied.
- Comes with 8 Gb
- Can support 64 GB microSD card
- Has a 1.71” TFT screen
- Can record audio
- Can play video
- Can play some games
- Can play a wide variety of file types
- Is a reasonably priced MP3 player for kids
- Comes with earbuds
- Not the easiest to use
- Not compatible with all microSD cards
3. RUIZU – Best Mp3 Player for Toddler (Best Price)
RUIZU is one of many brands that we saw, which utilizes an only online business model to help cut costs and, presumably, pass those savings on to the consumer.
Out of all the brands that used this approach, none of them was more successful than RIUZU that took the crown as our Best Price budget MP3 player for kids.
That said, this budget-friendly product did not have to sell itself short, as the RIUZU X 02 is more than just a cheap option with a couple features that ranks near or at the top of the list making this a legitimately good product regardless the cost.
Solid Battery Life
That is why it is so refreshing that not only does the RIUZU X02 provide one of the best battery lives at 80 hours, it also provides one of the quickest charging times being able to be fully recharged from empty in about 2 to 3 hours.
Great Memory Boost
This is especially important if you intended to use the RIUZU X02 MP3 player for its video capabilities as these files are larger and require more memory. That said, this should be no problem as the RIUZU X02 MP3 player also comes with a 1.71” TFT LCD screen, so the images should be bright and clear.
- Comes with 8 Gb
- Can support 128 GB TF card
- Has a 1.71” TFT screen
- Is a reasonably priced MP3 player for kids
- Is USB rechargeable
- Can play numerous audio file formats
- Can record audio
- Comes with numerous apps
- Charges within 2 to 3 hours
- Software is substandard
- Not the easiest to use
4. AGPTEK A02 – Best Music Device for Kid
AGPTEK may not be too terribly well-known of a brand, but they are likely one that you are more likely to recognize that many of the others on our list.
That said, AGPTEK is actually better understood as an OEM brand that provides a wide range of products and accessories for factory or pre-packaged bundles. As such, this means that AGPTEK does not specialize in MP3 players for kids or otherwise nor do they even specialize in electronics more broadly.
That said, OEM products are noted for providing the most market-tested features to ensure the product casts a large enough net.
Biggest Memory Boost
Whether you are listening to music or watching videos, the memory capacity of an MP3 player will directly affect how much media you can cram into the device. For music, this is not too terribly much of a concern as even the onboard 8 GB memory of the AGPTEK A02 is more than enough to hold 2000 songs. However, if you intend to get the most out of the video capabilities of the AGPTEK A02, you will need to make sure that it can hold the significantly larger file sizes.
Up and Down Software
This means that if you do not use hardware and other devices that are designed to be used with Media Monkey, you may have a somewhat difficult time utilizing all of the AGPTEK A02’s features.
That said, if your other hardware and devices can synchronize with Media Monkey as well, then the software offers a robust and powerful toolkit to best navigate and consume the media therein. It can even function as its own media player with the ability to organize and manage your files on the device.
- Comes with 8 Gb
- Can support 128 GB TF card
- Has a 1.71” TFT screen
- Is a reasonably priced MP3 player for kids
- Is USB rechargeable
- Can play numerous audio file formats
- Can record audio
- Comes with numerous apps
- Charges within 2 to 3 hours
- Battery drains quickly
- Firmware can be iffy
5. KingTop – Best Toddler Mp3 Player
KingTop electronics shares a couple distinctions with other companies on our list that make ideally suited for our list. For one, this brand uses the ever-popular only online business model to keep overhead costs low and pass on those savings to their customers which they do.
That said, KingTop is not one of those companies that specializes in MP3 players or really anything for that matter as the company makes a wide variety of products.
Still, this specific MP3 player does provide some features that are a bit uncommon and make the product far better suited for children than others primarily because of these specific features.
Wireless Audio Playback
Thankfully, the KingTop KlangTop MP3 player eschews the need for this altogether by allowing the KingTop KlangTop to connect to a device via Bluetooth protocols. This means that the KingTop KlangTop MP3 player can be used to remotely play music to a Bluetooth speaker.
A Compact Design
- Comes with 8 Gb
- Can support 32 GB TF card
- Comes with numerous apps
- Is a reasonably priced MP3 player for kids
- Is USB rechargeable
- Can play numerous audio file formats
- Can record audio
- Is the smallest MP3 player for kids reviewed
- Supports Bluetooth 2.0 to 4.0
- Cannot play video
- Bluetooth drains the battery
6. Wiwoo B3 – Best Music Player for Toddlers
Wiwoo once again makes it onto our list, though as a company that specializes exclusively in MP3 players, this actually makes a fair bit of sense considering the brand’s expansion has been almost entirely through the development of other MP3 players that had better serve a specific niche.
This means that those MP3 players may not be the best for all people, but they are likely the best for the target market. In this instance, Wiwoo is attempting to woo sports enthusiasts, which actually makes it a great option for children who are inherently rough and careless with their belongings.
A Rugged Type
While technically all MP3 players can technically be used for action settings as they are generally self-contained products whose performance is not dependent on the setting, there are still some MP3 players that are going to be better in this regard than others.
Great Audio Quality
By far one of the best things about the Wiwoo B3 MP3 player is the fact that it puts out some of the best quality audio that we found.
Though in fairness, it is best understood that the Wiwoo B3 can play the best quality audio files which have a tendency to be significantly larger than worse quality audio files that some of the other MP3 players we saw cannot.
On top of that, the Wiwoo B3 can also play videos, which it displays on a 1.71” TFT LCD display screen though it does not technically support any of the most common video file formats. Still, the Wiwoo B3 does offer plenty of options for audio files and even supports an expandable 64 GB memory drive.
- Comes with 16 Gb
- Can support 64 GB TF card
- Has a 1.71” TFT screen
- Comes with numerous apps
- Is USB rechargeable
- Can play numerous file formats
- Can record audio
- Can play video
- Can play lossless
- Comes with workout kit
- Is a more expensive MP3 player for kids
- Limited video options
7. Tomameri – Portable MP3 / MP4 Player with Rhombic Button – A Sleek Player That Keeps Music Listening Simple
Access To Your Music has never been This Quick
The Tomameri looks like a traditional MP3/MP4 player and has most of the features that have become synonymous with the devices, including the ability to create playlists, listen to podcasts that are placed on the device, and video playback.
It’s sold with a 16 gigabyte Micro SD but can be upgraded to a higher memory card if needed. Hooking it up to a computer to add data is simple; files are added by simply copying and pasting the information into the device’s folder options that come up when it’s shown on the screen.
Auxiliary Video Features
As mentioned, it does play video but could be limited in its use. For starters, the screen is quite small. With the advent of larger smartphones and tablets, you probably won’t (or don’t) need to view any films on the player itself.
- Comes with a 16GB Micro SD memory card
- Can support up to 32GB in memory (if bought separately)
- Has the ability to play videos
- Numerous playlists can be created
- Sold with a set of white earbuds
- The earbuds may not produce enough decibels in the base
- The controls are confusing, even when needing to perform basic tasks
- Can only play videos that are converted to AMV format
- Battery drains quickly and may last for less than four hours on a fully charged device
8. AGPTEK USB Stick – Best Portable Music Player for Kids
This best portable music player for kids has a capacity of 8GB that can store up to 2000 songs. There is a MicroSD slot that supports cards up to 32GB to dramatically increase available data space.
This device is powered by a single AAA battery that is not included. It is simple to operate with playback support for MP3 and WMA file formats.
Play modes include normal, shuffle, and repeat. Seven equalizer settings provide a better sound quality than devices without it.
An older child will get good use out of this MP3 player. It is pretty small for younger kids. It provides many useful features along with the cool design.
- Easily replaceable single AAA battery
- USB flash drive combined with an MP3 player
- Expandable MicroSD slot provides for more space for music
- Small device can be lost easily
- Headphones are not included
Best Mp3 Player for Kids Review – Buyer’s Guide
That about wraps up this guide to the best MP3 player for a kid. I hope that the buyer’s guide helped you to figure out what type of MP3 player would be best for your child and the features that they will get the most out of. Maybe you found something perfect in my reviews that fit the description you have in mind. Enjoy your search.
Types of MP3 Players
Two basic types of MP3 players dominate the market. Hard drive-based MP3 players and flash-based MP3 players are both available. Each has their own benefits and drawbacks.
Hard Drive-Based MP3 Players
A hard drive-based MP3 player operates sort of like a mini-computer. These have large capacities and weigh more than flash-based players.
Hard drive-based MP3 players are heavier and have moving components that work while it is playing. This makes for a bad choice for using during activities like running and jumping.
Flash-Based MP3 Players
There are no moving parts inside flash-based MP3 players. The audio files are stored on flash memory. This can either be internal flash memory or memory cards that can be inserted.
They generally have less storage than hard drive-based MP3 players, but memory cards have become rather high-capacity giving plenty of storage space for a large collection of music.
MP3 Player Functions
Video and Photos
Many MP3 players have the ability to also be used as a picture or video viewing device. They have color screens to navigate files and watch the videos you put on it. They are limited to viewing on the tiny screens they have but can be a nice alternative to a portable DVD player or tablet.
Video or Digital Camera
Many MP3 players now include cameras allowing the user to take pictures and videos that store in the device’s memory. Having a child that is interested in photography and music would love a device that has this included. They are usually included on more expensive devices.
Radio Reception
Hard drive-based MP3 players often have issues picking up FM radio signal because of the moving parts they have. If the kid you’re purchasing for has a couple of radio stations they like to listen to, this can be a good feature to include on their device.
Recording Audio
Recording audio is another common feature found on current MP3 players. They can either record music or your voice. An analog input line is needed to record audio from an outside source connected with a cable. Voice recorders have a lower quality that is recorded with an internal microphone. This might be a fun feature for children to play with.
Data Storage
Many MP3 players can store many different types of files and can be used as a flash drive themselves. Connect your device to one computer and copy the files you want to it and take the MP3 player with you. For kids that need to take digital copies of papers or other homework with them to school, this would be a beneficial feature.
DSP
Digital signal processing allows the user to change the sound in a few different ways. Equalizers and bass boosts are both different types of DSP. They can improve the sound of digital music to better suit the user’s tastes.
Playback Options
Hold Switch
A hold switch on an MP3 player helps users avoid skipping tracks during physical activities. It is easy to hit a button while you are running and jumping but if you have a hold switch, the device will disable the controls. This is a good option for children who are going to be active while listening to their players.
Internet Capabilities
Having a child that is constantly accessing social networks and YouTube will make this a necessity for their MP3 player. Many devices include Wi-Fi access through a wireless connection. After connecting to a wireless network, they will be able to access mobile versions of many websites.
Apps
An MP3 player can sometimes run apps that will give access to many more features. These apps can be in the form of games, stores, and anything in between.
Most Apple devices allow you to access apps available on the App Store, while on an Android device you can access the Google Play store.
Display Type
Battery Life
Some MP3 players use regular disposable batteries that you have to replace. Many have a rechargeable battery that can be used again after you recharge it.
Finding a device that has a long battery life will let the user have a longer time to listen to their music before having to replace or recharge the power source. A kid will hate a gift that only lasts an hour or two between charges.
There are many more features offered by different companies, but this is the common things that you will find while you are searching. Knowing these different options and what the child will be using the device for will help you decide which device is the best.
Conclusion
As we can see, the best MP3 player for kids will be a different product depending on the parent, the child, and extenuating circumstances. As such, there is no product, which will satisfy all people directly, and instead a better option would be to identify one that will either satisfy the most people or simply go for broke and get the best one that you can find.
If performance is your kid’s kick and money does not matter, then we recommend the Sony Walkman NWE394/B.
Of course, if you are looking for an overall great product that will not take quite such a big bite out of your wallet as the Sony, then we recommend our People’s Choice best all-around value MP3 Player for kids, the AGPTEK A02.