How to buy an MP3 player: offers for new and used models
Why you might want a player in 2026
People buy a separate player when they don't want to drain their phone, value good sound, or need something for sport or for a child. That decides the choice. For running you need a light player with a clip, sweat protection and Bluetooth. For careful listening, a model with lossless format support, a good DAC and an output for wired headphones. For a collector the name matters more: iPod Classic, Sony Walkman, early Cowon.
Memory and formats
There are two routes: built-in memory or a microSD slot. A slot is handy when your music library is large or you listen to lossless: FLAC files take much more space than MP3. If there is no slot, choose a capacity with room to spare, because you can't expand it. Old iPods and similar models may have a hard drive or a flash adapter inside, so ask what exactly is in there.
Used players: what to ask the seller
Retro models are often sold with worn batteries. Ask how long it runs on a charge, whether the battery was replaced, whether there are scratches on the screen and body, and whether the buttons or the wheel work. Ask the seller to show the player switched on, so you can see playback, volume and charge. Check what's in the box: cable, headphones, case. A warranty on used models is rarer, but some sellers give one on checked equipment.
What to put in your request
- model: the exact name or brand, for example iPod Classic or Sony Walkman;
- memory: built-in gigabytes or microSD support;
- new or used: and what condition is acceptable;
- what for: running, hi-fi, a child, a collection;
- features: Bluetooth, FM radio, screen, water resistance, lossless;
- colour: if it matters;
- warranty, delivery, budget: what you need and where to send it.
Example: “I need a compact MP3 player for running, 32 GB, with Bluetooth and FM, black, preferably new with a warranty. Courier delivery to Wellington, budget up to $88.”
How a request works on BlaBlaPrice
Create a request on BlaBlaPrice in one text, and sellers of electronics receive it. They reply in the chat: which model, what condition, what price and delivery. It is free for the buyer. The offers are compared, and the best one by value is shown first, with seller reviews alongside. Contacts stay hidden until you decide to share them, so nobody will call you. It works well when you need a rare player: a seller who has that model will respond on their own, and you won't have to hunt through listings. Read more in the “How it works” section.
If you are still unsure about a separate device, also look at headphones and portable speakers, or the main section “Audio equipment”.
