MP3 player for runners?
January 26, 2018 2:18 PM Subscribe
For years I've been using various versions of an iPod Shuffle when I run. My latest one is starting to get flaky, and I think it's time to see what else is out there. Does anyone have any recommendations? See inside for my specific likes/dislikes.
Here are some features I prefer for my workout device:
1. small, lightweight, fairly unobtrusive, as robust as possible
2. can clip on to my clothes
3. ability to shuffle songs
4. compatible with any earbuds/headphones
5. ability to use the music I got through iTunes with a minimum of conversion fuss
6. decent battery - I don't want to have to charge it after every other run
7. not too expensive
I don't need anything particularly fancy, and I definitely don't want to start carrying something as big as my phone. There are still Shuffles out there for sale, but I don't want to pay the premium for something that isn't really being supported any longer. I really just want something I can turn on at the start of my run and then forget it's there.
Help me out! What do you suggest for making the miles go by?
Here are some features I prefer for my workout device:
1. small, lightweight, fairly unobtrusive, as robust as possible
2. can clip on to my clothes
3. ability to shuffle songs
4. compatible with any earbuds/headphones
5. ability to use the music I got through iTunes with a minimum of conversion fuss
6. decent battery - I don't want to have to charge it after every other run
7. not too expensive
I don't need anything particularly fancy, and I definitely don't want to start carrying something as big as my phone. There are still Shuffles out there for sale, but I don't want to pay the premium for something that isn't really being supported any longer. I really just want something I can turn on at the start of my run and then forget it's there.
Help me out! What do you suggest for making the miles go by?
Best answer: I’m not sure about (5) but I got sick of my toxic sweat breaking expensive MP3 players and so I got a Clip Sport. It was $26 on sale, you drag and drop music, I only have to think about charging it once a month or so, and my toxic sweat hasn’t destroyed it yet. When it does I will consider it $26 well spent.
posted by ftm at 2:42 PM on January 26, 2018
posted by ftm at 2:42 PM on January 26, 2018
A mobile phone armband.
Managing an MP3 player in this day and age is more trouble than it's worth.
Alternatively, a watch that supports music like an Apple Watch or a Fitbit Ionic which can sync your own MP3 collection or sync from Pandora onto the watch. Both pair with bluetooth headphones.
I have an Ionic and I don't use it for music, but I tried it once and it works fine. Battery life is great, like 5 days and hey it also tracks your run with GPS and monitors your heart rate. Plus it's on your wrist and it's pretty much impossible to drop or lose while running.
posted by GuyZero at 3:01 PM on January 26, 2018
Managing an MP3 player in this day and age is more trouble than it's worth.
Alternatively, a watch that supports music like an Apple Watch or a Fitbit Ionic which can sync your own MP3 collection or sync from Pandora onto the watch. Both pair with bluetooth headphones.
I have an Ionic and I don't use it for music, but I tried it once and it works fine. Battery life is great, like 5 days and hey it also tracks your run with GPS and monitors your heart rate. Plus it's on your wrist and it's pretty much impossible to drop or lose while running.
posted by GuyZero at 3:01 PM on January 26, 2018
If you want to keep using iTunes you should continue to use an iDevice. You can pick up a used Shuffle on Ebay for ~$30.
There are some ways to sync non iDevices to iTunes, but they'll probably break or be annoying.
These days it seems like most folks just use an arm band or a waistband to hold their phone.
posted by gregr at 3:02 PM on January 26, 2018
There are some ways to sync non iDevices to iTunes, but they'll probably break or be annoying.
These days it seems like most folks just use an arm band or a waistband to hold their phone.
posted by gregr at 3:02 PM on January 26, 2018
If you really really want an old skool MP3 player though, here's one list.
posted by GuyZero at 3:05 PM on January 26, 2018
posted by GuyZero at 3:05 PM on January 26, 2018
Response by poster: I know that a lot of people carry their phones nowadays, but I mentioned that I wasn't interested in that - so thank you, but I'd prefer a dedicated device for my music!
(For better or worse, both wrists are also currently occupied with two different Garmins, which is why I prefer the clip-to-clothes option.)
posted by Salieri at 3:10 PM on January 26, 2018
(For better or worse, both wrists are also currently occupied with two different Garmins, which is why I prefer the clip-to-clothes option.)
posted by Salieri at 3:10 PM on January 26, 2018
Best answer: Nthing the SanDisk Clip. In addition to what others have mentioned, it's ultra-light; like, light enough you won't even notice you're carrying it. Its UI is...quaint, but it gets the job done and you can't beat the price. I use mine at the gym all the time.
posted by pdb at 5:19 PM on January 26, 2018
posted by pdb at 5:19 PM on January 26, 2018
if you want to continue syncing mp3s you're probably limited to a used shuffle or a sandisk clip... phones have pretty much killed standalone mp3 players.
what have started taking off are wearable devices that sync with streaming services. i have a mighty that i use for yardwork and the gym. it's basically an ipod shuffle clone that uses spotify and supports bluetooth headphones. battery life isn't quite what i'd like- using bluetooth i get three hours or so. using wired headphones would presumably get you a couple more hours.
posted by noloveforned at 7:33 PM on January 26, 2018
what have started taking off are wearable devices that sync with streaming services. i have a mighty that i use for yardwork and the gym. it's basically an ipod shuffle clone that uses spotify and supports bluetooth headphones. battery life isn't quite what i'd like- using bluetooth i get three hours or so. using wired headphones would presumably get you a couple more hours.
posted by noloveforned at 7:33 PM on January 26, 2018
Best answer: Using iTunes with a non-Apple MP3 can be achieved with the help of some third party software. There are quite a few and several are free. The only requirement is that the MP3 player presents itself to Windows as a storage device (in the same way a USB memory stick would).
If you don’t want to do that, you can always open the Explorer window of the USB stick and then click on a selection of songs (which could be within a playlist if you want) within iTunes and drag them onto the window. Windows will automatically copy them to the stick. It’s not syncing, it’s not perfect but it’s better than nothing.
posted by mr_silver at 3:00 AM on January 27, 2018
If you don’t want to do that, you can always open the Explorer window of the USB stick and then click on a selection of songs (which could be within a playlist if you want) within iTunes and drag them onto the window. Windows will automatically copy them to the stick. It’s not syncing, it’s not perfect but it’s better than nothing.
posted by mr_silver at 3:00 AM on January 27, 2018
I had a similar quandary a while back and reached the conclusion that the sports mp3 player is dead. The ipod shuffle was the best I could get but I wanted something bluetooth friendly. I now have a Fitbit Ionic which is a fitness watch which includes music. I wouldn't particularly recommend it as it is buggy as hell, though. If I were buying tomorrow I would go for the Garmin 645 which also has music (and so if I were you I would stick with the Shuffle until you need a new Garmin, then go for the 645). There are others - TomTom do a cheap one but I can't comment on how good it is. I think watches with built in music are the way it's headed, people are getting fed up with carrying multiple items when they're out running. (I can't understand how anyone manages to carry a phone).
posted by intensitymultiply at 12:19 AM on January 28, 2018
posted by intensitymultiply at 12:19 AM on January 28, 2018
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! Based on recommendations, I decided to give the SanDisk Clip Sport a try. I got one and took it out on my run yesterday, and...so far, so good! It stayed in place without a problem, and I barely noticed it. The sound quality was fine, and the price was just right.
In fact, I think I prefer it to my Shuffle. Two definite improvements over my old device: 1) different folders, and 2) a battery indicator on the screen. And it turned out that all I had to do was drag/drop from my iTunes playlist into the player, which couldn't have been easier.
I know these types of devices are probably on their way out, but I hope this one stays around for a while more. I like my tiny, old-school music players!
posted by Salieri at 11:49 AM on January 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
In fact, I think I prefer it to my Shuffle. Two definite improvements over my old device: 1) different folders, and 2) a battery indicator on the screen. And it turned out that all I had to do was drag/drop from my iTunes playlist into the player, which couldn't have been easier.
I know these types of devices are probably on their way out, but I hope this one stays around for a while more. I like my tiny, old-school music players!
posted by Salieri at 11:49 AM on January 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
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