Jasmine France, Senior Associate Editor April 6, 2009
Kids--we'll define them as anyone from age 2 up to the teens--can get access to slick gadgets these days, and we can imagine an MP3 player in every kid's tech toy box soon. Instead of saying, "My first CD was The Cars' Heartbeat City," Junior someday will be heard declaring, "My first download was Kanye West's 'Late Registration.'" Or in the younger set's case, Dora the Explorer. We've rounded up a few affordable flash-based MP3 players that are rugged and simple enough for kids. All of the listed players cost $100 or less, and most of them have at least 1GB of memory--good for 250 songs.
You can't get much simpler than the Apple iPod Shuffle--it can clip right onto a child's pocket or bag strap, and parents can use it to illustrate that there were once audio devices without screens. On that same line of thinking, there's the SanDisk Sansa Shake, a motion-sensing MP3 player that lets kids interact with the music by shaking the device; it helps that it goes for just $40, too. Another perfect player for the ultrayoung is Peapod Toys' SweetPea3 with its simple operating system and built-in handle. The Sansa Clip is another low-cost SanDisk player that's a great option for the more fashion-conscious set due to its removable clip and various color options, while the Tamagotchi-like Creative Zen V's little joystick is perfect for kid fingers. For those kids who want a bit more from an MP3 player, the Kingston K-PEX offers gaming and video capabilities.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Pricing not available | $86.90 | Pricing not available | $130.50 |
As shown: $79.99
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| CNET editors' rating | ||||||
| Average user rating |  | | ||||
| Review date | January 30, 2007 | April 18, 2007 | February 20, 2008 | October 08, 2007 | June 20, 2006 | |
| The Bottom Line | If you like your music playback simple and your device nearly invisible, the second-generation iPod Shuffle will suit you well. But absentminded users should steer clear of this easy-to-misplace player. | 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. | The SweetPea3 is a niche MP3 player that's an excellent choice for parents who want to provide their toddlers or developmentally disabled adult children with digital music. | The SanDisk Sansa Clip is an incredible value that's set to edge out the competition with a user-friendly interface, gym-worthy design, and great sound quality. | The Creative Zen V Plus is a superb choice for anyone looking for a compact and feature-filled flash MP3 player with great sound quality. If you're looking for a more sophisticated design (or have large thumbs), look elsewhere. | |
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| Features | ||||||
| PC interface(s) supported | Hi-Speed USB | USB | USB | Hi-Speed USB | Hi-Speed USB | |
| Flash memory installed | 1 GB | 512 MB | 256 MB | 2 GB | 2 GB | |
| Flash memory form factor | Integrated | SD Memory Card | Integrated | Integrated | Integrated | |
| Mfr estimated battery life | 12 hour(s) | Info unavailable | 40 hour(s) | 15 hour(s) | 15 hour(s) | |
| Software type | Drivers & Utilities iTunes 7.4 or later | Drivers & Utilities | Info unavailable | Drivers & Utilities | Creative ZENcast Organizer Creative MediaSource Creative Media Explorer | |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | |
| Buying choices | Pricing not available | | Pricing not available | | Pricing not available | |
