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Best MP3 players that use AAA batteries

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.


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Product name Creative Zen Nano Plus (1GB, Dark Blue)
Creative Zen Nano Plus (1GB, Dark Blue)  
SanDisk Sansa m250 (2GB)
SanDisk Sansa m250 (2GB)  
SanDisk Sansa Shaker (512MB, blue)
SanDisk Sansa Shaker (512MB, blue)  
RCA Pearl (2GB, black)
RCA Pearl (2GB, black)  





Review date June 05, 2006   October 31, 2005   April 18, 2007   June 28, 2007  





CNET editors' rating 7.3 out of 10 7.3
Very good
7.3 out of 10 7.3
Very good
7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good
6.0 out of 10 6.0
Good





Users' rating 7.3 out of 10 7.3
Very good
7.5 out of 10 7.5
Very good
9.3 out of 10 9.3
Spectacular
8.7 out of 10 8.7
Excellent





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Review summary 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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My Products
Basic Specs
PC interface(s) supported Hi-Speed USB Hi-Speed USB USB Hi-Speed USB





Flash memory installed 1 GB 2 GB 512 MB 2 GB





Flash memory form factor Integrated Integrated SD Memory Card Integrated





Digital player signal-to-noise ratio 90 dB Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable





Digital Player total harmonic distortion 0.1 % Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable





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





Battery technology Alkaline Alkaline AA alkaline AAA alkaline





Mfr estimated battery life 18 hour(s) 19 hour(s) Info unavailable 15 hour(s)





Software type Drivers & Utilities , Creative MediaSource Info unavailable Drivers & Utilities Drivers & Utilities





Manufacturer warranty 1 year warranty 1 year warranty Info unavailable 1 year warranty





Product type Flash player Digital player / radio Digital player Digital player





Color Dark blue Black Blue Black





Sound output mode Stereo Stereo Stereo Stereo





Width 1.3 in Info unavailable Info unavailable 1.1 in





Depth 0.5 in Info unavailable Info unavailable 0.9 in





Height 2.6 in Info unavailable Info unavailable 3.1 in





Digital player (recorder) MP3 , WMA , Protected WMA (DRM) MP3 , WMA , Audible , Protected WMA (DRM) MP3 MP3 , WAV , WMA





Equalizer factory presets Info unavailable Pop , Jazz , Rock , Classic Info unavailable Pop , Bass , Flat , Jazz , Rock





Weight Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable 1.2 oz





Product name Creative Zen Nano Plus (1GB, Dark Blue)   SanDisk Sansa m250 (2GB)   SanDisk Sansa Shaker (512MB, blue)   RCA Pearl (2GB, black)  





Full specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications





Price range Check latest prices
$n/a
from 0 store
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$30-69
from 5 stores
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$15-28
from 3 stores
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$35
from 1 store










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