Apple iPod Shuffle vs. SanDisk Sansa Clip

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Apple iPod Shuffle vs. SanDisk Sansa Clip

JUDGES: Donald Bell, Jasmine France, and Brian Tong

Apple iPod Shuffle

SanDisk Sansa Clip

The Apple iPod Shuffle (third generation) and the SanDisk Sansa Clip are two of the smallest, least expensive, and most-talked-about MP3 players on CNET. Maybe it's their price (both cost less than $80), their ultracompact size, or handy clip-on design, but there's just something irresistible about these cheap, miniature music players.

While the basic features and design of these MP3 players could appeal to anyone, both products are clearly aimed at the fitness crowd--people who prefer to get sweaty with a basic, lightweight MP3 player than a $300 glass-covered iPhone. Not surprisingly, Apple and SanDisk take very different approaches to designing the ultimate workout MP3 player, each demonstrating a tug of war between form and function.

But when push comes to shove, which pint-size MP3 player will our editors choose? There's only one way to find out. Let's throw them in the ring!

About the judges

Donald Bell is a CNET Senior Editor, a Zune user, and the guy who gave the iPod Touch an Editors' Choice Award--which makes him an ideal punching bag for opinionated CNET readers.

Jasmine France is a Senior Associate Editor for digital audio at CNET. Of the seemingly endless array of products that pass through her hands, only the strong survive.

Brian Tong is an Editor and Host of Prizefight on CNET TV. He's currently shifting himself from iTunes to the Amazon Music Store.