Gray MP3 players

The Bottom Line: 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.

Specs: Digital player, 512 MB, MP3, WAV, WMA, AAA Alkaline AAA type Standard battery

The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a no-frills MP3 player, the JVC XA-F series is not a bad choice, though it is plenty overpriced.

Specs: Digital player, 1 GB, MP3, WMA, Protected WMA (DRM), Lithium ion Rechargeable Player battery

The Bottom Line: 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.

Specs: Flash player, 1 GB, MP3, WMA, Protected WMA (DRM), 1 x Alkaline AAA type Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: Attractive and feature packed, the MSI Mega Player 536 has a lot of potential on paper, but its many shortcomings make it difficult to recommend. Go for a Samsung YEPP YH-820MC instead.

Specs: Digital player, MP3, WAV, WMA, Protected WMA (DRM), 4 GB, 1 x Lithium ion Rechargeable Player battery

The Bottom Line: If you really want video on a budget, the MPIO One fits the bill, but we'd prefer to have a fractionally larger Cowon iAudio U3 or, better yet, a video iPod.

Specs: Digital player / radio, 256 MB, MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, Protected WMA (DRM), Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: If you really want video on a budget, the MPIO One fits the bill, but we'd prefer to have a fractionally larger Cowon iAudio U3 or, better yet, a video iPod.

Specs: Digital player / radio, 512 MB, MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, Protected WMA (DRM), Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: If you really want video on a budget, the MPIO One fits the bill, but we'd prefer to have a fractionally larger Cowon iAudio U3 or, better yet, a video iPod.

Specs: Digital player / radio, 1 GB, MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, Protected WMA (DRM), Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: The Creative Zen Micro Photo is an excellent full-featured MP3 player and, for its size, a decent photo viewer; it just doesn't combine the two effectively.

Specs: Digital player / radio, MP3, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM 9), 8 GB, 1 x Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: The H10 includes nearly every coveted feature, but navigating the player controls can be frustrating.

Specs: Hard drive, ASF, MP3, WMA, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, MPEG 2.5 Audio, Protected WMA (DRM), 20 GB, 1 x Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: The ultrathin Oregon Scientific MP210 has a respectable feature set, but its gimmicky see-through display is a letdown.

Specs: Flash player, 256 MB, MP3, WAV, WMA, Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated