HydrogenAudio

CD-R and Audio Hardware => Audio Hardware => Topic started by: psycho on 2025-04-06 11:03:09

Title: 2025 suggestions for a portable audio player <50€
Post by: psycho on 2025-04-06 11:03:09
I would like to buy a "good enough" portable player for under 50€ to be used by my child for a field trip. So, nothing fancy that I would regret if it gets broken. However, still good enough so that it will play mp3s, battery life will be excellent and it has to support wired earphones.
Amazon suggested "128GB MP3 Player Bluetooth 5.2, DODOSOUL MP3 Player", which covers my requirements, I just wanted to check here if anything better exists for <50€ - thanks!
Title: Re: 2025 suggestions for a portable audio player <50€
Post by: Nick.C on 2025-04-09 08:16:56
If a smartphone is not an undesirable option then there are quite a few recent phones for around that budget - with the bonus of having a camera built in (although to get to 128GB would need a µSD card at c.€10).

One option could be the Xiaomi Redmi A3 64GB (3GB RAM, Android 14.0, 5000mAh battery).

Stick foobar2000 on it and it's good to go.
Title: Re: 2025 suggestions for a portable audio player <50€
Post by: psycho on 2025-04-11 14:25:09
@Nick C., thanks, but smartphone is undesired (child too young).  8)
Title: Re: 2025 suggestions for a portable audio player <50€
Post by: Chordeater on 2025-04-11 16:28:28
The most economical that I know of with these characteristics is the FiiO Snowsky ECHO MINI. You can take a look at its features at its official website, I find it a delight:
https://www.fiio.com/echomini

Cheers.
Title: Re: 2025 suggestions for a portable audio player <50€
Post by: psycho on 2025-04-13 22:29:16
@Chordeater wow, this looks amazing! I'll fetch one! :)
Title: Re: 2025 suggestions for a portable audio player <50€
Post by: jaybeee on 2025-04-14 09:02:21
The most economical that I know of with these characteristics is the FiiO Snowsky ECHO MINI. You can take a look at its features at its official website, I find it a delight:
https://www.fiio.com/echomini

Cheers.
damn, what a beautiful looking device. But then I love cassettes so it was always going to appeal to me haha.
Title: Re: 2025 suggestions for a portable audio player <50€
Post by: magicgoose on 2025-04-15 12:52:49
An android-based smartphone with unlocked bootloader can probably be patched in a way that one cannot install any additional apps  on it and cannot use any sort of internet connection. And they can be very cheap on a second hand market.
Not the easiest way but in terms of e-waste, second hand market is the best.
Title: Re: 2025 suggestions for a portable audio player <50€
Post by: fooball on 2025-04-15 21:50:46
Or, indeed, if you can find one, an old non-smart phone with player functionality such as the Sony-Ericsson Walkman series.  I happen to have a W810i knocking about (my own gathering collection of e-waste).