Listening to high-resolution, uncompressed audio files is no longer for audiophiles only, thanks to the best MP3 players. With Spotify now offering a lossless audio option to premium subscribers, there are now 281 million more reasons to up your audio game to get the most out of your listening sessions. And if you truly want to own your music, and not just a revokable license, there are services that allow you to buy lossless audio files, for audiophiles — see what we did there?
You'll need more than your $8 USB-C to 3.5mm Apple dongle (though audiophiles praise it for its cost-to-quality benefit) to fully realize the highs and lows of that high-resolution digital data flow. To that end, we've compiled this list of the best digital audio players (DAPs) that support high-resolution audio playback. From affordable, entry-level options to over-the-top aspirational enthusiast favorites, this collection rounds up the best of the best.
The best MP3 players: Enter the world of the audio nerd
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Absurdly good audio
FiiO has mastered the art of fine-tuning sound, as proven by the superb audio gear made by the brand. The FiiO M11 Plus ESS is top-tier, supporting all the things. You get Android 10 and a 5.5-inch touchscreen interface. It has dual DACs, dual-band WiFi, expandable storage up to 2TB, and 3.5mm/2.5mm/4.4mm outputs. Look forward to lossless audio support, along with LDAC, LHDC, and aptX-HD. The M11 Plus ESS has enough power on tap to drive some of the hungriest headphones.
Just, wow! Entry-level wizardry
Both Harish Jonnalagadda and Tshaka Armstrong thoroughly enjoyed their time with FiiO's latest entry-level DAP, which punches well above its weight. While affordability is the key selling point, the FiiO M21 has some powerful specs! With 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and USB-C audio ports, you'll max out at an unheard-of (at this price) 950mW of power at 32Ω. While other DAPs run Android 10 or 12, the M21 ships with Android 13 out of the box. Its screen resolution isn't the highest at 4.7-inches at 720p but its design is gorgeous. For all the details, read our full review here.
Budget gear for the picky ear
The Hidizs AP80 Pro-X fills in the gap without skimping on high-quality sound. This touchscreen MP3 player delivers balanced audio from the 2.5mm port and supports advanced codecs such as UAT, CSR aptX, and LDAC. With Bluetooth 4.2 and two-way USB-C audio support, you can use it in DAC/AMP mode connected to your phone, tablet, or computer. Read our thoughts on the DAP!
Over-the-top option
The Astell&Kern A&Norma SR15 is really aspirational with its four-figure price tag. Audiophiles might argue about what you get here versus a slightly less expensive kit, but there's little argument about the high-resolution, lossless audio that makes your ears tingle with delight. It has all the ports and technical goodies under the hood to please sound engineers and audiophiles alike.
Reliable make
The words "Sony" and "Walkman" sure trigger heavy nostalgia. Sony's cassette-tape days may be gone, but the Sony NW-A306 high-res music player sports impressive features at an amicable cost. It features extensive high-res file support, up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM, MQA, and DSD256 file formats. You also get aptX HD and LDAC codec support. There's only 32GB of storage, and half of that is taken up by Android, but it's expandable up to 2TB via a microSD card.
iPod Nano incarnate
Missing the iPod Nano's small form factor coupled with a touch display? The Shanling M0 Pro is the perfect modern alternative. But its size belies its power! Dual ESS DACs for better sound and power than its predecessor, a new 3.5mm connector, and bi-directional Bluetooth are just some of its many features! It's hard to believe such a tiny device can produce such high-quality audio. Our Harish Jonnalagadda reviewed it and calls the M0 Pro, "a terrific choice." 'Nuff said?
Nostalgia purchase at an "impulse buy" price
At $60, there will be some compromises. Still, this DAP from FiiO's budget brand SnowSky is a fun, throwback music player that is cheap enough to be an impulse buy that still has some solid specs like a 4.4mm Balanced output, 1.99-inch IPS display, support for up to DSD256, and 256GB of microSD storage.
No-frills experience
Mighty's adorable little music player is shaped like a cube and has a clip on the back. For the “mature” among you, this is reminiscent of the 6th-generation iPod Nano, but without the touchscreen. You can set up the Mighty 3 (2026 Edition) in a jiffy using your phone and attach it to your armband for easy access. It can store around a thousand songs, and you can sync your Spotify (family or premium only) or Amazon Music libraries with it, then enjoy those tunes for up to eight hours on a charge.
Complete package
Those of you who don't want to separate your MP3 player and smartphone needs can grab the LG V60 ThinQ 5G. LG's foray into phone making was good while it lasted, giving us gems like the V60 ThinQ that has a DAC built-in. You can plug in a standout pair of wired headphones into the audio port and enjoy high-end sound quality. There's no shortage of storage or music playing platforms it can access. Sadly, you'll be stuck with renewed versions when looking to buy one.
Choosing the best MP3 player FOR YOU!
Unlike picking the right music player apps for Android, looking for a dedicated digital audio player is a complicated process. A lot of thought goes into the search, especially if you have exposed your ears to high-end audio before. Nonetheless, the devices that we have gathered in this roundup have all the best features that you need. There's a little something for everyone, in every color, and every price bracket.
For audiophiles with a keen sense of hearing, the Astell&Kern A&Norma SR15 is the absolute best audio player. It is powered by the MasterHIFI class DAC CS43198 chip — a first for any portable player. It supports a vast range of file formats, and it can deliver hi-res audio for both wired and wireless sound delivery methods. The A&Norma SR15 features a custom-built OS, so no additional apps or notifications disturb your music-listening bliss. The 64GB of onboard storage isn't especially high, but you can expand it to 1TB with a memory card if needed. The one caveat here is the eye-watering asking price — this DAP will cost you as much as a flagship foldable phone or mid-level gaming laptop. If you can afford it, pair it with the Fiio FA19 wired in-ear monitor (IEM) earphones, and you'll experience total auditory bliss.
For lower budgets, the FiiO M21 and Hidizs AP80 Pro-X are excellent entry-level and budget audiophile options. They both manage to produce similar levels of sound that punch above their price points. You'll enjoy top-notch audio playback without spending flagship smartphone money on either one. On the other hand, if audio codecs, file formats, DAC & amps, and lossless audio mean nothing to you, then you should stick with basic portable music players such as the Mighty 3 (2026 Edition) or the SnowSky Echo Mini. If you want even more versatility, grab the LG V60 ThinQ 5G to serve as a phone as well as an MP3 player. It was long one of the best Android phones with a headphone jack because of its solid built-in DAC.
