MP3 players may just play music- or they may have a lot of other functions that make them fun to play with.
When you’re looking for the best MP3 player for kids, it’s important to choose a model that will keep your child entertained. In addition to the variety of features, you’ll want to consider things like durability, how easy the player is to use, and battery life of the device.
Below, you’ll find some of our top choices for MP3 players for kids and a handy buying guide.
Best MP3 Players for Young Kids
The AGPTEK K1 Portable Music Player offers an FM radio, voice recorder, playback option, as well as 8 GB with expansion up to 128 GB and 26 hours of rechargeable battery life. With the memory options it can hold up to 4,000 songs as well as e-books and videos. The VTech Rock and Bop Music Player does not allow you to add whatever songs you would like but it has 100 pre-recorded songs as well as an instrumental remix mode. It does not have a rechargeable battery but uses 2 AAA batteries.
AGPTEK K1 Portable 8GB Children’s Music Player
The AGPTEK K1 Portable 8GB Children’s Music Player has plenty of kid-friendly features and enough storage space for all of your child’s favorite music. It also has puzzle games like snake and plenty of functions that make this a great gadget for your child.
This mp3 player is a good choice for kids because it has a chunky, cartoon-style case and big buttons for smaller fingers. It also has a volume limiter to prevent hearing damage and adjustable screen brightness. On the screen, your child can read eBooks, play puzzle games, watch videos, and more. Some of the other functions of this mp3 player include an FM radio, alarm clock, voice recording, and variable speed playback.
Even though this has a thicker, chunkier design than some other music players, it’s still compact enough to fit into your child’s pocket or their hand. The player comes with a charge cord, an instruction manual, and headphones.
Another nice feature of this player is that it has a built-in speaker. This lets kids share audiobooks, music, and recordings with family and friends. It also gives your child the option to listen without headphones, which can be beneficial when you’re trying to limit hearing damage. Something to note is that the music can be distorted when coming out through the speaker, so while it’s appropriate for a child, an older child that values music quality might prefer an actual speaker for this function.
This mp3 player is compatible with a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, WAV, WMA, APE, OGG, and FLAC. It is also compatible with video files. There is plenty of room for storing all these files and recordings since this comes with 8GB of memory built-in. You can also purchase an additional TF card, which supports up to 128GB of extra space.
This is also a good choice if you’re looking for something with long battery life. It connects to a cable, so the player is rechargeable. After fully charging (which takes about 3 hours), this plays for about 26 hours. Something to note is that there is no battery indicator, so it can be hard to know when the battery is low and the device needs charged.
Pros
- Chunky design is great for kids
- Has lots of functions including audio recording, FM radio, and games
- Compatible with many audio file types
- Rechargeable battery
- Comes with plenty of storage and compatible with card for more
- Screen works for reading eBooks and watching videos
- Battery lasts about 26 hours
Cons
- Speaker sound quality could be better
- No battery life indicator
VTech Rock and Bop Music Player
The VTech Rock and Bop Music Player is a great choice for a younger child. It’s recommended for ages 3-6 years. While you cannot download songs onto this device, the VTech music player does come with pre-downloaded songs and games. It’s available in the pink color pictured here and it comes in blue.
There are three music styles that are pre-downloaded; classical, rock, and hip hop. Additionally, there’s an instrument remix mode. This lets your child remix songs using instrument sounds like a guitar, piano, saxophone, xylophone, or violin. You’ll also find ten learning songs on the music player that teach about letters, numbers, time, and more. Altogether, there are over 100 different sounds, melodies, and songs.
A pair of kid-safe headphones is also included with this music player, which makes it nice for car rides. They are designed to go over the ears instead of having the earbud design, which is better for young kids. This also features a volume limiter to reduce the risk of hearing damage.
Something to note is that the headphones may too big to fit well on your child’s ears. When they aren’t close, the headphones also may not be very loud. On the plus side, this can be used without the headphones as well.
This is not rechargeable. Instead, it takes 2 AAA batteries. While batteries are included for demo purposes, these may be used so they won’t last as long as fresh batteries.
Pros
- Over 100 songs, sounds, and music
- Instrument remix mode is fun to play with
- Games that aid with learning
- Included headphones fit over the ears
- Volume limiter
- Comes with batteries
- Great choice for a younger kid
Cons
- Can’t download your own songs
- Headphones are quiet
Wiwoo MP3 Player for Kids
The Wiwoo MP3 Player for Kids is designed for younger kids. It features cute, paw print buttons and a graphic interface that appeals to younger users.
There are plenty of fun functions on the Wiwoo mp3 player that your child will love playing with. In addition to playing back audio files, this features an FM radio, voice recorder, video games, alarm clock, and more. It also has a 1.8″ LCD screen that displays song information and features cute characters to make the interface more fun for kids. The screen allows your child to read text files of e-Books, too.
One nice feature is that this has a button to lock the screen on the side. This is useful because it stops buttons from accidentally being pressed while the device is in your child’s pocket. Another useful feature is the breakpoint memory function in the voice recording area. This lets your child listen from where they left off, which is useful if parents or grandparents want to record themselves reading a story or leave a positive message for their child. Radio stations can also be saved to the device for easy access later on.
This has good battery life, so you don’t have to worry about your child getting frustrated because they have to charge it constantly. It takes about two hours to charge fully and then works for about 25 hours in screensaver mode. If your child is using it for games or music, it may only last 5-6 hours.
One of the downsides of this is that the headphones included are not of good quality. They are earbuds made of a hard plastic material that won’t sit comfortably in a child’s ears. Additionally, even though this is advertised as having a volume limiter, this is just a warning displayed on the screen when your child turns up the volume too high. They can press okay and still turn the volume higher, so it is really only limited if your child adheres to the warning.
There is also a minor flaw in the system. It is easy to operate the mp3 player, however, the tracks aren’t always listed in order. Instead of recognizing the track numbers as numerical inputs, it reads them as letters and alphabetizes them. This causes the music to be order 1, 10, 2, 3… if there are at least ten songs in a folder. However, this won’t be an issue for most kids because they will still love that they can listen to their own music.
Pros
- Has games, voice record, and radio in addition to audio playback
- Good battery life
- Bookmarking function
- Easy to operate
- Saves radio stations for later
- Button to lock the screen for use
- Screen saver function to preserve battery life
Cons
- Headphones don’t fit in a child’s ears well
- No true volume limiter
- Songs don’t always play in order
Best MP3 Players for Older Kids and Teenagers
Our most expensive choice is the Sony 8 GB Walkman, which is an Amazon Choice product that is an 8 GB MP3 player with a rechargeable battery that lasts for about 4 hours. Our mid-priced option is the SanDisk Sport Plus MP3 Player with 16 GB of storage, Bluetooth capabilities, and is also water resistant. Our least expensive option is the Hotechs MP3 Music Player, which offers 32 GB of memory and has a rechargeable battery that can last up to 10 hours.
Sony 8GB Walkman MP3 Player
The Sony NWE394/B 8GB Walkman MP3 Player is easy to use and comes from the Sony company, which is well known for the Walkman and other electronics. This is a good choice if you’re looking for something with high-quality sound.
The Sony mp3 player features a dynamic normalizer, which balances volume level between songs for a consistent listening experience. It also uses Sony’s ClearAudio technology that adjusts bass and other elements so there’s no static or distortion when listening.
The mp3 player comes with a charging cable and rechargeable battery. When fully charged, it allows 35 hours of audio playback. If you are going to watch videos, this decreases significantly and lasts for around 4 hours, which is still good compared to some of the other options.
While the included earbuds are of decent quality, they are quite large and made of hard plastic. This makes them a poor fit for younger kids because of the size. These also do not have a volume limiter, so you’ll want something that sits next to your child’s ear instead of going inside it.
With the Sony Walkman mp3 player, you can choose how much storage you’d like. This model comes with 4, 8, or 16 GB of storage. This makes it easy for your child to store plenty of music and photos that can be displayed on the LCD screen. There is no external storage, so you’ll want to be sure to get enough storage space when you make the purchase since you can’t upgrade it later.
Another feature that this has that sets it apart is the ability to organize playlists. It works best when used with iTunes or Windows Media Player. Then, you can easily drag and drop music onto the player and it stores the playlists as they are ordered.
One thing to note is that the buttons on this are very easy to press. This doesn’t make it very pocket-friendly since there is no way to lock the screen. One way to solve this is with a carrying case. Sony sells one for this model that can be clipped onto the outside of a book bag.
Pros
- Dynamic volumizer to balance volume level between songs
- ClearAudio technology for high-quality sound
- 35 hours of audio playback
- Different models with varying storage space
- Easy to create and listen to playlists
- Drag and drop to easily add music
Cons
- Earbuds are on the large size
- Not very pocket-friendly because the buttons are easy to push
- Cannot add external storage space
SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus MP3 Player
The SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus MP3 Player is a great choice when you’re looking for a small mp3 player that still packs an audio punch. It also clips onto bookbags, belt loops, or wherever so you don’t have to worry about the buttons getting pressed while it’s in your child’s pocket.
Something else that’s nice about this is that it is water-resistant. If your child wants to take it on a bike ride or walk when it’s raining, it won’t be an issue. You should note that it is water-resistant and not waterproof- you won’t want to get it deliberately wet or submerge the mp3 player in water.
You can choose how much storage you want on this device. The 16GB version of this device stores up to 4,000 songs. Additionally, if your child gets tired of listening or wants to hear something new, this also has a built-in FM radio. The radio is good sound quality, as is the mp3 player in general. You will need to use wired headphones if you are going to use the FM-radio- it does not work if the Bluetooth setting is on.
One thing nice about this is that it’s available with Bluetooth. This is nice if you are looking for something for your child to use while they are active since it can be paired with wireless earbuds. It can also be paired with a loudspeaker, which makes it great for while your child is hanging out with friends or parties.
The one downside of this mp3 player is that the entire player and the buttons are small. The compact size is great for pockets and because it is not especially bulky. However, the small buttons could be hard for a child to use.
This also doesn’t have as much battery life as some other options. While 20 hours is more than enough, this is for wired headphones. If you use the Bluetooth functionality with a speaker or wireless headphones, then the battery won’t last nearly as long.
Pros
- Small, compact size
- Water-resistant
- Built-in clip makes this easy to carry
- Works with Bluetooth headphones or a speaker
- FM-radio
- Good amount of storage space
- Great for active kids
Cons
- Small buttons can be hard to press
- Battery doesn’t last as long with Bluetooth function
- Radio only works with wired headphones
Hotechs MP3 Music Player
The Hotechs MP3 Music Player is loaded with features including FM radio and voice record. It also comes with a 32GB memory card, which is enough to hold more than 11,000 songs.
Professional quality wired mp3 earphones are also included, which is a nice bonus feature. The headphones work well, but they are not especially durable. You’ll probably want to replace them after a few weeks because the sound may become distorted.
This mp3 player is a great choice if you want to choose a specific color for your child. The Hotech mp3 player is available in a wide range of colors including rose red, blue, light blue, burnt orange, grass green, shiny purple, and more. It also features a slim design that is lightweight and easy to carry in a pocket.
The player has a wide range of compatible audio formats, including MP3, WMA, and AMV. You can drag and drop music onto the device. Something to note is you’ll need to create folders if you want the music ordered in any way. Music also has to be inside a folder for the shuffling function to work. Each folder has up to six bookmarks that can be used, which is nice if your child wants to listen to audiobooks. It also features a good battery life and comes with a USB charger.
This mp3 player has a 1.82″ screen and buttons to control the volume, skipping songs, and other functions. The one downside of this is that the interface could be easier to use. It does come with a user manual, however, the instructions are not especially clear. It’s easy enough to download music, but it will take some time to play around with the buttons for the extra features.
Pros
- Comes in a wide range of colors
- 32GB SD card included for storing 11,000+ songs
- Compatible with mp3, WMA, and AMV formats
- Good battery life
- Records and functions as a radio
- Slim, lightweight design
- Headphones included
- Easy to download music
Cons
- Interface can be difficult to use
- Included headphones may stop working after a few weeks
- Instruction manual is poorly written
Best Spotify and Amazon Music Player for Kids
Mighty Vibe Spotify and Amazon Music Player
The Mighty Vibe Spotify and Amazon Music Player is a great investment for families who already use the Spotify or Amazon Music apps. It is also great for kids who are a little rough on their electronics because it is water-, sweat-, and drop-resistant.
This is great if you’re looking for a simple mp3 player. It has a small, compact design and doesn’t have a screen. The Mighty Vibe works with an app on your phone and access to Spotify or Amazon Music. You choose the music you want to listen to, sync the Mighty, and take the mp3 player on the go. It doesn’t require access to a computer or any kind of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.
One thing to note is that even though this can be used without a smartphone, it needs to be synced before you use it. On one hand, this is nice because you can update your child’s playlist and add different songs as they get new favorites. However, it also means that you’ll need to sync it periodically. If you don’t sync the mp3 player for 30 days, it will no longer work.
You can use this with wired or Bluetooth headphones. Some users report that the Bluetooth headphones may start to skip if they are too far from the device. If this happens, the best solution is to clip it on your shirt or somewhere that is in closer proximity to the headphones.
Pros
- No screen
- Buttons are easy to press and use
- Syncs music without a computer or Wifi connection
- Updates playlists periodically
- Works with wired or Bluetooth headphones
- Drop-resistant, sweat-resistant, and water-resistant
Cons
- Need to sync periodically
- Takes some time to adjust to switching between two apps on the phone
- Bluetooth headphones need to be close to the device
Comparing MP3 Players for Kids
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Sony 8GB Walkman MP3 Player | 9.6 | 8.6 | 65.00 |
| SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus MP3 Player | 3.9 | 8.2 | 49.99 |
| AGPTEK K1 Portable 8GB Children's Music Player | 4.9 | 8.2 | 33.99 |
| Wiwoo MP3 Player for Kids | 5.7 | - | 29.89 |
| Hotechs MP3 Music Player | 9.6 | 7.8 | 20.99 |
| VTech Rock and Bop Music Player | 9.9 | 9.2 | 17.99 |
| Mighty Vibe Spotify and Amazon Music Player | 9.6 | 7.6 | - |
How We Selected MP3 Players for Kids
Sound Quality
While a younger kid might not mind if their version of Baby Shark is a little scratchy, older kids are more likely to care about the sound quality of the device. For kids who are interested in music, digital signal processing (DSP) features let you adjust the music to make it sound better or according to personal taste. Some examples of common DSP functions include equalizers and bass boosts.
Something else to keep in mind is that the quality of the audio files will also be reflected in how good the music sounds. Better quality songs take up a little more space, but they are worth it if you are looking for sound quality.
Storage Space
The storage space on an MP3 player determines how many songs your child can store on it. One of the nice things about MP3 players is that they are designed specifically for playing music. Since they don’t have a bunch of apps pre-installed, you can fit a lot of music on 1GB of space. A major factor is the size of the music file. The average size of a music file is 4-5MB. However, this can vary based on the length of the song and the quality of the music. A higher-quality (and better-sounding) song is going to take up a little more space.
Since 1GB is around 1,000MB, you can hold about 200-250 songs for each 1GB of space on your child’s MP3 player. For example, a 16GB MP3 player could hold 3,200-4,000 songs. If you want the option of adding more storage space, look for something that has the option to add a storage card. You’ll need to get a storage card compatible with the device.
Functionality
Some mp3 players do a lot more than just play music. Having more functions makes them a little more useful and for younger kids, more fun to play with. Here are some features you might find:
- Audio recording- This feature records voice or music. Younger kids will like playing with this, while older kids might be able to use it for recording memos, lectures, or anything else they’d like.
- Bookmarking feature- Mp3 players often play audiobooks as well. If you want to play audiobooks, a bookmarking feature stores where you are at so you don’t have to fast forward the book every time you turn it on.
- Flash capabilities- Some mp3 players can also be used to store any type of file, including schoolwork. Your child will be able to take their work easily back and forth to school since mp3 players can easily be plugged into the computer.
- Viewing capabilities- Some mp3 players are designed to take pictures. Additionally, they can display pictures and videos. Something to keep in mind, however, is that screens are usually small to keep the device compact. They may not have the best quality.
- Radio capabilities- Radio reception is a nice extra feature for listening to music.
- Internet access- If your child is going to use their device for getting on social media or watching videos on Youtube, they’ll need to be able to access the Internet. Since most devices won’t access the Internet anywhere, the mp3 player will need wifi capabilities. This may also make it easier to download music, especially if your child doesn’t have access to a computer.
Durability
MP3 players are usually hard-drive-based or flash-based. Hard drive-based MP3 players are generally better suited for adults. Their inner workings are similar to a mini-computer. Their design is also not as durable as a flash-based MP3 player.
Flash-based MP3 players don’t have any moving parts so they are lightweight and more compact than hard drive-based players. Instead, it uses flash memory to store music files. These may be stored internally or on a memory card. Since flash-based MP3 players are more durable and compact, they are a better choice for kids.
Screen
Mp3 players may come with or without a screen. A display is nice because it lets you view the song name and title, so it’s easier to find what you want to listen to. If your mp3 player displays videos or pictures, it would be helpful for that, too.
The screen may just be a display or it might have touch functions. If it is not a touchscreen, then the mp3 player will have buttons that let you perform its different functions. Either way, if your child is going to put it in their pocket, you may want something that locks the screen. This prevents buttons from accidentally being pressed.
Battery Life
Finally, you’ll want to consider the battery life of the mp3 player. Some use batteries, while others may need to be plugged in and charged each night. The functions of an mp3 player may affect its battery life. If it is only used for listening to music, the battery may last longer than one that is used for watching videos or connecting to the Internet, too. The more functions an mp3 player uses, the quicker the battery is going to drain.
FAQs – MP3 Players for Kids
Are cheap MP3 players any good?
MP3 players have been around for decades. Cheap mp3 players may be a good choice for a child, especially if they are only interested in listening to music instead of the extra features.
The most important features in a cheap mp3 player are durability, sound quality, and storage space.
As long as they are durable, cheap mp3 players are perfect for younger kids that want to listen to their favorite songs. Since they don’t have a lot of extra features, most are also very easy to operate.
Are MP3 players outdated?
Most technology goes through a time when it becomes obsolete, as new technology comes in that does the same things but more. As smartphones became more affordable and accessible, mp3 players didn’t have as much use in the world.
Even though a smartphone can do everything an mp3 player can do and more, there are a few benefits compared to a smartphone. Smartphones have pre-installed apps and whatever games your child downloads that take up space. Therefore, you may not be able to download as many songs on a phone as you would an mp3 player.
Mp3 players are also more compact, so they’re easier to carry on walks or while exercising.
Additionally, they aren’t as expensive as smartphones so they’re a better choice if you don’t want to worry about your child’s phone getting lost or stolen.
To keep up with the changing times, many mp3 players now offer more than just basic playback. They may record music and radio, display and store pictures, and more.
While a basic mp3 player might be good for a younger kid since it’s easier to operate, the extra features might appeal if you are shopping for an mp3 player for an older kid.
Where can I get music for my child’s MP3 player?
When I was a kid, the easiest way to get music for my mp3 player was using my parents’ extensive CD collection and copying my favorites. Today, however, there’s a lot of ways to download music onto your child’s mp3 player.
In most cases, you’ll want to sign up for a music service. Some are free, but others have a monthly subscription fee. Most subscription fees aren’t too expensive and there are family plans so it works across different devices. Some of the most popular are Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, Sound Cloud, and Amazon Music. Keep in mind that the variety of songs depends on which service you choose. Check out the variety beforehand to find the best fit.
To get music onto the mp3 player, you’ll need to download the audio file for the song. Once you are done downloading songs, plug the mp3 player in. The computer should recognize the device. Then, use the sync button to drag and drop songs or lists of songs onto the device.
Are headphones safe for kids?
Listening to loud sounds for long periods of time can damage hearing, especially for the still-developing ears of kids. Your child will need headphones to use their MP3 player, but you’ll want to be sure they are listening at a safe volume. Anything over 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) can damage hearing, especially when listened to for a long time.
The best way to make headphone usage safe for kids is to talk to them about a safe volume to listen to music. Even though they make volume-limiting headphones for kids, research shows many volume-limiting headphones go above the recommended level of 85 dBA.
You’ll want to avoid buying earbuds or headphones that completely encase the ear. Since they don’t allow sound to escape, there’s a higher risk that the noise coming out will damage our child’s hearing. Volume limiting headphones may be a good investment, especially for younger children. However, they are no substitute for checking in on your child regularly and having them adjust the volume as needed.
