7 Best MP3 Players Compatible With iTunes 2024 – Review & Buyer’s Guide

Despite the dominance of smartphones in the Global Market, some keen listeners still find portable MP3 players very cool.

Advanced MP3 media players offer more improved functionality and sound quality than the older ones. Now the primary concern of users is the compatibility of non-apple MP3 players with iTunes.

An iTune compatibility will let you sync your device with the content downloaded from the iTunes store. Remember that no non-apple device is fully compatible with iTunes because of the difference between ACA and MP3 formats.

However, some advanced software support lets us make our devices compatible with iTunes. If you are looking for the best MP3 compatible with iTunes, we have got you covered. Here is a review of the seven best MP3 players with iTunes compatibility.

iTunes Compatible MP3 Players Review

1. Sony NWZ-E390 Walkman MP3 Player

 

Sony NWZ-E930, with the ability to drag and drop files from iTunes, Windows devices, and other media players, is our top pick for the list. It is a budget-friendly MP3 player with incredible sound quality and advanced compatibility, making it a great deal overall.

NWZ-E930 Walkman features a small and sleek built and is pretty easy to maneuver. Its smart user interface with TFT Color 1.77″ QQVGA 128 x 160 Display makes the navigation super cool for the best user experience. Despite being an entry-level option, it is compatible with almost all streaming services and supports almost all file formats.

As far as the sound quality is concerned, it delivers incredible performance for every music genre. It is equipped with Sony’s Audio+ technologies like clear bass and dynamic normalizers. These features automatically adjust the bass and volume and eliminate the need to adjust bass-volume settings manually for every music genre.

This MP3 player is advertised to provide a battery life of 35 hours, but we found out that it lasts for around 20-25 hours under normal use. It comes with a USB charger and Sony earbuds for a ready-to-go experience. The unit is available in 3 storage variants, 4GB, 8GB, and 16 GB, with a bit of price difference.

 

Sony NWZ-E930 MP3 player with the digital clock, automatic sleep, and alarm feature is more than just an MP3 player. Its ability to normalize the sound quality according to the music genre, smart interface, and impressive battery life, helps it stand out as one of the best MP3 players compatible with iTunes.

2. Astell & Kern A&norma SR25

 

Next on our list is Astell & Kern SR25 MP3 player. It is powered by a quad-core processor and Cirrus Logic Master HiFi Chipset, making it one of the most potent MP3 players around the market. It comes with native DSD256 support and comes with a performance mode for the best user experience.

It is backed by Hi-Res sound technology and can play high-res and compressed files at the best sound quality possible. SR25 features a sleek design with Moonlight metallic finish and is ranked amongst the best portable MP3 Players. For easy navigation and better controls, it comes with a bright quality-touch screen.

The sound quality of SR 25 is quite impressive, thanks to the performance mode. The performance automatically optimizes the size of the file being played and delivers maximum clarity and crisper details. Plus, it has “clock clean up” and smart D/A converters to minimize the effects of system clock jitter and noise in the audio path.

Finally, it has features like drop and drag file, Bluetooth, WiFi, compatibility with all streaming platforms, including Tidal and Qobuz, and support for all file formats, helping it stand out as one of the best MP3 players compatible with iTunes.

 

Powered by a faster quad-core processor coupled with CirrusLogic HiFi level DAC, Astell and Kern Norms SR25 is undoubtedly one of the best portable MP3 players. It also boasts of the Bluetooth LDAC Codec for enhanced wireless sound quality.

3. SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus MP3 Player

 

SanDisk 16GB MP3 player is advertised as a sports gadget since it comes with a convenient belt and clip. A quick Clip easily hangs onto your clothes and is perfect for runners, gym lovers, and athletes. It is a budget-friendly MP3 player with iTunes compatibility and Bluetooth connectivity. It has a 1.44-inch color display and six chunky buttons.

Our navigation experience with SanDisk Clip Sport is not the best one but not bad either. Plus, it weighs less than 24 grams and is pretty easy to carry around. The MP3 payback and ACC codec support is an impressive feature, and you can easily drag and drop files from all compatible windows and MAC devices. It lets you organize the file with Albums names, Artist names and shuffle the playlist for the best listening experience.

Also, you will get support for OGG, FLAC, and AAC files formats other than MP3. However, all the files should be DRM-free. Otherwise, you can play them on the SanDisk MP3 player. The best part is that despite the affordable price, it offers decent sound quality. With an impressively louder volume and wide soundstage, it delivers exceptional performance for almost all music genres.

The only issue we found out is with the mid-range. It sometimes delivers extra-loud and punchy mids making them a bit tough on the ears. You will also get an FM radio, a stopwatch, and a sound recorder feature in the MP3 player. Finally, it offers playback time for 20 hours with a single charge, which is impressive considering its affordable price.

 

SanDisk 16 GB sort Plus is an affordable M3 player that offers iTunes compatibility. With decent sound quality, a user-friendly interface, portable design, and a drag-and-drop file feature, it offers the best user experience at a very affordable price.

4. Sony NW-ZX507/S Walkman Hi-Res MP3 Player

 

Sony NX-ZX507/S Walkman Hi-res MP3 player with a sleek build and 3.6 inch HD screen is one of the most advanced MP3 players you can buy today. It is fully compatible with android allowing you to access all the streaming services through the android setup. You can also make it compatible with iTunes using the Media Go Software of Sony’s Content transfer software.

NW-ZX507 features a milled aluminum frame, precision engineering, and Hi-Res audio technology for incredible sound quality. The milled aluminum frame keeps the distortion and noises away from the dives delivering the crispest and precise sound details.

For wireless connectivity, it supports NFC, Bluetooth, and WiFi. You can quickly pair it up with nearby devices for a more enhanced listening experience. It supports almost all file formats, including the Lossless, and can play both the Hi-Res and compressed audio files.

Sony NW-ZX507/S claims a playback time of 20 hours, but we found out that its battery lasts for around 10-15 hours under regular use. It comes with a USB-Connector for easy transfer of files and data.

 

With a standard 3.5 mm audio jack, a well-balanced audio output, and an HD resolution 3.6inch Display, Sony NW-ZX507 delivers impressive performance and sound quality. If you are not on a budget, this is one of the best MP3 players compatible with iTunes you can buy today.

5. FiiO M6 Hi-Res Lossless MP3 Music Player

 

Fiio M6 Hi-Res Lossless MP3 player with a smart user interface, precision-engineered components, and a customized version of iOS is the next product on our list. It is an affordable, lightweight, and user-friendly device that does not compromise sound quality and user experience.

What sets this MP3 player apart from its counterparts is its customized iOS and Android operating system. It connects to the Apple devices Via Airplay to stream the audio. It is one of the few Non-apple devices that doesn’t have any compatibility issues with iTunes. Additionally, it is compatible with various streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify.

Moreover, the precision-engineered high-quality components and a speed Samsung chipset takes its audio quality to the next level. It supports a wide range of audio formats, and we found it perfect for both high-res and compressed audio files.

FiiO M6 supports a USB DAC allowing you to connect with your MAC or PC for easy file transfer. Also, it supports USB Connectivity to play wireless music and data transfer. The average payback time of FiiO M6 is around 8-10 hours which could have been improved.

 

FiiO M6 MP3 player is affordable and packed with tons of valuable features like a user-friendly interface, a wide range of format compatibility, and Bluetooth connectivity. Unfortunately, its built-in memory is only 2 GB, but you can expand it up to 2 TB using a Micro SD card.

6. Sony NW-E394 Walkman

 

Sony NW-E394 is another popular and best-selling MP3 player of the year 2024. It is one of the few non-apple devices that offer built-in software support for iTunes compatibility. Thankfully it supports a wide range of audio file formats.

A USB connection lets you drag and drop files from all windows and MAC devices. The screen is not very big but is bright enough to play videos and photos with decent resolution. Also, we found it easier to navigate via four chinky control buttons. Like all other Sony Walkman media players, NW-E934 delivers a decent sound quality.

With the help of a dynamic normalizer and clear Audio+ technology, it delivers crispier details, rich bass, and clear mids, lows, and vocals. You will also get an automatic sleep timer, alarm, FM radio, shuffle play mode. Finally, it offers a playback time of 30 hours which is quite impressive considering its budget-friendly price tag.

 

Sony Walkman NW-E394 comes packed with valuable features like shuffle play mode, Audio+ technology, and streamlined portability with Mac and Windows devices. Despite the affordable price, it doesn’t comprise the sound quality and battery life which is the biggest plus of this MP3 player.

7. SanDisk 8GB Clip Jam MP3 Player

 

Final on our list is SanDisk 8GB Clip Jam MP3 player. It features streamlined compatibility with iTunes and supports DRM-free iTunes audio files. Plus, it also supports a wide range of audio formats like VMA, FLAC, AND WAV. Sandisk Jam is specially designed for sportsmen and athletes who love to play music while running or training sessions.

It’s a lightweight unit that attaches to clothes via clip jam offering a hands-free experience. The overall sound quality is decent, but it is not as loud as its counterparts like the Sony Walkman series. Since it is designed with a smaller footprint, you will get a tiny monochrome screen and five touch controls for navigation.

The built-in memory is 8 GB which is not enough for most of the users. Thankfully, it offers an SD card expansion allowing you to expand the memory up to 256GB. The only downside of the device is its poor battery life. It claims to offer a playback time of 18 hours with a single charge, but we find out that actual playback time is around 7-10 hours under everyday use.

 

SanDisk Clip Jam is probably the most affordable MP3 player with iTunes compatibility and lossless format support. The best part is that despite the affordable price tag, it delivers rich and detailed sound quality for all music genres and promises long-term performance.

Buyer’s Guide

Finding the Best MP3 player with iTunes compatibility is quite challenging for people who don’t know much about the technology. It is crucial to understand the critical features of an MP3 player to avoid after-purchase compatibility and quality issues.

In this buying guide, we have explained the key essentials and features you must consider while buying a new MP3 player. We’ve tried to keep the terms simple and understandable in this guide for the convenience of laymen.

Footprint, Screen Size, and Resolution

You first need to decide whether you want an MP3 with a screen or without a screen. MP3 players without screens offer a smaller footprint and are easy to maneuver. You will be able to navigate the albums, volumes, and other details in this type of MP3 player. These MP3 players are famous among athletes and adventure lovers.

Then comes the MP3 Players with monochrome screens. These small screens offer easier navigation and better storage organization. You can see the essential details related to the album’s tracks and control other features like volume, bass equalizer, etc.

The third type of MP3 player comes with high-resolution color screens. If you are interested in watching playback videos, movies, or podcasts, you should go with these MP3 players. We recommend you get a higher resolution like HD for enhanced navigation and playback video experience. You can also find MP3 players with touch screens offering a smart user interface for easy navigation.

Memory

Memory is the storage capacity of an MP3 player. Entry-level MP3 Players offer a maximum built-in memory of 16 GB, and the expensive models offer up to 64 GB. Before you buy an MP3 player, you need to consider how much memory you will need since the price of the MP3 largely depends on their built-in memory. Also, it is critical to ensure that the built-in memory of the MP3 Player is expandable via a micro SD card.

Files Compatibility

For maximum functionality and usability, we recommend finding an MP3 player that supports most audio file formats. For example, Apple Music is all based upon Apple’s Property AAC codec. If you are interested in iTunes compatibility, it is critical to ensure that MP3 supports this codec.

Generally, most of the MP3 players support AAC file format. However, you will rarely find MP3 players compatible with lossless file formats like WAV, FLAC andALAC. For an unstoppable experience, it is recommended to find an MP3 player that is compatible with both lossy and lossless codecs.

Additional Features and Accessories

Additional features of an MP3 player include wireless connectivity like Bluetooth and WiFi support. Also, you should look for features like USB support, FM radio, Stop-watch, and audio recorder to enhance the functionality of an MP3 player.

The accessories you might need with an MP3 player are quality headphones or ear pods. Getting quality headphones with an MP3 player saves your budget and offers you ready to go experience.

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the most critical features of an MP3 player. On average advanced MP3 players offer a playback time of 15-20 hours, enough for regular listeners. You should avoid the MP3 player offering a battery life shorter than 10 hours.

FAQs

Do any other MP3 players work with iTunes?

Yes, only a few non-apple MP3 players work with iTunes. With the help of various software, you can Sync the iTunes programs with android devices and Non-Apple MP3 players.

Is the Sony MP3 player compatible with iTunes?

Most of the Sony Walkman MP3 players are compatible with iTunes, and you can drag and drop files for the iTunes library to the MP3 player storage. However, if your Walkman is not compatible with iTunes, you can still download music and podcasts from the iTunes library using software like Media Go Transfer.

Conclusion

Finding an MP3 player with iTunes compatibility is challenging since there are only a few models to which iTunes supports Syncing. We are hopeful that our list of seven best iTune players will help you find the best MP3 player compatible with iTunes.

Here are our top three picks from the list:

Sony NWZ-E390 Walkman MP3 Player for its sleek and handy design, streamlined iTunes compatibility, dynamic bass normalizer, and impressive battery life
SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus MP3 Player for its lightweight and clippable design, expandable memory, impressive sound quality, and Bluetooth support
Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 for its wide file format support, impressive sound quality, WiFi and Bluetooth support, and impressive battery life

Finally, I would recommend you get the MP3 player that supports both lossy and lossless audio file formats and has expandable memory. Both of these features will immensely enhance the functionality and versatility of your device.

Here are more MP3 Players that are available on Amazon: