Editors' Top MP3 Players
updated June 5, 2006

Anyone who has watched technology for a while knows that, in general, everything portable gets smaller with time. MP3 players are no exception; thanks to one-inch (and now smaller) hard drives, it's now possible to put a hard drive in players that are almost as small as their flash counterparts. Micro hard drive-based MP3 players currently hold up to 8GB, so they're suitable for people who want to bring along a decent selection of music but prize portability over the ability to tote every song in their collection. With smaller flash-based players increasing in capacity (now up to 6GB), the microdrive-category is slowly shrinking, though you can get great deals on 5GB, 6GB, or even 8GB models.
-- James Kim, senior editor

Editors' Top MP3 players:

Budget MP3 players | Flash memory MP3 players | Hard drive MP3 players |

Micro hard drive MP3 players

| Ultracompact MP3 players | Portable video players (PVP)

Micro hard drive MP3 players

MP3 Players	Editors' rating	Price	Summary
Creative Zen Micro Photo (8GB, gray)	8.3 Excellent	$293	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: 2 in x 0.7 in x 3.3 in , 4.1 oz

Cowon iAudio 6 (4GB)	8.0 Excellent	Email me when product is available	The stacked yet compact 4GB Cowon iAudio 6 is a true performer, but the touch-sensitive interface will cause problems for some. Specs: Digital player / radio , ASF , MP3 , WAV , WMA , FLAC , Ogg Vorbis , MPEG 1 Audio , MPEG 2 Audio , MPEG 2.5 Audio , 4 GB, Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player battery

Creative Zen Micro (5GB, black)	8.0 Excellent	Email me when product is available	The colorful and versatile Creative Zen Micro will make lots of users happy. Specs: Microdrive , No built-in memory , MP3 , WAV , WMA , ADPCM , Protected WMA (DRM) , 5 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player battery

Archos Gmini XS 100 (4GB, Funky Pink) Released: 06/01/2005	7.3 Very good	Email me when product is available	If you're looking for a small MP3 player with a stylish and ergonomic design--and you don't need a ton of storage--consider Archos's Gmini XS 100. Specs: Digital player , MP3 , WAV , WMA , Protected WMA (DRM) , 4 GB, 1 x Lithium ion Rechargeable Player battery

iRiver H10 (5GB, Lounge Gray)	7.3 Very good	$79	As iRiver's first 5GB entry, the H10 includes nearly every coveted feature, but navigating the player controls can frustrate some users. Specs: Digital AV player , 2.2 in x 0.6 in x 3.8 in , TFT 1.5 in - Color , MP3 , WMA , MPEG 1 Audio , MPEG 2 Audio , MPEG 2.5 Audio , Protected WMA (DRM) , 3.4 oz

Philips GoGear Jukebox HDD1630 (6GB)	7.0 Very good	$89	The Philips GoGear Jukebox 6GB (HDD1630) will please penny-pinchers and patient power users alike, but if you demand a speedy processor in your MP3 player, look elsewhere. Specs: Digital player / radio , MP3 , WAV , WMA , 6 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player battery

Samsung YEPP YH-820MC Released: 01/01/2005	7.0 Very good	Email me when product is available	Samsung's YEPP YH-820MC isn't quite as slick as the iPod Mini, but it's smaller and offers features that the Apple player lacks, such as recording capabilities and a photo-friendly display. Specs: 2 in x 0.6 in x 3.5 in , 3 oz

RCA Lyra RD2765	6.7 Good	Email me when product is available	Most users will be pleased with the Lyra's sleek, lightweight design and easy-to-use interface, but serious audiophiles will be unimpressed by the sound quality. Specs: Microdrive , MP3 , WMA , Protected WMA (DRM) , 5 GB, Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player batteryInternal