The big issues

Price

Undoubtedly, one of the biggest issues when hunting down the right player is price.

This can vary from el-cheapo solid-state models to nearly $500 or $600 for a full-featured hard disk-based player. The majority occupy a place well inside these extremes, with most hovering between $90 to $250.

Design, size and weight

Let's face it, aesthetics go a long way. Just like mobile phones have become fashion accessories, so to have MP3 players - the iPod's sleek design and eye-catching white earbuds are a good example.

Appearance aside, a player's design also goes hand in hand with its size and weight. This can vary a lot between devices, the lightest weighing around 20g. Most players are more like 150 to 200g, but sometimes a more rugged casing will up the price, which is worth it if you're not the kid gloves type. Hard disk players tend to be much heavier than their flash counterparts due to the weight of the hard disk and the larger battery required.

These are all things to keep in mind when choosing a player, whether making a personal statement or just having a functional device is your primary concern.