I'm looking for a new mp3 player as my current one (a Sansa Clip+) is slowly dying on me after many years of loyal service. Christmas is coming up so this seems like a good time to look for one. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm not too fussy about the brand but I do have some requirements:

  • Must have physical buttons, rather than a touch screen. I like to be able to operate it without needing to look at it, as I often have it clipped to my belt while walking.
  • Must be able to play podcasts and automatically bookmark your spot if you change the track.
  • The maximum volume should be fairly high, as podcasts can be much quieter than music.
  • Decent battery life is a must. 20+ hours seems reasonable.
  • Must be expandable with a microSD card slot.
  • A belt clip is preferable, but not a must.
  • A search function would be nice, but again, not essential.


Any thoughts?