Choose a player to run

It is proved that correctly selected music increases the efficiency of running and helps to tolerate fatigue more easily. In addition, playing sports is much more pleasant when your favorite songs are played on the headphones. Today we will discuss how to choose a high-quality player for running that will not hamper movement or fall out of your pocket.

Characteristics and varieties of sports players

The player for sports should have a compact body, convenient mount and intuitive controls. Based on this, all devices can be divided into 2 types: wireless and wired. The first option resembles overhead headphones and works in conjunction with a headset. It is attached to the head with hinges or soft silicone pads. There are also wired models that can be attached to clothes, hung around the neck, or attached to the wrist or forearm. Consider the characteristics of sports players in more detail:

Control

Mechanically controlled devices are considered more convenient than electronic ones. You have to switch songs on the go, so having a display is optional. It is preferable to use devices with fastening on the ears, because All main buttons are easily accessible and are displayed on one side. A convenient option is also considered small player clothespins with universal switches. They are intuitive and easy to feel while running. If you have chosen a device with a display or touch control panel, make sure that there are several buttons on the headphone wire for switching music.

Mount

The main difference between a sports player and a regular one is its mount. If the device is not attached securely to clothing or the body, it will fall out and cause inconvenience. The most convenient mount are wireless models that are placed on the ears. They are a hybrid of a player and a headset. A significant minus of such devices is the low battery life. Usually it is about 4-5 hours, depending on the size and capacity of the battery. An alternative solution is devices with a clothespin or lace. They can be attached to clothes and to avoid problems with wires.

Useful functionality

In addition to the main features, sports players can accommodate many additional functions, such as counting calories, measuring heart rate, pedometer, timer, etc. They are useful if you prefer to monitor the effectiveness of your workouts and monitor your health. The more advanced features, the higher the price of the device.

Swimming Devices

The main feature of the players for swimming is the waterproofness of the case. For light workouts without active diving, the IPx5 class is suitable, and for more intense diving, it is better to use the most protected case - IPx8. With it, you can dive to a depth for a long time.

Advantages and disadvantages

Sports players differ not only in the design of the case, but also in technical characteristics. While sound quality plays a huge role in conventional models, usability is much more important for sports models. Here are the main pros and cons of MP3 players for training:

Pros:

• convenient attachment to clothing or body;
• intuitive controls without unnecessary functionality;
• compact size and light weight;
• balanced volume;
• Many useful features, like a heart rate monitor and a pedometer.

Disadvantages:

• sound quality is much worse than that of conventional players;
• no built-in equalizer or radio;
• less internal memory;
• lower battery capacity.

Criterias of choice

There are several important nuances that you should pay attention to when choosing a sports player:

1. Body size. A sports player should be lightweight and compact, so it is preferable to choose a device with flash memory. They are not afraid of sudden movements and consume little electricity.
2. Playback quality. As mentioned earlier, running players have a flatter sound than regular models. This is due to less functionality, the lack of an equalizer and a good amplifier. Before buying, it is better to independently evaluate the sound of the device.
3. Fastening. The jogging player can be mounted on the neck, on clothing, on the forearm, or overlay on the ears. It is better to determine in advance which type of mount is right for you.
4. Memory. The optimal amount of memory for a sports device is considered to be from 1 to 8 GB. The number of songs depends on how often you use the player. For a short daily workout, one playlist may be enough, and for regular long classes it is better to purchase a larger model. Keep in mind that 1 GB is about 100-150 songs.
5. Water resistant. For any player, a light degree of water resistance is useful. This will protect from rain or snow. If you plan to use the player in the pool, the level of moisture protection should be at least IPx
6. Additional functions. To track the results, you should get a device with the function of counting calories and distance traveled. Also useful features are a heart rate monitor and pressure meter.
7. Battery life. The battery charge should last for 4-8 hours of battery life. These are optimal indicators for all sports models.

When buying, pay attention to the integrity of the device and the absence of external damage. Make sure the kit contains a cable or a separate charging unit. If the device is waterproof, then appropriate headphones should be used with it.

Rating

Manufacturers produce many models of sports devices. Some of them have wider functionality and high-quality assembly. We compiled a 2019 ranking of the best running players, based on customer ratings and reviews:

Sony NW-WS623

• Device type: for sports training and pool
• Mount: on the ears
• Drive Type: Flash
• The amount of internal memory: 4 GB
• Display: no
• Management: mechanical
• PC pairing: USB 2.0
• Interfaces: Bluetooth, A2DR, NFC
• Power Type: Own Li-ion Battery
• Maximum playback time: 12 hours
• Water resistant: yes, IPx65 certified
• Case materials: plastic with soft touch coating

Waterproof headphones that can be used for swimming in fresh or salt water. They have a capacious battery with quick charge function. A few minutes of power lasts for an entire hour of continuous playback. The weight of the case is only 32 grams, so the headphones are almost not felt while running.

Digma C2L 4GB

• Device type: for training in the gym
• Fastening: on clothes with clothespins
• Drive Type: Flash
• The amount of internal memory: 4 GB
• Display: no
• Management: mechanical
• PC pairing: USB 2.0
• Power Type: Own Li-ion Battery
• Maximum playback time: 10 hours
• Waterproof: no
• Sensitivity: 85 dB
• Weight: 14 grams
• Case materials: plastic with soft touch coating

Sony NW-WS413

• Type of facility: for fitness
• Mount: on the ears
• Drive Type: Flash
• The amount of internal memory: 4 GB
• Display: no
• Management: mechanical
• PC pairing: USB 2.0
• Power Type: Own Li-ion Battery
• Maximum playback time: 12 hours
• Waterproof: yes
• Case materials: plastic

Hybrid waterproof player with firmware option. Maintains depths of up to 2 meters even in seawater. The device has protection against dust and dirt, and also maintains operability at high temperatures up to 45 degrees. Of the features - the ability to listen to ambient sounds without removing the headphones.

Sony NWZ-B183F

• Device type: for sports
• Mount: on clothes
• Drive Type: Flash
• The amount of internal memory: 4 GB
• Display: yes, monochrome
• Management: mechanical
• PC pairing: USB 2.0
• Radio: yes, with recording
• Power Type: own lithium polymer battery
• Maximum playback time: 20 hours
• Case materials: aluminum

Bright player in blue. It has a durable aluminum case with a glossy finish. Supports most popular music formats. There is a radio with 30 fixed settings and the ability to record.

Digma R3 8GB

• Device type: for sports
• Mount: on clothes
• Drive Type: Flash
• The amount of internal memory: 8 GB
• Display: yes, monochrome
• Voice recorder: yes
• Management: mechanical
• PC pairing: USB 2.0
• Radio: yes, with recording
• Power Type: own lithium polymer battery
• Maximum playback time: 20 hours
• Case materials: plastic
• Optional: built-in equalizer, sleep timer, firmware upgrade

To summarize

A high-quality sports player should have a lightweight body, convenient mount and easy operation. The best are the models that are laid on the ears. The optimal amount of memory is 4 GB. This will accommodate most of the music library. When choosing a player for training, it is better to check in advance how convenient it is for you to deal with it.