Looking for an audio player with Actual Physical Buttons

TetraNitroCubane

Recently I've had an older generation audio/mp3 player die on me, and I've been wanting a replacement. The problem is, that it seems like most people out there just use their phone for music playback, and/or all the player options have touchscreen controls.

I usually want to use a music player either in the car via aux line, or else when I'm in a situation where I don't want to look at the screen. The disappearance of physical buttons for track advance, volume, pause, etc. has made me pretty frustrated. I typically don't want to have to study the audio player in ALL cases when I'm using it, and would like to be able to perform the basic functions without ever having to see it.

Does anyone know of a reliable audio player that has physical buttons (hopefully ones with tactile feedback), and preferably some manner of bluetooth connectivity? SD card support is a plus, but not something I absolutely need.

Thanks in advance!

djmitchella

Sandisk Clip - I don't know how the newer ones hold up, but I have a Clip+ and it's been great. Looks like the newer clip sport+ has bluetooth, though https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1YFH4N0LMKIKP/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01LW2F237 is someone reviewing it compared to a clip+ and it sounds like the buttons don't work as well, so you'd probably want to try one in the flesh if possible.

urahonky

I use something like: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-NWE395-Walkman-Player-Black/dp/B01CCESGDO/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525979629&sr=1-3&keywords=sony+mp3+player (I bought one back in 2011 and I use it every night for 8 hours a night). Seems to work great. It doesn't have BT though.

Bartholamue

Is a Classic iPod on the no list? I know they've been discontinued, but you can usually feel around for what you want.

BlindZenDriver

I second the suggestion regarding Sony.

I'd certainly go for something Sony. They just about invented portable audio aka. "The Walkman" and have made good players ever since. They were actually also pretty early with the digital players, so they have the functionally just right ie. one can control their players just picking the buttons on tactile clues alone.

My current Sony MP3 is a earlier version of the NWZ-B183F / NWZ-B183, there is no Bluetooth but other than that I think it should bring what you need.
https://amazon.com/Sony-NWZ-B183F-B183F-Player-Built/dp/B00ICI7H9O


PS. Regardless what you pick you should be able to get good value for money. My first digital Sony was the NW-E3 and buy have things changed since then. I bought it in 1999, it came with 64 MB memory and used 2 AAA batteries which gave it 4-5 hours of playtime. Price - not sure, but something like $600!

TetraNitroCubane

Thanks much for the help, everyone! This has given me a pretty good list of options to investigate. The SanDisk and Sony options are both pretty appealing, and I'm going to hopefully do a deep dive to see which is best for me.