The problem with too many options is that it's hard to make an ultimate pick. If you're planning to buy an MP3player, you're surely faced with this dilemma. Try walking into a store and see if you aren't dazzled with the choices before you. You know you want an MP3 player, but you don't know what specific type you're looking for.

You better get started somewhere, though, and the best place to begin is identifying your wants and needs. Are you looking for a durable and portable storage for all of your music files, or do you just want to have something to entertain you with your latest favorite hits while you're working out in the gym or driving in your car? If you're after storage, go for hard drive digital audio players. They may be physically large in size and rather bulky to carry around, but that's just the tradeoff for the massive disk space they offer. If you're just after quick entertainment, flash drive digital audio players are the best choice for you. They offer a much smaller memory, but they're compact and light, making them easy to carry around anywhere.

What format do your current music files come in? If most of the songs you have are copied from CDs, transferring them to most types of MP3 players will not be a problem. However, if the songs are downloaded from the internet, they may come in a variety of formats. Make sure that the MP3 player you buy is compatible with the formats of those songs. Remember, nothing is more frustrating than buying something you can't use!

How long do you plan to use your MP3 player at a given time? Can you see yourself letting it play for hours? On full charge, battery life can range from 10 to 50 hours, depending on the player. Even the rates of charging differ from one player to another--some charge pretty fast in comparison with the others. Determine how often you plan to use your MP3 player, and from there you can make a choice that best suits your needs.

Lastly, what extra features do you want your MP3 player to have? Sure, you're buying one so you can play your music, but additional features are great to have as well. You can get an MP3 player with FM tuner, video/voice recorder, flash disk, or even a camera. After all, if you can get more bang for your buck, then why not go for it?