Creative Zen X-Fi (32GB)

The good: The Creative Zen X-Fi is an incredible value given its low price and laundry list of features, which include photo, video, Audible, and subscription music support; an FM radio and voice recorder; an SD card expansion slot; WiFi capability; multiple EQ settings; X-Fi sound enhancement technology; and upgraded EP-830 earphones. Sound quality is top-notch, the screen is lovely, and the rated battery life for audio is impressive.

The bad: The Creative Zen X-Fi plastic construction does not feel high-quality, and the SD card content does not get integrated into the general libraries. Videos often need to be transcoded through the included software, and the button pad can be confusing at first. Audio battery life is dismal.

The bottom line: The Creative Zen X-Fi's plastic design leaves a little to be desired, but that doesn't detract from the fact that the player is an incredible value overall: for an extremely competitive price you get a boatload of features and great sound quality.

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Description: The Creative Zen X-FI is a 32 MB, basic player. Compared to other basic MP3 players on the market, it is midpriced at around $275.

Pros: This unit comes with a radio tuner.

Cons: Comes with 32 MB storage, which is considerably smaller than some similarly priced MP3 players. For example, the Microsoft Zune , an 80 GB MP3 player at around $300, comes with 80 GB storage.

Suitability: Suited for those who only want an MP3 player. Listen to your favorite local stations on this radio equipped player. Comes with equalizer presets to easily tailor your listening experience. According to the manufacturer this player will last approximately 5 hour(s) between charges; your run-time will vary based on use and power management configuration. Comes with a 1 year warranty, which is standard in the industry.

Value: Overall, this MP3 player's features seem a bit weak for its price, compared to most other MP3 players.

Suggestions: If you don't totally love the headphones that came with your MP3 player, you might find aftermarket headphones that better suit your needs.