When you think about listening to your favorite songs on iTunes, the iPod and iPhone are probably the only two things that pop up in your head. You’ve probably wondered, are there any MP3 players compatible with iTunes?
And the answer is, yes. There are non-Apple MP3 players out there that are compatible with iTunes. If you’ve been hunting for one, check out our list of the top 15 best iTunes-compatible MP3 players below. We have researched and selected what we believe are the best ones in the market so you can make a smart choice.
The Best iTunes-Compatible MP3 Players
| Top Products | Best Features |
|---|---|
| 1. Sony NWE394/B 8GB Walkman MP3 Player | Digital music and photo player, drag and drop option for iTunes compatibility, expandable memory card slot |
| 2. Apple iPod Touch (32GB) | 4-inch display, Solid build-quality, Super-fast iOS and A10 chip, Available in 6 different colors |
| 3. SanDisk 32GB Clip Sport Go MP3 Player LED Screen and FM Radio SDMX30-032G | Super-lightweight clip-on player, AAC codec for iTunes compatibility, built-in FM radio |
| 4. Surfans F20 HiFi MP3 Player with Bluetooth | High-resolution music player, lossless audio, humanization design |
| 5. Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP1000M High-Resolution Digital Portable Audio Player | Octa-Core CPU for excellent performance, highest sound quality, DNLA-based AK Connect App |
| 6. Astell&Kern AK300 Portable High-Resolution Audio Player | USB DAC functionality that gives you a richer and higher quality sound when played on a Mac or PC |
| 7. Pioneer Hi-Res Digital Audio Player XDP – 300R | The device has a simple interface and extraordinary features, and a twin DAC that makes it stand out |
1. Sony NWE394/B 8GB Walkman MP3 Player
Best Features: The stylish MP3 player offers a minimalist user interface and iTunes compatibility at an affordable price tag.
First on our list of the best iTunes-compatible mp3 players is the Sony NWE394/B 8GB Walkman MP3 Player. If you have a budget for an iTunes-compatible MP3 player but are not willing to compromise on features, this gadget by Sony is your best bet. The device isn’t only compatible with iTunes and offers you an excellent user interface, but it also comes with a variety of other features that make it such a hit.
Packed with 16GB of internal storage, the player has an expandable memory card slot so you can keep your massive musical collections in one place. The sleek design and slick touchscreen are topped up with a built-in FM radio feature for maximum entertainment.
2. Apple iPod Touch (32GB)
Best Features: 4-inch display, Solid build quality, Super-fast iOS and A10 chip, Available in 6 different colors.
One of the best iTunes-compatible MP3 players is Apple’s own iPod Touch. It’s almost an iPhone but without cellular service. It provides you with a plethora of applications and top-notch build quality that Apple is known for.
Being an Apple device, it’s always in sync with all of your other Apple products and updated with your latest iTunes library. It also comes with the App Store, a blazing-fast A10 Fusion chip, a crispy 4-inch retina display, and 32 GBs of storage. It’s one of the most versatile MP3 players on the planet.
3. SanDisk 32GB Clip Sport Go MP3 Player LED Screen And FM Radio SDMX30-032G
Best Features: The super-lightweight clip-on player supports various audio formats, including AAC codec for iTunes compatibility, and features a built-in FM radio.
The super-light, ultra-portable SanDisk Clip Sport Go MP3 player is exactly what you need if you like listening to music while on the run. It’s also an inexpensive audio player that supports iTunes format, so you can keep all your favorite tracks in one place.
It boasts 16GB internal storage and supports a range of audio formats, including WMA, FLAC, MP3, AAC, and WAV. The highlight of this musical gadget is its battery, which can last you a good 20 hours in a go. Plus, you don’t have to fork out lots of money!
4. Surfans F20 HiFi MP3 Player With Bluetooth
Best Features: The classy mp3 player with scroll control wheel features lossless music and outstanding sound output that supports various formats, including AAC for iTunes compatibility.
The classy-looking Surfans F20 HiFi MP3 Player not only has unique aesthetic features but also a sound quality that’s unparalleled. It has a 2.0” HD screen, a distinctive control wheel, and high-grade zinc alloy chassis for excellent build and durability.
The bi-directional Bluetooth MP3 player offers lossless audio and features an audio stereo DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) chip, which provides a much better analog audio signal by increasing the sound quality. It supports all significant formats, so you can enjoy all music formats in one place.
Looking for Bluetooth headphones? Check out our 11 best Bluetooth headphones here.
5. Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP1000M High-Resolution Digital Portable Audio Player
Best Features: This luxurious MP3 player offers next-level performance and the highest sound quality – thanks to its Octa-Core CPU and dual DAC feature.
The Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP1000M adds a touch of luxury to music. As far as the look and features are concerned, this is indeed the best audio device you can own. However, the only reason that it isn’t on top of the list is its steep price tag. The MP3 player is tagged at a staggering $2,999.
The highly attractive player is finished in royal gold and has a design to die for. But if you’re wondering about the features and technology, they won’t disappoint you either. This device is the ultimate music source that brings you the experience of Mastering Quality Sound. Enjoy the power of true music with this opulent one-of-a-kind MP3 player.
6. Astell&Kern AK300 Portable High-Resolution Audio Player – 64GB, Black
Best Features: USB DAC functionality. When playing back music stored on a Mac or PC, you can get a much richer and higher quality sound that you won’t be able to get with just a regular sound card.
Treat your ears to improved sound quality with the Astell&Kern AK300. This sleek midnight black media player and USB DAC can play all your favorite audio formats, including AAC, WAV, FLAC, OGG, MP3, WMA, and more.
The AK300 can be controlled via its 4.0″ WVGA touchscreen and offers 64GB of internal storage while supporting microSD cards of up to 128 GB. And thanks to its streaming capabilities over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you are not limited to playing songs on just your device.
7. Pioneer Hi-Res Digital Audio Player XDP – 300R
Best Features: The device has a simple interface and extraordinary features, and a twin DAC that makes it stand out.
Number 7 on the list of the best iTunes-compatible mp3 players is the Pioneer Hi-Res Digital Audio Player XDP – 300R. Pioneer is a native name in the music player industry, and this particular Pioneer Hi-Res Digital Audio Player XDP – 300R is all you need for your music on the go and iTunes compatibility. The model comes in a sleek-looking design and flaunts hefty internal specifications.
This bold device is one solid slab of metal that’s heavy in weight and on the pockets. In addition to all the aesthetics, the MP3 player boasts various balanced output modes to give for improved control.
8. ONKYO DP-S1
Best Features: Excellent dynamics, connects to iOS and Android devices, 2.4-inch touchscreen.
- The Onkyo DP-S1 features two clocks for clearer sound, better timings, and superior dynamics
- It has a compact design and a 2.4-inch display that easily allows you to navigate the menu and settings
- It can connect to various streaming services, iOS, and Android devices through WiFi and Bluetooth
- The player has two headphone ports and a volume dial on the side for quick volume changes
9. Swimbuds MP3 Wearable Audio Player | Compatible With iTunes
Best Features: Ideal for swimmers, supports iTunes files, waterproof up to 10 feet, snug ear tips in various styles.
- Perfect MP3 player for swimmers and extreme sports
- Can play files transferred from iTunes along with other AAC and MP3 format files
- Comes with 4 types of earbuds for use underwater or normal sports
- Offers 7 hours of playback with 8GB of storage capacity
Read our 12 best picks for Bluetooth earbuds here.
10. Pioneer Hi-Res Digital Audio Player XDP-30R
Best Features: Excellent value for money, Clear sound with noticeable dynamics, Compatible with both Windows and Mac
- Offers top-notch performance and build quality at a more affordable price
- Can play PCM files up to 32-bit/192kH with clear definition and great dynamics
- Supports multiple streaming platforms and connects to both Windows and Macs
- Crispy sound and fantastic dynamics with a decent punch
11. Sony NWZX2BLK 128GB Walkman MP3 Player
Best Features: The stylish MP3 player features 128GB internal memory, wireless capabilities, and 33 to 60 hours of battery life so you can enjoy high-resolution audio.
Another Sony Walkman on the list, and another superb one at that. This one is almost similar to the Sony NWE394/B 8GB Walkman MP3 Player, but what makes the NWZX2BLK one special is its 128 GB internal memory.
It has everything you need too, such as a long battery, music restore features, diverse wireless options, and a lot more to entertain you. And it’s perfectly compatible with iTunes and all other major audio formats.
12. SYRYN Swimbuds Flip Bundle
Best Features: Waterproof, 8GB storage, 10+ hours battery life, iTunes compatible, compatible with all major music formats, can sustain being 10 feet below the surface.
The SYRYN Swimbuds Flip is an easy and simple device designed for swimmers. It’s 100% waterproof, so it’s ideal for swimming. But it’s also suitable for other sports and activities where durability and waterproofing are called for.
The SYRYN Swimbuds Flip is very small and lightweight, so it won’t slow you down when you’re swimming. It also comes with 8GB of internal storage, which should hold around 2,000 songs. It also features up to 10 hours of playback time. It’s a pretty impressive battery for such a small unit.
Moreover, it’s compatible with iTunes and features a simple drag-and-drop functionality. It is also compatible with all major music formats. This might just be one of the best iTunes-compatible MP3 players for active people out there.
13. Aiworth Portable Digital Lossless Music MP3 MP4 Player
Best Features: Supreme lossless sound quality experience with its built-in DAC audio decoder chip.
Next on our list of the best iTunes-compatible mp3 players is the Aiworth Portable Digital Lossless Music Player. This is one of the best iTunes-compatible mp3 players in the market. It has Bluetooth 5.0 capability that allows faster data transfer speeds wirelessly, a more stable connection, and a farther connection capability.
It has a built-in 32 GB storage capacity that can store up to 5,000 songs and supports TF card expansion of up to 128 GB. So say goodbye to small storage capacity!
14. M-Player iPod Shuffle
Best Features: Weighs just 12 ounces, portable, simple to use, 2GB storage, 10+ hours battery life.
Number 14 on the list of the best iTunes-compatible mp3 players is the M-Player iPod Shuffle. If you’re looking for a small Apple music player, consider the M-Player iPod Shuffle. In terms of size and portability, it definitely qualifies as convenient. This MP3 player weighs just over two ounces and is one of the lightest MP3 players you can get.
It is a simple MP3 player, and it does not have a screen like most mp3 players these days, which can be a good thing because there’s no screen to break! Moreover, not having a screen allows it to remain small, lightweight, and portable.
It comes complete with very simple controls for easy use. It also features a basic headphone jack for wired headphones, but it does not support Bluetooth.
In terms of memory, it features 2GB of storage. It’s not huge, but enough for about 500 songs. This should be enough for most basic purposes.
When it comes to battery life, you can expect to get at least 10 hours out of it. if you use it for one hour per day, you only need to charge it once per week.
15. Sony NW-ZX507/S Walkman Hi-Res 64GB MP3 Player
Best Features: Up to 20 hours of high sound-quality music playback.
Last on our list of the best iTunes-compatible mp3 players is the Sony NW-ZX507/S Walkman Hi-Res 64GB MP3 Player. This is a must-have for any music enthusiast. With its high-resolution audio playback and advanced noise-canceling technology, you can enjoy an immersive listening experience wherever you are.
It has a stylish design that looks great, is lightweight, and is easy to carry. Plus, it offers 20 hours of music playback, so you don’t need to worry about running out of charge. Enjoy all your favorite iTunes songs in stunning clarity with the Sony NW-ZX507/S Walkman.
Buyer’s Guide
What Does iTunes Compatibility Mean?
iTunes compatibility means the ability to sync iTunes content to a smartphone or an MP3 player. Our focus in this article was to help you find the best MP3 players with iTunes compatibility so you can enjoy all of your music on a single gadget.
What About HP iPod?
Other than the devices mentioned in this article, there have been interesting footnotes regarding iPod history, featuring a non-Apple audio player that was compatible with iTunes: the HP iPod.
In 2004, Hewlett-Packard licensed the iPod from Apple and sold it under the HP logo. These were the real iPods, but with a different logo on them. They were absolutely compatible with iTunes and worked remarkably. Unfortunately, the HP iPods were discontinued in 2005.
iTunes On Non-Apple Devices
There’s often a debate over why iTunes doesn’t support non-Apple devices. And while conventional wisdom would suggest that offering compatibility with different devices would get Apple more demand for iTunes and iTunes Store, this just isn’t how Apple rolls.
The answer comes down to a few factors. First and foremost, Apple designs and builds its own products. This means that the company has complete control over their hardware and software. However, when it comes to non-Apple devices, Apple has no control over their design and, therefore, cannot guarantee the performance or security of those devices.
Second, Apple’s software and hardware are designed to work together, so compatibility is not guaranteed when it comes to non-Apple devices. This means that Apple cannot guarantee that non-Apple devices will work with its products or that its products will work with non-Apple devices.
Finally, Apple’s policy is to provide the best experience to its customers. The company invests a lot of money in research and development to ensure its products are updated with the latest technology.
If Apple were to support non-Apple devices, it would have to divert resources away from its own products. Apple focuses on providing the best experience for its customers, which means keeping its attention and resources on its own products.
Software That Support iTunes Compatibility
As you may have noticed, iTunes is compatible with only a handful of non-Apple MP3 players. But you can find various programs and software that can sync iTunes with Android phones, random MP3 players, and other devices.
Some of these software are iSyncr, DoubleTwist Sync, iTunes Fusion, iTunes Agent, Tune Sync, and iTuneMyWalkman.
FAQs
1. Can you really use MP3 players for iTunes?
Yes, you can use non-Apple MP3 players with iTunes. Apple has their own proprietary music format (M4A), but most non-Apple MP3 players can read MP3 files, which are the most common type of digital music files. This means you can use iTunes to create a playlist of MP3 files and then transfer that playlist to your non-Apple MP3 player.
Depending on the device, it may be necessary to connect the MP3 player to your computer with a USB cable or use a memory card to transfer the files. Additionally, you may need to install additional software on your computer to make the connection.
2. How do I play music on my non-Apple device from iTunes?
Navigate to ‘music library’ in your iTunes. Tap on ‘edit’ and choose ‘preferences’. Click on the ‘general’ tab and select ‘import’ settings. Click on the ‘import using’ option and choose ‘MP3 encoder’ on the pop-up menu. Click ‘OK’ to save changes and play iTunes on your MP3 player.
3. What’s the best way to save an iTunes song on your MP3 player?
To change your iTunes to MP3 format, find the song in your iTunes library and highlight it. Go to File > Convert > Create MP3 version, and your song file will be duplicated and saved in the new format.
We hope you enjoyed this post and learned what MP3 players work with iTunes.