10 Best Portable Music Players 2025 in the United States

The Philips Portable CD Player Boombox offers a variety of features catering to music enthusiasts who appreciate versatility in their portable music players. One of its strengths is the enhanced stereo sound with dual speakers and bass reflex technology, which ensures a deep bass experience and enjoyable audio quality. Additionally, the boombox supports various audio formats including CD, MP3, WMA, and has a built-in FM radio with digital tuning and 30 preset stations, catering to different listening preferences.

Connectivity options are quite robust with Bluetooth, USB, and auxiliary inputs, allowing for wireless streaming and connection to other digital music players. The USB player supports up to 128GB, though only in FAT32 format, which may limit users with larger or differently formatted drives. The design is user-friendly with large control buttons and a backlit LCD display, making it easy to operate.

However, the boombox is relatively heavy at 8.73 pounds, which might affect its portability. It can be powered by both an AC cord and batteries, but the battery requirement is quite high (6 LR20 batteries), which might be a drawback for users looking for a more lightweight and energy-efficient option. This boombox is best suited for users who need a versatile, easy-to-use music player with solid audio quality for home or occasional portable use.

The JadeAudio/FiiO JM21 is a feature-rich portable music player with several notable strengths. Its standout feature is the Snapdragon 680 processor, which ensures smooth performance and efficient power usage, making it responsive and easy to use. The device runs on a custom Android 13 system, allowing users to install and enjoy various streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music, which adds to its versatility.

The audio quality is impressive, thanks to the dual CS43198 DACs and high-performance operational amplifiers that offer a powerful and clear sound suitable for both headphones and larger over-ear models. With a balanced output power and advanced audio purification system, this player maintains high-fidelity sound across different formats, including MP3, FLAC, WAV, and many others. It is also highly portable, weighing just 156g and being 13mm thin, making it easy to carry around.

The 12.5-hour battery life is sufficient for a full day of listening without frequent charging. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. With only 32GB of internal storage, users may need to rely heavily on external SD cards for more extensive music libraries. The screen size of 4.7 inches is adequate but may feel small for some users who prefer larger displays. Additionally, while the device supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, some users might find the connectivity options limited compared to other modern devices. Despite these minor issues, the JadeAudio/FiiO JM21 is a solid choice for audiophiles and music lovers looking for a high-quality portable music player with excellent sound performance and the flexibility of an Android system.