Joy to the World! Christmas is coming, which means it’s time for some shopping. Getting a new MP3 player to sing along the Christmas Carol isn’t such a bad idea. Since there are so many MP3 players to choose from, I’ve narrowed them down to my top 10 players for this year.

CK Ng

1. Apple iPod nano (2GB/4GB)
Just when people thought they were catching up, Apple comes up with the nano which is really tiny and slim. Apple even managed to embed their trademark scroll wheel into the nano and its colour screen is a feast to the eyes. Although the iPod nano is pricey, it’s definitely on the wish list of many people. Hope Santa strikes a bulk buying deal with Steve Jobs …

2. iPod Video (30GB/60GB)
Another iPod on the list? It may seem unfair to others, but Apple really deserve all the credit they’re getting. The iPod Video is capable of playing videos in either H.264 or MP4 formats at a remarkable 30 frames per second. The 5th generation iPod doesn’t just play music and videos; it’s got lots of extra features such as PIM functions, World Clock and Stop Watch. An Apple a day really keeps its competitors far, far away.

3. Creative Zen Neeon (5GB)
It may not have a colour screen or a super slim physique, but the Zen Neeon is equally impressive in its own way. It’s one of the cheapest 5GB-memory MP3 player in the market, and comes with a host of remarkable features such as built-in FM radio and voice recording in MP3 format. You can even customise the Zen Neeon, thanks to the Stick-on stickers. With a size just like a Zippo lighter, the Zen Neeon is easily tucked away in your pocket. A good choice for those on a tight budget or a tight pants pocket.

4. Sony NW-HD5 (20GB)
The Sony comeback into the music world was flagged off with this impressive hard disk MP3 player. The decision to include MP3 playback has helped bring Sony back as a brand to be reckoned. It has the best battery life among MP3 players of the same category - of up to 40 hours. It is also among the smallest in size as well. There are 3 different colours to choose from; depending on who you’re giving this as a present to.

5. iRiver H10 (5GB)
Korean audio giants iRiver really razzled and dazzled us with the H10. Not only does it look good, it sounds even better. The sound quality is among the best I’ve ever heard, and with a gorgeous colour screen, innovative touchpad and user-friendly interface, this makes the H10 a winner among microdrive MP3 players. The H10 scores high on looks and features, but falls short with its expensive price tag. Those with an obsession for excellent sound quality should give this a serious amount of consideration.

6. Sony NW-E500 (256MB/512MB/1GB)
Without a doubt, the NW-E500 should be a top choice among road warriors. Its superb battery life of up to 50 hours playback time lets you go on for days before recharging. Even a short charge of 3 minutes can give you up to 3 hours of playback time. It even has built-in FM tuner in case you run out of preloaded music to listen to.

7. Samsung YP-F1 (256MB/512MB/1GB)
You could wear this MP3 player as a tie-pin and people might not even realize what it is. The YP-F1 is one of the smallest MP3 players to have graced our market. Samsung even managed to fit a 3-line display into such a tiny device; very impressive if you ask me. Sound quality was top-notch for a player of its size. The faceplate of the YP-F1 is interchangeable, and Samsung even included 3 different faceplates to suit your colour preference. This is bound to be popular among the ladies.

8. Creative Zen (20GB)
Creative MP3 players have always been known to pack tons of features at affordable price tags, and the latest Zen makes no exception. The design and size has also been significantly improved compared to its predecessor. Using a magnesium alloy frame, it makes the Zen less scratch prone and lighter at just 140 grams. This is one of the better 20GB MP3 players around.

9. iRiver H300 (20GB/40GB)
It may not be the latest model in the market, nor does it has a slim and sleek build, but none have features as rich as the H300. Here are just a few reasons: built-in FM radio, picture viewer, MP4 player, text viewer, 262K TFT colour screen, USB hosting for digital camera photo transfer, voice recording in MP3 format…I could go on but you guys would think I’m showing off since I happen to own one….

10. Sony Ericsson W800i
Bet you didn’t expect to see a mobile phone among this category. Well the W800i isn’t just a mobile phone; it’s an MP3 phone embedded with Sony’s trademark Walkman functions. With a 512MB Memory Stick Pro Duo included in the package as well as battery life of up to 30 hours on flight mode, the W800i gives MP3 players a good run for their money. The sound quality of the W800i is among the best that I’ve ever tried too. The only drawback is the price of the Memory Sticks and its memory limitation, as the biggest capacity currently available is only up to 2GB.

Bottom Line
Please bear in mind that all of the players mentioned above are not ranked in any particular order. Different people have different needs, so I’ll leave the ranking for readers to decide. Make sure you keep an eye out for festive bargains, and only buy something that fits your budget. Till then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!