Nowadays, it’s more common to consume music and podcasts through an app on your phone rather than physical CDs. After all, it’s much more convenient to pay a monthly subscription to access an immense music library than to buy each track or album.
The shortcoming is that MP3 players are largely becoming outdated, as many of them don’t support this sort of functionality. But, there are still some MP3 players that do support Spotify. This list will show you the best MP3 players compatible with Spotify.
Is There a Spotify MP3 Player?
While there isn’t a Spotify-branded MP3 player available on the market, there are MP3 players compatible with Spotify. For a time, MP3 players were making great strides, to the point where touch-screen MP3 players like the iPod Touch were once a very common device. Once smartphones took off, however, having a separate MP3 player in addition to a phone that could play music didn’t make much sense.
Who Should Get This?
Spotify is one of the biggest music streaming platforms in the world. In Q1 of 2023, Spotify had 422 million active users. While the option of listening to music on your smartphone is convenient, it can quickly become inconvenient in instances where you want to concentrate. If you’re studying, perhaps you want to go one step further than muting your phone to eliminate distractions. If you’re working out, maybe you want to leave your expensive phone at home to avoid the risk of it being damaged. Or, maybe your phone is almost out of storage, and you’re looking for a cheap option for music listening only.
How to Play Spotify Music on Any MP3 Player
Believe it or not, you can play Spotify music on just about any MP3 player, but probably not in the way you think. If you have an MP3 player that doesn’t support the Spotify app, you can download and convert the Spotify songs to MP3 and load it onto your MP3 device locally instead. To do this, you can use VIDCOPE, a video and music downloader.
Further Reading: Best Spotify Music Downloaders
Here’s a brief rundown of what this process looks like:
- Download and install VIDCOPE.
- Copy the link of the song/playlist you want to download and paste it into the text box.
- If needed, in the Convert section, ensure files are automatically converted to MP3 format.
- Click the blue download button that has a downward-facing arrow.
- Move the songs across to your MP3 device.
Best MP3 Players with Spotify: Our Picks for 2023
Without further ado, let’s look at the best MP3 players you can use with Spotify.
1. Mighty Vibe
The Mighty Vibe may be considered the ultimate solution to Spotify listening on an MP3 device. The first thing you’ll notice is that it doesn’t even have a screen, invoking a feeling of reminiscence to the classic MP3 players from a time before smartphones.
The device can be used wired or wirelessly and is rated for up to 5 hours of offline listening. It supports both Spotify and Amazon Music. To get more functionality out of it, you can pair it with the Mighty app to use the Stay Fresh feature, which automatically updates your playlists overnight, so you’re ready to listen by the morning.
In terms of portability, it’s as good as it gets. The device measures only 1.5″ x 1.5″ and weighs only 0.7 ounces. It can easily be clipped to your clothing, and you’ll forget that it’s even there due to how light and low-profile it is. Moreover, water, sweat, and drop resistance make it a great addition to your workouts and adventures.
What We Like:
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Works with Spotify and Amazon Music.
- Syncs with the Mighty app to keep playlists updated.
- Water, sweat, and drop resistant.
What We Dislike:
- Navigation using only buttons and voiceover prompts.
- Cannot store MP3 files locally.
2. iPod Touch
At first glance, an iPod Touch can be mistaken for an iPhone. In fact, the two are very similar, with the only big difference being the lack of cell network functionality in the iPod. This makes it a great Spotify MP3 player for those accustomed to using touch-screen devices.
Apple is known for making high-quality products, and the iPod Touch is no exception. It uses a high-definition retina display to make picking your next song easy. It also works great for watching videos or movies. The device comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless connectivity.
The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for up to 40 hours of music playback time. The device also comprises an 8MP camera capable of 1080 HD video recordings up to 60 fps and hands-free functionality using Siri.
All of this is powered by Apple’s A10 Fusion chip, the same one used by the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. It contains a 4-core chipset, split between Hurricane at 2340 MHz and Zephyr at 1050 MHz. This results in snappy performance, whether you’re queuing songs or playing a game.
What We Like:
- Battery life up to 40 hours (of music playback).
- Touch-screen for easier music selection.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.
- Fast performance.
What We Dislike:
- Lightning connector.
- No expandable storage.
3. Sony Walkman
Remember the old-school Walkman that used audio cassette tapes? Sony has upgraded it to be faster, lighter, and more versatile than ever. The new Sony Walkman shares similarities with the iPod Touch, in the fact that it’s a modern device capable of doing more than just listening to music. With all these new features, it’s one of the best MP3 players compatible with Spotify.
It uses a 3.6″ touch panel screen. This makes music discovery, selection, and playback much faster and easier than relying on a few buttons to find the song you want. It uses the Android operating system, so it has access to the full range of apps available on the Google Play Store. Since Spotify can be downloaded directly to the device, you can listen online or offline.
The battery can last up to 20 hours of 128 kbps MP3 playback or 18 hours at 96 kHz FLAC. It supports wired listening or wireless using built-in Bluetooth. The whole device only weighs around 5.7 ounces (165 grams), so it’s light enough to carry around without feeling like you’re being weighed down.
What We Like:
- USB-C charging port.
- Touch-screen for convenience.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
- S-Master HX digital amplifier.
- Supports local playback.
What We Dislike:
- SD cards above 128GB will likely need to be formatted.
4. Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro
The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro is the first watch on our list and a great MP3 player with Spotify. If you want to avoid using a handheld device, a watch is a perfect choice since it’s secure, lightweight, and small enough to put in your pocket when you don’t feel like wearing it.
Once paired with the Gear app, you can import music from your smartphone to your Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro. From there, once you’ve connected a Bluetooth headset to your watch, you can listen to the music stored on your watch without your smartphone. The 1.5″ touch-screen is enough for you to control music playback comfortably.
The device is water- and dust-resistant, so it has great protection in almost any environment. It can be used with devices running Android or iOS operating systems. The battery has a rating of up to 3 days with typical usage and 5 days for low usage. Charging is also quick and easy, thanks to the wireless charging dock provided.
In addition to music playback, the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro is also capable of heart tracking, GPS mapping, and responding to calls and texts.
What We Like:
- Small, light, and secure form factor.
- Touch-screen interface.
- Import songs directly to the watch.
- Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.
What We Dislike:
- Unreliable heart rate sensor.
- Requires additional apps, like Galaxy Health, to get full functionality.
5. Apple Watch
The Apple Watch comes with some great features and a wide color selection to choose from. This watch sports a sleek, modern design and includes Bluetooth 5.0 technology and a battery life of up to 18 hours for long, uninterrupted listening.
The watch has access to the App Store so that you can download supported music apps, like Spotify, to the watch. It offers seamless integration with other Apple products if you have them. You can find devices, unlock your Mac, and even make payments.
The device comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. The watch is contained in an incredibly sturdy aluminum case which is dust and waterproof. It’s secured to your wrist with a comfortable and fitness-friendly sports band.
As it’s an Apple product, there’s no surprise that it comes with a high-quality always-on retina display that’s almost 20% more screen area than the Series 6. It’s powered by an S7 chip and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that’s rated for up to 18 hours of battery life
What We Like:
- Seamless integration with other Apple products.
- Sturdy and durable design.
- Lots of customization purchase options.
- USB-C charger.
What We Dislike:
- The magnetic armband can be temperamental.
- Doesn’t include a charger for the USB-C cable.
6. Fitbit Versa 2
The Fitbit Versa 2 watch gives you a lot of functionality from such a small device. It includes a built-in GPS and heart rate tracker. But, the feature we like to see the most is the ability to add your own music and listen to it while you’re on the go.
You can access a range of apps to install to your Fitbit Versa 2, including Spotify. However, Spotify can only be used on the watch with a premium Spotify subscription. On the free tier, the watch merely acts as a remote to control Spotify as it runs on your phone. If that doesn’t work for you, the option of locally storing the files on the watch is always there.
Battery life is one of the biggest selling points, with a rating of up to 6+ days on a single charge. Of course, this is based on your usage. But, even so, it also includes fast charging, which gives you a day’s worth of battery life from only 12 minutes of charging.
You can navigate the device using the touchscreen or one of the built-in smart assistants for hands-free control: Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Additionally, the watch includes Fitbit Pay for contactless payments.
What We Like:
- Incredible 6+ day battery life rating.
- Store songs locally.
- Supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
What We Dislike:
- You need a premium Spotify subscription to use Spotify on the watch itself.
7. Garmin Venu
The Garmin Venu fitness tracker watch has a more classic, circular watch look. While not as well-known as Samsung and Apple, the Garmin Venu is undoubtedly a high-quality watch with super useful features.
You can load your favorite tracks and playlists to the device and listen over Bluetooth. The watch also supports Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to download watch faces, data fields, and apps using the Connect IQ app store, including Spotify. The Garmin Pay feature is also included, allowing contactless payments using your watch.
The watch can run for 5 days on a single charge (usage permitting). It’s housed in a sturdy casing made from a mix of stainless steel and fiber-reinforced polymer. It securely attaches to your wrist using a silicone strap.
The 1.2” AMOLED display has an optional always-on mode. It’s covered by Gorilla Glass 3, which is up to three times more scratch-resistant than previous versions. All of this comes to about 1.6 ounces in total, or roughly 46.3 grams.
What We Like:
- 5-day battery life rating.
- GPS functionality.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
What We Dislike:
- No microphone or speaker.
- Inconsistent compatibility with Android and iOS devices.
8. FiiO M6
The FiiO M6 is more than just an MP3 player; it can also double as a USB digital-to-analog converter (DAC). It uses an Exynos 7270 dual-core processor to ensure the playback of your audio is smooth and constant.
The internal storage only holds up to 2GB of data. To account for this, the FiiO M6 has a microSD card slot that can be used to expand storage up to 2GB. Additionally, you can download the Spotify app directly to the device if you want to listen online.
It has a battery life of up to 13 hours, more than enough to get you through your average work day or school day without needing a charge. Everything is controlled by a touchscreen, with some physical buttons for audio control on the side.
The device runs a FiiO-customized version of Android, complete with its own whitelisted app store. It has Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi connectivity. Bear in mind that this MP3 player, while great for music, doesn’t have the power to support many other functions like internet browsing or gaming.
What We Like:
- Simple and gets the job done.
- Allows local and online playback.
- Expandable storage.
What We Dislike:
- Only 2GB of built-in storage.
- Not very powerful.
How to Choose the Best MP3 Players for Spotify in 2023
We used the below criteria when creating this list of the best MP3 players compatible with Spotify.
Size & Weight
An MP3 player needs to be portable. There’s no sense in carrying around another device if it weighs just as much as your phone. Moreover, if it’s too large, it can feel cumbersome when you need to carry it in your pocket. Our list contains a mix of form factors, so you can choose a device that’s perfect for your lifestyle.
Battery
There are few things more frustrating than your focus being broken due to the battery on your MP3 player running flat. A good battery life rating is important, especially if you plan to use your MP3 player for long periods, such as studying or commuting.
Storage
If you have a lot of music, you need enough storage to be able to store them locally offline. If you don’t, you may find yourself removing some to make room. A good solution is to choose a device with expandable storage, like an SD card slot.
FAQs About MP3 Players Compatible with Spotify
Is there a Spotify MP3 player?
No, Spotify does not make its own MP3 players. Instead, use an MP3 player compatible with Spotify, such as an iPod Touch. Alternatively, download the songs from Spotify using VIDCOPE and load them onto your MP3 player.
How do I convert Spotify to MP3?
You can convert your Spotify songs to MP3 using VIDCOPE. From there, you can move the songs across to your device’s local storage.
Further Reading: Best Spotify to MP3 Converters
Can you download audio from Spotify?
Spotify allows you to save songs offline so you can listen without an internet connection. Bear in mind that you need to go online at least once every 30 days; otherwise, the music will automatically disappear and need to be saved offline again.
Final Thoughts
In an age where subscription-based services like Spotify are flourishing, and physical storage media like CDs are disappearing, MP3 players are fulfilling a very specific niche. With one of the MP3 players compatible with Spotify from our list, you can listen to your favorite Spotify tracks and playlists without the need to carry around your smartphone.