When it comes to MP3 players, size does matter. And as we've seen from the emergence of devices such as the MacBook Air, thin is in.

It's not just a matter of style, either (though that certainly counts) — ultrathin devices can be concealed in just about any pocket or slipped easily into a purse or briefcase compartment, while leaving the majority of the area free for other items. So why not pick up a space-saving MP3 player?

At 6.5 millimetres, the iPod Nano is the slenderest of the bunch. If you need a few more features than the iPod offers, such as an FM radio, the Samsung T10delivers and measures a mere 7.9 millimetres thin. The upcoming Sony Walkman is one to look out for, coming in at 10.2 millimetres around the middle. Finally, for those who demand a spacious capacity of up to 32GB, we have the Apple iPod Touch at 8 millimetres and the Creative Zen at 11.3 millimetres.

Apple iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Editors’ rating: 8.2

Apple iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Honey, I shrunk the iPod! The new nano has all the features of its big brother, the Classic, but in a smaller package with fewer gigabytes.

Samsung YP-T10

Editors’ rating: 7.8

Samsung YP-T10

Samsung's super-cute player has several enchanting features — including a dancing dog — but its touch-sensitive controls can be temperamental.

Sony NWZ-A728 Walkman (8GB)

Editors’ rating: 7.7

Sony NWZ-A728 Walkman (8GB)

Sony's new batch of Walkmans looks lovely and we're happy to see the end of SonicStage, but the features are a little bland compared to competitors' models.

Apple iPod Touch

Editors’ rating: 7.5

Apple iPod Touch

If the Touch is the player that you want, that you really, really want, you've probably got one already. Fence-sitters should stay there until next year when third-party apps or version 2.0 comes out.

Creative Zen Digital Media Player

Editors’ rating: 8.3

Creative Zen Digital Media Player

Effectively a member of the Vision series, the Zen Digital Media Player handles most popular music and videos formats in a handy credit card sized form factor.

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Find the right mp3 player

Brand

    • Multiple options can be selected

    • Sony Walkman NWZ-S730F

      Sony Walkman NWZ-S730F

      Available in 8GB and 16GB versions, these wafer-thin players have built-in noise-cancelling technology and a 2-inch, 320x240-pixel LCD.

    • Apple iPod Nano (4th generation)

      Apple iPod Nano (4th generation)

      Apple has set the Nano back on track with the thinnest, lightest design yet, and has features that are hard to ignore.

    • Apple iPod Touch (2nd generation)

      Apple iPod Touch (2nd generation)

      If you've been holding back, now is the time: the second-gen Touch is an excellent media player, and the addition of third-party apps extends the fun for everyone, no matter where your interests lie.

    • Samsung S2 Pebble

      Samsung S2 Pebble

      Have you tried squeezing blood out of a stone? How about music out of a pebble? The Samsung S2 Pebble is a screenless MP3 player with an LED just under the surface that blinks different colours as you listen to music.

    • Creative Zen X-Fi 16GB

      Creative Zen X-Fi 16GB

      The Creative Zen X-Fi is finally here, and while it fits in the pocket and sound quality is excellent, the iPod Touch is still a superior product.

    More reviews »

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