SanDisk Clip Jam MP3 Player Review: Small, Great Bargain

We bought the SanDisk Clip Jam MP3 Participant so our knowledgeable reviewer might completely check and assess it. Preserve studying for our full product overview.

In a world of overpriced MP3 gamers that wish to extol the virtues of each function they possess, it’s typically refreshing to have some simplicity. The Clip Jam MP3 Participant from SanDisk is one such gadget, with an unassuming kind and a downright discount bin look. The tiny gadget has a number of the highest potential onboard reminiscence round, to not point out a battery lifetime of close to 20 hours. Add in some runner-friendly options corresponding to an FM radio and a light-weight construct, and you’ve got the makings for among the finest finances MP3 gamers obtainable.

Design: Seems like sporting nothing in any respect

We like gentle, small units that we will clip onto virtually something. The Clip Jam actually matches the invoice, because it doesn’t even weigh a full ounce. This tiny, plastic rectangle is gentle sufficient to go on a hat, the collar of a shirt, and even our glasses. The OLED display is vivid and high-contrast, together with a collection of six entrance buttons that each one have a pleasant “click on” to them when pressed. Quantity rockers on the facet are unassuming, although typically required a tougher press to activate.

The finances value of the Clip Jam clearly comes from the truth that the gadget is made with low cost plastic. Likewise, the face buttons are completed in a matte coating that’s vulnerable to scuffs and scrapes. After only some makes use of ours was scratched up.

It’s price mentioning that this gadget isn’t sweatproof or waterproof within the slightest, that means that the facet microSD slot, micro USB slot, and audio jack are all open to taking in liquid. Whereas ours was nice, a fast look over person opinions on-line confirmed that the Clip Jam is vulnerable to failure thanks to those open slots and a weak seal on the plastic case. That is price protecting in thoughts for these trying to construct up sweat in your exercise.

Consolation: Slip and slide

The Clip Jam’s precise clip lacks serrated tooth like different units out there and in addition doesn’t open notably vast. As such, it does jostle round a bit. We’ve additionally been spoiled by the 360-degree motion of different gadget’s clips such because the H20 Stream, so your positioning does matter extra with the Clip Jam than with different units. Fortunately, the included earphone’s lengthy cable makes up for this lack of motion.

Setup Course of: Rise up and go

Transferring information over to the Clip Jam is a breeze and carried out through a offered micro USB cable. That’s a refreshing change so so many different MP3 gamers have their very own proprietary cable or dongle. It was good to return to a extra common commonplace. The Clip Jam helps folders for extra compartmentalization, in addition to not requiring you to format your iTunes library to MP3 earlier than switch. We had been additionally impressed by what number of information the Clip Jam can maintain. If you happen to keep in mind its 8GB of onboard reminiscence and put a 32GB microSD card in, you get a complete of 40GB, which is spectacular for such a tiny gadget.

Sound High quality: Sounds for any event

Among the finest options of the Clip Jam is its vast number of supported file codecs, together with MP3, WMA (NO DRM), AAC, WAV, and Audible (DRM solely). All of those come by crystal-clear, thanks partially to a powerful equalizer within the Settings menu. Whether or not we had been listening to music, podcasts, or an audiobook, every thing got here by with no distortion or tinniness. Our main concern initially was the FM radio mode, as these onboard radio choices normally don’t sound nice. We’re glad to report that the Clip Jam’s radio got here by loud and clear, even when we want it had the flexibility to do AM radio.

Battery Life: Retains going, and going

The just about 20-hour battery lifetime of the Clip Jam really outlasted the period of time we used the gadget in its week-long trial. That’s a very long time to not have to fret a few cost, and extra importantly, it stored us from counting on our cellphone or music. After operating the battery useless, we discovered that it took round three hours for a full cost.

Worth: The candy spot

You gained’t discover too many different units with the suite of options and longevity that the Clip Jam possesses for beneath $40. That lower cost does imply that the MP3 participant feels a bit on a budget facet, however the value is low sufficient that the Clip Jam is simple to exchange even when it breaks. And within the case of gadget failure, the one-year restricted guarantee will come in useful.

Competitors: A couple of choices

Regardless of MP3 gamers seeming like dated know-how, there’s some competitors out there. The Sony Walkman NW-WS623 wi-fi headset is an costly, feature-rich gadget that’s typically extra hassle than it’s price on account of uncomfortable earbuds and a brief wire. The excessive price ticket may be arduous to swallow for people who simply need a tiny gadget just like the Clip Jam that they’ll use and abuse.

Offering a extra versatile, sturdy product is H20 Audio with their Stream waterproof MP3 participant. Related in form and dimension to the Clip Jam, the Stream hangs on tighter and higher to your physique than the SanDisk gadget, however comes on the trade-off of much less strong sound and a decrease total quantity. Of the three we used throughout our common exercise routine, the Clip Jam offered the least quantity of issues and fear, thanks partially to its light-weight and lengthy battery life.

Not for you? Take a look at our lists of one of the best finances MP3 gamers and one of the best exercise music gamers

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