In the last few years, mp3 players have become some of the hottest selling electronics on the market. With the addition of several new product lines by major technology companies, consumers have even more choices than ever. You may be a bit overwhelmed at how to make a buying decision, and when you're spending hundreds of dollars on a product that could weigh only a few ounces, it's important to do as much research as possible in order to purchase the best mp3 player for your needs.

Here's a few things to look at when purchasing a new mp3 player:

Battery life. It's important to look at your desired usage to determine how important battery life is to you. If you will be using your player for short periods of time, such as exercising, then good battery life isn't important as if you will be using it in your car on long trips. Battery life comparisons can usually be found by looking at a product's specifications from the manufacturer: they will commonly provide an estimate of how long the battery will last under normal usage. If you frequently skip songs, causing the screen's backlight to light up, or if you're looking at album covers, the battery life will be reduced, so factor this in.

Screen. Some smaller mp3 players don't even have a screen, while others have a large LCD screen optimized for great video quality. Smaller players will have smaller and less attractive screens, but they will weigh much less. Think about how whether you're listening to music in one place or if you're always on the go, and plan accordingly. Tiny players without a screen can weigh just a few ounces, but instead of selecting a track to listen to directly, you must wait for it to come up in the random shuffle sequence.

Functionality. Many larger mp3 players now are optimized not only to listen to music, but for a great video experience. The major downside of these players is battery life. Watching a video on your mp3 player can be fun, but battery life is drastically reduced when compared to simply listening to music. Other functionality that you might want to look for is an FM tuner for listening to the radio, ability to display album art, and additional software such as a calendar or games.

Accessories. The final factor in your buying decision should be to look at what types of accessories are available for your mp3 player. These can either be made by the original manufacturer, or by a third-party company specializing in accessories. Common accessories are cases to protect your player from scratches and dings, and an FM transmitter to allow you to listen to your player through your car radio.

There are many review websites specializing in mp3 player reviews, with ratings given by actual buyers with experience using the particular product. Do as much research as possible, and you'll be enjoying your new mp3 player for years to come.