Everything's Zen in the budget MP3 player stakes

Looking at and holding the Zen Stone, it's pretty obvious where its name comes from. It feels pleasantly like a pebble in the hand, though it's considerably lighter (18.5g) and the idea generally isn't to skim one across the water. But anyway...

It's also fairly obvious which gadget it's aimed at - and while Apple iPod shuffle owners may scoff with derision, the figures give the Zen Stone plenty of ammunition.

It has a 1GB capacity - same as the Shuffle. (The Zen Stone is also available in a 512MB variant.) However, the Stone comes in at about half the price of the Shuffle, and while it doesn't have the Shuffle's understated class in the looks department, its polished plastic coating in six colours has plenty of style in its own right.

Sound quality is pretty good too - certainly on a par with the shuffle, although unsurprisingly the supplied Creative cans are worth replacing as a first step to improving matters. Controls are basic but easy to use, and the Zen Stone connects to a PC and charges via USB.

Files are added by drag-and-drop, and can be arranged in folders too. And being flash memory, it can be used to store any kind of file. Battery life is 10 hours, one area where it takes a clear second place to the shuffle.

At this end of the market value is king, and while it's not quite as classy as the shuffle, its versatility, performance and great price gives the Zen Stone the edge in our book.

Score

• 4 / 5

For

• Great price
• Flash memory
• Decent sound quality

Against

• Battery life could be better
• Feels a little lightweight

Verdict

Specification