iPod nostalgia is at an all-time high, so meet two new cheap, adorable tiny hi-res music players that invoke the best of the music-player era (bring your own white wired earbuds)

Two new, affordable, and adorable music players have emerged, bringing back fond memories of the iPod era. These devices, from Fiio and Shanling, have captured the nostalgia of users seeking a distraction-free listening experience without relying on streaming services.

The Fiio Echo Nano, introduced in August 2026, is priced at $49.99 / £54.99, making it a more budget-friendly option compared to its Apple counterpart, the first-gen iPod Shuffle. This mechanical-looking MP3 player features a physical scroll wheel for navigation and an 0.91-inch display to view selections. With a built-in DAC and support for a 256GB microSD card, users can store up to 256GB of music.

The Echo Nano boasts a seven-hour battery life and can function as a USB DAC when connected to a PC or smartphone. Available in various colors, this device weighs just 33.5g, and users can control it via a smartphone app.

On the other hand, the Shanling Q2, unveiled late August 2026, is priced higher at $269 (about £200, AU$400). Boasting a thicker design reminiscent of the third-gen iPod nano, the Q2 supports popular file formats such as FLAC, WAV, ALAC, and DSF. With four built-in DAC chips, the device handles music up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512.

Featuring two headphone jacks (4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm), the Q2 offers a capacity for up to 2TB of music via microSD card (sold separately). With 13.5 hours of battery life, this device weighs 82g and includes a smartphone app for control, albeit potentially straying from the dedicated player experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two devices depends on personal preferences for form factor and features.