This model, while better than any I've previously seen from the vendor, still disappoints. Sure they will save a few quid, but are they really worth it? Maybe that's being a little harsh on Bush, but having gone through several in the past, I don't feel too bad saying it. The pick-me-up-at-Argos brands of MP3 players exist for those on a tight budget. It is perfect for joggers and offers format support to suit most users, with plug-ins available for iTunes able to convert other formats. Still, Apple has been doing this for a while now and even though the Shuffle is by no means my top choice, it remains a safe option. While having additional features like a display, radio and voice recorder may impact slightly on battery life, the Shuffle is by no means a particularly long-distance runner itself. As this round-up highlights, you get a lot more for your quids elsewhere. Aside from the exclusivity of iTunes, the main problem I have is value for money.

Its aluminium case has an executive slickness to it and there's no doubt that Apple’s little music box sets the bar for minimalist audio players.

The Shuffle is small, elegant but very basic. The sound itself is fantastic and plenty loud enough. The decision to move the controls off the earphone cable and back to the body itself is a welcome change that means you can use nicer cans. Apple's iPod Shuffle, the archetype for any clip-on player, has seen some improvements this year.

Bush 16gb mp3 player