JVC XA-MP101

If Optimus Prime was an MP3 player...

We remember the days when the only white electronics you'd buy were fridges, freezers and microwaves. But since a certain little player came along, everything's gone dirt-magnet white. This latest offering, however, may just be charismatic enough to tread its own path.

It looks a little blocky, but we don't mind that - it reminds us of a Transformer ready to spring into action. We love the shiny metal sides, and it feels like a quality product. It's easy to identify the controls without having to look, and even though the hold switch is on the back, it's easily accessible. One minor gripe is that the rubber USB cover came off the first time we opened it.

Sound quality is excellent, and the supplied in-ear headphones are surprisingly good. The screen glows with the same gorgeous deep blue we've previously expressed an almost unhealthy fondness for, although it's small and cramped, making the text hard to read. You get a decent 20 hours' playing time from a single AAA battery, but we'd really prefer to see a built-in rechargeable at this price.

This is a great little player that's hard not to like. It's solid, looks stylish, and gives you a decent amount of storage. It may well be £40 more expensive than a Shuffle, but if you can stump up the extra cash, you won't be disappointed.