Not shuffle-tiny, but very small in its own right, the .9-ounce Clip+ measures only 2.16 by 1.36 by 0.61 inches (HWD), and gets its name from the shirt-clip on its rear panel. Despite its size, the player still manages to fit a 1-inch OLED screen with some basic animated graphics onto its face. A frustratingly short 5-inch USB cable for computer synching is included with the Clip+, as well as a better-than-average pair of earbuds that manage to stay in place with the help of some foam coverings. But you shouldn't expect top-notch audio quality or bass response.

The LCD shows no video or photos—this is strictly a music device—but the player supports a wide variety of audio file types including MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, and Audible files. The microSD slot can be used both for slotRadio cards and microSD cards with any of the supported file types loaded. One thing about slotRadio cards: they do not come with the player. Each card comes with 1,000 songs and prices start at $39.99 apiece. Billboard has compiled most of the selections, and you can buy cards that are tailored to a specific time period or genre. Unfortunately, the audio quality on these cards is pretty low. On Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You," I could hear the familiar slurry vocal sound that often accompanies low bit-rate files. That said, it is listenable, and what you're paying for is quantity, not quality.

Navigating the interface on the Clip+ is a breeze: It's equal parts boringly simple and incredibly easy. This is a player that doesn't make you think. The FM radio offers a generous 40 presets, which are easy to program, and it's also possible to record whatever you're tuning in to. There's also a mic for voice recordings, which are automatically stored, along with FM recordings, in the Music menu under Recordings. Add in the ability to customize EQ settings, and you get a whole lot of features (including, um, a display) that Apple's iPod shuffle lacks.

SanDisk claims the Sansa Clip+ offers 15 hours of audio playback on a single charge—which isn't so great, but not surprising for a tiny, inexpensive player. Our battery rundown tests yielded 9 hours, 10 minutes, which again, isn't stellar, but budget players typically don't shine in this department.

While the latest iPod shuffle may talk like a robot, I'd much rather have a screen, so I can see what I'm hearing. And a microSD slot. And more robust file support. And a radio. And recording capabilities. All of which, you get with the SanDisk Sansa Clip+. And you'll pay $10 less, but for twice the storage (the 4GB shuffle is $79). It's hard to deny the value of this device, so it easily earns our Editors' Choice for under-$100 MP3 players.

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