Habanero Pixel/Shutterstock The Apple iPod is an iconic portable music player that helped revolutionize the music industry, just as the CD player did before it. Apple discontinued the iPod line in 2022, but in recent years the platform has seen a resurgence as Generation Z has started flocking to iPods. In a world of digital streaming via apps like Spotify, with its uncomfortable truths about artist treatment and content ownership, the iPod rises from the ashes like a phoenix. Many view iPods as a sign of resistance against no longer owning albums, being fed music by an algorithm, and the erosion of a distraction-free listening experience. But with so many iPod models released over the years, it’s hard to know which ones are best if you’re considering buying one in 2026. Some iPods are better than others for several reasons. You need to ask yourself what you want from your iPod before purchasing one. You may want a color screen, you may need touch capabilities, the ability to play games, and an easy-to-use operating system in 2026. Above all, you probably don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars just to get back into the world of the iPod. 1st generation iPod Shuffle Distinctive shots/Shutterstock This one may be a little controversial, but it certainly captures the essence of a simpler era in digital music. That’s because the iPod Shuffle line is unique in that it doesn’t feature any screens. Instead, you navigate with only physical buttons, which helps make the iPod Shuffle incredibly small and compact. The iPod Shuffle was a great portable music player for people with active lifestyles, and it still remains so today. You can easily take this iPod with you to the gym or on your next run. It’s super lightweight and fits almost anywhere, whether you use a clip, strap, pocket, or just slip it into a sweatband. It’s also extremely affordable: as of this writing, it’s easy to find a unit online for around $20. While 512MB isn’t a lot to work with (it’s probably only good for a single playlist), it’s enough to get you through a workout. And a 1GB version also exists for those who need more music – just remember it’s missing a screen, so the search can be a pain. The built-in USB port, the only iPod to feature it, also makes it a true all-in-one music device. iPod Nano 4th generation Ana Belén García Sánchez/Shutterstock The iPod Nano was a popular version of the iPod that was incredibly small, thin, and had a color screen. This allowed the Nano to not only play music, but also act as a video player. The 4th generation iPod Nano is a fan favorite because it brought back the tall, slim design after Apple briefly experimented with a squat Nano, and because it still retains the classic click wheel. What makes it a lot of fun, aside from the 16GB of maximum storage, is the curved vertical screen that can rotate to activate Apple’s Cover Flow mode. It also has an accelerometer that can be used to shake the device to trigger the shuffle feature. Voice recording is also possible if you have an Apple compatible microphone. The only thing missing from this model is the camera that the 5th generation iPod Nano has, but that’s probably not something you’re interested in if you’re primarily here for the music player. And given the price gap between the used 4th and 5th generation iPod Nano models, sticking with the 4th generation which sells for between $20 and $40 is a solid choice if you want to return to the platform. iPod Touch 5th generation By the time the iPod Touch arrived, Apple knew the writing was on the wall for the iPod brand. The Touch line was essentially an iPhone with all of the phone’s parts removed from the device. The iPhone was so popular that the move made a lot of sense at the time, both as a cost-cutting measure and as a way to attract more people into the Apple ecosystem. The 5th generation iPod Touch was thinner than previous models and featured a 4-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It was also high definition, helping to merge the world of music and video. If you’re looking for an iPod but want to be able to enjoy video content, the 5th generation iPod Touch is a great iPod to get. It also supports Bluetooth, which means modern headphones will work with this iPod. Since the 5th generation iPod Touch uses iOS, it is much more functional than a regular iPod and uses the more common Lightning jack. Prices for the 5th generation iPod Touch vary, but you can buy one for around $30 to $60. That’s a pretty reasonable price for an iPod with plenty of modern features. iPod Click Wheel Petersemler-photography/Shutterstock Released in 2004, the iPod Click Wheel was the first major advancement in the iPod line. It used the 30-pin Apple Dock connector and supported USB for charging and data transfer, a type of cable that Apple would rely on until 2012 when it switched to the Lightning connector. It also featured the new Click Wheel control introduced on the iPod Mini. Looking back at the heyday of the iPod, the Click Wheel model is probably the one most remembered in the cultural zeitgeist. It retains the classic design of the original, while remaining modern and quite stylish in 2026. It removes the additional control buttons to rely solely on the Click Wheel, a now iconic interface that will live on on the iPod up to the Touch range. One of the benefits of the popularity of the 4th generation iPod is that it is still affordable today on the used market. You can find a device for around $50 to $90 on sites like eBay, but you may need to replace the battery due to its age. Fortunately, even in 2026, it’s easy to buy a new battery on sites like Amazon. Methodology Ryanmatthewsmith/Getty Images When selecting iPod models for this feature, we focused on affordability. There are a number of iPods that regularly sell on the used market for hundreds of dollars, but don’t offer many features that make them better than more affordable models. So, to make sure you get what you pay for, we’ve highlighted iPod models that are not only great music players, but are also incredibly affordable. We consulted experts and recommendations from iPod users to find out their favorite models and which ones they’re still using in 2026. Another factor to consider was the ease of finding replacement parts for different iPod models, as older devices often require some level of maintenance. Finally, we also relied on the experience and expertise of the author of this article, who still actively uses several iPod models in his daily life. Post navigation 5 Cheap Ways to Upgrade Your Apple AirPods Max 2
Habanero Pixel/Shutterstock The Apple iPod is an iconic portable music player that helped revolutionize the music industry, just as the CD player did before it. Apple discontinued the iPod line in 2022, but in recent years the platform has seen a resurgence as Generation Z has started flocking to iPods. In a world of digital streaming via apps like Spotify, with its uncomfortable truths about artist treatment and content ownership, the iPod rises from the ashes like a phoenix. Many view iPods as a sign of resistance against no longer owning albums, being fed music by an algorithm, and the erosion of a distraction-free listening experience. But with so many iPod models released over the years, it’s hard to know which ones are best if you’re considering buying one in 2026. Some iPods are better than others for several reasons. You need to ask yourself what you want from your iPod before purchasing one. You may want a color screen, you may need touch capabilities, the ability to play games, and an easy-to-use operating system in 2026. Above all, you probably don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars just to get back into the world of the iPod. 1st generation iPod Shuffle Distinctive shots/Shutterstock This one may be a little controversial, but it certainly captures the essence of a simpler era in digital music. That’s because the iPod Shuffle line is unique in that it doesn’t feature any screens. Instead, you navigate with only physical buttons, which helps make the iPod Shuffle incredibly small and compact. The iPod Shuffle was a great portable music player for people with active lifestyles, and it still remains so today. You can easily take this iPod with you to the gym or on your next run. It’s super lightweight and fits almost anywhere, whether you use a clip, strap, pocket, or just slip it into a sweatband. It’s also extremely affordable: as of this writing, it’s easy to find a unit online for around $20. While 512MB isn’t a lot to work with (it’s probably only good for a single playlist), it’s enough to get you through a workout. And a 1GB version also exists for those who need more music – just remember it’s missing a screen, so the search can be a pain. The built-in USB port, the only iPod to feature it, also makes it a true all-in-one music device. iPod Nano 4th generation Ana Belén García Sánchez/Shutterstock The iPod Nano was a popular version of the iPod that was incredibly small, thin, and had a color screen. This allowed the Nano to not only play music, but also act as a video player. The 4th generation iPod Nano is a fan favorite because it brought back the tall, slim design after Apple briefly experimented with a squat Nano, and because it still retains the classic click wheel. What makes it a lot of fun, aside from the 16GB of maximum storage, is the curved vertical screen that can rotate to activate Apple’s Cover Flow mode. It also has an accelerometer that can be used to shake the device to trigger the shuffle feature. Voice recording is also possible if you have an Apple compatible microphone. The only thing missing from this model is the camera that the 5th generation iPod Nano has, but that’s probably not something you’re interested in if you’re primarily here for the music player. And given the price gap between the used 4th and 5th generation iPod Nano models, sticking with the 4th generation which sells for between $20 and $40 is a solid choice if you want to return to the platform. iPod Touch 5th generation By the time the iPod Touch arrived, Apple knew the writing was on the wall for the iPod brand. The Touch line was essentially an iPhone with all of the phone’s parts removed from the device. The iPhone was so popular that the move made a lot of sense at the time, both as a cost-cutting measure and as a way to attract more people into the Apple ecosystem. The 5th generation iPod Touch was thinner than previous models and featured a 4-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It was also high definition, helping to merge the world of music and video. If you’re looking for an iPod but want to be able to enjoy video content, the 5th generation iPod Touch is a great iPod to get. It also supports Bluetooth, which means modern headphones will work with this iPod. Since the 5th generation iPod Touch uses iOS, it is much more functional than a regular iPod and uses the more common Lightning jack. Prices for the 5th generation iPod Touch vary, but you can buy one for around $30 to $60. That’s a pretty reasonable price for an iPod with plenty of modern features. iPod Click Wheel Petersemler-photography/Shutterstock Released in 2004, the iPod Click Wheel was the first major advancement in the iPod line. It used the 30-pin Apple Dock connector and supported USB for charging and data transfer, a type of cable that Apple would rely on until 2012 when it switched to the Lightning connector. It also featured the new Click Wheel control introduced on the iPod Mini. Looking back at the heyday of the iPod, the Click Wheel model is probably the one most remembered in the cultural zeitgeist. It retains the classic design of the original, while remaining modern and quite stylish in 2026. It removes the additional control buttons to rely solely on the Click Wheel, a now iconic interface that will live on on the iPod up to the Touch range. One of the benefits of the popularity of the 4th generation iPod is that it is still affordable today on the used market. You can find a device for around $50 to $90 on sites like eBay, but you may need to replace the battery due to its age. Fortunately, even in 2026, it’s easy to buy a new battery on sites like Amazon. Methodology Ryanmatthewsmith/Getty Images When selecting iPod models for this feature, we focused on affordability. There are a number of iPods that regularly sell on the used market for hundreds of dollars, but don’t offer many features that make them better than more affordable models. So, to make sure you get what you pay for, we’ve highlighted iPod models that are not only great music players, but are also incredibly affordable. We consulted experts and recommendations from iPod users to find out their favorite models and which ones they’re still using in 2026. Another factor to consider was the ease of finding replacement parts for different iPod models, as older devices often require some level of maintenance. Finally, we also relied on the experience and expertise of the author of this article, who still actively uses several iPod models in his daily life.
