iRiver H10 Review

Overall Rating

Light, Stylish, Easy to use, Reasonable memory, Fantastic radio, Record the radio, Voice recorder, Line in record (needs cradle), Can view .txt files, Picture viewer, Changeable battery, 33 different sound settings e.g. bass boost, Full colour screen.

Screen is quite small although it is about the same size as most current MP3/HHD players (i.e. 20GB iPod).

The iRiver H10 MP3 Player is the best of all worlds.

Firstly, it's small and lightweight. It fits in your pocket a dream and doesn't look like something obscene like other, bigger players.
What's more, the H10 comes with a rubber cover which slips snugly over the player and has a belt clip attached.

The player is what I believe to be the best looking player currently on the market. Its design is easy to use and doesn't compromise on style. Although the scroll bar-which is the same as those used on most laptops-takes a little getting used to, however after two minuets of using it I found it a piece of cake! (Although I do have a laptop)

The memory is perhaps what would cause most people to choose other player's however I feel it is large enough. It holds approximately 1250 songs, which doesn't necessarily sound a lot but when you really think about it... it's huge! Who honestly listens to more than 1250 songs regularly? And if you do fill it up you can change the songs using either 'Windows Media Player 10' or iRiver's own software 'iRiver Plus'. I currently have 936 songs on mine, which takes up 3.01GB and it works out at 54.8 HOURS! And it's not full! That's my whole CD collection on it!

The battery life is good, not amazing but iRiver claim it lasts 12 hours. Personally I found it lasted nearer 8 but I was playing around with it! What did entice me towards the H10 and away from the iPod was the exchangeable battery, so when it's flat I can change it! Or when the life of the battery dies the life of the player can live on!

Another feature the H10 has is the Radio. Now although the Zen Micro shares this feature I hear the quality is not anything to shout about. Unlike the H10! I get a fantastic reception when outside and when inside my house (although when in a large store i.e. a supermarket, I do lose the reception). Also you can record the radio and even time it so you never miss your favourite show!

You can record your own conversations-ace for shopping lists!

The colour screen allows you to view your pictures (.jpg) which is a fantastic feature and also jazzes up the player. Although the images are a bit small on the screen.

The sound settings are amazing although I only really use the bass ones! There are 33 different styles and each suits a different style of music, be it Hard Rock or Gospel! (Although some sound more different than others. No matter how good your hearing is, there surly cant be much of a difference between 'Efficient Bass', 'Bass' and 'iRiver Bass Boost'!!)

The iRiver can also view .txt files, which I believe no other player can do. Fantastic if you got instructions you need with you!

The iRiver is also durable (I hope I'm not tempting fate!). In all the reviews I read before buying it I found only 3 which had problems, and I read ALOT of reviews! Unlike the Zen and iPod which I was also looking at. These seemed to be riddled with problems, either the headphone jack, the software or just breaking!

And then there's the price. At £155 it's superb! Slightly more than a Zen, but more reliable (see above).

I'm chuffed to bits with my iRiver H10, and would defiantly recommend it to everyone!

Go on, treat yourself!
You wont regret it!