Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb Reviews

★★★★☆
3.8 / 5
76% of users recommend this
  • Sound Quality

  • Battery Life

  • Features

  • Value For Money

Summary

The Creative Labs Zen Touch MP3 player has proved to be a popular choice amongst music fans. Competitive pricing, reliability and a 20 gigabyte memory have made the Creative Zen Touch a genuine force and a viable contender to the Apple iPod range. If you have owned a Zen Touch then why not write us a review and share your thoughts surrounding the strengths and weaknesses of this MP3 player.

Media Gallery for Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb

B0002TSU2O.02.THUMBZZZ.jpg
B0002TSU2O.02.MZZZZZZZ.jpg
B0002TSU2O.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
B0002TSU2O.02.TZZZZZZZ.jpg
B00028DJTY.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg
B00028DJTY.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
item82265.jpg

Specification for Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb

Main Features
Memory 16 - 20

Features:
  • 20 GB storage lets you bring up to 10,000 WMA songs (64 kbps) or 5000 MP3 songs (128 kbps) everywhere you go
  • Create and customize playlists on-the-go, unique Search Function locates any song, album or artist
  • Load a song a second with ultra fast USB 2.0 port, compatible with USB 1.1 too
  • AudioSync lets you seamlessly update your Creative Zen Touch with your latest music on your PC at the touch of a button
  • Compatible with Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, and XP
  • Latest Reviews

    ijkidd

    Reviews written: 2

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★☆

    Written on: 03/03/2007

    “I have recommended this to others in the past (who...”

    I have recommended this to others in the past (who have purchased the unit), and although I would be wary of doing so again due to my screen problems, I think that with ANY portable device it is easy for them to develop issues (mobiles, mp3 players, camera's, old fashioned walkmen). Impacts, temperatures, general wear and tear generally limit these items to at the most a couple of years of usage nowadays, which is a unexpected churn rate in ethical (landfill) terms, if not warranty! Until solid...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    dopeypreacher

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★☆

    Written on: 04/01/2007

    “The reason i am getting rid of it is, as i mentioned...”

    The reason i am getting rid of it is, as i mentioned above, the headphone jack isn't flush with the rest of the player, a huge design flaw that should have changed. It basically means that you can't plug in a audio cable to go into a hi-fi / amp system which is infurating. But apart fromt that is a good solid mp3 player...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    db112358

    Reviews written: 5

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 21/10/2006

    “I have owned my MP3 player (the 40Gb version) for some...”

    I have owned my MP3 player (the 40Gb version) for some 18 months now, and I still love it. In fact, I can't imagine being without it. I have read reviews complaining of "freezing" with their product, but I have yet to have any problem at all with my Creative Labs Zen Touch MP3 player. It is heavier than the infamous Apple brand, but boy is it solid. Mine has a few dents (mainly from early experiments of trying to use the belt pouch, before I discovered how easily that item became unattached...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    The Falcon

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★☆☆☆

    Written on: 05/10/2006

    “I have nothing to compare it to, as it's the only MP3...”

    I have nothing to compare it to, as it's the only MP3 player that I've owned, but although it's good enough when it works, the poor quality of manufacture, lack of access to Creative and lack of accessories available is annoying, and it makes me wish I'd gone with the flock and got an iPod instead....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    lifesonsguitar

    Reviews written: 2

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★☆

    Written on: 12/08/2006

    “I bought the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20Gb MP3 player...”

    I bought the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20Gb MP3 player over a year ago, and it's been very good. The sound is great, but as with all of these players, it depends on the source and the compression used when ripping. I tend to use WMA and rip to 128 or 160. I use this on the train each day, and I only have to recharge it every few weeks. I've never timed the battery life, but I guess it's good for about 12 - 15 hours of use. I find the touchpad a little too sensitive, even on the low setting,...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    goldfishinabowl

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ☆☆☆☆☆

    Written on: 14/06/2006

    “Great when the Zen Touch works, a totally lost cause...”

    Great when the Zen Touch works, a totally lost cause if something goes wrong!
    If you're thinking of buying one its worth checking out the discussions within the support section of Creative. In a year I've had most of these problems.
    I bought it because it seemed well priced compared to the iPod's, however, my friends with iPod's are still as happy as can be, my friends with Creatives are quickly swapping for the altogether more reliable, more stylish and ultimately better priced iPod's....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    platinum

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ☆☆☆☆☆

    Written on: 17/04/2006

    “The first 6 months of Creative Labs Zen Touch...”

    The first 6 months of Creative Labs Zen Touch ownership were reasonably problem free, apart from the touch pad, which you'll either love or hate and the track ordering:- tracks are not always stored in the correct order in the Creative Media Source player (the media player/download manager which runs on your computer). When using this player on my pc, I had to play tracks in time recorded order to overcome this. Also noticed that synchronizing the computer with the mp3 player produced errors when...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    d1g17

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 22/02/2006

    “All around I think the Creative Labs Zen Touch is a...”

    All around I think the Creative Labs Zen Touch is a great device.. Yea Yea.. it's a little heavy. But its not like it weighs 50 pounds or anything. I haven't had it but for a few days and I love I already. When I bought it it came with an FM transmitter, no more burning CD's YAY!!! All around I think i'ts a great player and would recommend it to everyone. I owned the Creative MUVO and that was great I was waiting to find another Creative mp3 player because Creative always makes the best products....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    Darkon

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 24/01/2006

    “I've had my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20Gb MP3 player...”

    I've had my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20Gb MP3 player for about 6 months now, and I can say it has been excellent in that time! The reset button is very handy for those rare freezes (it's happened twice so far) - The iPod lacks one, so you have to wait for the battery to die... What a drag!

    The battery life is 24 hours - AMAZING - this is hard to find on any other player. It can even last up to 32 hours with WMA.

    The sound is very good quality and NEVER skips.

    The case,...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    techma

    Reviews written: 2

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 15/01/2006

    “I have had my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player...”

    I have had my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player for about a year, and it has been fantastic! I haven't had a single problem, and I have recommended it to several friends

    One friend managed to throw his down a flight of stairs onto a concrete floor. The case broke open and half of the buttons broke, but it still worked!! You don't need to even drop an iPod to break them!!...

    Read full review
    Report this review
    See next 10 reviews Showing 1 - 10 of 34 Reviews

    jonnyboy16

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★☆☆☆☆

    Written on: 17/11/2005

    “I've owned the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player...”

    I've owned the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player for just over a year, and I have to say it's disappointed me from day one. I have accepted the fact that it freezes often, and even got used to this dodgy characteristic, but now that the warranty period has expired, the Zen has permanently frozen. It freezes every time I operate the reset button. To make matters worse, the reset button is tiny and can only be operated with a pin or similar object. What's more, the silver surround around the...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    stevebet

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 17/10/2005

    “I had a Mini ipod for 7 months until one day it just...”

    I had a Mini ipod for 7 months until one day it just died on me. After getting a refund the chap behind the desk said this was a common issue and he had the same problem with his 20 gig ipod. I then decided to buy the Zen touch, instead of replacing it for another ipod. Sorry! ipods are so over rated and nowhere near as well made as Creative's products. The sound quality with the Zen is much better too....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    berwynhoodboy

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 07/10/2005

    “I bought my Zen Touch player about a month ago and I...”

    I bought my Zen Touch player about a month ago and I love it. The battery lasts 24 hours! It's a little heavy but no biggy. The sound quality is awesome and it's really easy to transfer songs at a great speed. I have only some difficulty mastering the Touch system. I guess my thumb is a little too rough that I can't get to instantly pick the right song... hehehehe....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    Jenesis

    Reviews written: 21

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 15/09/2005

    “I did my research carefully before choosing to buy the...”

    I did my research carefully before choosing to buy the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player, and I'm glad I did! The player itself is very easy to use. I personally use it every day walking to and from work. Although it says "Do not run or jog" with the player, I have had no problems with it in my pocket on a brisk walk! The sound quality is amazing, especially with good headphones. It doesn't have "Extras" like an iPod (no Solitaire or music quiz), but since these are pretty useless anyway,...

    Read full review

    Jenesis's response to Jenesis's Review

    Written on: 11/09/2007

    As I can't edit my review I'll add to it here - I still have and use this player two years on! It's getting on for two-and-a-half years old now and still going strong. Take that, iPod!

    Report this review

    Dave burns

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★☆

    Written on: 14/09/2005

    “The Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player is an all...”

    The Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player is an all round good device! The audio output is very good, and it is easy to use the menu and navigate....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    julesuk1

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 12/09/2005

    “I was given the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3...”

    I was given the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player as a belated Christmas/Birthday present from my brother, and I love it. There is loads of room for music and files, and they are quick to download.
    The player is easy to use, although the touch-pad is a little over-sensitive.
    It would be great to have a radio on it, and also would be really helpful to be able to put downloaded documents in files rather than just individually on the machine.
    All in all, it has good battery life,...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    pugblue13

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 07/09/2005

    “I've owned a Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 Player...”

    I've owned a Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 Player for about 8 months now. I bought it for use at my work place, and to cancel out back ground noise. I work 12 hour shifts, so the battery life is important to me as well. I don't use the supplied headphones (I use neckband items). It more than does the job, and I rate it 10/10 for battery life (normally get 3- 4 days use with out a charge). With my headphones it cancels out most noise! The 20GB hard drive is huge, and will be more than suitable...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    gillianskerritt

    Reviews written: 7

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 01/09/2005

    “My first adventure into the world of MP3, and I know...”

    My first adventure into the world of MP3, and I know nothing about the technology.The Zen Touch 20gbis really simple to use and basically a personal jukebox for your CD's....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    bjbrains

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 22/08/2005

    “I chose the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player...”

    I chose the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20GB MP3 player over the iPod, mainly on the grounds that I did not want my laptop overridden by iTunes. The Zen can take any music format, unlike other players which have to convert them! The Zen is amazing for battery life, and a mega plus is that if the battery dies, you can unscrew the back and order a new battery online, and you won't have to send it back to the manufacturers and be charged loads!! It also has great sound quality, and is easy to use.
    ...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    mkleach

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★☆☆☆☆

    Written on: 09/08/2005

    “I agree with the other reviewers about the overall...”

    I agree with the other reviewers about the overall 'feel' of the Creative Labs Zen Touch player. I found loading music files easy using drag and drop or Windows Media player (I didn't use the bundled software).Playback quality was brilliant and I had even got used to the scroll bar! Unfortunately mine froze on the third day and nothing I did would unfreeze the player - it was returned for a refund with the backlight still glowing (does this say something about the battery life?!). So, a good machine...

    Read full review
    Report this review
    See next 10 reviews Showing 11 - 20 of 34 Reviews

    Ste89

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 23/07/2005

    “I got my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb yesterday and I...”

    I got my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb yesterday and I love it, I cannot fault it, except for the software that comes with it, it is way to complicated so I just use windows media player 10 an it works a treat, the battery recharges very quickly, it only takes 15-30 mins which is great. Overall I say if you're looking for a new mp3 and are willing to pay the Zen wipes the floor with an ipod any day...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    mowfoe

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★☆☆☆

    Written on: 19/07/2005

    “I had my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb Portable MP3...”

    I had my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb Portable MP3 Player for almost three months and found it to be a waste of money! Sound was good but the slightest knock would cause music to jump, and upload of music would often fail. Eventually sent it back after it packed up all together. As stated on the box this player is for home or office use only!...

    Read full review

    Julesuk1's response to mowfoe's Review

    Written on: 12/09/2005

    Yes, i agree with you, it is a bit chunky but i've had no problems with it jumping at the slightest knock. Judging by my experience with it and everyone else's reviews, sounds like you had a faulty one. I took mine sailing for a week and had no problems.

    Report this review

    drunkirishpunx

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 15/07/2005

    “All in all, this Creative Zen Touch MP3 player is the...”

    All in all, this Creative Zen Touch MP3 player is the best for the money that I have personally come across. Much better to spend your money on a portable media player that is good all around as opposed to spending an arm and a leg on an iPod which really isn't that good to begin with....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    joe joe

    Reviews written: 2

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 15/07/2005

    “I have had the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb MP3 Player...”

    I have had the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb MP3 Player for 6 weeks and it is the best one I have had. I had the Rio 20gb the software for the Rio was a lot better than Creative Software.
    But I use windows media 10. It is the best out off them all. I run my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb MP3 Player in the car, set it up with Digiana Audiax II Wireless FM Transmitter and it is fantastic it gives me the sound threw all the speakers in the car. and it runs from the cigarette lighter and I have got...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    geoffrey001

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 20/06/2005

    “I bought this Creative Zen Touch player purely on the...”

    I bought this Creative Zen Touch player purely on the fact that David Beckham uses iPod and I am really glad I did.
    In a short time (after adjusting the settings etc) it was easy to add and remove music and listen to the good quality sound.
    I would recommend this to anyone....

    Read full review
    Report this review

    invisivale

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 13/06/2005

    “I've had my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb for about 2...”

    I've had my Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb for about 2 weeks now. I'm such a music fanatic, it's amazing that I was able to hold out and wait for the dust to settle in the MP3 player wars to find out which one was going to be the best. That had more to do with my lack of money than with my patience, but anyway I'm glad I waited. Otherwise, I might have wound up with an iPod in that first mad rush. =

    This Zen Touch player is fantastic. The sound quality is just phenomenal. On some of my quieter...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    bobcompetition

    Reviews written: 4

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ☆☆☆☆☆

    Written on: 25/05/2005

    “Three days continually trying to get this Creative...”

    Three days continually trying to get this Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb to load music. Sometimes (one in five) it did. Most times the software crashed the computer. The worst thing I have ever bought....

    Read full review

    Jadeluvsdolphins's response to bobcompetition's Review

    Written on: 27/05/2005

    Not sure this is a fair review, if it crashed your system then your system specs should be listed as well... As I have loaded my zen touch software to at least 15 different systems and have never had a problem. However if your system doesn't meet the minimum requirements then of course you're going to have a problem. Could be that your system has conflicting software running on it as well that causes the freeze up. Wide range of possibilities here that could cause the problems you experienced. I think it's unfortunate you returned it, as you just passed up the best mp3 player out there.

    Report this review

    Jadeluvsdolphins

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 17/05/2005

    “This Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb review is the first...”

    This Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb review is the first review I've wrote for a product, I usually don't bother, but this unit definately deserves it as it's the most impressive product I've come across. I am a certified Comptia A+ professional *not currently practicing my profession* and have geeked for years, so I have handled/bought/tried a lot of products. I debated for a while over buying an ipod. After some research and tips from friends, I went with the Creative Labs 20 gig Zen Touch and am...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    mervwilliams

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 10/04/2005

    “It was a choice between the Creative Labs Zen Touch...”

    It was a choice between the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb and an iPod but when it came down to it the Zen won, although intially on price alone. Having never used an iPod I can't compare but looking at the battery life this is a good way ahead on that score too.

    The box states you can store up to 10,000 songs but on closer inspection this would be WMA files at 64kps - I wouldn't go for less than 128kps. Still there's more than enough space for all the albums I require and the sound (I use...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    shazam lp

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 29/03/2005

    “As the first review says, the Creative Labs Zen Touch...”

    As the first review says, the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb can play Mp3's and WMA's which iPod doesn't, same time, the battery life is amazing, I had it when it first came, and I never ran out of battery, my brother has an iPod 20GB, he needs to charge it 3 times a day. Playback quality is good, Screen Resolution is awesome, the sound card is based on the EAX2 chipset, one of the best sound playback systems in the world, greatshock resisting, I never experienced skipping in songs. Still size is...

    Read full review

    Purpleturtle's response to shazam lp's Review

    Written on: 18/05/2005

    and you can just buy new good quality headphones! or put pads on

    Report this review
    See next 10 reviews Showing 21 - 30 of 34 Reviews

    Pepilepew

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 19/03/2005

    “The Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb is the easiest MP3...”

    The Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb is the easiest MP3 player to use. I bought six different ones before I was convinced that the Zen Touch would be my favourite. The buttons are easy to learn how to use. I was able to go through (operation) the entire MP3 player without reading the instructions. The sound is great. The Zen Touch does everything (minus the software) it says it can do. For those who have problems using the software, I recommend using MusicMatch. The touch pad is very easy to use and...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    matrixclown

    Reviews written: 4

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 03/03/2005

    “The Zen Touch is amazing, with either 20 or 60 gig's...”

    The Zen Touch is amazing, with either 20 or 60 gig's of memory (I don't see why in the world we need that much to play music, who actully has 10,000 songs that they want to play?) It looks sweet, and personally I like the method of scrolling better than the Ipod (gasp, although I do miss randomly spinning my hand in circles) And did I mention the price? Anywhere from $100-$200 saved instead of buying the all controling iPod! I love it!...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    hexum77

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★★

    Written on: 12/12/2004

    “Pretty awesome product, so yeah, get one over an ipod!”

    Pretty awesome product, so yeah, get one over an ipod!...

    Read full review
    Report this review

    Aledtheruler

    Reviews written: 1

    Creative Labs ZEN Touch 20gb
    ★★★★☆

    Written on: 22/11/2004

    “Afer much debate on whetgher to get this or a Apple...”

    Afer much debate on whetgher to get this or a Apple iPod i decided to get the Creative Labs Zen Touch 20gb for the reasons that it plays WMA which the iPod doesn't, and the fact that the battery life is much better (24hrs). Although for some reason in the manual it says 'do not run with the machine', i accidentaly left it in my pocket and went to a concert and despite being crushed it still worked fine afterwards, but that just might have been lucky. Touch pad is intuitive, but takes some getting...

    Read full review

    Julesv's response to Aledtheruler's Review

    Written on: 05/12/2004

    I believe that the reason it says 'do not run with the machine' is because it's an HDD rather than a PSS format, and therefore not shockproof.

    Muffin547's response to Aledtheruler's Review

    Written on: 01/02/2005

    thanks a great review helped me decide on what to buy.

    Report this review
    overview