Hit Play on a Big Payday
Remember when an MP3 player was the coolest thing you could pull out of your pocket? Well, while almost nobody uses them these days, collectors are shelling out some serious cash for old MP3 players. And by serious cash we don’t just mean hundreds of dollars. From Apple’s first iPods to obscure players you probably forgot existed, some are selling for thousands—and even tens of thousands—of real dollars.
First-Generation iPod Sealed (sold for $10,000+)
Apple’s very first iPod from 2001 has become a true collector’s prize—especially sealed. Units have sold in the U.S. for over $10,000, turning what was once a $399 gadget into a serious investment piece.
Trying to use the first iPod, too many years later, 91Tech
Diamond Rio PMP300 (up to $260)
The Diamond Rio PMP300 from 1998 is the granddaddy of MP3 players. With just 32MB of storage, it barely held an album, but collectors love its pioneering role. Sealed examples have sold for more than $250.
Diamond Rio PMP300 - The 1998 MP3 Player Experience, LGR
Apple iPod Classic 160GB (up to $300)
The seventh-generation iPod Classic was the last of its kind, released in 2009. With massive storage and the famous click wheel, it’s a staple for collectors. Clean examples often sell for $200–$300 today.
Apple iPod Classic 160GB Unboxing, SMG4LIFE01
Never-Opened Second-Gen iPod (sold for $20,000)
Sealed, never-opened second-gen iPods have sold for as much as $20,000. These units prove that packaging and untouched condition matter more than specs, turning a once-common gadget into a four-figure treasure.
I Bought Another iPod Classic 2nd Gen | Lets See What Its Like, Techformative
Microsoft Zune HD (up to $200)
Though it never beat the iPod, the Zune HD won fans with its slick OLED screen and great sound. It’s now a cult collectible, with working models going for up to $200 depending on storage size.
Microsoft Zune HD (16GB) Retro Review:, OSReviews
iPod Mini (up to $200)
Launched in 2004, the iPod Mini came in fun colors and fit perfectly in your pocket. Collectors especially chase after rare shades like pink or green, which can bring prices near $200 if they’re in great shape.
iPod Mini (2004, 2005) | Vintage Tech Showcase | Retro Review, Techformative
Silver First-Gen iPod Mini (sold for $2,500)
One particularly rare silver first-generation iPod Mini made headlines when it sold for $2,500. While most Minis hover under $200, this one proves that unusual colors and mint condition can drive prices into the thousands.
#TrowbackThursday: iPod mini Unboxing & Review from 2004!, NewAppleTimes
iPod Nano 1st Gen (up to $250)
Apple’s impossibly thin Nano wowed buyers in 2005. Collectors today hunt sealed units, which can fetch up to $250. Even used examples often go for $30–$100, showing its continued appeal.
Retro Unboxing: 1st Gen iPod Nano, iTechEverything
iPod Shuffle 1st Gen (up to $150)
The screenless Shuffle was quirky even back then, but collectors love its simplicity. Clean units can go for $100–$150, while sealed ones remain surprisingly valuable for such a tiny, minimalistic gadget.
iPod shuffle (1st Generation) Unboxing - Is it REALLY Brand New?, David Di Franco
Sony Walkman NW-HD1 (up to $300+)
Sony brought its Walkman brand into the MP3 age with this sleek metal-bodied player. Audiophiles and collectors love its build quality, and mint units can sell for more than $300, especially with original accessories.
Sony NW-HD1, Andrius Skabeikis
Creative Zen Micro (up to $150)
Custom faceplates and strong sound made the Zen Micro a fun alternative to Apple. Collectors like it as a reminder of when the MP3 market was wide open. Units in good shape can sell for up to $150.
Creative Zen Micro Old School, TheSmok3
Creative Nomad Jukebox (up to $200)
Looking more like a Discman than an MP3 player, the Nomad Jukebox could hold thousands of songs. Its odd design makes it a collector favorite, and working models can go for as much as $200.
Reviving my dead MP3 player - The NOMAD Jukebox, Borderline OCD
Factory-Sealed Third-Gen iPod Shuffle (sold for $1,000)
While most Shuffles are worth under $150, one sealed third-generation Shuffle sold for a whopping $1,000. Its untouched packaging made all the difference, proving even Apple’s tiniest players can bring big payouts.
Unboxing and Remembering the iPod shuffle 3rd generation, 14 years later!, The iTunes Fanboy
Cowon iAudio Players (up to $200)
Cowon’s iAudio devices from Korea earned cult status for their superb sound and customizable playback. Rarely sold in the U.S., they’re highly collectible today, with working models easily topping $200 in some cases.
Cowon iAudio 9 MP3 Player Review, Geekanoids
Rio 500 (up to $100)
The Rio 500 was a late-’90s upgrade to the original PMP300, with more storage and a sleeker look. Collectors snap them up for nostalgia, and prices hover around $50–$100 for working units.
The Diamond Rio 500 mp3 player., Widgets and Cogs
SanDisk Sansa Clip+ (up to $80)
The Sansa Clip was small, cheap, and surprisingly powerful, earning love from runners and audiophiles. Collectors still grab them today, with clean examples fetching $50–$80 online.
Sandisk Sansa Clip+ Reset Language from any Language, ShawnBox (BHShaman)
iRiver H120 / H140 (up to $180)
Built tough with advanced features like optical input, iRiver’s H-series players are still sought by collectors. Good examples with packaging intact can bring as much as $180.
Dell Digital Jukebox (up to $100)
Dell’s DJ line didn’t last long, but its quirky design gives it collector appeal today. Prices range from $30–$100, with sealed units landing closer to the top end.
The Dell Digital Jukebox... Copy Apple's Homework But Change It A Little, Tech Throwback
Toshiba Gigabeat (up to $150)
The Gigabeat is remembered as inspiration for the Zune, but collectors also value it in its own right. Sleek and underrated, surviving units can sell for $150 if they’re in good condition.
Vintage Tech: Toshiba MEGF40 Gigabeat MP3 Player, databits
Zune Special Editions (up to $400+)
Limited runs like the Halo 3 Zune have become collector gold. While standard Zunes sell for under $200, special editions in mint condition can easily fetch $400 or more.
Box opening of my Halo 3 zune, Angela Zermeno
iPod Touch 1st Gen (up to $200+)
Released in 2007, the iPod Touch felt like the iPhone without the phone. Collectors love sealed first-generation models, which can sell for $200 or higher depending on condition and storage.
iPod Touch 1st Gen: Retro Review!, Harris Craycraft
Archos Jukebox (up to $200)
Bulky but innovative, Archos players offered recording and upgradeable hard drives. Collectors love their hacker-friendly design, with clean working units selling in the $100–$200 range.
ARCHOS JUKE BOX-YouTube-1.mov, hitechgeneration
iPod Classic 1st Gen (up to $400)
The iPod that changed music forever is now highly collectible. Surviving 2001 models with FireWire connectors and scroll wheels can bring in $300–$400, especially if they still power up.
Microsoft Zune 30GB (up to $150)
The first Zune, released in 2006, famously came in brown. While not worth a fortune, collectors pay $100–$150 for these quirky devices, especially with the original box and charger.
Microsoft Zune 30GB MP3/WMV Player, computertv
Philips HDD Series (up to $120)
Philips’ small hard-drive players were never very popular, but that makes them appealing now. Collectors often pay around $100 for good examples, especially if they come with accessories.
RCA Lyra (up to $100)
RCA’s Lyra tried to capture the MP3 wave in the early 2000s. They didn’t stick around long, but collectors enjoy scooping them up, with prices up to $100 for working models.
rca lyra mp3 player, dankcatvacs
iPod Nano Special Editions (up to $250)
From bright color runs to the U2 edition, special Nanos have collector appeal. Sealed or mint units can go for $150–$250, making them one of the more affordable but still desirable collectibles.
Apple iPod Nano 4GB 2nd Generation Red Special Edition, pcwhizmail
Sealed First-Generation iPod (sold for $40,264)
The holy grail of MP3 collecting: a sealed, shrink-wrapped first-gen iPod sold at auction for $40,264. These are incredibly rare, and condition makes all the difference in reaching these sky-high values.
This Is Apple’s First Ever iPod From 2001! M8541 1st Gen, Sam's Retro Electronics
Jimi Hendrix Special Edition iPod (sold for $2,449.99)
Apple made a handful of artist-themed iPods, and the Hendrix edition is among the rarest. One sold for nearly $2,450, proving music history inside and out makes these devices highly collectible.
Warner/Reprise Records Uploaded by We hope at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
iPod Prototype “P95 DVT” (up to $100,000)
This 2002 prototype featured a red logic board and engraved case. Auction houses estimated its value at $25,000, and one was listed on eBay for $99,995. Note that was a listed price, not a sold price. But still, this one seems to be the ultimate iPod trophy for hardcore collectors.
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