The Mechen M3 seems impressive. It supports video playback, eBook reading, FM radio, voice recording, and more. However, it has limited file support and a tiny display, making these features less useful.
Pros:
- Premium design
- Cool recording feature
- Books, videos, pictures, and more
Cons:
- Limited file format support
- The display is too small
- Poor-quality in-box headphones
MECHEN M3 : Quick verview
The Mechen M3 looks feature-packed but falls short as a music player. Mechen’s engineers focused on adding features without considering their practicality.
Mechen, a Chinese tech company, sells a few MP3 players. You’ve probably seen them on Amazon among many similar low-cost options.
Most cheap MP3 players excel in one area: great file support, portability, or ample storage. Mechen aims for breadth, offering not just an MP3 player but also a video player, eReader, recorder, and more.
However, Mechen included many features without ensuring their usefulness.
File Format Issues:
- Limited video and eBook format support
- Requires file conversion
- Tiny display
User Interface Problems:
- Touch-screen interface
- Difficult navigation
Despite its flaws, the Mechen M3 has some positives. It records voice and audio from devices via a 3.5mm jack, which can be useful. The design feels surprisingly premium for its price.
Ultimately, the Mechen M3 is a very cheap MP3 player that plays MP3s well. However, the extra features fall short, making it less competitive among the best MP3 players.
In summary, while the Mechen M3 includes various features, its limitations make it less practical. If you only need an MP3 player, it suffices, but don’t expect much from the additional features.
MECHEN M3 Review: Value And Release
| Region | Price |
|---|---|
| USA | $39.99 |
| UK | £29.99 |
| Australia | AU$59.99 |
- Available since January 2024
- Often discounted by 10%-25% on Amazon
The Mechen M3 is a budget-friendly MP3 player priced at $39.99 in the USA, £29.99 in the UK, and AU$59.99 in Australia. Frequent sales on Amazon can reduce the price by 10%-25%.
Given its low price, you will likely find it among many similar affordable MP3 players with comparable features and specifications. Released in January 2024, it is newer and more up-to-date than some competitors, which have been on the market for years.
MECHEN M3 Review: Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Memory | 64GB, expandable to 128GB |
| Media | Music, video, eReader, FM radio, images |
| File Support | Limited to select formats (AVI, AMV, TXT) |
| Radio | FM radio with live recording (wired headphones required) |
| Recorder | Voice recording and audio from 3.5mm jack |
| Additional Tools | Stopwatch, calendar, alarm, themes |
| Bluetooth | Connects to speakers, headphones (Bluetooth 5.0/5.3) |
| Storage Expansion | MicroSD card up to 128GB |
| Battery | 500mAh, varies with use |
The Mechen M3 packs many features. It offers video playback, eReader, FM radio, and more, though with limited file support.
Firstly, it supports various media types beyond just MP3s, accessible from the homepage. Options include music, video, radio, and photos.
Radio:
- FM radio works with wired headphones, which act as an antenna.
- You can record live radio.
Video Playback:
- Supports only AVI and AMV files.
- Common formats like MP4, MOV, FLV, and WMV are not supported.
- Even AVI files sometimes fail to play.
eReader:
- It only reads TXT files.
- No support for PDF, EPUB, CBR, MOBI, or Kindle formats.
Voice Recorder:
- Records voice notes and meetings.
- You can record from another device via a 3.5mm audio cable.
- Challenges include manual syncing and legal restrictions.
Additional Tools:
- Stopwatch, calendar, alarm, and themes are available.
Bluetooth:
- Connects to speakers, headphones, and earbuds.
- Listed as Bluetooth 5.0 on Mechen’s site but 5.3 on Amazon.
Storage:
- 64GB built-in, expandable by 128GB with a microSD card.
Battery Life:
- 500mAh battery.
- Battery life varies based on usage; music streaming consumes less power than video playback or eReading.
In summary, the Mechen M3 offers numerous features but is limited by its file format support. It works well as a basic MP3 player but falls short in its extra functionalities.
MECHEN M3 Review: Sound
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sound Profile | Neutral with slight treble emphasis |
| File Formats | MP3, WAV, FMA, FLAC |
| Headphones | In-box headphones are poor |
| Equalizer | No on-board equalizer |
| Speaker | Inbox headphones are poor |
The Mechen M3 offers a neutral sound with some peaking. It supports MP3, WAV, FMA, and FLAC formats. However, it lacks an equalizer, so you cannot adjust the sound.
Sound quality largely depends on your headphones. Avoid using the included ones as they are terrible. The built-in speaker is even worse and should be avoided.
Overall, the Mechen M3’s sound is fairly neutral, with a slight treble bias. Some peaking is noticeable, even with good headphones, which might disappoint audiophiles.
MECHEN M3 Review: Design
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 cm thick, 5 cm wide, 7 cm tall |
| Weight | 87g |
| Material | Glass and metal |
| Colors | Black, light blue, pink, purple, red |
| Screen | 2.4-inch, 240 x 320 resolution, touch screen |
| Ports | USB-C, microSD slot, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Buttons | Volume rocker, power button |
The Mechen M3 is small but a bit heavy. Its premium design features a glass and metal body. It measures 1 cm thick, 5 cm wide, and 7 cm tall, making it about one-third the size of a smartphone.
Although heavier than some MP3 players, it weighs 87g. The glass and metal build feels high-quality for a low-cost device. A silicone case is included to protect it from drops.
Design-wise, it resembles a small smartphone with a 2.4-inch touch screen (240 x 320 resolution). The screen is adequate but not very bright. It has a thick bezel and chin, with a volume rocker, power button, USB-C port, microSD slot, and 3.5mm headphone jack.
Mechen M3 comes in five colors: black, light blue, pink, purple, and red. The only difference is the color.
While it looks premium, its lack of portability features, such as a strap gap or clip, makes it less convenient to carry. However, it’s small enough to easily fit in your pocket.
MECHEN M3 Review: Setup
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Connection | USB-C to PC |
| Initial Setup | Easy to set up |
| File Management | Separate folders for eBooks, music, pictures, and videos |
| Main Menu | Easy to navigate |
| Submenus | Harder to navigate |
| Screen Navigation | Swipe between menu screens |
| Menu Issues | Arrows move slowly through long lists and occasional swipe issues |
| Option Size | Arrows move slowly through long lists, and occasional swipe issues |
Setting up the Mechen M3 is straightforward. Connect it to your PC using the USB-C cable. Organize your files before uploading. Each file type needs to go into a specific folder: eBooks, music, pictures, and videos. You can’t drag and drop everything into one folder.
Navigating the main menu is easy. Everything is clearly labeled on two swipeable screens, similar to a basic smartphone.
However, navigating long lists of tracks can be cumbersome. Arrows at the bottom move through options one by one, which is slow if you have many files. Swiping sometimes skips pages but can be inconsistent.
A minor issue is the small size of some options. This can lead to mis-clicks, especially for users with average-sized hands.