Apple scored top marks in the 2008 Brandjunkie survey last week but shoppers’ reviews from the online consumer review site www.reevoo.com tell a different story. Apple’s popular iPod range didn’t make the top three in a poll of 293 MP3 players, as rated by genuine purchasers on independent review website, Reevoo, who analysed over 4,000 MP3 player customer reviews.

Unfortunately for Apple, this MP3 player race was dominated by Sony with the Sony NWE016BC just nudging the Sony NWZA816 into second place. Third was the Hitachi DMP20 2GB, followed by the New Green iPod Nano 8GB in fourth and the Black Samsung YP-P2JCB 8GB in fifth.

Apple’s position in the market for superior design was challenged by shoppers who gave the Sony NWE016BC a perfect 10/10 for design, compared to a relatively disappointing 9.3/10 for the iPod.

Overall, the Sony NWE016BC was rated 9.8/10 while the iPod lagged behind with 9.2/10. One customer nicely summed up the Sony player as “very easy to use, excellent sound quality, very quick battery charge-up, lightweight & attractive to look at”.

Poor battery life is a constant disappointment in Apple products and the Nano was no exception. Reviewers were given eight categories in which to rate their MP3 players and it was no surprise that battery life was the most poorly rated category for the iPod.

Shoppers also complained that the iPod was only compatible with iTunes and Glen from Kent felt that “a protective cover … should come as standard rather than being an expensive accessory”.

When shoppers buy goods online from any of Reevoo’s 52 retail partners, including Woolworths, Currys, Dixons and the Carphone Warehouse, they are asked to rate their purchases. Their comments – good, bad or indifferent – are then published on both the e-tailers’ websites and on www.reevoo.com.

Shoppers can also keep up-to-date on the latest consumer news and reviews on Reevoo’s blog at www.decidewhattobuy.com.

Top Five MP3 Players

1. Sony NWE016BC – 9.8/10

2. Sony NWZA816 – 9.7/10

3. Hitachi DMP20 2GB Black – 9.4/10

4. New Apple iPod Nano 8GB Green – 9.2/10

5. Samsung YP-P2JCB 8GB Black – 9.2/10