recommendations for a walkman style music player

Heedtheadvice

Ok, walkman very old hat but it would nearly meet the need! Suggestions for a modern alternative requested please.

It is just a temporary solution for someone staying in hospital so 'ok' quality, headphones compatible, easy to keep clean, very simple to operate (for an elderly technophobe) easy to load music to...etc. battery operated

Had thought of an fm or dab radio but dignal reception is not good. WiFi available but a bit slow so an Echo or similar might just do the job but I expect voice control might be an issue after setting up. Not even considering a tablet, Apple devices no good unless stand alone as patient not a customer!

Quite happy to loadup (or download!) music to a device but really those type of devices might be too complex.

A simple on/off switch and play button would be ideal!!

Cannot but think this will be quite a common desire when in hospital!

Any suggestions for an MSE compatible device? Quite happy to pass it on for other patient's use providing it meets infection control requirements.

bob_a_builder

Sounds like you are describing an ipod Shuffle device - second-hand on FB market place and the like
But then of course you would have to deal with apple accounts and iTunes etc - might be more trouble than its worth 

or ( and bear with me  ...) something like this would be more relevant from ease of control and simplicity of loading of music and priced to be disposable 
Clearly at that price - many limitations ... but might be just good enough for that usage

https://www.amazon.co.uk/durable-Husband-relatives-friends-children/dp/B08ZN4YHY3
Discard any headphones it comes with and replace with something vaguely comfortable
just load up an SD card and slot it in
Battery life not great though

Sandtree

So you want an MP3 player? They tend to be simpler than streaming options esp as you say the wifi is slow. 

Top tier is A&K and Sony 
mid tier Apple 
budget scandisk and shanling m0

remember some have little internal memory so budget for a memory card. 

May people use old smart phones as an alternative 

Heedtheadvice

Thanks both.

Ipod out cos of Apple implications, the clip one looks ok (certainly simple, pity about the battery time but workable), others (that I located!) expensive though much better quality.

Will probably give the clip a try cos it might just be discarded after a few days!!

Ergates

The SanDisk Clip Jam  or Victure M3 are both small, relatively simple to use and get good reviews.   Around £25-30 if you can find them.

getmore4less

Not the simple option but potentially free

Any spare phone about, many have music players from storage.

Ibrahim5

I used a Sandisk Sansa Clip for a few years a while ago. They are very good for the price. Really tiny just clip to your T-shirt in the gym. Good sound quality. The Apple people at the time used to strap an enormous thing to their arm which did the same thing. 

TELLIT01

I've use Sony Walkman MP3 players for years.  Battery life has been extremely good and even the bottom of the range can hold up to 1800 tracks.  Cheapest in Currys is currently 60 quid.

Heedtheadvice

Thanks all, gone for a sandisk.

A_Lert

Although you picked your option already I was going to say you can still get portable CD players. Argos have an own-brand one for 16 quid. Could be a good option for technophobes. CDs still easy to buy anywhere unlike tapes.

Heedtheadvice

Thanks for your addition A_Lert, a good point for anyone looking for a way to play a cd on the go.

However I cannot see an elderly patient, let alone hospital wiishing to have 25 or 50 CDs kicking around a bed and looking after them let alone keeping them clean for infection reasons. A modern device is small and easily managed by comparison is it not?