The Powerful Trio Is the iPod Shuffle for the Modern Spotify Generation
When I want to listen to music and not be bothered by the internet, it's a real challenge in 2024. My music is on my phone and if I pick it up, I'll see notifications that are impossible to ignore. So, I can't truly enjoy music in the backyard while reading a book as I'll end up getting distracted.
The Mighty 3 is designed to solve this problem. It's a music player that can sync playlists from either Spotify Premium or Amazon Music. At first glance, it might seem similar to the Apple iPod Shuffle, and if you liked that device, you'll probably enjoy the Mighty too. It provides a screen-free way to listen to music that's been updated for the streaming age. Plus, it supports Bluetooth headphones – something no non-touch iPod ever offered.
The Mighty 3 costs $125, giving streaming music users a way to listen to their favorite tunes without any screens. While there are a few design flaws, it generally delivers on its promise.
Enjoying music – it's all about the experience
First and foremost, the listening experience is the most important aspect. The Mighty 3 is a small music player – it's smaller than your phone. With a 1.5-inch square face and a thickness of just over half an inch, it's not gigantic, but larger than the fourth generation iPod Shuffle. It weighs a mere 0.7 ounces, light enough to clip to your clothes and forget about. You could snap it to your shirt, connect your headphones, and hit play.
There's a dedicated button in the top right corner for navigating through all the playlists you've synced. The device also has a computerized voice that announces the current playlist, which is quite helpful. Navigating the 10 or so playlists I synced was a breeze, and the Mighty remembered where I was in each playlist, allowing me to jump between them and pick up right where I left off.
The device has physical buttons for adjusting the volume or changing the track. This was particularly useful while driving – I could switch between playlists without looking down at my phone. I also found it handy during workouts or runs, although the small clip made it a bit tricky to remember what each button does mid-exercise.
The MP3 headphones from my old iPod made a reappearance for this review.
If I have one complaint about using the device, it's the effect the button positioning has on the clip. It's tough to open the clip without pressing a button, leading to accidental volume adjustments or playlist skips when trying to attach it to my shirt. It's a design flaw but not enough to undermine the device's overall appeal.
Left: The Mighty 3. Right: the 4th generation iPod Shuffle. Credit: Justin Pot
The process of syncing music is somewhat complicated but functional
Transferring music to the Mighty 3 is a bit more nuanced than I'd prefer but ultimately manageable. You'll need a smartphone app to handle the device's management, which means you can't set it up with a computer. The app provides clear instructions and set up was seamless once I followed them.
After installing the app, I was able to connect the device to my chosen streaming service and choose the playlists I wanted to sync over. Each playlist needs to be synced separately, and the Mighty 3 must be plugged in to a power outlet to complete the sync. There were occasional syncing hiccups, requiring me to restart the process. While I wish I could sync my music from a computer, it's not a dealbreaker.
Unfortunately, podcasts can't be synced directly without creating or finding playlists on your streaming service. The same goes for albums – you'll need to create playlists to sync them. It's become a habit for me to hunt for "discography" playlists on my favorite artists; luckily, there's usually one available.
Pairing Bluetooth headphones and speakers with the Mighty 3 is reasonably simple. The initial Bluetooth set up was typical, but after that, it was a breeze. The Bluetooth range could be a bit better, however; keeping the device in my pocket didn't always guarantee consistent audio quality. A shirt pocket, sleeve, or collar worked just fine, though.
One downside: syncing your own MP3s isn't possible. Most songs are available on streaming services these days, but that's not true for everything. Not offering an MP3 fallback means that any non-streamed music or audiobooks are off-limits.
In conclusion, the Mighty 3 is a great device for users who want to dive into the nostalgia of iPods without needing a screen. It provides a novel way to listen to music and can even be used during physical activities like running or driving. Despite a few drawbacks, it's an enjoyable and unique listening experience.
But these are just small details. The Mighty 3 is an excellent option if you want to listen to your Spotify or Amazon Music playlists without using your phone. It's perfect for those times when you're going for a run or a drive and don't want to be tethered to the internet. If that sounds like something you'd enjoy, and you don't mind spending $125, then the Mighty will serve you well.
Yeah, I dug out my old iPod headphones for this one. Wouldn't you? Credit: Justin Pot
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The Mighty 3 review might spark interest in tech enthusiasts who loved the Apple iPod Shuffle's simplicity. With its design mimicking the iPod Shuffle but updated for the modern era, it might entice those seeking a screen-free music listening experience.
For tech enthusiasts eager for a review of the Mighty 3, they might find insights on its user-friendly interface, syncing process, and overall performance in this review, helping them decide if it's worth investing in.
