# HiBy R1

5 Hacker News commenters recommended HiBy R1 and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Owners recommend it as a non-Android music player for about $60 that runs Linux; the one recurring complaint is Bluetooth pairing with a car.

## Why people recommend it

- Non-Android player running Linux (2 comments): "Probably you're better off just using a HiBy R1 (which uses Linux under the hood" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49866262)) "For 60 bucks it is a remarkable non Android device" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49399991))
- Owners pleased and would recommend (2 comments): "I've got the Hiby R1 and have been pretty pleased with it." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46750040)) "Would definitely recommend it to others." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49400247))

## What people warn about

- Won't pair with car Bluetooth (1 comments): "for whatever reason it refuses to pair to my car's bluetooth" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46449060))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Apple iPod](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ipod.md): 102 recommend
- [Sony MiniDisc player](https://hackerapproved.com/p/minidisc.md): 40 recommend
- [Sony Walkman](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sony-walkman.md): 20 recommend
- [Apple iPod Classic](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ipod-classic.md): 18 recommend
- [SanDisk Sansa Clip+](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sansa-clip-plus.md): 7 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=HiBy+R1+portable+music+player&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "HiBy R1", https://hackerapproved.com/p/hiby-r1/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).