Find The Right Portable Audio Devices

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint

We hoped that the Audio-Technica's QuietPoint ATH-ANC7b noise-canceling headphones would deliver more bang for the buck than Bose's noise-canceling models--but they don't.

Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 7.4 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Noise canceling circuit, Lightweight, Fold-flat design, Closed-back headphones, Comfortable earcups

Skullcandy Icon 2 headphones (Gray Houndstooth)

Skullcandy Icon 2 headphones are a decent option for teens who prefer on-ear models with a splash of style and a built-in mic for music phone compatibility.

Specs: Headphone, Semi-open, Magenta print, Stereo, Inline microphone for iPhone and Blackberry

Ultrasone Edition 8

Ultrasone's Edition 8 headphones cost a mint, but they deliver stellar sound at home and--especially--with iPods.

Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, Black, 9.2 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, S-Logic Natural Surround Sound, 3 years Limited warranty

Sennheiser HD 800

Sennheiser's exquisite HD 800s sound more like listening to full-size speakers than any other headphones we've heard to date.

Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 11.6 oz, Stereo, Phone stereo 6.25 mm, 2 years Limited warranty

Grado PS1000

They may cost as much as a big-screen TV, but the PS1000s are simply the best-sounding, most comfortable, and best-looking Grado headphones we've ever tested.

Specs: Over-the-ear, Black, Stereo, Open acoustic seal, Open-back earcups, Metal-framed outer grill structure, Dynamic driver

Monster Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers

The Monster Turbine Pro earphones offer a sleek and stylish design and plenty of deep, thumping bass. If you have money to burn, these are a nice choice.

Specs: Ear-bud, Copper, Stereo, Gold-plated contacts, In-ear speaker design, Sound isolation, All-metal housing, Pro strain relief, MicroStrand conductors, Patented magnetic flux tube

Monster Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers (gold)

The Monster Turbine Pro earphones offer a sleek and stylish design and plenty of deep, thumping bass. If you have money to burn, these are a nice choice.

Specs: Ear-bud, Copper, Stereo, Gold-plated contacts, In-ear speaker design, Sound isolation, All-metal housing, Pro strain relief, MicroStrand conductors, Patented magnetic flux tube

Bose SoundDock 10

While it's expensive and isn't loaded with features, the Bose SoundDock 10 is classy looking and sounds excellent for a compact iPod/iPhone speaker.

Altec Lansing inMotion Classic

The Altec Lansing inMotion Classic offers a stylish way play your iPod or iPhone around your home. It sounds remarkable for its size, but it lacks the low-end oomph of a larger system.

Specs: portable speakers with digital player dock, 13 in x 2 in x 6 in, Active

Altec Lansing Orbit USB iML237

While its $50 list price is high, the Orbit USB iML237 portable speaker is an attractive option for laptop users who want a compact travel speaker that outperforms their internal laptop speakers.

Creative EP-630 (green)

The Creative EP-630 earphones offer a comfortable and stylish design, solid audio quality, and handy sound isolation. They're a good value overall.

Specs: Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, Green, 0.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, 1 year Limited warranty

Creative EP-630 (blue)

The Creative EP-630 earphones offer a comfortable and stylish design, solid audio quality, and handy sound isolation. They're a good value overall.

Specs: Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, Blue, 0.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, 1 year Limited warranty

Creative EP-630 (pink)

The Creative EP-630 earphones offer a comfortable and stylish design, solid audio quality, and handy sound isolation. They're a good value overall.

Specs: Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, Pink, 0.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, 1 year Limited warranty

Creative EP-630 (white)

The Creative EP-630 earphones offer a comfortable and stylish design, solid audio quality, and handy sound isolation. They're a good value overall.

Specs: Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, White, 0.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, 1 year Limited warranty

Creative EP-630 (black)

The Creative EP-630 earphones offer a comfortable and stylish design, solid audio quality, and handy sound isolation. They're a good value overall.

Specs: Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, Black, 0.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, 1 year Limited warranty

Altec Lansing Mix iMT800

The design of Altec Lansing's Mix iMT800 may not appeal to everyone, but its winning combination of good performance, lots of oomph, and portability makes it one of the best iPod speaker options out there.

Specs: Speakers, FM, Stereo, LCD

Zune HD (16GB - black)

The Zune HD delivers one of the best portable music and video experiences money can buy. At a time when many people have shifted their focus to games and applications, providing a killer media experience may not be enough for potential Zune buyers.

Specs: Digital player / radio, 16 GB, AAC, MP3, WMA, WMAPro, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated

Zune HD (32GB - platinum)

The Zune HD delivers one of the best portable music and video experiences money can buy. At a time when many people have shifted their focus to games and applications, providing a killer media experience may not be enough for potential Zune buyers.

Specs: Digital player / radio, 32 GB, AAC, MP3, WMA, WMAPro, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated

iHome iP1

The iHome iP1 may not sound great with all types of music, but this striking iPod/iPhone speaker system will appeal to listeners who gravitate toward pop, hip-hop, rock, and electronica.

Specs: portable speakers with digital player dock, 16.3 in x 8 in x 7 in, Black, Active

JVC Gumy Phone Earphones (grape violet)

The JVC Gumy earphones are more stylish than stock earbuds and offer a slight improvement in audio quality--not bad for about 10 bucks.

Specs: Headphones, Ear-bud, Grape violet, 0.2 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, L-shaped plug, Gold-plated plug