Who couldn't use a little more music in their lives? Whether it's an MP3 player upgrade, an iPod speaker system, or a tiny player just for the gym, throwing some holiday money on music gadgets is a surefire way to spread some cheer. Still stumped on what to buy the music lover in your life? A shiny new set of earbuds or headphones makes for an easy stocking stuffer that's guaranteed to be compatible with any MP3 player.
Editors' top pick
The bottom line: The second-generation iPod Touch includes features that are light-years ahead of the competition, its design has improved, and its price has finally come down to earth.
Price:
$274.99 - $319.95
The bottom line: The Zune 120, with a unique focus on music discovery, is a fierce competitor to the iPod Classic. The Zune's substantial storage capacity combined with its Zune Pass music subscription makes it an ideal solution for restless music fans with large appetites.
Price:
$232.90 - $263.84
The bottom line: Thanks to excellent sound quality, integrated noise-canceling functionality, and several smart music sorting options, the Sony S-Series Walkman is a superb choice for music aficionados.
Price:
$159.00 - $179.99
The bottom line: The Samsung S2 Pebble is a simple, cute MP3 player that offers a super affordable price tag, good sound quality, and some compelling extras. It's a great option for those who like to wear their devices pendant style.
Price:
$29.99 - $39.99
The bottom line: The iPod Classic refines the formula that put the iPod on the map. Few can match its combination of storage capacity, battery life, and intuitive user interface.
Price:
$219.95 - $249.99
The bottom line: The Creative Zen X-Fi's plastic design leaves a little to be desired, but that doesn't detract from the fact that the player is an incredible value overall: for an extremely competitive price you get a boatload of features and great sound quality.
Price:
$189.00 - $199.99
The bottom line: The pricey Klipsch Image in-ear headphones combine rich sound with superior comfort.
Price:
$211.99 - $349.99
The bottom line: The fourth-generation iPod Nano is easy on the eyes and the wallet, and you can't beat its hardware and user interface design. Just be sure to give iTunes 8 a spin before committing.
Price:
$133.99 - $149.99
The bottom line: The Creative Aurvana X-Fi headphones are a good option for bass-loving frequent fliers who have the money to spend and don't mind others eavesdropping on their listening experience.
Price:
$236.94 - $310.58
The bottom line: The unique and stylish Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones offer solid audio, useful accessories, and a look that's anything but copycat. For fashion-forward folks with cash to spare, they're a great option.
Price:
$349.00 - $349.99
The bottom line: The Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile is a versatile portable speaker system that's an excellent option for mobile-music-device users who value a compact design and multiple connection options over stellar audio quality.
The bottom line: It's an MP3 player. No wait...it's a speaker. Is it a robotic dancing egg? Actually, the Sony Rolly is all of those things. But mostly, it's just a pricey musical toy for gadget heads who have everything--including some cash to burn.
Price:
$399.99
The bottom line: Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there's no denying the sound quality here: they're the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
Price:
$34.99 - $42.27
The bottom line: The Ion iPTUSB is as useful as it is adorable, with sound quality that defies its small size.
The bottom line: The SanDisk Sansa Clip is an incredible value that's set to edge out the competition with a user-friendly interface, gym-worthy design, and great sound quality.
Price:
$32.99 - $64.99
The bottom line: The Radius Atomic Bass earphones are a good choice for bass-addicts with an eye for style and a concern for budget.
Price:
$34.00 - $39.99
The bottom line: If you like your music playback simple and your device nearly invisible, the third-generation iPod Shuffle will suit you well. But absentminded users should steer clear of this easy-to-misplace player.
Price:
$46.01 - $49.99
