The YP-U4 is an excellent MP3 player that packs in plenty of cool features for the asking price. While it fails to reach the lofty heights set by its YP-U3 predecessor, it remains a solid offering that won't disappoint the average music fan.

A good but not great iPod alarm clock, it has a few nifty features like its motion sensor but the audio is merely average.

The DC910 is an appealing prospect, especially if you own an iPod touch. The bass can be overpowering, but for the price this nifty unit provides plenty of punch.

The Archos 5 is a beautifully designed portable video player with a stunning screen and very good audio and video playback.

A fairly impressive portable media player, the Sony Walkman NWZ-E436F doesn't do anything incredible and it has a few niggling issues but its combination of good quality video playback and intuitive interface make it a viable choice.

As integrated iPod dock sound systems go, the Geneva is far ahead of the pack despite missing out on a few creature comforts. If you can overlook the narrow soundstage and lack of screen, you might just be won over by the sound quality.

If any player could make fashion-conscious iPod users jump ship, it's this one; it may be the one digital music device that has more aesthetic appeal than an iPod.

The iM310 is a fair travel solution, but don’t expect brilliant sound quality. At this price it's pretty decent value.

A decent but uninspiring iPod dock, the Cygnett GrooveForce II suffers a fair bit in the audio department but it is fine for casual listening and the FM tuner will be appealing to many.

Despite the issues with sound quality there is a little to complain about at this price. The AJ301D is a capable hybrid alarm clock and iPod dock.

If you prefer something extremely lightweight that integrates with a lot of third-party speakers and accessories, the fourth-generation 16GB iPod Nanos may be a better choice. All of these devices are available for about the same price as the Zune, so unless you're a big fan of Zune's software and the Zune Marketplace, you can probably find a better value elsewhere.

New features coupled with lower prices increase the second-generation model's appeal, but this version of the Touch doesn't supply enough incentive for existing owners to upgrade.