We need hardly add that the Sony Walkman NWZ-A818 is a player of rare beauty with quality Walkman-branded earphones adding to the appeal. Its black brushed metal is less shiny than its predecessors and we wish Sony had sorted out somewhere other than round the back for the Hold button; other than that, it's hard to fault.

The Topfield TFP20 is an exceptional portable media player and considering this is their first foray into this field they are to be highly commended.

The Cowon iAudio A2 is the ultimate tech-gadget for people who can afford its price tag. There is very little it cant do and even does a few things that aren’t expected from a unit of its size.

Support for all common video and audio formats, coupled with a sleek, lightweight design and improved user interface help make Creative's Zen Vision, a top-notch media player - provided you have a Windows PC.

A fantastic portable multimedia player.

For videos, music, photos and more, you can't beat the Zen. It's one of the most versatile players on the market, it's well built and it'll give you many hours of enjoyment.

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.

If you can handle having no voice recorder or radio and are dissatisfied with the sound quality of other portable media players, then the Sony NWZ-A815 is a great choice.

While it may cost a pretty penny, the iPod touch is a brilliant portable media player. The touch screen operates fluidly, and wireless connectivity adds a whole new level of options and features.

If you're after a portable media player with all the bells and whistles, Creative's Zen Vision W is a brilliant choice.

The iRiver Lplayer is an impressive portable media player. It offers a host of features, has a good quality screen and comes at a low price. Just a few niggling interface and control issues detract from what is otherwise a strong iPod nano competitor.

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