Guide to Selecting the Best iPod Speakers

In the beginning of iPod Speaker there were only a few iPod Speaker options they all did about the same thing.  Now there are hundreds of iPod speaker options. It is possilble to find speakers to meet your exact needs, it just may take some work.

When looking for iPod Speakers you should consider:

The speakers main use. There are now several genres of iPod Speakers.
Brand & manufacturer quality
Budget: How much should you spend?

Speaker Type & Functionality

Where will you be primarily using the speakers?  The kitchen? Your desk? All over the house? Outside? or to wake you up in the morning?  Narrowing the options buy type of speakers can make your choice much easier. If you are not familiar with all the types of iPod speakers, check out our guide on the different types of iPod speakers.

iPod Speakers generally fall into the following categories:

Home iPod Speakers

These are for use around the house.  They are loud enough to fill an entire room and the prices range from $85 to $600.

Features typically include a remote control, a couple of audio in and out jacks, maybe treble/bass control and are powered by an AC adapter.

Premium iPod Speakers fall into the home iPod Speaker category.  Premium iPod speakers are high quality systems from manufacturers like Bose, Bowers & Wilkins,  Prices usually start around $250 and can go up to more than $600.  Features include: superior construction, the best sound at high volumes from a well known manufacturer.

More about Home iPod Speakers:

• Best iPod Speakers for home (Editor Top Picks)
• Best Premium iPod Speakers (Editor Top Picks)
• All Home iPod Speakers
• All Premium iPod Speakers
• iPod speakers type guide
  

Portable iPod Speakers

Portable iPod Speakers are great for around the house, working in the yard or taking to the pool. Prices range from from $50 to $400.  A good portable system can be purchased for $90 to $125.

Features include internal rechargeable batteries, AM/FM radio, remote control and carrying cases.  Altec Lansing and Logitech are two of the better portable iPod Speaker brands.

Also in this category iPod Boomboxes and Ultra-portable speakers.

iPod Boomboxes are louder, more durable portable iPod Speakers.  A typical portable iPod speaker might be good for one to two people to listen to while washing a car or working in the yard. An iPod Boombox can energize an entire party while at the beach or pool.

Ultraportable iPod Speakers are typically 1 person to use and are best suided for iPod Touch or iPhones where the user might be watching a movie.  Ultra portable systems can easily be thrown in a backpack and taken anywhere.

More about Portable iPod Speakers:

• Best Portable iPod Speakers (Editor Top Picks)
• Best iPod Boomboxes (Editor Top Picks)
• Best Ultra Portable iPod Speakers (Editor Top Picks) -- Coming Soon
• All Portable iPod Speakers

iPod Alarm Clocks

These combine the functionality of an alarm clock and iPod dock.  Features to look for are dual alarms, adjustable dimmers and battery backup for when the power goes out.

Some iPod Alarm clocks are portable or travel alarm clocks.

Does the system need to have an alarm clock? I have one of these and it is a great way to wake up in the morning.  I prefer not to wake up, but if you got to, it might as well be to the music you love.  View the iPod Alarm Clock Options

More about iPod Alarm Clocks:

• Best iPod Alarm Clocks (Edtior Top Picks)
• Best Travel (portable) iPod Alarm Clocks (Editor Top Picks
• All iPod Alarm Clocks
• All Travel iPod Alarm Clocks

iPod Speaker Brands and Manufacturers

Altec Lansing, iHome, Logitech

Price does not always equal quality, but in many cases it does.  Check out  the iPod Review Directory by Brand Name They are all there Bose, Apple, Altec Lansing, plus some new faces to the scene.

How much should you spend?

How much do you want to spend? Isn't this what it always comes down to?  iPod Speaker Reviews has sorted all of the units into ranges of prices to fit your budget.

• Spend $0 to $100 -- Many of the travel size and inexpensive models
• Spend $100 to $200 -- The majority of all iPod Speaker Systems
• Spend $200 to $300 -- Now you're starting to make some noise!
• Spend $300 and more -- The Party is at your house!