The Creative ZEN X-Fi continues the tradition of past ZEN players, offering a compelling alternative to the iPod range. However, Wi-Fi and the X-Fi modes are poorly implemented and don't bring much to the table.

Teac's DVP904 DVD player has a smooth and vibrant 9in screen and decent stereo speakers. Its battery lasts long enough for two movies and it comes with everything you need for a long car trip. It's let down by a very poor set of headphone outputs and a noisy DVD drive.

The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin is an impressive but extremely expensive iPod speaker system.

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 iH8 provides a fantastic combination clock radio and set of speakers for the iPod. There is little to fault iHome’s offering, though we would have liked to see slightly more integration with the iPod’s user interface.

The DC200 is an ideal choice if you are after a compact alarm clock with iPod functionality. The USB port is an added bonus, but don’t expect outstanding sound quality.

The TravelSound i80 is a truly portable iPod nano speaker with a long battery life to suit. Nevertheless, its design and portability are let down by poor quality speakers that ruin the overall experience.

The Sandisk Sansa Fuze is another solid entry into the flash-based media player market. It has a nice array of features and delivers excellent audio, although the lack of gapless playback was annoying at times.

The I-Trigue 3000i manages to overcome some of the problems faced by both computer speakers and iPod peripherals. However, it lacks low mid-range sound.

The iTrip Auto doesn't feature the flexible steel neck design of its RoadTrip counterpart, but its compatibility with the iPhone and the three-stage light ring indicator are attractive features.

Another solid MP3 dock from Altec Lansing, the T612 produces extremely energetic audio and works in conjunction with the iPhone. However, users should note that iPhone connectivity could use some work.

The RoadTrip is a decent choice if you are after an FM transmitter for your iPod. It doesn't offer outstanding sound quality, but the flexible neck design is convenient.