Top 10 portable speaker systems

You want to take your tunes on the road, but headphones don't always cut it, and even the smallest home speakers and receivers/amplifiers aren't portable. Technology has come to the rescue with a new breed of portable speakers that sound a lot better than the tinny models you might remember from the Walkman days. These useful devices are the hot ticket for travelers, dorm rooms, the beach, or the office; they plug into iPods, MP3 players, and laptops' headphone jacks, with sound that can easily fill a small to medium-size room.

It's also true that you can get much better sound with a decent set of headphones, which are even more portable and have deeper bass, superior treble detail, and better stereo imaging. But headphones are best appreciated alone. Portable speakers are ideal for social settings where you want to share your tunes with a few others or when you're milling around your hotel room getting ready for a night out on the town. Below you'll find the top 10 contenders that have been reviewed by CNET. Some are perfect for frequent travelers, while others are best suited for the office or trips to the beach, and all of them have the option of being powered from built-in or replaceable batteries.

CNET rating

8.0

1. Altec Lansing InMotion iM7

The Altec Lansing iM7 offers good sound quality, flexible listening options, and handy features, making it a solid choice for any iPod owner in the market for a complementary sound system. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.7

2. Altec Lansing inMotion im500

If you're an iPod Nano user who likes to pack light and thin, most certainly check out the nice-looking and -sounding Altec Lansing iM500 speaker system. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.7

3. Sonic Impact i-Fusion

The Sonic Impact i-Fusion portable speaker system for the Apple iPod is a compact and efficient powerhouse that enables you to share your music with the world--or at least with those around you. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.7

4. LG Portable Stereo Speakers MSP-100

If you're looking for ultracompact speakers that don't sacrifice on sound quality, LG's Portable Stereo Speakers MSP-100 fits the bill--and it won't break the bank. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.7

5. Logitech mm50 Portable Speakers

The Logitech mm50 Portable Speakers for iPod are useful and affordable--and they sound good, too. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.5

6. Logitech PlayGear Amp

The Logitech PlayGear Amp is a great audio solution for users looking to get more sound out of their movies, music, and games on the PSP. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.3

7. Altec Lansing InMotion iM4

The Altec Lansing iM4 finally delivers the bass we've been craving in small portable speakers, and they're not iPod-centric, so you can use them with any MP3 player. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.0

8. Creative TravelSound Zen V Portable Speakers

For frequent fliers who own Creative's Zen V MP3 player and don't want to be stuck listening to clock radios, the TravelSound Zen V is a fine choice. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.0

9. Bushnell TravelTunes for iPod

The Bushnell TravelTunes Portable Speakers for iPod are an obvious choice for the outdoor enthusiast--or anyone who spends a lot of time in the backyard. Just keep in mind that weather protection for the iPod itself is not part of the package. Read review Check prices

CNET rating

7.0

10. Logitech mm32

Frequent travelers who want to release their music from the confines of an MP3 player should seriously consider the Logitech mm32. Read review Check prices