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Cheap iPod Speakers, Best Cheap iPod Speakers

Related Guides: Bluetooth Headsets, Headphones, MP3 Players, Running Shoes, Turntables and Universal Chargers

If you can fit your entire music collection on an iPod for less than $300, you shouldn't need to spend twice that on a set of decent speakers so you can listen without ear buds or headphones. Indeed, you don't have to. Frugal shoppers will find plenty of good, cheap iPod speakers from companies like Altec, Vestalife, iHome, and JBL.

These manufacturers all offer a number of different variations of cheap iPod speakers, so whether you're looking for portable speakers, a small speaker system, or an alarm clock or FM radio, there are models that provide excellent sound and a range of features for less than $110. Note, however, that Apple doesn't make any of these cheap portable speakers. Although some cheap iPod speaker systems seek reflected glory by incorporating the i-style into their marketing, these are not Apple products. Some are worth your money, others aren't; an imitation of the Apple branding in and of itself is not a seal of quality.

Anyone who has tried to find cheap mp3 speakers knows there's an incredible array of options out there. If you're just starting to shop, don't let the music snobs in your life fool you. There are certainly low-quality speakers that make music sound like it's coming from a tin can, but there are also cheap iPod speakers that deliver plenty of boom for your buck. By all means, resist the temptation to jump on the bargain-basement deals of the no-name brands. For a price that's a steal compared to Bose and other high-end systems, you can get a sound and style from respected brands that rival iPod speakers costing five times more. In fact, we found several cheap iPod speakers that offer the features and deliver the performance that make for a high-quality product. Here are some factors to consider before buying:

Connectivity. Is the cheap iPod speaker system compatible with your iPod? What about the other music devices you own? Will you need an adapter or cable to connect? With three of the best cheap portable speakers on our list, most iPod models dock directly; the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 (starting at $24, Amazon) is an exception and connects via a stereo cable to all iPod models. Non-docking iPod models and other MP3 players also connect to cheap iPod speakers with a cable.

Power and Charging. You'll probably want a cheap iPod speaker that can charge your iPod even as the music plays. Most cheap portable speakers can charge a dockable iPod only when plugged into an AC outlet; battery power won't do the trick. Some cheap mp3 speakers have rechargeable batteries and others use AA or AAA batteries; the batteries make the speakers portable, but note the expected battery life.

Style. Cheap iPod speakers come in many shapes, sizes, and weights. This is purely a matter of personal preference.

Ease of Use. Our research found that cheap iPod speakers can be a bit quirky, but in general they are relatively user-friendly. Set up, controls, and navigation should be straightforward, and will definitely affect your enjoyment of any iPod speaker.

Sound Quality. Don't expect small iPod speakers to sound like the full-size speakers connected to a home theater. But there are cheap iPod speakers that deliver sound that's crisp and clear, even at higher volumes.

Taking all these issues into account, we found two best cheap portable speakers -- Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 (starting at $100, Amazon) and Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 (starting at $60, Amazon) -- and two good cheap iPod speakers -- Vestalife Ladybug II Speaker (starting at $55) and Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 -- that give solid value for your money. The Logitech Portable Speaker S125i (starting at $49, Amazon) may be one model to leave on the store shelf.

iPod Speakers Connectivity.

Apple has earned a great following among consumers because it doesn't take for granted its dominance in the digital music player market. Still, the company's wide range of models and frequent updates to models like the iPod Nano make it difficult to find the ideal cheap speaker system for your iPod. So before you begin shopping, make sure you know which iPod (and which generation) you have. This will keep you from getting excited about a great deal only to discover your iPod won't fit. Apple has a web page that can help you figure out which model you own.

The cheap iPod speakers on our list are compatible with most versions of the iPod and other MP3 players. Most iPod models dock directly (often with an adapter) in the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600, Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2, Vestalife Ladybug II Speaker, and Logitech Portable Speaker S125i; non-dockable iPods and MP3 devices need a 3.5 mm stereo cable to connect with cheap iPod speakers. The Altec Lansing Orbit MP3, on the other hand, needs a cable to connect any iPod model or MP3 player.

If you have an Apple iPhone, make sure to buy a cheap iPod speaker system that's certified to work with the phone (which usually means it has shielded wiring), otherwise your music might be interrupted by annoying interference. Vestalife Ladybug II Speakers for iPod and the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 are the two models on our list that are formally compatible with at least one version of the iPhone; some users, however, report iPhone success with the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 despite its lack of certification for this device.

iPod Speakers Power and Charging.

There's nothing worse than having a room full of people ready to party and your iPod only has enough juice to play a couple of songs. You can avoid this predicament with a speaker system that charges your iPod while the music plays on. Portable iPod speakers need an external AC power source in order to charge the player, which means speakers that draw power from batteries won't charge your iPod. Among the cheap portable speakers on our list, the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600, Vestalife Ladybug II, and Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 can charge dockable iPods (regardless whether the player is powered on or off) when plugged into an AC outlet, but they won't charge an iPod when running on batteries. The Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237 won't charge your iPod at all because batteries are its only power source. Any cheap iPod speaker connected via cable to an iPod or other MP3 device won't charge the player regardless of power source.

Of course, the advantage of battery power is being able to use your cheap mp3 speakers anywhere -- at the beach, in an open field or campsite, or in a room where an outlet isn't handy or AC power isn't safe. Many cheap iPod speakers take AAA or AA batteries; the Altec Lansing Orbit iM237, for example, uses three AAA batteries and the Vestalife Ladybug II takes four AA batteries, as does the Logitech S125i. Others, like the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 and Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2, run on built-in rechargeable batteries when not connected to an outlet.

Take note of the expected battery life. The Altec Lansing InMotion iM600 and Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 are rated at 10 hours of battery life. The Altec Lansing Orbit iM237 provides up to 24 hours of listening and the Logitech S125i maxes out at 10 hours. We were unable to find a battery rating for the Vestalife Ladybug II.

iPod Speakers Style.

It's not just the function of the iPod that has millions of devout followers, it's the form as well. The sleek minimalist design of Mac products caters to many music lovers who also are passionate about aesthetics. Indeed, many iPod speakers draw design inspiration from the iPod itself. If you're keen for a look that will be a topic of conversation, check out the cheap iPod speakers from Vestalife, particularly the Ladybug II. Consumers posting at Apple.com like its "cute" round shape and stylized red, bug-like appearance. The JBL On Stage Micro iPod Speaker (starting at $96, Amazon) sports a simple round disc design that looks a bit like a flying saucer. And the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 has something of a double-stacked hockey puck shape. The speakers on the iHome iP29 Portable Speaker System (starting at $81, Amazon), which connects with any iPod or iPhone, fold out of and into a case that looks like an oversized sunglasses holder.

Cheap iPod speakers are built for portability. Indeed, the same technological advances that shrunk your music collection into the palm of your hand have also shrunk your speaker system from half your living room to fits-in-your-backpack (or purse or suitcase). The basic Altec Lansing Orbit iM237 weighs a mere 6.7 ounces and the Logitech S125i weighs less than a pound. More full-featured models are heavier and larger: the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 and the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 weigh 2.1 pounds and 2.8 pounds, respectively, but are still relatively easy to cart around.

iPod Speakers Frills.

Taking a cue from other multi-function electronic devices, many cheap portable speakers also serve additional purposes. If you want to wake up to music, the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600, Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2, and Memorex Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPhone/iPod (starting at $58, Amazon) feature an alarm clock. How about tuning in to your favorite FM radio station? These three cheap portable speakers also feature built-in FM radio receivers, which work independently of your iPod. And for added convenience, they come with a remote control, as does the Vestalife Ladybug II.

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Logitech Portable Speaker S125i
Vestalife Ladybug II Speakers for iPod
Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237
Altec Lansing inMotion iM600
Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2

 

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