The iPod may be one of the most accessorized products ever created, and--next to headphones and protective cases--speaker systems with built-in iPod docks are among the most desired gadgets around. They're available in various shapes, sizes, and form factors, with most models priced between $100 and $300.

If you need a portable speaker solution, there are plenty of choices. Among our favorites: the Logitech mm50 and (for Nano owners) the Altec Lansing iM500. And while it lacks a dock, the Tivoli Audio iPAL is one of the best quick-and-easy iPod speaker solutions we've seen. It also has a top-notch AM/FM radio--great for getting live programming (weather, news, ball games) that's just not available on the iPod.

If you're looking for a more stationary speaker system, options abound. The built-in clock radios on the SDI iHome iH5 (or the newer iH7BR) and the JBL On Time make them perfect for the bedroom. And while it lacks an alarm, the Logitech AudioStation still offers a digital clock--plus a video output for watching iPod-based videos on a nearby TV. More refined listeners, however, might prefer the simple elegance of something like the Klipsch iGroove, which delivered better sound quality than the vaunted Bose SoundDock.

If you have the room for an iPod shelf system, consider the iHome iH52 or the Monitor Audio i-Deck. With the advantage of separate speakers, both offer better stereo imaging than the all-in-one systems listed above. The iHome even boasts a subwoofer for more palpable bass. Already own a decent audio system or boom box? Check out the Logitech Wireless Music System for iPod or the Belkin TuneStage II. Both turn your iPod into a Bluetooth-powered handheld "remote control," allowing you to wirelessly beam music to any nearby audio system, as long as it has a free line-in port.