Music gear for under $100

Jasmine France, Senior Associate Editor November 20, 2006

The holiday season is upon us. It's time to stop living in denial, break out the credit cards, and shop 'til we drop. But what of budgeting the holiday spending? For those of us not living on unlimited income, I've rounded up several worthwhile music gadgets to suit a variety of users--and all of them cost less than $100 apiece.

First, we have the ubiquitous iPod, and the only one of those that you're going to find (new) for less than a C-note is the Shuffle. Just about anyone should be able to figure out this simple player, but note that it has only the most basic playback capabilities, and those who are prone to misplacing things may easily lose such a tiny device. Next is the cute and toylike Zen V Plus, which includes video support and an FM radio. (For a cheaper option, try the 1GB videoless Zen V for around $85; for more memory, there's the 2GB version for around $100.) Another feature-packed player is the MobiBlu Cube2, though this little guy has a rather complex interface. Finally, there's the SanDisk Sansa c250 with plenty of features (voice recording, FM radio, photo viewer) and an ample 2GB of memory--just be wary of its sound quality.

If your loved ones already have MP3 players, consider picking up an accessory or three. The Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 earbuds are an excellent choice for any user, thanks to their superior audio quality, secure fit, and noise-isolating capability. For the frequent traveler, consider the ultracompact Logitech mm32 portable speakers, which can connect to any audio device. Heck, if you're traveling during the holidays, why not pick up a set for yourself? Maybe you can avoid being subjected to a radio alarm clock this season.

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