MP3 Player Docking Station Review

The image of John Cusack holding a boombox blasting “In Your Eyes” will forever be a romantic comedy classic. But can you imagine how hard it would be to hold a 10- or 15-pound boombox above your head for more than five minutes? With the portability of most MP3 docking stations, romantics today have it easy. Averaging around three pounds, these MP3 speakers are perfect for rockin’ out in your room or on the go. During our research we sifted through the docking station selection and have narrowed the field down to the top 10 products. We also have articles on MP3 docking stations featuring the best MP3 player docking station comparisons and reviews to help you determine which MP3 speaker dock is best for you. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

MP3 Docking Stations: What to Look For

When choosing from the immense selection of MP3 docking stations out there, be mindful of three key elements: functionality, features and customer support. An appropriate balance of these elements result in a quality product. We feel the Logitech S715i, the InMotion Classic IMT620 and the Logitech S315i are the best MP3 docking stations on the market.

Functionality
We’ve weighted this category more than the other categories in the ranking system because functionality is where you will most benefit from a quality product. If an MP3 docking station can charge your device while playing music, you know you’re on the right track. If that same speaker dock will automatically pause the music you’re listening to when a call comes in on your iPhone, you’ll know the product is a keeper. We are also partial to those docking stations with onboard controls, a rechargeable battery and an adjustable support stand. And whether you have an iPod or another MP3 player, it is always nice to have an auxiliary input jack to attach external devices.

Features
Don’t let the portable size of a MP3 docking station fool you, the best products are still equipped with a quality sound system. The more speakers a docking system has, the more well-rounded the sound quality will be. Look for a player with several speakers and a wide frequency response. If you will be plugging headphones into your MP3 speaker system, be sure the impedance of the speakers meshes well with what your headphones can handle.

Size
With the advancements of today's audio technology, ten-pound boomboxes are impractical. The best MP3 docking stations weigh in at an average of 3 pounds. The idea behind a portable docking station is that it is indeed portable! Don’t settle for a product that is bulky, heavy or awkwardly designed.

Help & Support
It is important that an MP3 docking station‘s manufacturer backs up its product with at least a one-year warranty. A well-made product is more likely to have a longer warranty. Online support via the product’s website is nice as well – technical support, user manuals and FAQs are essential.

Blast your tunes wherever you are with an MP3 docking station. And if you want to take a page from “Say Anything,” the portability of a MP3 speaker system will allow you to serenade the girl of your dreams without losing feeling in your arms.