An easy guide to choosing a speaker docking station

Speaker docking stations let you play music from your MP3 player or smartphone through compact high-quality speakers, while also charging the battery on your device. Here's some helpful advice for finding the right speakers to fit your lifestyle and media player.

Docking stations come in two forms: portable or stationary.

Portable models

• Are usually light on extra features but you can take them anywhere without worrying if there’s an outlet nearby.
• As such, they will either need batteries or come with a rechargeable, built-in battery.

Stationary models

• Best suited in the home or office and can have plenty of extra features.
• They often have better sound quality with more powerful speakers.

Docking stations that come with more features—which make them more versatile—also tend to be pricier. So think about the ones you really want to have before you go out and buy.

Radio

• Some models of docking stations come with a radio, so you aren’t limited just to the music on your MP3 player. This way you can still listen to music when your MP3 player isn’t handy.

Alarm

• While many smart phones have alarms, the battery on an alarm clock docking station won't die halfway through the night, leaving you scrambling the next morning.

Speakerphone

• With speakerphone capabilities, your cell phone docking station lets you take calls without disconnecting. It will automatically mute the music for the call and start it up again when you hang up.

Video output

• Video output options let you connect your docking station to your TV or computer monitor, giving you a boost in volume and sound quality while playing videos stored on your media player.

Wireless connectivity

• Bluetooth-enabled docking stations can connect to your smartphone or MP3 player remotely, so it can stay with you while playing music. This lets you browse and select music on your device, basically turning your MP3 player into the remote for your docking station, only with a lot more options.

Remote

• A remote control lets you change music on the fly, without having to get up out of your seat.

While most docking stations play music while charging your smartphone or MP3 player, they usually support a limited number of devices.

• If you want to play music from another device, some docks come with inputs that can connect additional devices. They'll play music, but they won’t charge the added device.
• If you want something to fit your tablet, make sure the dock can actually accommodate the larger size.

Whether you need a portable docking station to play music on the go or want a stationary speaker docking system for quality sound at home, it's easy to find one that works with your media player and lifestyle with a little bit of planning.