The fancy ones
Altec Lansing inMotion Max
$199
Pros: It has a big sound from little speakers and includes an auxiliary input and AM/FM radio if you get sick if your ‘Pod. It also mutes the music if your docked iPhone rings.
Cons: The bass definition could be clearer. The display is small.
The final word: It really fills a small room with sound without taking up much space.
Boston Acoustics Duo-I
$199
Pros: This product has excellent sound and fluid controls. The entire thing is one big snooze button — touch it anywhere if you want to get a few more minutes of sleep. The display even adjusts to the ambient light. It comes in a variety of colors.
Cons: We snoozed a lot.
The final word: You can get Boston Acoustics quality for under $200. So get it. It’s a close second to the Altec. The Duo-I is terrific.
Cambridge SoundWorks i765
$299
Pros: It has a DVD/CD player built in, dual alarms, radio and a clear, well-defined sound. It’s everything you’d expect from a compact tabletop radio. We can channel our inner-nerd with this one.
Cons: The DVD player surely inflates the price. Logistics is a worry. Can you really fit the height of an iPod in the space where you keep your DVD player under your television?
The final word: This product used to cost $500. When Cambridge SoundWorks restructured their business operations and closed their retail stores, the prices plummeted. We reap the benefits.
Functional and practical
iHome iH51BR
$149
Pros: It has rich, full-range sound, dual alarms, and a radio.
Cons: The subwoofer seemed like overkill, especially for a clock-radio. The product feels clunky, instead of sleek and modular as we’ve come to expect from iHome.
The final word: The price is right, and iHome is a good name for docking your iPod. I just don’t know if I LIKED this one.
Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus
$78 Original review
Pros: It has a good, well-defined sound in a very small package.
Cons: Poor remote range.
The final word: This is a maximum value product — good sound, great price.
iHome iH4B
$39.99 Original review
Pros: It is very compact and easy to use. It’s very cheap.
Cons: Sound is a bit tinny at times. Doesn’t support the latest iPods and iPhones.
The final word: Some devices are stereos with alarm clocks, and some are alarm clocks that play music. This is the latter.
Artsy and fun
Sprout Creation Vers 2X
$199
Pros: The Vers 2X sounds wonderful and is made of wood instead of plastic like nearly everything else on the market.
Cons: No clock, no alarm, no radio – just the iPods, ma’am.
The final word: You’d be supporting a local (Wayland) small business by buying one.
Don’t miss John Guilfoil’s Spending Smart columns on certain Sundays in The Boston Globe