Choosing an MP3 player can be daunting. Do you want a tiny, workout-friendly model with Flash-based memory that holds around 100 songs? Or would you rather spend more and get a larger player with a hard drive that can store your whole CD collection? To get you started, we've rounded up the top five MP3 players of each type. We'll start with the smallest and lightest players and move on to the hard-drive powerhouses. Click on the pictures to compare prices.

Built-in and Flash-based Memory

	Apple iPod nano Still number one in the MP3 player arena, the venerable iPod family got a new addition in 2005. The pencil-thin iPod nano is a hybrid of sorts, combining the storage capacity of a hard-drive player with the skip protection and compact size of a Flash-based player. It comes in 2 GB (500-song) and 4 GB (1,000-song) models, both of which boast an impressive full-color display and Apple's famous click-wheel navigation system.
	iriver T10 Stylish and sleek, with a vivid color display, the iriver T10 not only supports subscription music services but also has an FM tuner for when you just want to hear the radio. It features a voice recorder for your notes-to-self, and its built-in sport clip makes it a handy workout companion. Like most Flash-based players, it comes with 512 MB of storage, or you can get the 1 GB model for about $50 more.
	Creative Labs Zen Nano Plus The Zen Nano Plus from Creative Labs features Line-In encoding for direct connection to any audio source, so you can bypass your computer and record music directly from your CD player. Available in 512 MB and 1 GB models, it also includes an FM tuner and voice recorder. And while the world of the iPod nano may be black and white, the Zen Nano Plus comes in your choice of 10 different colors.
	Cowon iAudio U2 The iAudio U2 from Cowon gives you great sound quality in an elegant little package. It's the first MP3 player to use BBE Sound System for clear sound and dynamic bass. The super-slim body comes in blue, red or black, and the four-line bluescale LCD display will even show you the lyrics to your favorite songs while you listen. The iAudio has a built-in lithium polymer battery, which can be recharged through a USB port or an AC adapter.
	Apple iPod shuffle Incredibly thin and weighing less than an ounce, the iPod shuffle is a solid choice for exercise enthusiasts or music lovers on a budget. It has no screen, and its simple thumb-controlled interface is easy to use. Like being surprised? The iPod shuffle can connect directly to your computer's USB port and automatically download a random sample of songs from your iTunes library. You never know what you're gonna get!

Maybe you don't think less is more when it comes to music. In that case, how does storing thousands of songs sound? If you'd like to carry your entire music library in your pocket, check out the hard-drive-based MP3 players on the next page.