There are more iPod nano challengers on the market than we’d care to mention, but not many put up too much of a fight, except this one.

If the lack of a display or hold button don’t bother you, this is a superb player

It’s more tweaky and involved than most players, but it’s also got far more features

The PC peripheral finally hits the mainstream with this easy-to-use touchscreen device offering loads of extras

Once you’ve mastered the touch-screen you’ll have plenty of fun with this great effort from LG

The Vision M is something of an iPod imitator, but it doesn’t quite match its inspiration

An excellent player from Samsung, combing outstanding innovation with great sound and picture clarity

If you want an alternative to Apple, here’s a great (and cheap) place to start

One of the best performers in this category – if you’re a PC user on a decent budget, you must hear this sporty Walkman

Good to have WMP compatibility, but it needs better sound.

It may be pricey, but Sony's Walkman is a fine MP3 player and a good alternative to everything Apple

The 4GB Sansa Fuze handles music, videos, FM radio and voice recording with kick-ass usability, giving Apple devotees a good excuse to ditch their Nanos and embrace the joy of drag and drop.

The ultimate, but drastic, solution to skipping car CDs.

Not without its impracticalities, but the touch is a simply brilliant marriage of software and hardware

UMPC-like features and a spacious hard disk make the Archos appealing, but it’s only good for entertainment.

Great in day-to-day use, but poor software and high price dent its appeal.

There’s now very little reason not to buy an iPod. These are simply superb.

Is it a kids' toy? Almost: it's a shakeable MP3 player. We put it through its paces.

Beautiful, yet expensive. And with the iPhone's forthcoming release, is it worth it?

Enjoy your music on the move: we try out five of the best flash-based MP3 players on the market.