Just because you’re on the road there is no need to forego the pleasure of listening to your MP3 player nor is there any need to look dorky driving with a pair of MP3 earphones plugged into your ears.

MP3 accessory technology now means that you can plug most of your MP3 players into your car’s stereo system – not all player accessories though are created equal.

So what are the choices?

When you’re choosing in-car accessories there are a few things to look out for and this is the output range which sometimes tends to make the surrounding metal (or wood) vibrate and wreck the sound quality just as you’re getting to your favourite song and the way it is powered.

Output ranges vary according to specifications so price is not always a very good guide while the power-up mode is easy enough to see. The other thing to look out for is how the sound is transferred from your MP3 player to your car’s speaker system.

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Some do it wirelessly via the FM output signal which means you will have to tinker with the channels to get it right, at least in the beginning, and then some more to fine tune it afterwards.

If you’re looking for a guide in the market here are some models you should keep your eye on:

Tunefree Audio (FM wireless): An incredibly cheap FM device, even allowing for the two AAA batteries required. There was no charging and the sound output was on a 3.5mm jack plug, so it worked with both the iPod and the Sony. A slider switch offered four frequencies, all of which worked surprisingly well. The main niggle is the limited range, which would cut the music easily when moved slightly away from the car’s head unit.

Harman/Kardon Drive+Play: Arguably, the Drive+Play is the ultimate car accessory for the iPod addict. It can be hard-wired or powered from the lighter, and the sound is fed via a direct connection or FM modulator. The charging iPod is hidden in the glovebox, as all functions are mimicked by the circular control unit and a screen displays information. A brilliant device – if you’ve got room on your dash to mount all the components.

Revo PLL FM-RE02: As with many of the adaptors on the market at the moment, the Revo relies on an FM signal to transfer music. It plugs in between your radio and aerial, and then you tune into one of two pre-selected frequencies. This may sound complicated, but the clear instructions mean an amateur can fit it. The MP3 player is linked to the device by the headphone jack, so the Revo can handle any audio device. Reception on both iPod and Sony was very good, although the adaptor didn’t power either and the box would need to be mounted securely.

Griffin iTrip (FM wireless): It’s clear to see why this iPod-only modulator is so popular. The iTrip simply plugged into the bottom of the unit, taking its power from the player when the device was on. The digital display was easy to set up on nearly any FM frequency, and a USB socket meant the iPod could still be charged. MP3 solutions don’t get more convenient, but you’ll use more of your iPod battery, and we found sound quality was lacking at times.

4-in-1 Car Kit (FM wireless): One of the cheapest FM devices, the 4-in-1 worked quite well. The iPod connector also charged the unit when in place, while other players can be used with the standard headphone jack. However, the combined cradle and lighter plug design would be too bulky to use in many cars, the build quality was poor and, when connected, the iPod didn’t sit square in the holder.

Dension Gateway 300: If you’ve got all the toys, then buy a Gateway. It has a charging socket for any iPod, a selection of mounting brackets, plus a headphone jack and USB connector to suit all kinds of player. There’s even a video cable, so you can view clips saved to an iPod on another screen. The Gateway’s software is configured to your specific head unit and you lose your CD changer connection – but why worry with so much downloaded content available?