CD Player: Put their CD collection back in rotation

Where will they listen?

For someone with CDs they still love, a player can bring an existing collection back into everyday use. A personal model with headphones, a tabletop unit with speakers and a component for an existing stereo do different jobs. Decide where the sound will come from before choosing the shape or finish.

Built-in speakers make a self-contained listening setup. A separate component may need a compatible amplifier and speakers, while a personal player may be designed chiefly for headphones. A USB computer disc drive is another category: it normally needs a computer rather than working as a standalone music player.

Trace the sound all the way out

Look at the actual outputs and the equipment they will connect. A headphone jack, analog line output and digital output are not interchangeable. Bluetooth may receive music from a phone without transmitting CD audio to wireless headphones; confirm the required direction explicitly.

• Check support for their discs: ordinary audio CDs, recorded CD-R/CD-RW and MP3 discs can have different requirements.

• Compare mains, replaceable-battery or rechargeable operation and what power supply is included. Choose a supply intended for US use.

• For a portable player, review battery life, anti-skip features, controls and any included headphones.

Choose for a collection they want to play

An easy-to-read display and straightforward track controls can be more welcome than extra playback modes. Leave space to open the lid or tray, and ask what stopped them using their previous player before replacing it.

A component without speakers needs the right sound system. Our bookshelf speaker guide explains powered and passive pairs. If they actually collect records, a record player is the separate purchase for that format.