Given the popularity of the iPod, it can be hard to pick the accessories and gear that you want when you get a new ipod. With a number of docking stations, speaker sets, protective sleeves, and random other accessories, the choices can seem staggering at first. Here are some basic things to consider to not only make sure that you get accessories that you'll use more than just a time or two but also to ensure that what you buy will work well with the specific model of iPod that you have.

The first thing that you should do when looking for accessories for your new iPod is to check the packaging to make sure that the accessories are compatible with the model of iPod that you own. While many accessories such as speakers and charging stations will work with most (if not all) iPod models, some accessories, such as protective gear will be designed only for specific models. Look for phrases such as "works with all iPod music players" or a listing of compatible iPods on the packaging in order to make sure that the accessories you're considering will in fact work with your specific iPod model.

You should also take the time to look at the accessory product and determine whether it will work with your iPod. Will it connect properly, or is it designed for another type of Ipod? Will the accessory be bulky or will it fit in with the streamlined design of the iPod itself? If an accessory ends up being cumbersome or difficult to use with your iPod, you most likely aren't going to use it for very long - so make sure that the accessories that you buy will be useful for quite some time.

If you're shopping for iPod accessories online, take the time to read reviews of the different products in order to see what other iPod owners think of them. Even if you're shopping in a store you can write down the manufacturer and the name of the product so that you can look it up online if you aren't sure whether you should purchase a particular ipod accessory or not. Reading reviews can be a great way to get an idea of how functional a specific iPod accessory is and whether it's something that you might be interested in, though you should always remember that not all reviews will be completely accurate and that some might be slightly exaggerated depending on the reviewer. If you read a number of reviews stating that a particular accessory is of good quality, then you are probably safe! The same can be said of numerous negative reviews.

One final thing that you can do in order to make sure you won't be disappointed with the iPod accessories you purchase is to take the time to shop around. Visit different retailers and websites, searching for the best deal on the accessories that you buy. This will not only help you to find great iPod accessories, but it will also keep you from paying too much for them.