Portable DVD players are so versatile when it comes to entertainment value on the go. A little backpack of fun could be an appropriate description when you consider that they are video game consoles, movie players, music players, photo albums, and some even charge your iPod as well as adding greater function to other electronic devices.

The portable DVD market is far from being new. I know some kids that never knew there was any other way to have fun and be entertained during a car ride. The amazing thing to me is that even the older models still work great after years of not-so-tender loving care. Whether hanging on the backset of the car, sitting on the fold down tray on the plane, in the kid's bedroom or at grandma's house the portable DVD player has earned its place in the hall of fame of electronic gadgets.

Variety is the other amazing trait of portable DVD players. Screen sizes vary greatly - some 7 inches or under and others 10 inches and larger. Widescreen LCD screens have moved to the head of the class making movie watching even more enjoyable especially with the 16:9 viewing ratio.

Battery life is another improvement made over the years. The lithium ion battery can be recharged whether they have been drained or not. Built in or removable these rechargeable batteries last longer and are much more efficient.

Speaking of battery life - it is a fact that even the best batteries run down and need to be recharged. Most portable DVD players will come with multiple chargers and cables included in the purchase price. It is worth your time to make sure that the car charger, the home charger and multimedia cables are not a separate expense.

Below I have included several brands and models portable DVD players ranging from under $150.00 to $300.00. The descriptions are broken down into categories so that it is easier to shop for features that interest you.

Under $150.00

Price - $149.00 - Amazon $130.00

Brand/Model - Phillips DCP750

Screen Size - 7 inch swivel widescreen

Battery Life - Built in rechargeable rated at 2.5 hours

Extras - integrated iPod Dock, remote control, integrated SD and MMC card reader, internal speakers

Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD (both + -), SVCD, VCD, DivX, MP3, MPEG4, JPEG

Dimensions - 7.6 w x 1.5 H - 6.4 D,

Price - $130.00 - Amazon $114.88

Brand/Model - Toshiba SD-P1750

Screen Size - 7 inch widescreen

Battery Life - rated 3.0 - 4.0 hours - lithium ion with rapid charge

Extras - dual headphone outputs

Compatibility - DVD (both + -), DVD VR (both + -) CD, (both + -), DivX, MP3, WMA, JPEG

Dimensions - 7.5 W x 1.5 H x 5.81 D, less than 2 pounds

Under $200.00

Price - $180.00 - Amazon $161.88

Brand/Model - Toshiba SD-P1900

Screen Size - 9 inch widescreen

Battery Life - rated at 5 hours, lithium ion rechargeable,

Extras - dual headphone outputs, included car adapter, remote control

Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD (both + -), DivX, AVI, MPEG4, JPEG

Dimensions - 8 W x 6 D x 1.2 H, 2.2 pounds

Price - $199.00 - Amazon $180.84

Brand/Model - Philips DCP850

Screen Size - 8.5 inch swivel widescreen

Battery Life - rated at 2.5 hours, built in rechargeable

Extras - Integrated iPod dock, integrated built in SD and MMC card, remote control

Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD-R/-RW, MP3, DivX, SVCD, VCD, MPEG4

Dimensions - 7.6 W x 6.4 D x 1.5 H

Price - $199.00

Brand/Model - Philips PET830

Screen Size - 8.5 inch screen tablet style

Battery Life - rated at 3 hours, built in battery

Extras - USB connection for playback from other USB devices, stereo speakers

Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD, CD-R/CD-RW, (S)VCD, JPEG, DivX, MPEG4, MP3, WMA

Dimensions - slim

Price - $249.00

Brand/Model - Axion AXN-6072/6073

Screen Size - 7 inch tablet style widescreen

Battery Life - could not find information, comes with power adapters

Extras - SD/MMC card slot, stereo speakers, optional Sega joystick, TV tuner

Compatibility - DVD, CD, MP3s, Picture CDs,

Dimensions - under 1.5 inches thick, less than 2 pounds

Under $300.00

Price - $279.00

Brand/Model - Philips PET1030

Screen Size - 10.2 inch swivel screen

Battery Life - rated at 3 - 5 hours, rechargeable built in battery

Extras - USB 2.0 slot, memory card slot, side slot loading, car charger, smart car mount

Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD, CD-R/CD-RW, (S)VCD, JPEG, DivX, MPEG4, MP3, WMA

Dimensions - slim

Price - $300.00 - Amazon $264.99

Brand/Model - Toshiba SD-P2900

Screen Size - 10.2 inch widescreen

Battery Life - rated up to 6 hours, lithium ion with rapid charge

Extras - integrated speakers, dual headphone output, SD-MMC-MS-xD memory card slot, component-video capable of EDTV or HDTV

Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD (both + -), DivX, AVI, MPEG4, MP3, WMA

Dimensions - 7.75 W x 10.50 D x 2.00 H, 4.0 pounds

Obviously this is not a comprehensive list of all players, but maybe you will see a particular feature that you want to search for in other players as well. Consider your space, how many will want to watch and listen together, any unique needs you have and of course your budget. Check prices online and offline because the prices will vary as much as the models.