Because so many people use CDs in a variety of environments--at home, in the car, at parties, on the beach--manufacturers have responded with CD holders that answer just about every need. If you want to carry your entire CD collection with you, there are large books and cases meant to store hundreds of discs. Alternatively, if you only want to carry around a dozen or so at a time, there are compact models available that are small enough to fit in a purse or glove compartment.

If you plan on taking your CDs into the outdoors or packing them into your luggage, it's a good idea to protect them with a hard-cover case. Typically made of metal or heavy-duty plastic, a hard case will protect your fragile discs from wear and tear.

Beyond cases for traveling, there are a wide variety of ways to store CDs at home, as well. For those who like to keep their living spaces looking very pristine and spare, a case that hides CDs may be a good idea. A media cabinet fitted with special shelves made for holding compact discs is a great way to keep music handy while concealing it from view.

Others prefer to use their CD collections as d'©cor in and of themselves. A great many models of CD holders are made to display discs neatly and easily. Chances are good that there's a CD holder available that matches perfectly with the overall decor of your home, whether you go for natural materials and earth tones or sleek metallics and vibrant colors.