Karaoke machines don’t always have to be fancy devices that come with incredibly high price tags. These days karaoke is more accessible than ever thanks to a device like the Singing Machine SML-383 you can be singing in your own home for around $50. This is the best karaoke machine in that price category, and it offers solid performance with everything you need right out-of-the-box. When it comes to sound, the speakers give you adequate performance while offering you control over volume, echo, and base. The product comes with one CD sampler filled with a variety of songs, although you will undoubtedly want to add to your collection soon after your purchase. You also get one microphone included in the package so you might want to buy another one if you plan on singing duets. For the low $50 price tag, you pretty much get what you pay for in a solid beginner machine.

The Singing Machine SML-383 is best for:

- Casual karaoke fans who aren’t sure if they want to invest in a high-end machine yet. They can hook this simple model up to their television to see if their home entertainment room is conducive to karaoke. It will allow you to get a general feel for singing in your home, and you can always choose to upgrade to a fancier machine in the future.

- People who want a quick and easy portable karaoke machine that they can carry to their friends house for a dinner party. It’s also a great way to interject karaoke into any party situation because it’s so easy to use. Just be sure to come prepared with a variety of music so that everyone will be able to pick a song from their favorite genre. And again, for party karaoke situations you will really need to invest in a second microphone for duets and group songs.

- As a gift for children. Kids are absolutely going to love the disco lights and the compact design that will allow them to use it for slumber parties and sleepovers. This is a really great machine for kids because of the affordable price tag, and they are bound to get hours of use to give you full value for your money. And best yet, it’s so easy to use that you can leave them happily unsupervised while they do their thing and you can do yours. This is a great gift for birthdays or Christmas time for any kid who has even a passing interest in music.