A karaoke machine allows you to get out of the karaoke bar and be a rock star in your own home. You'll no longer have to wait for the emcee to call your name. Every song can be yours. But if you're going to get a home karaoke system, you need to know what features to look for.
First and foremost, you'll want a system that plays CDGs, which are CDs that also have graphics. In the karaoke world, these are the CDs that contain the all-important words to the song. All real karaoke machines will have this, but this is the thing that differentiates a karaoke system from a CD player that simply has a microphone attachment to allow you to sing along with a regular CD.
Many karaoke systems have their own video displays, which allows you to read the words. It's often pretty small, though, so consider looking for one that allows you to hook it up to your television set. Playing it on a much larger screen ensures that the singer will be able to read the words.
Speakers are another thing that you'll want on your machine. Some will have small speakers while others have large towers. The size of the speakers will affect how loud you'll sound when you're singing. If you have a small space, you'll be able to make do with the smaller speakers, but the larger ones provide a more authentic karaoke experience.
Consider the microphones that come with the package as well. You probably want at least two microphones so that you can sing duets. Some will have a cord attachment while others are wireless. Decide which style is right for you.
Though most home karaoke systems aren't out of reach for the average person, they are not cheap either. Carefully compare your options before you make the decision.