Before the modern era, cassette players were the best form of portable entertainment. In the 80s, music lovers preferred to have such a device with them everywhere. Surprisingly, they’re still popular and sought after today, when smartphones and other modern devices dominate the market!
Yes, the love for these retro devices continues unabated as they can play your old cassettes and give you a taste of the glorious past! So, it’s possible to buy the best cassette player on the market and listen to your favorite songs in the style of the 80s! They offer a distinctive flavor that other devices simply can’t compete with! This article reviews what’s the best cassette player?
Table of Contents
10 Best Cassette Players Review
| Image | Title | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
Top
Top | Byron Statics Cassette Player | View on Amazon | |
Top
Top
Top | Jensen SCR-68C | View on Amazon | |
Top
Top | Sony WM-FX197 | View on Amazon | |
Top
Top | GPX BCA209B Portable | View on Amazon | |
Top
Top | JENSEN MCR-100 | View on Amazon | |
Top
Top | Sony CFDS70-BLK | View on Amazon | |
Top
Top | Victrola VBB-10-SLV | View on Amazon | |
Top
Top | DIGITNOW Cassette Player | View on Amazon | |
 | Reshow Cassette Player | View on Amazon |
We’ve diligently compiled a list of high-quality cassette players that are guaranteed to give you a great experience. Let’s dive right in!
1. Byron Statics Cassette Player
Pros
- Lightweight, compact, and attractive design
- Offers crisp clear and loud audio
- Capable of streaming FM radio
- Built-in mic and recording function
Cons
- Build quality could be better
Buy now on Amazon
The Byron Statics not only has the typical vintage design, but is also very popular because of its remarkable portability. It’s all the features you want and more!
Not only is this retro device small and compact, but it also has a belt clip that allows you to carry it around with ease. It’s pretty solid with cleverly placed buttons. They’re easy to see and smooth enough to press.
This model offers a simple plug-and-play feature. You can connect it to your beloved old cassette, press the play button and enjoy the tracks instantly. The speaker is loud and clear enough, but you can also listen through 3.5mm headphones!
There’s also a recording option that lets you record your favorite radio shows FM or songs and save them to a blank tape. That’s right, it streams the radio too! With two AA batteries, you’ll have a good runtime. You can also connect the device to a USB power supply.
Plus, this is one of the best portable cassette players that can play all your favorite tapes!
2. Jensen SCR-68C
Pros
- Highly affordable and definitely a bang for the buck
- Offers fantastic sound quality
- Stereo earbuds are free with the device
- Compact and lightweight enough to be highly portable
Cons
- Requires a headset to work
Buy now on Amazon
The Jensen SCR -68C not only looks attractive and stylish, but most importantly plays any cassette tape flawlessly! If you’re looking for such a device, you’ll be immediately impressed by its vintage look.
This model is incredibly easy to carry, as it weighs only a few grams and has a compact structure that fits right in your pocket. You can also hang it up with the included belt clip.
And with the stereo earphones, you’ll enjoy high-quality sound. So pull out your old cassette collection and listen to it again! Or stay in touch with your favorite radio stations, because this device can also play FM radio.
Operating the player is easy thanks to the numerous play, fast forward and stop buttons. Enjoy hours of uninterrupted tracks while the player rests in your pocket or maybe in your hand, just like back in the day!
3. Sony WM-FX197
Pros
- Comes with a belt clip and a high-quality stereo headphone
- Enhanced sound quality aided by the brand’s mega-bass technology
- Easy to carry as it’s quite slim and lightweight
- Incredible battery backup of 25 hours
Cons
- It’s pretty expensive
Sony Walkmans were a pretty big deal back in the day because of their excellent quality and top-notch performance. The WM -FX197 is another fantastic device that lets you take your favorite songs with you wherever you go!
Its slim design makes it lightweight and compact enough to carry around easily. It fits in the palm of your hand or securely in your pocket. So you can spice up boring moments with your favorite songs – anytime!
Thanks to the Mega Bass technology, it offers a really deep and rich sound. In addition, the AVLS function provides listening comfort by limiting the volume.
It plays all kinds of old cassettes with ease, so insert one and enjoy the songs without interruption. Alternatively, you can also tune in your favorite AM/FM radio station.
With just two batteries AA, the Sony Walkman can run for 25 hours straight! No hassle of recharging or using up batteries too quickly!
4. GPX BCA209B Portable
Pros
- A small device with powerful stereo speakers
- Offers loud and crisp clear sound
- Capable of playing both CDs and cassette tapes
- Sports an appealing modern design
Cons
- The tuning knobs feel kind of tight
The GPX BCA209B is an interesting device with exceptional quality that will give you a great listening experience. With its modern look and sublime design, you’ll be playing your favorite mixes in style!
This device is a bit bulkier than its predecessors, but still small enough to be portable. The portability is further enhanced by the carrying handle. The bulkiness of the unit allows for more features to be included. Not only is it a cassette player, but it can also play your CDs!
The great thing about this device is that it’s a small boombox with powerful stereo speakers that are securely housed in a metal grille. So you can groove with loud and clear classics!
You can just plug it in AC or run it on batteries on the go. Plus, you can use it to listen to any AM/FM radio station.
5. JENSEN MCR-100
Pros
- Super easy to operate
- Boasts Jensen’s unique “shoebox” design
- Fitted with internal microphone
- Can easily connect with digital music players
Cons
- Cheap build quality
This particular model of a cassette player has been popular with many audio book lovers in the past. Jensen has relaunched it in typical “shoebox” style, with all the features that made it famous!
The top part serves as a cassette deck where you can insert and play your tapes. You can also record anything you want. And the well-placed buttons make it easy to control. Plus, the voice control along with the one-touch record button makes it that much more convenient!
It’s a compact design and comes with a carrying handle so you can take it anywhere. For recording, the device is equipped with an internal microphone, but if you want to use an external microphone, that’s also possible via a jack.
Another handy feature is the aux input jack, which allows you to connect the Walkman to your modern digital audio devices like MP3 players or iPods. Overall, this is a remarkable portable cassette player with many features at an affordable price.
6. Sony CFDS70-BLK
Pros
- Capable of playing both tapes and CDs
- Allows you to enjoy clear sound
- Works as an FM/AM radio with 30 stations capability
- Can easily be hooked up with other digital audio devices
Cons
- Does not come with skip functionality
The Sony CFDS70 is a small but powerful boombox that you can rely on to play all your favorite soundtracks at their best. This premium device offers a refined listening experience that’s almost unmatched! Since it can play both cassettes and CDs, it’s much more than just a cassette player.
Sure, it’s a bit heavier and larger than the average device, but you’ll have to put up with that if you want to take advantage of the versatility it offers. You can still take it with you anywhere!
This device offers full stereo sound, which is supported by the top-notch speakers. It mixes your playlist to enhance your experience. With this unit, you can play any AM/FM radio station you want. Found something you want to record? Let this device do it for you!
You’ll get 19 hours of constant battery power. You can connect it to any digital audio media via the aux audio input.
7. Jaras Limited Edition Portable
Pros
- An excellent cassette player/recorder
- Offers crisp clear and enjoyable sound quality
- Lets you stay connected to any AM/FM radio station
- Comes in a compact design
Cons
- The built-in mic offers subpar performance
If you’re an old school fan and can’t get enough of it, let this remarkable device take you on a nostalgic journey! This cassette player is well equipped to play any cassette from the bygone era.
Take it with you and plug your favorite cassette player into this device when you go out and enjoy hours of uninterrupted radio! No matter where you go, this compact and lightweight cassette player is the perfect companion to play your favorite music.
It’s not only a music player, but also a recorder that lets you record anything you want. Thanks to the mini speaker on the front, you can enjoy soundtracks without headphones. You can also just plug in your headset and escape the annoying noises by replacing them with your favorite songs.
The AM/FM radio tuner lets you tune in to the radio station you prefer. The buttons feel solid and satisfying as they work perfectly.
8. Victrola VBB-10-SLV
Pros
- A powerful device to play soundtracks loudly
- Equipped with Bluetooth technology for wireless streaming
- Carrying handle makes it easier to carry
- Jampacked with multiple features
Cons
- It’s quite heavy compared to the others
We’ve got an affordable boombox for you, with a distinct 1980s-style design but modern features. So you can enjoy the convenience of modern technology while staying true to the past era.
This boombox is quite large compared to the others and plays all the cassettes effortlessly. The larger size allows it to offer some additional features. For example, the built-in stereo speakers can be very loud without compromising the sound quality, so you can enjoy a truly immersive experience.
Thanks to Bluetooth technology, you can stream your favorite songs wirelessly from a distance. Everything you record can be stored directly to a USB device instead of blank cassette tapes, which are much more convenient these days.
Additional features include a nice little LED clock that keeps accurate time, a 3.5 aux input, a headphone jack, etc. And best of all, you can get it for a very low price!
9. DIGITNOW Cassette Player
Pros
- Allows you to convert old cassette to modern digital format
- Small enough to fit just about any convenient place
- Everything comes included with the device
- Offers the classic experience you’re looking for
Cons
- Does not include any speaker
The DIGITNOW cassette player is the one you need to play your cassettes like in the good old days. With this device you can rediscover your favorite songs!
Although it looks like a retro device, it’s equipped with digital technology. The best part is that you can convert your cassettes to MP3 formats. This way you can save your old collection from falling into disrepair and being lost forever!
This device easily connects to any modern device such as a laptop, iPod or smartphone, so you can easily store your tracks in digital form. To make things even easier, the necessary software is already included!
Aside from the conversion function, the device also works like an old-fashioned cassette player. You can control the entire device with the easy-to-press buttons. Plus, it’s surprisingly affordable, so buying it’ll barely scratch your wallet!
10. Reshow Cassette Player
Pros
- A multipurpose device with a classic appearance
- Capable of saving your audio by converting them into digital formats
- The small and compact design makes it easy to carry
- Comes at a very affordable price
Cons
- No built-in speaker
This is another retro-style multi-purpose cassette player with digital features. So you can relive the listening experience of the past while enjoying the convenience of modern technology.
Cassette tapes don’t last very long. With them, your precious recorded memories can disappear forever. But you can save them by converting them to MP3 or WAV formats and storing them digitally with this device!
Since it’s a portable device, you can take it anywhere. So you can enjoy the soundtracks on the go! You can either listen to them through the included headphones or connect them to another device via the 3.5mm aux input.
To power the device, you can charge it with 2 AA batteries or via USB. It can run for a long time before you need new batteries or need to charge it. Everything comes free with the product, including a CD with the necessary software.
With this affordable device, you can’t only play your favorite music, but also make sure that the precious audio files on your tapes are stored and backed up!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cassette players still available?
Yes! Many companies still make cassette players, both portable and stationary. When you store online, you’ve a choice of brands and models.
Are cassette players coming back?
Yes, the audio cassette is making a comeback. Cassette tapes have been brought back to life by audiophiles around the world. For decades, no one used them, and no Walkman cared. According to entertainment data tracker Luminate, cassette sales have increased from 173,000 in 2020 to 343,000 in 2021. So far this year, sales have increased to 215,000, which is a sign of continued growth.
Do cassettes sound better than CDs?
With a cassette tape, noise can be more noticeable due to the limitations of the magnetic tape and can affect the sound quality. Even a noise-reduced cassette has a lower signal-to-noise ratio than a CD. Given these factors, it’s clear that CDs are the better choice than cassettes.
Why are cassettes making a comeback?
It looks like nostalgia is the only thing driving this comeback. In the 1980s, cassette tapes were the most popular way to listen to music. They were the most popular way to listen to music for a decade before the CD replaced them.
How long do cassette tapes last?
Your audio cassettes can last 30 years if you take good care of them. But there are a lot of things that can shorten that lifespan. You’ve probably done the math at this point. Because it’s been over 30 years, there’s a chance that your cassettes are damaged.
Does anyone make new cassette players?
Everyone knows that vinyl LPs have made a comeback in recent years, but it looks like the humble analog cassette is also on its way back. That’s why a French entrepreneur is now producing a cassette player designed for the modern age.
Are cassette tapes worth keeping?
The value of a cassette depends on how well known the band is, how old it’s, and whether or not the music was professionally recorded. Not surprisingly, cassettes of well-known bands sell better than others. You might be lucky if you’ve something by David Bowie or Def Leppard!
Why do people still listen to cassettes?
Unlike a digital file, it’s often seen as a cultural return to an iconic, music-historical medium that people can feel, hold, and experience together. Though less iconic, cassette tapes represent significant cultural moments for music enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve reached the end, you should be familiar with some incredible cassette players. We’ve listed all the details you should look out for to make your buying decision. If you still can’t decide on a product, we recommend the Byron Statics Cassette Player because of its outstanding performance.
This product is great for playing all kinds of cassette tapes. Since it’s so small and compact, you can take it practically anywhere you want. This product offers the right value for the money. Investing in this device isn’t a mistake.
And that concludes our search for the best cassette player. Hopefully, you’ve already found one that suits you and you’re ready to enjoy your time in classic style!
I have had several portable cassette players. Some were accidentally dropped on a hard floor and eventually became defective, or they came to me defective. I want a tape player that’s going to last a lot longer than a couple of months. Which player do you recommend for durability and quality? Forget Sony. They’re too expensive.