CDs Are Back! Listen to New Music From Beyoncé, BTS & More With These Portable CD Players

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CDs have been re-invented! If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, digital discs were pretty common, but younger millennials and most Gen Zers may not be as familiar with CDs and especially CD players.

Although streaming reigns as the most popular way that consumers listen to music, vinyl has enjoyed a major comeback and CDs saw a jump in sales for the first time in 20 years. According to data compiled by the RIAA, CD sales spiked to 46.6 million in 2021, which is a 47.7 percent increase from the previous year.

To be fair, CDs have not been officially removed from stores. They’re just less popular than they once were. However, the tide is changing. BTS hopped on the seemingly retro trend with the release of their heavily anticipated Proof album, and Beyonce is the latest music megastar to usher in a CD revival by way of her forthcoming seventh studio album Renaissance, out July 29. And if you’re a BeyHive member who bought one of the four Renaissance box sets from Queen Bey’s website, you might want to invest in a portable CD player, if you haven’t already.

Below, we have compiled a list of affordable CD players you can purchase online or in-store (at selected retailers). This list includes portable Bluetooth CD players that can pair with other devices, boomboxes, and vintage-inspired options for nostalgic junkies.

This portable CD player from Lukasa is suitable for both home and on-the-go. It offers high-fidelity sound quality with stereo earbuds. Features include up to 100 seconds of anti-skip protection for CDs and 180 seconds for MP3, a rechargeable battery with up to 12 hours of play time, and seven functions to transform this mini CD player into a Bluetooth HiFi speaker, a mini home audio boombox and more. The box contains a Bluetooth CD player, headphones, a USB cable, AUX cable, and a user manual.

The HOTT C105 Portable CD Player features HiFi Bluetooth 5.0, an FM Transmitter, a built-in 1800 mAh rechargeable battery, touch vibration buttons, and an automatic back light. This compact and lightweight portable CD player measures 5.6 inches and provides 40 seconds of CD anti-jumping protection and 120 seconds of MP3 CD anti-jumping protection, allowing you to enjoy music in a stable state. For a cheaper option from the same brand try the Hott 204 CD player on sale for $49. 99 (regular $99).

The Gimigo Portable CD Player is a great decor item for your living space, bedroom, or home office. The wall-mountable player comes with a desk stand that allows you to place it on a solid surface. It also has remote control. The CD player features Bluetooth, FM Radio, an LCD display screen that clearly displays the playing modes and sets the time. It also has an alarm clock. For another compact boombox design try the Dpnao CD Player ($57.89).

Do you prefer a retro look? The Studebaker SB3703 personal CD player blends vintage aesthetic with modern functions like an FM radio features, 60-second anti-skip protection, bass boost, digital LCD display and programmable memory. This compact, lightweight device comes in three colors including mint green and pink and black. The CD player requires 2 AA batteries (sold separately) and includes a headphone jack, earbuds, and a mini USB port so the unit can be powered through a computer or another USB power source.

Need something more affordable? The JENSEN CD-60R Portable CD Player retails for less than $30. This slim unit has a compact, lightweight design and features 60 second anti-skip protection and digital LCD display, along with the usual skip/search, play/pause and repeat functions, and programmable memory. The unit also features an FM scanner radio with a 3.5mm headphone jack, and comes with earbuds. The portable CD player operates on 2 AA batteries (buy them here) and has an automatic power off feature, so you do won’t have to worry about draining the batteries.

An oldie but goodie. Thanks to thousands of positive reviews, the Sony Boombox has received an overall rating of 4.5 stars. The Bluetooth boombox can connect to selected smartphones with NFC One touch. The plug-in USB allows for audio files to be played or transferred from CDs. The dual speakers amp up the power and give your sound an extra boost with Mega Bass. This Sony Boombox is available at major retailers including Best Buy and Amazon.

One customer reviews that the Keiid CD Player “looks just as good as it sounds.” This handcrafted CD player boasts a wooden finish with rich, clear sound; Bluetooth for easy connection to other devices, a built-in mic for handsfree calls, a 5-inch LCD display screen, FM radio, up to 12 preset functions, USB flash drive and SD card playback.

This DVD/TV boombox hybrid acts as its own entertainment hub. The classic boombox can play DVDs, receive TV stations, and stream music wirelessly. It features a 7” TFT LCD screen (800 x 480 resolution), an integrated DVD player, plus you can broadcasts from the digital ATSC TV tuner — which picks up over-the-air HD stations. Stream music wirelessly using a smartphone or tablet. Audio is played through twin 5-watt speakers with bass boost. The boombox can play digital music via USB memory sticks, SD/SDHC card cards, CDs, and an external MP3 player via the auxiliary port.