Spotify and its ilk make it easier than ever to stream the entirety of musical history, but all those audio files get compressed to tiny sizes and end up lacking warmth and richness. There's a reason audiophiles bang on about "CD-quality" – it just sounds better.
Now, alongside the decade-long vinyl revival and the resurgence of the record player, we're seeing CDs mount a comeback. Last year in the US, compact disc sales rose for the first time since 2004 and music fans in the UK bought over 14 million CDs in 2021.
So, if it's time to dust off your physical disc collection or you're after new CDs online, here's the Esquire edit of the seven best CD players to buy in 2022:
There are a whole host of arguments for why you should get back into CDs. They're affordable, support artists more than mere pennies-per-play on streaming, sound even better than records (and won't skip) and come in collectable cases with stunning artwork and lyric booklets. Wave goodbye to shuffle and listen to your favourite songs the way the musicians intended.
The Need-to-Know
You don't want to pick up a new player only to realise you can't connect it to your speakers or that it needs batteries. So, before you buy, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
Player Type: The most premium type is a component player that fits into a larger system and won't come with built-in speakers. Alternatively, you may be after an all-in-one system with built-in speakers and extra connectivity options, a simple boombox that can run off mains power or batteries, or a battery-operated portable model. We've included at least one model from each of these types in our roundup.
Outputs: You'll want to take note of what outputs can connect to your player. All on this list have a headphone jack, but some devices will also have analog RCA outputs to connect to an amplifier or speakers. Some devices will have optical and coaxial outputs as well as the usual RCA, making them more versatile. If you pick a player that is just a "transport" that means it only includes the CD mechanics and will need a separate DAC (digital/analogue converter) to produce sound. It's also worth looking at whether the one you pick can play files from a USB drive or if it has wireless options like Bluetooth or wifi.
Best CD Player for Audiophiles
Marantz SA-10 Black Super Audio CD Player
Available at AV.com and Vickers HiFi
After serious high-end specs? The very best CD players are components that fit into a wider system, like this model that can read just about every disc imaginable and interpret high-res audio files via USB too. Toss in some premium speakers to make your music sing. It's expensive, but this is a key part of an incredible home hifi system capable of the best dynamic range and detail.
Speaker: n/a Power Supply: Mains Power Connections: Digital Optical Input and Output, Digital Coaxial Input and Output, USB,Headphone Jack Dimensions: 12.7 x 44 x 41.9 cm Weight: 18.4kg
Cambridge Audio AXC35 CD Player
Available at Amazon and Richer Sounds
This slimline player comes to us from British sound specialists Cambridge Audio and is a capable performer at a sub-£400 price. Compared to its top-of-the-range CD player rivals, this is at the more affordable end of the spectrum, and it has a classic look to it that reminds us of our old DVD player. It produces clear and detailed sound from its minimal design but does lack an optical or USB connection.
Speaker: n/a Power Supply: Mains Power Connections: Headphone Jack, Digital Coaxial Input and Output, Line Output Dimensions: 51 x 42 x 15 cm Weight: 4.3 kg
Best Portable CD Player
Oakcastle CD100 Portable Bluetooth CD Player
Available at Amazon, Currys and Oakcastle
We all remember the Sony Discman, but you'll struggle to get your hands on one of those models in 2022. That doesn't mean the portable CD player is dead, though, and this once omes with a few of today's comforts including a rechargeable battery (via the included USB cable), in-car compatibility and Bluetooth to connect your wireless headphones. It also includes an aux cable to hook it up to external speakers and some retro earbuds with in-line controls.
Speaker: n/a Power Supply: Rechargeable Battery (Lasts 12 Hours) Connections: Headphone Jack, Aux, Micro USB Dimensions: 2.8 x 14 x 14 cm Weight: 230g
Best Classic Boombox CD Player
Sony CFDS70B.CEK Classic CD and Tape Boombox with Radio
Available at Amazon, AO, Argos and Very
Can't resist the urge to recreate the scene where John Cusack held his boombox over his head in Say Anything? This traditional Sony has a classic design – it can play CDs, has a built-in tape deck for a serious throwback vibe (we can't be the only ones who recorded from the Top 40 onto cassettes?), and FM/AM radio tuners. It's a boombox just like the one you had in your childhood bedroom and while it's familiar it has none of today's comforts, so don't expect any DAB or Bluetooth here.
Speaker: 3.4W Output Power Supply: Mains Power or Six 1.5V C Cell Batteries Connections: Headphone Jack, Aux Dimensions: 35.1 x 22.8 x 15.8 cm Weight: 2.3kg
Best Minimalist CD Player
Panasonic SC-HC302 Bluetooth DAB+ Micro Hi-Fi System, Black
Panasonicjohnlewis.com
£139.00
Available at John Lewis, Amazon and Currys
For a sleek and minimal home stereo system, opt for this Panasonic model. More than a basic CD player, this also delivers DAB radio stations, audio files via USB, and streaming music over Bluetooth and Chromecast Audio. You can mount this on a wall so that it'll disappear into your decor too. Ideal as a versatile mini hifi, there aren't many downsides given its good value price, but it's worth noting it can't transmit to wireless headphones.
Speaker: 20W Power Supply: Mains Power Connections: USB, Headphone Jack, Aux Dimensions: 19.7 x 40 x 10.7 cm Weight: 2.5kg
Best All-in-One Music System
Ruark R3 DAB/DAB+/FM/Internet Radio & CD Bluetooth Wi-Fi Wireless All-In-One Music System
Available at John Lewis and Amazon
Looking for a compact player to sit on a tabletop? Go for this. The Ruark R3 plays CDs, DAB and internet radio, and can stream over Bluetooth and wifi. It's a classy, versatile package that's robust and capable. If you want something more eye-catching, Ruark's R7 is a bigger and boomier version that puts excellent acoustics into a stylish piece of furniture. It's a centrepiece to get dinner guests talking before it wows them with its sound quality.
Speaker: 30W Output Power Supply: Mains Power Connections: RCA Input and Output, Optical Input, USB, Ethernet, Headphone Jack Dimensions: 42 x 22 x 16.7 cm Weight: 5.3kg
John Lewis & Partners Tenor Hi-Fi Music System with DAB/DAB+/FM/Internet Radio with CD & Wireless Connectivity
Available at John Lewis only
Like the sound of the Ruark above but not sure about its price? John Lewis makes a similar player for about half the cost, and it connects to wifi, Bluetooth, DAB and USB drives in addition to playing your treasured CD collection. It's loud enough to be a good option for the kitchen or the lounge, or with its dual alarm functions – that can wake you up with your favourite radio station, CD, or a buzzing noise – it may work best in the bedroom.
Speaker: 40W Output Power Supply: Mains Power Connections: USB, Aux, Headphone Jack, Line Output, Ethernet Dimensions: 15.3 x 45.8 x 22.7cm Weight: 5.84kg
Compact discs – invented a full 43 years ago – aren't obsolete, but it's fair to say that the "revivial" is more of a cultural than an economic resurgence. They fit into the zeitgeist in 2022, driven by Nineties nostalgia.
Even with the news that CD sales rose last year, it should be noted Adele's latest album 30 alone is responsible for the increase with 898,000 units sold in the US, and you can't call it a comeback if only one artist is the reason behind it. Yes, we all know the vast majority of music consumption happens via streaming, but niche formats persist. CDs are far from gone if shoppers stateside bought 40.16 million of them in 2021, while UK disc lovers snapped up more than 14 million.
Why Do CDs Sound Better Than Streaming Music?
If you're listening to all your music on streaming services, nine times out of ten it's going to be a compressed digital file that has been made small enough to fling across the internet. Unless you're on hi-res audio from Apple Music, Tidal or Amazon's Music HD, your songs are packaged into more manageable files for easy streaming.
While they may be a bit less convenient than streaming, humble compact discs deliver uncompressed audio that can get louder without distortion and has more dynamic range and detail. We'd be the first to admit that you may not always notice the difference, though, especially if you're not using high-quality speakers, a full-on home audio system, or a pair of the best wired headphones.
Here at Esquire, we value any physical media just that bit more than digital alternatives. For all its convenience, you can never truly treasure that downloaded file stored somewhere in the cloud or think that your streaming subscription counts for as much as a proper music collection. With that said, there are a few differences between CDs and vinyl if you're forced to pick between the two.
As the name suggests, CDs are more compact but they also lack a bit of the nostalgia factor and the analogue fullness of the vinyl sound. They're less likely to pick up damage, don't warp and won't skip in the way that LPs can. If you're after perfect audio clarity without crackling or scratches, go with CDs. There's also nothing wrong with owning both a CD and a record player. If you've got the space for both, why not?
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