Cassette Players for the Modern Age: Our Favourite Options for 2023
With cassette tape sales at an all-time high in over 20 years, many music enthusiasts have been on the hunt for modern and affordable options to enjoy their favourite cassettes. While some vintage cassette players like the Sony WM-D6C remain highly coveted by the community, most people (myself included) don’t have thousands of dollars to invest in a portable Walkman.
Don't let your cassette tapes collect dust on a shelf as mere collector's items. Instead, give them the appreciation they deserve by listening to them as intended.
In this article, we'll explore some of the best modern cassette players that offer excellent sound quality, convenience, and affordability. Whether you're looking to listen to your favourite mixtapes on-the-go or digitize your cassette collection, we've got you covered with our top picks for cassette players in 2023.
We Are Rewind
Price: 244.00 AUD - 159.00 USD
Pros: Sleek design, rechargeable battery, Bluetooth 5.1, record function.
Cons: Expensive price point
TOMASHI
Price: 61.59 AUD - 19.99 USD
Pros: Small size, record function, automatic stop, built-in microphone.
Cons: N/A
GPO
Price: 58.62 AUD - 25.65 USD
Pros: Pocket size, record function, FM radio, built-in speaker.
Cons: Included earphones obviously suck.
DIGITNOW!
Price: 29.99 USD
Pros: Cheap price point, record function (digitise cassettes), portable design.
Cons: Again… don’t bother with the included earphones.
Byron Statics Portable Cassette Player
Price: 34.79 AUD - 13.08 USD
Pros: Fun colours, cheap price, record function, built-in microphone.
Cons: - Sound quality.
Shout-out to my recent acquisition of ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’ on cassette, which spurred my desire to actually be able to listen to my cassette collection…
So there you have it, folks. With these modern cassette players, you can now bring back the glory days of the '90s and experience the nostalgia and rawness of cassette tapes.
THIS COULD BE YOU!
So what are you waiting for? Grab your baggy jeans, throw on a flannel shirt, and start jamming to your favourite tracks like a true '90s kid. Just don't forget your wired headphones attached to your side to complete the dorky look.