While streaming music from smart devices is convenient, nothing beats the satisfaction that comes with playing CDs of your favorite albums. From standalone to portable options, here are the best CD players to breathe life into your CD collection.

Best CD Player Overall: Denon DCD-900NE

The Denon DCD-900NE CD Player with two speakers.
Denon

The best CD players can often cost an arm and a leg, but the Denon DCD-900NE proves that you don't have to open your wallet wide to experience everything we love about CDs. With its vibration-resistant design, high-quality DAC, and powerful upscaling technology, this CD player delivers a clean, detailed, and powerful sound that will impress even the most discerning music enthusiast.

While not compatible with Super Audio CDs (SACDs), it can play back lossless audio files via its front USB port. It offers both analog and digital outputs with the option to shut down the digital output to minimize interference. It also comes with a very easy-to-use remote. Unless you specifically need to play SACDs, the DCD-900NE offers everything you need to breathe life into your CD collection.

denon cd player
Denon DCD-900NE
Best Overall

The Denon DCD-900NE strikes a good balance between sound quality and price, delivering Denon's signature dynamic sound with low noise at an affordable price. In addition to CDs, it can also play lossless audio via USB.

Pros
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Low noise
  • Lossless audio playback via USB
  • Premium design
Cons
  • Can't play SACDs

Best Budget CD Player: Onkyo DX-C390 6 Disc CD Player

Onkyo DXC390 6 Disc CD Changer
Onkyo

The Onkyo DX-C390 6-Disc CD Player is a budget-friendly CD player, but the sound quality and features go beyond its price point. It can load not one but six CDs simultaneously for continuous music performance. Moreover, you can change the other CDs while one is playing, so you don't have to worry about interruptions.

At the heart of the Onkyo DX-C390 is a high-quality, multi-bit D/A converter that ensures your CDs sound true to the original recording. It's also meticulously engineered to reduce interference and has all the controls you need on the front panel. Alternatively, you can use the included remote to skip tracks or choose which CD to play.

Onkyo DXC390
Onkyo DX-C390 6 Disc CD Player
Best Budget

If you want to listen to your favorite CDs and albums nonstop, consider this six-disc changer from Onkyo. It can load up to six CDs simultaneously and is surprisingly affordable.

Pros
  • Six-disc capability
  • Heavily shielded construction
  • Delivers crystal-clear playback
  • Analog and digital outputs
Cons
  • No USB port

Best Premium CD Player: Denon DCD-1700NE

Denon DCD-1700NE
Denon 

The Denon DCD-1700NE is an excellent upgrade from the DCD-900NE and a perfect choice if you're looking for a high-end CD player to fit in a powerful home hi-fi system. Both models feature the same powerful audio processing and a vibration-resistant design. However, the DCD-1700NE stands out with its premium components and extended disc support.

It supports SACDs, which deliver a higher-quality music experience than standard CDs, as well as DSD and high-res audio up to 192 kHz/24 bits. The rest of the CD player is carefully tuned and meticulously engineered to suppress jitter and noise, resulting in one of the best-sounding CD players with unmatched detail and dynamic range.

denon 1700e cd player
Denon DCD-1700NE
Best Premium

If you're after high-end specs, the Denon DCD-1700NE can play both CDs and SACDs and features advanced audio scaling and a powerful DAC, making it one of the best CD players for audiophiles.

Pros
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Compatible with SACDs
  • Premium build quality
Cons
  • No USB input

Best Portable CD Player: Coby Portable Anti Skip CD Player

Coby Portable Anti Skip CD Player
Coby

Smartphones have made it easier to listen to music on the go, but if you want to go back in time and rock out to your old CD collection, the Coby Portable Anti-Skip CD Player is the closest you can get to the Sony Discman. Unlike other CD players, the Coby operates on two AA batteries and comes with earbuds, making it the perfect option for listening to your CDs anywhere you go.

At just 7.8 ounces, it is easy to carry around and compact enough to fit in a travel bag. The sound quality is impressive for the price, bringing out details that are otherwise hidden when listening via phone. You can use the included earbuds or plug the CD player into your car. But for the best experience, we recommend using higher-quality headphones or speakers.

Coby Portable CD Player
Coby Portable Anti Skip CD Player
Best Portable

If you were a fan of the Sony Discman back in the day, this portable CD player from Coby is sure to evoke a wave of nostalgia. It's compact and lightweight and comes with earbuds, allowing you to listen to your favorite CDs from just about anywhere.

Pros
  • Perfect size for travel
  • Plays without skipping
  • Aux port for headphones and external speakers
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Drains batteries quickly

Best All-in-One CD Player: Toshiba TY-CWU700

Toshiba TY-CWU700 CD Player
Toshiba

The Toshiba TY-CWU700 not only takes you back in time with its retro design but also comes with built-in speakers, making it a solid compact CD player for listening to old-time classics. The slide-out CD tray is smooth and quiet, and it can play different CD formats, including original CDs, CD-R, and CD-RW.

Besides CDs, the Toshiba TY-CWU700 can play audio from various other sources. It features Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and an Aux input that lets you play your favorite tracks from your phone, flash drive, or computer. And when your playlist wraps up, you can switch gears and listen to FM radio, making it the jack of all trades among CD players.

toshiba cd player
Toshiba TY-CWU700
Best All-in-One

The Toshiba TY-CWU700 is an excellent option if you're looking for a CD player with built-in speakers and Bluetooth. It sounds amazing and also supports FM radio and MP3 files playback via USB.

Pros
  • Beautiful vintage design
  • Loads of playback options
  • Powerful stereo speakers
  • Useful LED display
Cons
  • Does not support Hi-Res audio

FAQ

Q: Are CD players repairable?

CD players are mostly trouble-free since they have fewer moving parts. However, you can troubleshoot minor issues by trying a different disk since a badly scratched CD may be the culprit and not the CD player.

A thorough cleaning is also a handy way to solve problems associated with dirt buildup.

For a battery-powered CD player, check whether the batteries need a recharge or a replacement. If the problems persist, consider visiting a technician.

Q: How do I maintain my CD player?

CD players collect a lot of dust from their surroundings. The first thing you need to do is clean your house regularly to prevent small particles from settling on your device.

When cleaning your CD player, use a lint-free cloth to rub the CD plate gently.

You can remove the outer body to clean the internal components thoroughly. Be careful with the disassembly process to avoid damaging or detaching fragile components that may be hard to replace.

Q: How do I transfer music from my CD onto my computer?

You can transfer music from your CD to your computer using the 'Rip CD' option in Windows Media Player. If you're using a Mac, macOS also provides the option to rip CDs using its built-in 'Import CD' feature.

Q: Will CDs work in a DVD player?

Yes, standard CDs will work fine in a DVD player, but the sound quality won't be as good as when using a dedicated CD player or CD transport with a DAC.

Q: Do CDs sound better than vinyl records?

While vinyl records sound great, CDs offer superior sound quality due to their better signal-to-noise ratio and wider dynamic range compared to vinyl.

Q: Why are new CDs so expensive nowadays?

With the rise of digital streaming, fewer and fewer people are buying CDs, forcing manufacturers to produce fewer units. The resulting low production volumes lead to higher per-unit production costs, making it more expensive to buy CDs than when the demand was high.