Best Products > Audio 468 468 people found this article helpful The Best CD Players and CD Changers of 2024 Look for impressive DACs, Bluetooth, and excellent sound quality By Emily Isaacs Emily Isaacs Writer Monmouth College Western Illinois University Emily Isaacs is an Illinois-based writer specializing in gaming and entertainment. She is passionate about emerging tech and how it enriches daily life. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 14, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Audio Headphones Earbuds Speakers Home Theater Instruments Accessories The best CD players and changers support a high signal-to-noise ratio for excellent sound quality, a good DAC for digital-to-analog conversion, and a robust and durable chassis that reduces vibration. Whether you’re looking for a standalone CD player or need something more robust, we’ve got you covered. The Rundown Best for Compact Spaces: Teac PD 301 at Amazon ($667) Jump to Review Most Durable: Tascam CD-200BT at Amazon ($399) Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look for in CD Players and CD Changers FAQ Best for Compact Spaces Teac PD 301 Amazon View On Amazon $667 Pros User-friendly controls Beautiful, compact design TEAC tray-loader included Cons Display is difficult to read at times Teac PD-301 CD Player Review Since entering the high-end audio market in the 1970s, the TEAC brand has become synonymous with reliable performance and excellent quality at a no-frills price. Unsurprisingly, the TEAC PD 301 is a fantastic CD player. While its size is compact, clocking in at 8.5 inches wide by 9 inches long by 2 inches in height, it certainly makes up for its stylish yet small stature with fantastic music quality and easy-to-use built-in features. Its compact construction, available only in black with polished metal sides, brings a distinguished presence wherever you decide to place it—be it alongside a complete stereo system or a more discrete placement alongside bookshelf speakers. Thanks to its plug-and-play nature, you’re up and running quickly out of the box. Once set up, you can use its quick-loading slot-in drive to change discs smoothly and efficiently. The TEAC PD 301 supports MP3 and WMA content on CD, CD-R, and CD-RW discs. It can also play CDs and includes a USB port for WAV, MP3, WMA, and AAC files. The PD 301 supports digital and analog outputs. TEAC has focused on refining its supporting hardware to deliver an exceptional product by narrowing the signal-to-noise ratio to an impressive 105 dB. This ensures you’ve got phenomenal sound quality from the source for an exceptional hi-fi experience. Wireless: No | Supported Audio Formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV | Inputs/Outputs: FM antenna, USB | Number of Supported Discs: 1 Lifewire / Scott Gercken Most Durable Tascam CD-200BT Amazon View On Amazon $399 View On Walmart $399 View On B&H Photo Video $400 Pros Durable, sturdy build Bluetooth connectivity Built-in 10-second shock protection Cons No USB support No included cables Design isn't very attractive Tascam CD-200BT Rackmount CD Player Review The Tascam CD-200BT Rackmount CD player is a great, sturdy option for a Bluetooth-enabled CD player, mainly when used on a professional audio rack. Like most rackmount equipment, it's designed for long-term use. Unsurprisingly, the CD-200BT has a durable black metal case free of a showy digital interface. Instead, the model features large plastic buttons and an easy-to-use remote control. It supports only a single CD slot, and mounting equipment stands out on either side, so you can be sure it is extra secure in its placement. The CD-200BT comes with a litany of easy-to-use, built-in features. One favorite is the 10-second playback shock protection, which stores 10 seconds of song data to ensure an accidental bump won't interrupt playback. Another favorite feature is this CD player's ability to connect up to eight Bluetooth-enabled devices simultaneously while supporting smooth transitions between them as needed. Four playback modes are included: single, program, continuous, and shuffle. The CD-200BT's signal-to-noise ratio is 90 dB, which is good, but it doesn't quite stand out in the crowd compared to the competition. This is an excellent choice if you're looking for an exceptional and durable CD player that supports WAV or MP3 files. Wireless: Yes (Bluetooth) | Supported Audio Formats: MP2, MP3, WAV | Inputs/Outputs: AUX, headphone jack | Number of Supported Discs: 1 Lifewire / Scott Gercken The Best Portable CD Players of 2024 What to Look for in CD Players and CD Changers A DAC, speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity are essential features to look for in any CD player or changer. DAC: One of the most critical aspects of your CD player is its included DAC, the computer chip that transforms digital signals into physical sound—the more impressive the DAC, the more impressive a performance your player will offer. Speakers: Be sure to check whether your CD player includes speakers—and note how large they are if they do. Will they fit the area you're thinking of? Bluetooth: Devices with Bluetooth can easily connect to your smartphone, tablet, or computer to stream music and other entertainment. FAQ How do CD players work? A CD player works by using a small laser beam inside the player to flash onto the shiny side of the CD. The light bouncing off the patterns on the shiny side results in an electric current that pushes a signal that generates music playback in binary (ones and zeroes). The digital-to-analog converter then decodes the binary numbers and converts them back into electric currents that are transformed by the earphones into music. Are CDs obsolete? While they're certainly not the most cutting-edge technology, CDs aren't obsolete. Almost all new music is made available on CD, and while the numbers are declining, music stores continue to sell huge numbers of new and used compact discs annually. Are new CD players being released? Yes, a number of companies continue to release new CD players and changers. Companies like Rotel, Panasonic, Cambridge Audio, and Sony all have released new models in recent years, and the trend likely will continue, as audiophiles continue to crave superior audio quality compared to streaming/digital alternatives. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit