The Best CD Players For Your Home
Before the age of music streaming, CDs were ubiquitous with high-quality audio and musical artistry. Many of us remember making our own mixes, and digitalized sound could be shared through the rainbow reflection of a compact disc. You can relive that magic with modern CD players for your home. We've assembled a list of the top CD players on the market for your consideration. Read on and discover your next nostalgic blast from the past.
What to Look For
You might be wondering how to find a top-notch CD player. We’re here to help. Using these criteria, we came up with a list of the best CD players: Does it include speakers? Can you connect via Bluetooth, SD cards, or USB drives? And most importantly, how is the sound quality? For the best clarity, Bose’s Wave Music System wins by a long shot. It might be pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for, as it also doubles as a premium Bluetooth speaker. If you’re looking for something smaller, more affordable, and more versatile, Qoosea’s wall-mountable CD player will serve you well. It has a small profile but can play via CD, Bluetooth, SD card, or USB drive. Keep reading to learn more about these first-rate CD players.
Jensen JMC-180 Wall Mountable CD Music System
The complete system
Looking for a refreshing way to listen to music? This vertical-loading CD player could be just the ticket. We picked this for our top spot because of its elegant design, slim profile, and clear speakers. It looks great mounted on the wall or sitting on a shelf. And because it sits upright, it doesn’t take up much space. Since it plays CD-R and CD-RW discs, you can play all your old mix CDs (as long as they’ve made it this far without a web of scratches).
Pros:
- It has an impressively clear sound, so you don’t have to crank up the volume to hear the dynamics. This makes it perfect for playing music outside or in an apartment building where you want to be considerate to neighbors.
- The digital radio tuner picks up channels quickly, and the signal is clear with minimal distortion.
Cons:
- There is no Bluetooth connection or digital music file playback on this system.
Singing Wood 030C Portable CD Player Boombox
Bring on the boom
Kick back with this old-school-style boombox and some CDs, breathing new life into an old medium. This boombox makes for an affordable way to have portable music. And if you decide to play something from your phone or computer, you can always use the AUX input port. The folding handle makes it easy to pick up and move around, perfect for active lifestyles and those always on the move.
Pros:
- You can hook up external speakers using the headphone jack. As long as the speakers are powered separately and accept an AUX input, you can use them.
- This has an impressive sound quality for such a small boombox. There is adequate bass and undistorted mids and highs, even at louder volumes.
Cons:
- This boombox doesn’t come with a remote.
Qoosea Portable CD Player with Bluetooth and SD Card Slot
The futuristic throwback
Are you looking for a system that can do it all? This CD player from Qoosea might be your best bet. It looks great either vertically mounted on a wall or lying flat on a table. It can play audio with inputs from CDs, Bluetooth, and even AUX input. You can also load music files onto an SD card or USB flash to play them directly from the device. This way, you don’t have to fuss with a phone app, you can just hit play and have your favorite tunes playing immediately.
Pros:
- Despite its small speakers, this CD player can get quite loud. Better yet, at maximum volume, it sounds crystal clear.
- This is one of the smaller CD players with speakers on the market. Its face is barely larger than a CD, so it’s easy to set this CD player up almost anywhere.
Cons:
- Depending on the height and location of installation, the display can be a bit hard to read if this CD player is mounted vertically.
Bose Wave Music System IV – Espresso Black
Pristine audio quality
Bluetooth speakers are great for digital audio, but most of them can’t play CDs. However, this one from Bose can play both. This sleek CD player includes built-in stereo speakers with premium sound. We love the visual appeal of this system, too, with its clean lines and polished look. Whether you’re listening to the radio, your favorite CDs, or streaming from your phone, the sound quality is just as polished.
Pros:
- The speakers on this CD player sound great for a wide variety of music genres. Anything from classical and jazz to rock and EDM comes out with rich bass, crisp highs, and clear mids.
- The embedded radio antenna picks up a signal well, easily finding radio stations and playing them clearly. You can also add an external antenna to boost the signal if you’re in an area with low reception.
Cons:
- The remote’s buttons are small and require a firm press to activate.
Sharp XL-BH250 5-Disc CD Player with Bluetooth and Speakers
Turn it up to eleven
Before there were streaming playlists, there were CD changers that let us keep multiple CDs in one player. This CD player from Sharp can store up to five CDs, so you don’t have to get up to change artists again. And for a handsome look, the speakers themselves are made out of real wood that adds a warm resonance to the whole experience.
Pros:
- Each speaker runs at 25W, so they can get loud enough to fill a party room. And even at high volume, the sound doesn’t distort.
- You can fine-tune the equalizer settings to complement the acoustics in your room. For example, those who don’t prefer heavy bass can turn down the low end to enjoy their music without so much boominess.
Cons:
- You can’t connect Bluetooth headphones to this without an adapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect Bluetooth headphones to a home CD player?
Unfortunately, most CD players for homes don’t include Bluetooth output. Some include Bluetooth input, allowing playback from smartphones and other devices. However, if the system includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, you can use a Bluetooth audio transmitter.
How do I remove scratches from old CDs?
To get rid of scratches from CDs, you first need a polishing agent like Brasso, but you can also use toothpaste in a pinch. Spread the toothpaste or abrasive compound evenly on the bottom of the CD. Then, using a microfiber cloth or some tissue paper, thoroughly rub small circles around the CD. This will buff out smaller scratches, and you can repeat the process for deeper scratches.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.