10 Best CD Players

Today’s best CD players feature updated technology not only in sound quality but also in connectivity.

You’ll be amazed at the way so many features are now packed into small, excellent quality packages to complete your home stereo system.

Check out our list of the best CD players available today to experience the biggest sound from your CD player.

Top CD Players

When it comes to finding the right device to play CDs, think sound. Here are some of our favorites.

Bose has been known for producing premium quality stereo sound for decades. So it’s no surprise that the Bose Wave Music System IV sits on top of our list.

You can expect immersive, physical sound exactly the way the artist intended it to be heard thanks to the innovative waveguide technology that delivers high-performance bass, sharp treble, and crystal clear vocals. 

The device has a sleek, curved design with dual speakers, in addition to a front-loading style, MP3 playback, and AM/FM radio tuner – all of which make this a full media system in a slim package.

Its built-in LCD screen not only displays song and artist information, but assists with digital tuning as well.

The Bose Wave Music System IV comes with a handy remote control in a credit-card style design.

Plus, it has a small profile and elegant design fits unobtrusively in your home or office with an updated, super-sleek build at only 4.5-inches tall and features the Bose signature wave design.

Key Features:

• Large easy buttons
• Weight 7 pounds
• Dimensions ‎20 x 12 x 3 inches
• Dual alarms
• Bose waveguide technology
• Slim remote with 12 presets
• Plug-in power supply

Best for: A small to medium size room and those who like an easy setup.

The KeiiD CD Player could be an excellent option for those who have been looking at CD players with unconventional looks and reliable performance. 

This retro-designed Bluetooth home stereo system has a VW car CD and radio head unit for exceptional durability, rich tone, and HiFi sound. The slot-in style player with dual 4-inch bass speakers has vintage-styled knobs and a 5-inch display. 

You can use the CD player’s Bluetooth chip to pair with your phone or iPad so you can wirelessly stream music from any leading digital publisher.

What’s more, the Keiid CD Player also doubles as a TV soundbar system if you’re in a pinch. A convenient remote offers volume control and skip tracks without disruption.

With a 110-240V, 50/60Hz/RMS 2x 20W solid power supply, you’ll know you can rock out nonstop.

You also get a microphone, Aux input, and SD card playback feature built-in.

Key Features:

• Bluetooth enabled
• High quality dome-silk tweeter and 4-inch bass speaker in both sides
• +/- 10dB base. mid-range and treble adjustable
• 5 EQs optional
• 110-240V, 50/60Hz/RMS 2x 20W power supply
• Play files of different formats

Best for: Those who care about design that could be great for a home office and functions as one of the top Bluetooth-enabled devices.

The TEAC CD-P650 Home Audio CD Player is a great option for your home or office with its sleek, streamlined design. It delivers crystal-clear playback with better sound quality, assuring you an effective sound solution. 

It has a center-mounted CD drive that balances the weight to reduce vibration and resonance during playback, and delivers clear, true sound.

If you opt for headphone connectivity, an A-R630 integrated amplifier boosts sound to deliver a surprisingly big soundstage from one of the most affordable CD players on the market.

The device includes all the connectivity options you might expect, with standard stereo output via RCA and digital PCM output over optical TOSLINK.

You can also record your CDs to your USB memory devices as MP3 music files for a smooth transfer from CD audio to MP3 player.

An iPod digital interface lets you enjoy the exceptional sound from the integrated DAC over your existing HiFi system.

Key Features:

• USB and iPod Digital Interface
• Record your CDs to USBs in MP3 music files
• 1x and 2x recording speeds
• Set MP3 media file recording bit rates from 64, 96, 128 and 192 kbps
• Output uses PCM format (44.1 kHz/16 bit)
• Integrated amplifier

Best for: Those looking for the best budget cd player for a home theater setup.

The TEAC CD-RW890MK2 Home Audio CD Recorder with Synchro-Sound recording technology is another TEAC addition to our list because of it has the best possible sound quality. 

As with the CD-P650, this unit has a center-mounted CD drive system to help minimize vibration while simultaneously delivering premium sound. A level meter ensures ideal balance.

One of the most unique features of this CD recorder is the unique Synchro technology that lets you record from analog audio sources directly to digital.

Even better, this the recorder begins recording audio automatically at the beginning of any track and stops when the signal ends.

Additionally, when the sound fades between tracks, the recorder will automatically insert track breaks, saving all kinds of time and effort when recording from analog to digital. However, it doesn’t function as a digital to analog converter.

You also get multiple playback modes in this versatile CD player, which makes it a great choice for anyone who wants premium sound recording technology in a single, compact unit.

Key Features:

• Connectivity – Digital Input Optical (TOS), Optical Digital, Analog RCA
• Weight 9.9 pounds
• Remote control

Best for: Those looking for the best CD player to record from both analog and digital sources

One of the best CD players for a complete home stereo system is the Philips FX10 Bluetooth Stereo System. 

You can enjoy exceptional sound in its price-class from dual super bass reflex speakers.  Also featured are an AM/FM radio, internet radio, MP3 player, and USB output.

It has the innovative MAX Sound technology that boosts the bass to maximize performance for a more immersive sound experience from your digital audio output. 

The dual amplifier reduces the inter-modulation between the woofer and tweeter, creating a rich and powerful sound.

The deep, rich bass quality perfectly balances with higher sound frequencies so your digital music retains a full, detailed sound. Moreover, the 3.5mm auxiliary port delivers direct playback from portable players.

The Philips FX10 Bluetooth Stereo System has a bold black and brass construction and looks as great as it sounds. With its digital tuning and station presets, as well as Bluetooth for wireless streaming, this is one of the best CD players to add to any home or office.

Key Features:

• 230 Watts
• Dual amplifiers
• Bluetooth enabled
• “Max Sound” technology
• Weight 15.92 pounds

Best for: Those who are looking for the best cd player that offers an all in one solution that has a home theater system with a cd player.

This single disc player has amazing sound and is easy to connect. Enjoy your favorite CD and CD-RW through the front USB input.

The Marantz supports all your favorite media files including: WAV, MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC HD, ALAC, AIFF and DSD files. This versatility in terms of playing files is excellent.

The controls on the unit are solid, easy to use, not cheap like other models.

Key Features:

• High quality DAC 192-kHz/24-bit D/A conversion features an AK4490 chip
• Gold-plated RCA phono outputs on the rear of the player.
• Dimensions 13.4 x 17.3 x 4.1 inches
• Weight: 14.3 pounds

Best for: Those looking to take their current system to the next level.

For those of you who own a DAC, you can purchase this Cambridge Audio AXC35 in lieu of a standalone player.

High-quality audio makes for an excellent listening experience when playing CDs, especially for those that want to be able to clearly hear each instrument of their favorite band playing while they are streaming music.

A machined-metal chassis makes for an excellent solid body design. The Cambridge CXC system only reads CDs, not SACDs or MP3 CDs. Hence, we chose the Cambridge Audio AXC35 which plays WMA files from CD-R, CD-RW and CD-ROM discs.

Key Features:

• Output TOSLINK optical and S/PDIF coaxial
• Dimensions: 12.01 x 16.93 x 2.95 inches
• Weight: 4.3kg
• Single disc player
• Included remote control

Best for: The Cambridge Audio player is good for anyone looking for a great DAC to connect to excellent speakers and enjoy high-quality sound.

The Marantz ND8006 model includes all the bells and whistles, including the standalone CD player. It combines the player with a digital source hub to create rich, warm sound.

It comes with built-in HEOS and DAC functionality. Plus Bluetooth. Since it has audiophile grade DAC and HDAM for accurate details when it transforms digital signals, you won’t miss a beat hearing the high-resolution sound.

Key Features:

• DAC and Pre-amp
• Airplay 2, Bluetooth and HEOS
• Amazon Alexa Compatible
• Dimensions 14.53 x 17.32 x 4.17 inches
• 17.64 Pounds
• Wireless, Bluetooth, WiFi
• High resolution playback

Best for: Those looking for an all inclusive system.

If you are looking for a CD player that loads more than one disc, give the Onkyo a try. You can even change out your five as one CD is playing.

Playing your treasured CD collection gives you around 5 hours of play time. This is great when you are hosting a party or getting work done around the house and do not want to fuss changing out one CD at a time.

If you like programming features of a CD player then the Onkyo is your perfect pick. The CD changer comes with 40-Track Programming and 6 Repeat Modes. Repeat modes include: Entire Disc/All Discs/Random Tracks/Programmed Tracks/Random Memory/Single Track.

Key Features:

• Dimensions 17.01 x 17.13 x 5.16 inches
• Weight 13.2 pounds
• Play audio CDs, MP3-Encoded CDs, CD-R/RWs
• 40-Track Programming, 6 Repeat Modes 

Best for: Anyone who has been shopping for cd changers.

If you love a classic, retro style, the Victrola 50’s Retro Bluetooth Record Player and Multimedia Center may be a great option for your home.

With its sturdy, rugged construction and beautiful chrome detailing, this portable CD player combines top-notch performance with classic style.

Perfect for any room in your home or office, this vintage-looking CD player has a complete set of retro-style button controls for the CD player, as well as a 3-speed belt-driven turntable for your vinyl collection.

An AM/FM radio completes the media center, while built-in speakers assure balanced, crystal-clear audio quality. 

You can also record CDs or vinyl favorites to MP3 software with the included USB cable. An input selection button lets you switch between your audio formats at will.

It also features blue LCD lights that emit a soft glow that won’t detract from the retro appearance. This player also features Bluetooth connectivity, a 3.5mm auxiliary port and a headphone jack.

All in all, the Victrola Retro CD Player and Multimedia Player is a fun CD player for anyone interested in the 50’s retro style combined with the latest in connectivity.

Key Features:

• CD player, AM/FM radio, and record player
• This 3-speed (33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm) record player
• Works with Bluetooth-enabled devices
• 19 Watts
• Dimensions 13 x 7 x 15 inches
• Weight 8.65 pounds

Best for: Those who want a Turntable as well as a CD player and like the retro look.

Summary

Today, CD players are so much more than a basic-looking device that plays music.

They’re now packed with features that have kept them from going obsolete, like Bluetooth, USB, exceptional audio quality and new portable designs that deliver rich, powerful sound. 

With so many brands, shapes, and sizes, zeroing on to a single device could get tricky – but not anymore! We’ve included some of the best CD players that will ensure you enjoy music the old-fashioned way.

Be it Bose or Sony, you’ll find a suitable option regardless of your preferences and budget.