The way we consume and listen to music may have changed somewhat over the past couple of decades, yet the beloved radio and CD player is as popular as ever.
Once only restricted to the limitations of one CD or the radio signal, modern radio and CD players come equipped with a range of different features.
Along with the traditional ability to play CDs and listen to your favorite radio stations, modern features such as Wi-Fi, internet connection, Bluetooth, and interconnection between other devices makes the modern radio CD player a whole new device.
With all of these extra features comes an added level of difficulty when it comes to finding the right radio CD player for you.
That’s why we’ve taken the time to delve through the offerings on the market and bring only the best to you in this review.
We’ve also put together an in-depth buying guide so you can understand the ins and outs of the underrated radio CD player before you swipe your card.
See Our Best Radios With CD Player
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| 2
Best For Low Budgets
2Jensen CD-490 Portable Radio CD Player
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| 3
Best Overall
3Bose Wave Music System & Tabletop CD Player
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| 4 |
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Buy On Amazon |
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Best For Higher Budgets
5Crosley Corsair Tabletop Radio with CD Player
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1. Sony Portable AM/FM Radio CD Player
- Plays MP3 files.
- Bluetooth audio streaming.
- Built-in AM/FM radio.
- USB recording and play-back.
Coming from a brand as well-known and reliable as Sony, you know that you are in safe hands with the Sony Portable AM/FM Radio CD Player.
Sitting in the mid to high range of the market, this traditionally styled, but modern-laden, CD player is a great balance between old and new.
A typical CD player at the very top of the device is balanced by the long list of top-of-the-range features.
These features include the ability to play MP3 files and stream audio from a Bluetooth device, the impressive LED light that displays the time, and other sound settings.
With over 26 hours of battery life, the portability truly shines through as you can listen to it for weeks without having to worry that the batteries will cut out on you.
Specifications
Pros
- Mega bass sound enhancement.
- LCD display.
- 26-hours of battery life.
- Stream music via Bluetooth.
Cons
- Requires six C type batteries.
2. Jensen CD-490 Portable Radio CD Player
- Top loading CD player.
- LED display light.
- Foldable carry handle.
- Auxiliary Input to connect other devices.
If you’re looking for a great all-around radio CD player but you’re trying to stick to a budget, look no further than the Jensen CD-490 portable radio CD player.
Both lightweight, smaller in design, and equipped with a foldable case this model is perfect for carrying about and having while on the move.
An auxiliary input allows you to connect an array of added devices such as extras speakers. An easy-to-use interface allows you to change the volume, settings, and frequency of the radio, all with complete ease.
On the device, you’ll also find a headphone jack and clear display which gives it the classic look of a traditional CD player. However, the LED lights and other modern touches create an overall sharper model.
Specifications
Pros
- Lightweight design.
- Great value for money.
- Headphone jack for personal listing.
- Clear display front.
Cons
- Looks cheaper than other models.
3. Bose Wave Music System & Tabletop CD Player
- Works alongside Alexa voice control.
- Store music on the device.
- Bose waveguide speaker technology.
- Personalized presets.
Coming from audio giants Bose, the Bose Wave Music System is a state-of-the-art system that offers great sound quality, from both voice and musical audio.
Bringing the radio CD player into the 21st century, the Bose Wave Music System comes equipped with voice command technology and can be linked up to other devices such as Amazon’s Alexa.
Keeping all your music files safe is easy with the Bose Wave Music System. Whether they’re mp3, CD files, or any other type of file, this modern CD player can store the range of music to your liking.
With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, the CD player can also link directly to the internet and connect itself with a choice of different websites.
Boasting personalized presets and an ability to store your own tracks, this really leaves room for a modern device that brings radio listening to the modern era, making it one of the best radio and cd players available today.
Specifications
Pros
- State-of-the-art technology.
- Access music apps and online.
- Support numerous sound files.
Cons
- High price tag.
4. Lonpoo Boombox Portable FM Radio CD Player
- Compatible with MP3 and CD.
- Battery and power operated.
- USB connectivity.
- Headphone jack from traditional earphones.
The Lonpoo Boombox is an ideal model of a radio CD player that mixes the traditional old look of the CD player with far sleeker and smart designs.
Being able to play mp3s, CDs and other forms of musical files make this a truly modern CD player, yet the device’s look and overall features keep the final price tag low.
At a very low weight, the Lonpoo Boombox Portable FM Radio CD Player is perfect for carrying around and is one of the most portable modern CD players available.
A lack of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth does nothing to retract away from the CD player’s sharp preset EQ modes, its LCD display, and its USB connectivity.
Specifications
Pros
- LCD display.
- Twin stereo speakers.
- Five EQ modes for different genres of music.
Cons
- No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections.
5. Crosley Corsair Tabletop Radio with CD Player
- Bluetooth speaker built-in.
- A design like the hood of a car.
- Built-in alarm clock, dual alarms.
- Full range of stereo speakers.
If you’re looking for that radio CD player that has something a little bit different about it, then the Crosley Corsair Tabletop Radio is the one for you.
Crafted to the shape and look of a classic American car, this Radio CD player has a clear sense of style as well as many hidden features that make this a great device to have, in any home.
Features such as an in-built speaker allow you to link up with other musical devices and play your favorite tracks from them. Link up the CD player’s in-built internet connection to do the exact thing with other streaming services.
Blasting from a full range set of stereo speakers the crisp and booming sound is something that ranks amongst some of the best sounding stereos on the market.
Specifications
Pros
- Unique design and look.
- Headphone jack.
- LED-backlit display.
Cons
- A little bulky.
CD Radio Player Buying Guide
Portability
In this modern world of wirelessness, Bluetooth, and mobile technology, having a device that is portable is almost always a necessity.
Having a portable radio is one of the most desirable aspects of the device, meaning you can carry and move it anywhere you wish.
The portability of a CD radio player is typically seen in its lightweight design. Being lightweight means users can pick it up and place it where they wish with ease.
The added feature of a handle or something to grip also makes the portability of the CD radio player far more likely.
In some instances, CD players can be placed inside carrying cases or boxers, making it simple to carry or make portable. This portability often comes with a price, yet it is such a common feature of modern radio CD players, that it is regarded as a standard feature.
Sound Quality
When it comes to devices that emit music or sound, there is one attribute that customers want to know is at its best, it is sound quality. The sound quality in a Radio CD player can vary from device to device and will depend on a number of different factors.
The radio CD player’s speakers are one factor that can affect the quality of sound and this can vary depending on the size and style of the speaker.
How you place the radio CD player can also have a huge effect on the sound quality overall. If the CD player is susceptible to vibrations or unsteady on a surface, the quality of sound will be poor.
Advanced CD players may sometimes have settings that allow the user to change all manner of sound. These include bass and treble settings, speaker equalizers, and even echo and reverb settings.
All of these can change and improve the sound quality of a radio CD player.
Features
Deciding on your ideal radio CD player can also depend on its number of features. These features can make or break the effectiveness of a CD and can elevate it into something much better.
Popular features range from Wi-Fi capabilities and aux lead inputs to headphones jacks and remote controls.
Some radio CD players will include a number of different features while others will only have one or two.
Knowing what you want and need out of your CD player before you commit to buying it will help you decide which features are for you. Let’s look at the most common features to be found on modern radio CD players.
Remote Control
The remote control feature is simply a radio CD player that comes with remote control. This remote control enables the user to change the settings and volume from a distance.
The remote is usually of a smaller size and requires a couple of batteries to operate. Having the remote feature adds to the portability of the CD player and its easy usability.
The remote control will have a distance restriction, meaning it will only work from a certain distance away. The amount of distance will depend on the model and make of the CD player and varies from model to model.
Auxiliary Input
Many modern devices will now come equipped with an auxiliary input point, allowing them to be linked up to other devices. An auxiliary input is most often used to link a radio CD player to mobile phones, other sound systems, and many more.
Unlike a headphone jack, an auxiliary input can manage much more than just a set of headphones and often allows users to play media that isn’t on the radio or CD player.
This feature is more common in modern CD players and is often non-existent on older designs. Much newer models can play media from a range of mobile apps and online sources.
Headphone Jack
A much more traditional feature, the headphone jack allows users to connect their headphones to the radio CD player and listen through them, rather than through the speakers.
This headphone jack will usually be from one single universal type of headphone design, yet will the majority of headphones on the market.
Wi-Fi
Many modern radio CD players have incorporated Wi-Fi into their designs. This Wi-Fi connection enables the CD player to play media from online streaming sites.
It also enables the user to tune into thousands of online radio stations from across the globe.
Smart CD players that have Wi-Fi can also download updates for their devices, ensuring they are kept up to date with the newest versions of the software.
Bluetooth
A radio CD player’s Bluetooth feature is another great way of keeping your device connected.
Whether this is via a set of Bluetooth speakers or a Bluetooth bass amplifier, the Bluetooth feature allows you to add far more to what your CD player can do.
Similar to the Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth also enables users to connect and download updates, keeping their devices up to date with the newest bug-free software.
Ease Of Use
When we set aside the huge amount of features that modern CD radios have, it really comes down to the ease of use.
There are a number of different things that can make a device such as this easy to use and each one is sought after.
First off is the radio CD player’s interface, the play, stop and track selection buttons, for example, these must be easy to navigate and select.
Where you place the actual disk itself is also another important factor in terms of ease of use.
Portability also goes a long way in how easy to use a device is, and with many models having carry handles and cases, this is made a lot easier.
Pricing Range
When it comes to radio CD players, there is a large range of prices you can expect to pay for a device.
The price will all depend on the number of features it has, the sound capabilities, and any added extras in which it comes.
At the lower end of the price scale, customers can be expected to pay around the $30-$40 mark. This will usually mean that the radio CD player has all the basic elements such as CD drive, radio, interface, etc.
Looking at the higher end of the scale, you can be easily up to the realms of $90-$120 for a high-end radio CD player.
Devices of this price level are top of the range and have the best and newest technology and carry the best-loved brand names.
Our Verdict
The wide variety of radio CD players available are proof that the CD player is still a much-loved device and still has a place among the modern musical listening masses.
As technology has progressed, so have the older devices, making even CD players quite advanced.
This being said, it is important to understand what you want out of your radio CD player.
Of course, you will want a CD player and a radio, but there will also be other devices that have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, smart technology or they have a remote control.
All of this and the price, of course, go towards knowing which is the right radio CD player for you. Once you have narrowed down these wants and needs, you will conclude on a CD player that is right for you.
With such a wide variety of radio CD players available in today’s modern market, there is a perfect one out there for everyone.
