We’ve researched the best options on the market, including classically designed picks or modernized players with premium new design elements. All of them will play CDs, but several will bring some contemporary features with them. Here are the best portable CD players to consider. You get 100 seconds of skip protection, MP3 and WMA playback functionality, and a sizable 12 hours of listening with the onboard rechargeable battery. Some extras that NAVISKAUTO has included are extra equalizer (EQ) controls that help you tailor your sound and a super-bright LED control array that’s easy to see and use. It all comes in at a really solid price point and in a sleek, no-nonsense design. MP3-capable: Yes | Skip protection: 100 seconds | Rechargeable battery: Yes | Included accessories: Earbuds, charging cable, and AUX cable For a budget-friendly price, you get a reliable CD player with a USB-rechargeable 1400 mAh battery (which charges in about four hours), reliable playback functionality, and a sleek, unassuming black design. This setup also brings you modern-leaning wired earbuds with a handy inline remote, a charging cable, and a carrying bag to get you started listening right out of the box. MP3-capable: No | Skip protection: 100 seconds | Rechargeable battery: Yes | Included accessories: Earbuds, charging cable, and carrying bag You’ve also got the option for CDs, but nothing flashy like MP3 compatibility. There are 60 seconds of skip protection built-in, so this isn’t the best model for jogging or bouncy workouts. But, all of this is likely an acceptable trade-off if a simple CD player with FM functionality is your goal. And the price is compelling here. MP3-capable: No | Skip protection: 60 seconds | Rechargeable battery: No | Included accessories: Earbuds It lacks some step-up features; there’s no advertised skip protection, no MP3 compatibility, and the display is extremely simplistic. But none of that matters if you’re looking for a small portable player that you don’t have to worry about knocking around. And the price point is just right for that use case. MP3-capable: No | Skip protection: None | Rechargeable battery: No | Included accessories: On-ear headphones If you’d prefer more powerful sound, you can use the auxiliary output to feed your CD playback to whatever sound system you want. There are also rechargeable capabilities here, so you won’t be fishing for new AA batteries, and you can even use the Lukasa as a Bluetooth speaker, bypassing the need to play CDs. This model is on the expensive side as far as portable CD players go, and the thick, white design feels just a bit dated. But all in all, this is a really nice all-in-one device. MP3-capable: Yes | Skip protection: 100 seconds | Rechargeable battery: Yes | Included accessories: Earbuds, charging cable, AUX cable, carrying bag, protective case The built-in 1400 mAh battery provides about 12 hours of listening and takes about four hours to recharge with the included charging cable. You can play standard CD formats, plus MP3 and WMA format discs. The screen is pretty basic, and even though there are some added options like speed controls and A/B repeats, it’s otherwise a pretty basic CD player. It certainly isn’t the most full-featured option, but it delivers solid value for a player that is ready to go right out of the box. MP3-capable: Yes | Skip protection: 100 seconds | Rechargeable battery: Yes | Included accessories: Earbuds, charging cable, and AUX cable While most rechargeable CD players tend to hover around 12 hours of usage, the 15 available here means you’ll be able to listen a lot longer. The oversized backlit display also gives you plenty of visibility and control of the device, even in dark rooms. The price is a little high for a portable CD player, and the design isn’t the most cutting-edge, but it’s a solid buy on battery life alone. MP3-capable: Yes | Skip protection: Yes, time unspecified | Rechargeable battery: Yes | Included accessories: Earbuds, charging cable, AUX cable, and carrying bag Sleek, handsome wood paneling covers the entire body and gives the CD611 an upscale look while offering a pleasant, organic feel. There’s MP3 playback functionality, skip protection, and easy-to-use controls. The HOTT player does require separate batteries and won’t recharge, and the simple display isn’t backlit, but that ultimately serves to underscore the sleek, professional look. MP3-capable: Yes | Skip protection: 45 seconds | Rechargeable battery: No | Included accessories: Earbuds, power cable (to bypass batteries), AUX cable, and carrying bag
MP3 Playability
Most modern CD players offer the ability to play CDs that feature MP3s as stored files rather than traditionally formatted playback CDs. While a lot of portable players feature this option by default, not all of them do. If you want the convenience of MP3 format support, it’s important to check closely for this functionality.
Modern Features
Portable devices have come a long way, in general. CD players now incorporate a variety of modern functions like backlit displays, onboard speakers to bypass the need for separate headphones/speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity. Opting for a CD player that gives you these functions will help to add more bang for your buck.
About Our Trusted Experts
Jason Schneider is a musician, writer, and tech reviewer with more than a decade of experience. He remembers his first candy apple red Walkman fondly. When considering modern CD players, he looked closely at the battery capacity, extra features (like Bluetooth and radio tuners), and other modern specs to really make a CD player worth considering.
