These $40-$299 Cassette Players Are Beating Spotify’s Algorithm

Retro cassette players are making a surprising comeback, captivating Millennials and Gen Z with their tactile charm and deliberate listening experience.

The Revival of Music You Can Hold

Somewhere between endless algorithmic playlists and the never-ending scroll of streaming tracks, music lost a bit of its soul — the joy of holding it, feeling it, and choosing it with intention. Cassette tapes, once declared dead decades ago, are rising again. Despite MP3s and streaming services offering every song imaginable, search trends reveal a passionate revival: queries for “retro cassette player” have skyrocketed over 125% year-over-year, and “retro walkman cassette player” is up by a staggering 1,281%.

This isn’t just a fleeting trend or collector’s whimsy. Millennials and Gen Z are craving a break from the digital chaos, seeking hardware that forces them to slow down and savor an album as a complete work, not just a playlist shuffle. Enter the cassette tape: with its fixed tracklist and quirky physical limits, it demands your attention and transforms listening into a mindful ritual once again. To meet this renewed demand, five modern cassette players have hit the market, each bearing a unique take on the retro format.

FiiO CP13: Analog Purist’s Dream

If you’re an audiophile who believes in purity of sound, FiiO CP13 cassette player reputation precedes itself with portable DACs and headphone amps designed for crystal-clear audio. Their CP13 cassette player carries this obsession into the analog realm with a fully analog signal path—from the magnetic tape head, through a JRC5532 op-amp, straight to the 3.5mm headphone jack. There’s no digital interference here—no Bluetooth, no built-in speaker, just pure, unadulterated tape sound.

A standout feature is its oversized pure copper flywheel, a hefty 30.4mm diameter that stabilizes tape speed with barely noticeable wow and flutter—levels most modern cassette players can’t match. This flywheel is paired with a high-voltage 4.2V motor, all housed in a sleek aluminum alloy body available in sky blue, white and black, or red and silver. Compact at just 31.8mm thick, it packs an 1800mAh lithium cobalt oxide battery that runs for 13 hours and charges conveniently via USB-C.

What truly impresses is FiiO's support for all tape types (Type I through IV), signaling serious tape enthusiasts are among its buyers.

What we like:

• Oversized copper flywheel minimizes wow and flutter
• Fully analog audio path without digital conversion
• Supports all four cassette tape types (I-IV)

What we dislike:

• No Bluetooth means you’re tethered to wired headphones
• Missing recording and auto-reverse features

We Are Rewind Edith: Fashion Meets Function

If FiiO is all about sound, French brand We Are Rewind Edith cassette player plays the cassette as a cultural icon. The Edith model, named for Edith Piaf, steps into a lineup paying homage to music legends like Kurt, Keith, and Serge. Its pink-and-green aluminum case is not just a player but a style statement—heavy enough at 404 grams to feel substantial, evoking Sony’s original TPS-L2 Walkman.

Modern touches like Bluetooth 5.1 provide wireless headphone and speaker pairing, while a built-in lithium-ion battery (USB-C charged) offers 10 to 12 hours of playback—no more fumbling with disposable AAs. Plus, true to cassette culture, Edith can record stereo audio onto Type I cassettes via a 3.5mm jack and ships with a classic manual tape rewind pencil, a charming nod to the analog rituals long lost in digital streaming.

What we like:

• Premium aluminum construction with a tactile “cool touch”
• Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connectivity and USB-C charging
• Stereo recording through 3.5mm jack keeps mixtape traditions alive

What we dislike:

• DC motor transport causes more wow and flutter than belt-drive rivals
• At 404 grams, it’s too bulky and heavy for most pockets

NINM Lab IT’S OK TOO: Transparent Retro Charm

Taiwan’s NINM Lab first caught attention in 2019 with their IT’S OK cassette player, the first with Bluetooth capability. The sequel, IT’S OK TOO cassette player, refines the concept with stereo output and a semi-transparent matte body that reveals the inner workings of the tape mechanism—a hypnotic visual treat.

The lightweight ABS plastic and polyethylene build, tipping the scales at 152 grams, makes it super portable. Controls are straightforward push buttons, and a classic belt clip adds retro flair. Power comes from two AA batteries or USB-C power, though the device itself does not recharge—rechargeable batteries are a must for that. It’s clearly designed for a younger crowd, many of whom may be handling a cassette player for the very first time.

What we like:

• See-through design makes the tape mechanism a cool visual feature
• Bluetooth 5.0 stereo output alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack

What we dislike:

• Only supports Type I cassettes
• Requires AA batteries with no built-in rechargeable battery option

Victrola Mini Bluetooth Boombox: Versatility on a Budget

Victrola has long offered accessible vinyl turntables, and now they bring that same philosophy to cassettes with the Mini Bluetooth Boombox cassette player. This all-in-one device blends a cassette player and recorder, AM/FM radio tuner, USB port for MP3 playback, and Bluetooth streaming into a compact yet hefty box.

Running on AC power or batteries, and priced under $40, it’s the easiest gateway for anyone curious about cassettes without the premium price tag. The design screams classic boombox with dual built-in speakers, an analog tuning dial, and a front cassette door. While it won’t win any audiophile awards for fidelity, it shines in sheer utility, letting you record audio via a built-in mic and stream music wirelessly from your phone.

What we like:

• Most versatile player, combining cassette, radio, Bluetooth, and USB MP3 playback
• Affordable sub-$40 price point for entry-level cassette fans

What we dislike:

• Budget speaker and cassette playback quality
• Lightweight plastic construction feels disposable

Retrospekt Sony Walkman WM-F2015: Authentic Vintage Revival

Lastly, the Retrospekt Sony Walkman WM-F2015 cassette player isn’t a new gadget but an actual refurbished relic from 1990. Technicians in Milwaukee have taken this classic, replaced worn parts like drive belts and pinch wheels, recalibrated playback speed, and cleaned the tape heads to bring it back to life.

This matte black candybar Walkman runs on two AA batteries and includes retro orange headphones that nail the vintage vibe. There’s no Bluetooth, no USB-C, no rechargeable battery, and no recording capability. But what it offers is something no modern remake can: the genuine physicality and nostalgia of a 35-year-old Sony device, restored to play your tapes like it did back in the day.

What we like:

• Authentic 1990 Sony Walkman mechanism
• Classic matte black design with compact form factor

What we dislike:

• Pricey at $299
• No modern features like Bluetooth or rechargeable batteries

“The cassette, with its fixed tracklist and physical limitations, turns listening into something deliberate again.” — Yanko Design

Cassette players today are more than nostalgia—they’re a reaction against the endless digital flood. Whether you crave high-fidelity analog sound, a stylish retro statement, or a simple, versatile device, there’s a modern cassette player ready to crush the algorithm for you.

FAQ

• Why are cassette players becoming popular again?
  Many listeners, especially Millennials and Gen Z, want to slow down and enjoy music deliberately, away from algorithm-driven streaming.
• Do these modern cassette players support all tape types?
  Not all; for example, FiiO CP13 supports all types I-IV, while some others like NINM Lab’s player only support Type I tapes.
• Can I use Bluetooth headphones with these players?
  Some models like the We Are Rewind Edith and NINM Lab IT’S OK TOO offer Bluetooth connectivity; others focus on analog listening.
• Are refurbished vintage Walkmans reliable?
  When professionally refurbished, like the Retrospekt Sony Walkman, they can offer authentic sound and durability, though without modern conveniences.
• What’s the price range for these cassette players?
  They range from budget-friendly options under $40 up to premium refurbished models around $299.

Ready to bring some retro vibes home? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store to complement your cassette player collection and complete your music sanctuary. Explore the collection here.