The CD is very much back. I mean, it’s not like they ever really left – but nonetheless, they’re back. Briefly lost to a one-two punch of online MP3 downloads and the new streaming age, then, as it sat back up with googly eyes and cartoon birds flying round its head, knocked down again by the comically-timed vinyl revival, the CD has had a rough couple of decades. Now, though, as physical media’s stock continues to rise, the CD format too has enjoyed some renewed and much-welcome love.
The CD is an unassuming platform for digital audio, but also, against lossy online downloads and often-underserving streaming services, it’s a dark horse of lossless-audio brilliance. Throw in the jewel case, and the nostalgia of the lyrics booklet held within, and you’ve the makings of an audio renaissance. All those Gen X parents that refused to toss their Foo Fighters albums in the early 2010s are the most vindicated they’ve ever been.
With CDs back on the menu, it’s only right to consider welcoming the format back into your hi-fi. And the hi-fi brands know this, too, having re-engaged with development of bigger and better (or, in some cases, smaller and also better) CD players for re-appraising the quiet excellence of this economical format. These are the best CD players going, from portable Walkman-adjacent tech marvels to bulky integrated hi-fi solutions.
If you want a little more context on what makes the best CD players so great, you’ll find some insights in my FAQ section at the bottom. Otherwise, read on for my pick of the best CD slingers, from portable players to sleek separates.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you want a top CD player: A brilliant CD player that features Gapless CD playback and is great value too.
❌ Avoid if you're after a small player: Yes, it's a sleek player, but if space is at a premium, look elsewhere.
With a slick and slim design, you’d never guess the AXC25 is the entry-level CD player in the Cambridge Audio roster. Finished in lovely Luna Grey, with minimalist design and classic 430mm width, I think it certainly looks the part - but there’s also some decent audio chops under the lid too - and that includes a Wolfson WM8524 DAC.
The Cambridge Audio AXC25 also supports Gapless CD playback, which is ideal if you're engrossed in a live album or a conceptual prog masterpiece. It’s worth noting that this particular CD player differs from the slightly more expensive Cambridge Audio AXC35 player in that it lacks a digital coaxial output, but I didn't find this an issue as I wasn't planning on using a separate DAC.
Partner the AXC25 with a Cambridge Audio AX series amplifier and you'll create a classic music system, which like your discs if you take care of them, should stand the test of time.
It also comes with a power cable, remote control and a couple of AAA batteries for good measure.
Best budget
✅ Buy if you want a versatile CD player on a budget: There's loads to love here, with the unit also capable of doubling into a Bluetooth speaker - and it has a DAB digital radio.
❌ Avoid if you want a CD player with finesse: This makes for a great starter player, but those who want a few bells and whistles will find them elsewhere.
Majority is one of the 21st century's successor brands to such entry-level trailblazers as Bush and latter-day Grundig; it’s a budget brand that does exactly what it says on the tin, with a range of affordable and accessible hi-fi units that, in many cases, exceed their brief.
The Majority Oakington is one such, unit, an all-in-one device that encompasses CD playing, MP3 listening, Bluetooth receivership and radio tunings-in – all served by an on-board amp and built-in speakers. There’s even an alarm clock built in!
Clearly, this isn’t a purpose-built CD player for audiophile hi-fi – but with its easy price point and considerable feature-set, it doesn’t need to be. Rather, it’s a hugely capable all-in-one hi-fi system for bedrooms or offices, and with a real wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing approach to volume, too. There’s no better integrated solution for rattling your bedroom mirror off the bureau with A Place To Bury Strangers, that’s for sure.
There are some places where the Oakington falls flat. The volume controls are a little imprecise at the lower end of the spectrum, the front face feels a bit cheap and the sound from the speakers can be a little boxy. But it plays CDs with ease and at a base level of quality – not to mention, loudly. As far as budget CD player systems go, this is a great starting point.
Best all-in-one
✅ Buy if you want a one-stop shop for CD-playing hi-fi: This is the best of Marantz in one surprisingly small box; all you need is some passive speakers to have a top-shelf CD-playing hi-fi system.
❌ Avoid if you’re after lossless Bluetooth: This unit doesn't have support for hi-res Bluetooth codecs, so your wireless headphones might benefit from a better wireless source.
Marantz is one of the foremost names in consumer hi-fi, having ruled the roost for high-quality CD players at the height of the format’s popularity. That pedigree hasn’t gone anywhere, either, as evidenced by the immense quality on show in its latest hi-fi creation: the MCR-60n DAB, an integrated hi-fi system with a CD player, Bluetooth receiver, DAB radio and amplifier – and with some clever connectivity besides.
The MCR-60n DAB contains a great CD player, but the real star of the show is its amplification – a dual-65W system that feeds two sets of terminal outputs, for either A/B or A+B speaker systems. This means you can have dual-zone setups or multi-room setups – a nifty thing for serving both your TV and your listening zone (or another room entirely).
Speaking of which, the MCR-60n DAB’s network connectivity means it can speak to both wireless speaker systems and music management systems like HEOS or Roon. Phone-controlled multi-room listening from practically any platform is possible. Between this and the MCR-60n DAB’s prodigious physical connectivity, this is one of the most versatile CD-playing devices mid-range money can buy. And it all sounds rad.
Best compact
✅ Buy if you're looking for a CD player for small spaces: The CD80 II is a great size for small spaces - and I think it looks wonderful too.
❌ Avoid if you have a bigger gap on your music shelf: It's hard to argue with the quality of this unit, but if you have a gaping hole on your shelf, this wee thing will look isolated.
Shanling is a Chinese brand that has, both loudly and quietly, been a key driver for hi-fi audio over the last 40-ish years. Lately, it’s taken a little more of a front seat with its powerful additions to the respective worlds of DACs and, of course, CD players.
The Shanling CD80 II is a compact CD player, fitting in a smaller, squatter form factor for those tight-fit hi-fi stacks or, more generally, for a sleeker, lower-profile presence. The small size belies the fullness of its make-up; it’s also a USB DAC and a Bluetooth receiver, and boasts outputs for both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced headphones (as well as the customary RCA outs for hi-fi separates, and an SPDIF out).
It’s small, sexy and a delight to use thanks to its remote control, intuitive onboard UI and swift response to tactile control. It punches far above its price point, and is remarkably small while doing it. A win-win.
Best portable
✅ Buy if you want a versatile CD player: The FiiO DM13 is a portable CD player with an 8-hour battery life and a battery-protecting desktop mode; it’ll fit right in wherever you need it.
❌ Don’t buy it if you want to digitise your CDs: The DM13’s USB-C output is a good provision, but not the pristine audio ripper you seek.
FiiO’s been a busy beaver of late. It’s been cornering the market for cool hi-fi solutions in the last couple of years, particularly with its retro-inspired, forward-looking portable tech entrants like the CP13 cassette Walkman-a-like. This, the DM13, also engages with a technology of yesteryear – but with far more, and far more surprising, attention to detail.
The FiiO DM13 is a portable CD player in the same way a smartphone is a telephone. It combines solid CD-player tech with the connectivity of a mid-range hi-fi separate, and with modern conveniences that make this one of the most versatile CD players on the market at all, let alone in the portable space. As well as a standard 3.5mm headphone out, there’s a 4.4mm balanced out for the audiophiles – and on the back, even more outputs, including a built-in USB DAC and an optical out.
Being portable, it’s a battery-powered affair with an 8-hour life. However, there’s also a desktop mode that lets you power it permanently via USB-C, without stressing the battery pack. As such, you can slip your DM13 into your hi-fi stack with ease, and just as easily rob it back out for a day of CD-listening on the town. Good thing it sounds excellent in both cases.
"The FiiO DM13 is a portable CD player that does it all. Between its eight different connectivity options, sleek build and solid performance, it doesn’t have much in the way of competition – and even gives some non-portable players a run for their money. While it’s a hugely capable machine for its size, it lacks a little of the chutzpah demanded by louder, heavier CDs. Still, it’s a steal for what it is, and how it does what it does."
Read our full FiiO DM13 review
Best premium
✅ Buy if you’re starting your audiophile journey: XLR outputs, a top-end DAC and clever time-domain filtering make the NAD C589 an accessible audiophile machine.
❌ Avoid if you’re using a budget-level hi-fi: The price of the NAD C589 buys some high-spec listening – but presents the kind of improvements you’d only benefit from if you already had a high-spec hi-fi.
If NAD Electronics wasn’t primed to find itself in this guide at some point, why would NAD stand for ‘New Acoustic Dimension’? True to the name, NAD’s latest CD player, the NAD C589, is a hi-fi separate that promises to show you a side to your CD collection you’ve never heard before.
The NAD C589 is a high-spec standalone CD player, purpose-built to give you the best possible on-ramp to audiophile-quality digital audio experiences. It benefits from an especially detailed-sounding Sabre DAC, which receives some pristine data from a combination of a precise optical drive and NAD’s distortion-reducing Dynamic Digital Headroom technology.
The crisp, clean and eminently musical results are delivered to a variety of useful outputs, including a rare pair of XLR outputs for balanced audio delivery to pro equipment. There’s digital connectivity via XLR too, as well as optical or coaxial.
All this speaks to a piece of kit that does right by the humble CD – in such a way that deserves the best speakers to listen to them through. If you’re building a posh hi-fi stack, this is the CD player to get.
Glossary
16-bit/44.1kHz: This is the fidelity of the digital audio held on a CD – 16-bit being the bit depth, and 44.1kHz being the sample rate. This is considered the base level criteria for lossless audio.
Amplitude: Amplitude is the strength of an audio signal, that we understand as volume.
Bit depth: Bit depth describes the number of amplitude values a given sample can have in a digital audio file; it is, effectively the dynamic range of a digital audio file. CDs have a bit depth of 16, meaning a sample can be one of 65,535 (216) amplitude values.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology, that enables information to be packaged up and sent piecemeal over high-frequency radio waves, then reconstituted on the other end. Many modern CD players offer Bluetooth transmission to wireless headphones or receivers, and some can even receive Bluetooth transmissions from other wireless audio sources.
CD: CD stands for Compact Disc; CDs are optical discs containing digital information, which is read by the optical drives in CD players and eventually translated into an audio signal.
DAC: DAC stands for Digital-Analogue Converter, referring to the circuitry that converts digital audio signals into the analogue signals that can be transmitted to an amplifier, then through headphones or speakers.
Lossless: Lossless audio is, functionally, any audio format that presents everything in the original recording from which it is derived. CD-quality audio is considered lossless because its bit depth and sample rate enable the reproduction of all sound in the range of human hearing, and without sacrificing detail to the compression process. Lossless exists in opposition to lossy audio, which typically describes formats where compression has removed or altered audible detail in the name of file size reduction.
MP3: MP3 is a lossy digital audio format, created by the compression of a digital audio signal into a small file size. Most digital audio files we engage with are MP3s; CDs, however, do not conventionally contain MP3 files. Instead, they are encoded with linear PCM data, an uncompressed digital audio format that precedes filetypes like the MP3 or WAV.
Nyquist frequency: The Nyquist frequency is the highest pitch of sound that a digital audio file can deliver clearly, determined by halving the sample rate of an audio file. CD-quality audio is considered lossless in large part for its 44.1kHz sample rate, which guarantees distortion-free sound up to its Nyquist frequency of just over 22kHz – beyond the range of most human hearing.
Optical: Optical refers to the kind of drive that reads CDs. CDs are data discs, with the data ‘burned’ on in the form of small indentations. These ‘pits’, and the un-altered ‘lands’ between them, are read by shining a focused laser at the disc and interpreting phase differences in the laser’s reflection. Optical drives are designed to do this.
PCM: PCM stands for Pulse-Code Modulation, referring to the standard of digital audio written to CDs – and, in a wider sense, the conceptual bedrock of digital audio and digital audio file-types.
Phono: Phono can refer to the turntable input on an integrated hi-fi amplifier (with a dedicated preamp section to boost the minute signal from a record player’s stylus), or the RCA connection format used to send audio signals between hi-fi devices.
RCA: RCA is a connection standard commonly used in hi-fi audio. Also known as phono, it is a coaxial connection used in pairs to carry left and right line-level audio signals respectively.
Sample rate: Sample rate describes the number of audio ‘slices’ a given digital audio file contains; it is, effectively, the resolution of a digital audio file. CD-quality audio has a sample rate of 44.1kHz, meaning there are 44,100 samples of audio in a given second. This is the base level sample rate for lossless audio, as determined by its Nyquist frequency.
FAQ
What makes a CD player good?
There are a few criteria that make the difference between a CD player and a great CD player – some of which are, unavoidably, a matter of personal preference.
Sound quality is obviously a crucial consideration, and one that speaks to two key aspects of CD player design: the disc-reading mechanism, and the digital-analogue conversion (DAC). Objectively speaking, the best CD players have stable motors that enable the least errors in reading the disc, and transparent DACs that enable the outgoing audio its best possible showing.
When even cheap CD players are capable of some nifty things, this is less of an active concern for the average consumer – though some manufacturers rightfully make a big deal about the DAC tech with which their own CD players are furnished. Some even go above and beyond with circuitry to minimise digital distortion and filter incoming data cleanly – positive audiophile-friendly moves that you probably wouldn’t notice on your party speaker.
Modern CD player designs don’t settle just for good CD-playing action either. Some more future-friendly features you might find include Bluetooth connectivity (whether by receiving audio input from another device or transmitting CD audio to another destination), playback of digital files via USB, or network streaming to wireless and WiFi speaker systems.
Connectivity is another factor, and often, the more connections the better. At the very least, you want an RCA out for your hi-fi amp, but some CD players also offer USB-C outputs for seamless connection to more modern tech.
What CD player should I get?
The best CD player is, ultimately, the one that fits your own criteria. As much as motor assemblies and posh DACs make for a stable, transparent listening experience – for you, as a consumer, the proof is very much in the pudding. This is why form and format are key subjective drivers for what constitutes the best CD players.
Most of the CD players in my round-up are hi-fi separates, destined to join your other hi-fi equipment (namely, a hi-fi amplifier, record player and maybe a radio tuner) in a stack in your living room. These stay where they’re put, and are designed firmly with that in mind. You’ll also find compact CD players, which cut a sleeker form to fit in smaller spaces and make less of their presence.
There are also portable CD players, designed for on-the-go listening. In the early days, these were skippy, mid-fi affairs, but today’s options are much more robust – and some, like FiiO’s DM13, are good enough to go toe-to-toe with some mid-range hi-fi separates.
Are CD players expensive
CD players tend to be slightly more expensive than equivalent vinyl record players, but (and it’s a big but) the discs are a good deal cheaper. A new vinyl release will more often than not be pretty expensive, while the equivalent CD will typically be less than half the price.
The other good news is that the second-hand market is littered with CDs you can pick up cheap. Charity shops, thrifts stores, consignment – whatever you call it, you’ll find CDs in it for a (figurative) song.
It's also worth noting that – and I'm sure you've noticed this – some amazing albums are still not available on streaming services, whether due to artists protecting their catalogue or companies losing licensing rights. And even with classic albums that are on streaming services, you often don’t get a choice of which master (or remaster) you get to listen to. For me, CDs tend to be the easiest way to get a hold of unavailable albums or versions thereof – and for a great price, too.
How do CDs work?
The CD, or compact disc, is an optical data format, that stores digital information as microscopic indentations in a reflective surface. These indentations are read by a laser, and the phase differences in the laser’s reflection are re-interpreted back into a digital signal. The resulting signal is then converted into analogue audio by dedicated digital-analogue converters (DACs), after which it can be sent to an amplifier and speakers.
Are CDs hi-res?
Though CDs don’t reach the bit-depth or sample-rate heights of hi-res digital audio files today, they still outperform a lot of sound sources – from basic streaming services to the vinyl format in its entirety. The CD format is capable of hosting up to around 80 minutes of audio, at a fidelity of 16-bit/44.1kHz, a benchmark for hi-res audio still used today. Indeed, 44.1kHz/16-bit PCM-encoded CDs are lossless.
Lossless audio is, fundamentally, audio which has not seen any information lost due to under-sampling or data compression; the word has become a bit of a buzzword with respect to digital audio and streaming, but is as simple as the audio representing the source recording as transparently as possible.
CDs are capable of this by utilising uncompressed PCM (pulse-code modulation) data, with a sample rate high enough to represent audio across the frequency spectrum for human hearing (you may want to look up the Nyquist frequency to learn more about this).
Being uncompressed, CD audio often defeats the fidelity of common digital audio file formats, particularly the MP3. Interestingly enough, CD audio is also superior to vinyl audio, which has an inferior bit depth and signal-to-noise ratio. Vinyl enthusiasts may not be particularly enthusiastic about this fact, but I can assure you it’s true.
How we test
As a team, we've been collecting CDs for years - although I have to report that some of us have binned the outer shell and flung the discs into folder. Convenient? Sure. Sacrilege? Pretty much.
As a result, we've played our CD collections on a huge number of devices over the years - from pretty ropey portable players to those big plastic ghetto blasters with a top-mounted CD player. We're glad to report that things have moved on considerably since those early CD-playing devices, and there are a heap of fabulous CD players on the market.
We took into consideration the on-board features on the player itself, whether or not Bluetooth was included, how easy the units were to get up and running, how they sounded while spinning our much-loved favourites - and we also delved into the players' individual features.
Some have headphone jacks, some don't, while others include in-built DAB digital radios, the ability to play hi-res audio and if they're CD-R/CD-RW compatible. We've listed these features above so you can see at a glance just what you're getting for your money.
Why you can trust us
⚡ Louder was established in 2017 and founded on long-running brands including Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and Prog (launched in 1986, 1998 and 2009 respectively)
⚡ Over 80,000 products reviewed on site, from music listening tech to albums and box sets
⚡ Our reviewers are all passionate music fans who draw on decades of testing experience
Louder’s reviewing team consists of music fans, musicians and professional product testers, who between them have accumulated decades of product reviewing experience, writing thousands of words on music listening gear across thousands of reviews on Louder. Our tests also inform our buyer's guide - just like this one.
As lifelong music fans, we're serious about the tech we listen to our favourite artists on. We want them to sound incredible, giving us all the detail those bands intended us to hear, and deliver the perfect balance of bass, mids and highs.
We're looking for pure immersion in our chosen sounds, whether it's a classic '70s rock album, or a cutting-edge noise band.
And we tested a selection of CD players with albums we know inside and out, and that we've listened to on a variety of systems already, so we know exactly what we should be hearing and when we're being short-changed by lacklustre audio.
Meet the experts
Steve is a home entertainment technology specialist who contributes to a variety of UK websites and mags, including Louder Sound, Yahoo UK, Trusted Reviews, T3, The Luxe Review and Home Cinema Choice. Steve began his career as a music journo, writing for legendary rock weekly Sounds, under the nom de plume Steve Keaton. His coverage of post punk music was cited in the 2015 British Library exhibition Terror and Wonder: The Gothic Imagination, as a seminal influence on the Goth music scene.
James Grimshaw is a freelance writer and music obsessive with over a decade of experience in music and audio writing. He's lent his audio-tech opinions (amongst others) to the likes of Louder, Guitar World, MusicRadar and the London Evening Standard – before which, he covered everything music and Leeds through his section-editorship of national e-magazine The State Of The Arts. When he isn't blasting esoteric noise-rock around the house, he's playing out with esoteric noise-rock bands in DIY venues across the country.
Latest updates
03/03/26: The guide has been updated to include a new intro, product entries and an easier to navigate product list at the top of the page. The entire FAQ section has been rewritten and we've also added a glossary of key terms that should hopefully be of use to you when you're shopping for a CD player. 03/03/26: The guide has been updated with new information and two new product entries: The Shanling CD80 II and FiiO DM13. The FAQ section has been completely re-written to address a number of important topics, and a "why you can trust" Louder entry has also been added. We've also added a "meet our experts" section so you can learn a little more about the authors of this guide to the best CD players, while an "expert verdict" panel now accompanies the FiiO DM13 entry.
Read more
You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.
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