Let me tell you, of all the forms of physical media that people obsess over, cassettes are the least snobby. They were cheap, portable ways to sell albums, and they were easy to use for mixtapes. It's not like vinyl or CD where people obsess over the sound. That's why the testing criteria below don't have much to do with sound:
Versatility - Having a dedicated cassette player in 2024 is silly, even for enthusiasts. Unless you're a collector, I advise getting something with multiple uses. These all function as radios, speakers, or other types of music players.
Output for Speakers - We tried to stick to options that had practical speaker outputs, not just 3.5mm headphone jacks. RCA connections and bluetooth capabilities were top priorities.
Looks - Don't lie to yourself. You're here for the aesthetic. We kept it classic and strayed away from cheap and ugly Amazon options.
Ability to Tinker - A big part of cassette enthusiasts love for the medium is tinkering with the players. It's not digital, and it's more straightforward than a record player. We tried to stay true to that, especially with our budget pick.
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