January 2022
Home Audio CD Players: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of CD Player rankings posted by key online experts, as of January 2022.
At a glance - January 2022 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | CD Player |
BestReviews
|
What Hi-Fi
|
BestCovery
|
AlphaTopList
|
Idapt
|
Lifewire
|
Idsesmedia
|
Prime Critics
|
Technize
|
Crutchfield
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $599 |
Cambridge Audio CXC
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $700 |
Onkyo DXC390
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $588 |
Bose Wave Music System IV
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $350 |
Cambridge Audio AXC35
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
5
|
- | Check price |
Tenswall Portable CD Player
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | $28 |
Sylvania SRCD243
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
- | $429 |
Tascam CD-200BT
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | $23 |
GPX PC332B
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
- | $1190 |
Teac CD-P650
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
|
10
|
- | Check price |
Tascam CD-RW900MKII
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
We ranked Cambridge Audio CXC #1 in January 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
BestReviews
Unrivaled Sound
|
Pros
Will sound great day one which allows users to hear “crisper” versions of each instrument.
Boasts a straightforward setup with an easy-to-use remote and sensible button display.
|
Cons
No radio or Bluetooth capabilities.
|
What Hi-Fi
If you already own a DAC, you can buy this CD transport instead of a standalone player. Trust us, its sound will impress.
|
Pros
Musicality and muscle
Well-built
Good remote control
|
Cons
Requires an external DAC
Getting older now
Minimal for some
|
We ranked Onkyo DXC390 #2 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Onkyo DXC390 as #1.
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Home Audio CD Players.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Home Audio CD Players, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for January 2022 ranking
BestReviews
What Hi-Fi
BestCovery
AlphaTopList
Idapt
Lifewire
Idsesmedia
Prime Critics
Technize
Crutchfield
We ranked Bose Wave Music System IV #3 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bose Wave Music System IV as #1.
BestReviews
Most Comprehensive
|
Pros
Using Bose’s “Waveguide” technology, sound is able to permeate throughout the listener’s room making for an immersive music experience.
Able to play radio, MP3, CD, and Bluetooth.
|
Cons
You will need an adapter to utilize the Bluetooth technology.
|
Lifewire
Best Overall
|
Pros
Fantastic audio quality
Good voice recognition
Handy remote and dedicated app for unit control
|
Cons
Wi-Fi connectivity can be problematic
Setup process can take longer than average thanks to frequent updates
|
We ranked Cambridge Audio AXC35 #4 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Cambridge Audio AXC35 as #1.
What Hi-Fi
Slimline, no-frills CD player, a capable contender
|
Pros
Good detail resolution
Fits well within AX series
Minimalist design
|
Cons
Can be beaten for sound
Functional build
No optical output
|
We ranked Tenswall Portable CD Player #5 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Tenswall Portable CD Player as #1.
We ranked Sylvania SRCD243 #6 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
We ranked Tascam CD-200BT #7 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
Lifewire
Best for Durability
|
Pros
Durable, sturdy build
Bluetooth connectivity
Built-in 10-second shock protection
|
Cons
No USB support
No included cables
Design isn't very attractive
|
We ranked GPX PC332B #8 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
We ranked Teac CD-P650 #9 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
We ranked Tascam CD-RW900MKII #10 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Home Audio CD Players” rankings.
Lifewire
Best for Live Applications
|
Pros
User-friendly gapless recording
TEAC tray-loading transport included
Great for recording live media direct to CD
|
Cons
No USB support
Design isn't very attractive
|