Smartphones are good for everyone, only they cannot replace full-fledged acoustics. That's why the best music centers, and the radio tape recorders will not leave the stage yet. Some radio tape recorders are even capable of playing music from archaic media, and not only CDs, but even such "hoary antiquity" as cassettes.
In our rating, we have collected ten very different radio tape recorders - from sophisticated Hi-Fi devices to small and inexpensive models straight for a children's room or trips to nature. The rating has been compiled taking into account user reviews about the models on Yandex.Market and specialized sites dedicated to musical equipment.
10. Panasonic RX-D55
- cassette recorder with CD-player
- two-way acoustics
- sound power 20 W
- MP3 support
- tuner AM, FM
- USB playback
The list of the best radio tape recorders of 2020 opens with a nostalgic model from Panasonic. If you are overcome with longing for the good old days, and there are many cassettes in the desk drawer, then the RX-D55 radio is just what you need! It is small, but looks exactly like the radio tape recorders of the early 90s.
In addition to the cassette drive, the product has a carrying handle, CD player and radio (picks up AM / FM). Only a small display, the presence of a USB port and the ability to play music from a smartphone via a 3.5 mm cable remind us of the present.
Under the old-school body, there are two two-way speakers that are capable of delivering good sound - clean, powerful and high quality. A nice little thing - there is a remote control.
pros: retro design, cassette player, build quality and materials.
Minuses: very small display, cassette drive is not controlled by the remote control.
9. Hyundai H-PAS240
- portable flash player
- sound power 6 W
- MP3 support
- FM tuner
- USB playback
- playback from SD memory cards
The dimensions of this radio are more suggestive of a loud player than a massive device from the early 90s. Its length is about 16 cm, but even in this miniature case, Hyundai engineers managed to cram a screen, a carrying handle and a USB port.
And despite its diminutiveness, the radio tape recorder is capable of producing a fairly loud sound.
pros: design, long running time, pleasant sound, build quality.
Minuses: only plays files from USB and memory sticks.
8. BBK BX150U
- CD radio
- MP3 support
- FM tuner
- USB playback
Next on the list of the best radios in 2020 is a small, lightweight and compact device from BBK. If you want to put a fairy tale for a child at night, then take a closer look at this option, it is good both in terms of price and characteristics.
The small size will allow you to put the radio tape recorder anywhere, and the USB connector will play files from a flash drive without problems. And the sound is pleasant for such a baby.
pros: size, sound.
Minuses: There may be noise when listening to the radio.
7. Mystery BM-6008UB
- portable flash player
- sound power 3 W
- MP3 support
- FM tuner
- line input
- USB playback
- playback from SD memory cards
- bluetooth support
Any whim for little money - this could be the motto of this radio. An inexpensive product of Chinese craftsmen can play tracks from both a flash drive and a CD, from a phone or computer using Bluetooth. And also Mystery BM-6008UB catches radio, and it looks modern and pretty.
It's nice that the device is powered both through a regular wire from the mains and from batteries (no battery). A great choice if you need a small, lightweight and cheap home radio.
pros: price, versatility, size.
Minuses: Build quality may vary from product to product.
6. Sony CFD-S70
- CD radio
- single-band acoustics
- single cassette deck
- sound power 3.4 W
- MP3 support
- tuner AM, FM
- line input
- weight 1.9 kg
Once upon a time, a model from Sony - the Sony Walkman - actually created a fashion for radio tape recorders. CFD-S70 successfully continues and develops this direction, while remaining true to tradition. This model even has a cassette drive! In addition to cassettes, the radio can play CDs (both RW and MP3) and music from devices connected to the CFD-S70 through the line-in.
However, you will have to forget about connecting via Bluetooth, wi-fi or an application from a smartphone. Everything is done only by hand. Using the buttons, you can switch between playback modes, adjust the volume, adjust the equalizer (we recommend taking a closer look at the mode with the self-explanatory name MEGA BASS), as well as save and activate the settings on the radio. And the digital display on top will show which radio station the CFD-S70 is catching and the remaining song time.
The radio tape recorder can be powered from an outlet or batteries (8 pieces are needed). The manufacturer claims that on these eight batteries, the radio tape recorder will last up to 18 hours.
pros: compactness, weight, long autonomy, sound, cassette drive.
Minuses: not the cutest design.
5. TELEFUNKEN TF-CSRP3499B
- CD radio
- single-band acoustics
- sound power 3 W
- MP3 support
- tuner FM, VHF
- line input
- USB playback
- bluetooth support
- weight 1.25 kg
A small and inexpensive device with an enviable price / functionality ratio. Let's highlight three main advantages.
- Firstly, it is a sound - strong, clear. Of course, this is not Hi-Fi, but for the price it is very good.
- Secondly, versatility - there is Bluetooth, a CD-drive, a slot for a flash drive and, of course, a radio. All these functions work like a clock, quickly and without hesitation.
- Thirdly, the device is quite lightweight and compact, so it will be an excellent option if you need a radio at the dacha, a device for listening to audiobooks, reading fairy tales to a child or songs in kindergarten at night.
pros: size, appearance, ease of handling.
Minuses: bad with bass.
4. Aiwa Exos-9
- 40 Hz - 20 kHz
- 200 watts
- Equalizer
- 5 speakers
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Battery: 15600mAh 12V
- Bluetooth with aptX support, 3.5mm audio input
- 493 x 192 x 298 mm
- Weight: 7 kg
And this radio tape recorder is from the category of expensive, high-quality and in its sound characteristics is closer to acoustic systems. Aiwa Exos-9 boasts as many as five speakers, plus a 6.5-inch subwoofer. So the sound will be loud, high quality, with deep bass and clear upper register without distortion. And if you want to improve the sound even more, there is a built-in five-band equalizer with four preset modes, each of which can be changed as your heart desires.
You can play music via Bluetooth, wi-fi or line-in. And so that anyhow who does not try to use your precious radio tape recorder for their own purposes, a special security function is built into it. It will allow only verified devices to connect to the Aiwa Exos-9.
pros: sound quality, 5 speakers, subwoofer, equalizer.
Minuses: the price, in Russia can be difficult to find, therefore, there will be problems with service and warranty.
3. HYUNDAI H-PCD400
- Stereo
- Power 28 W
- Tuner
- FM band
- Line input
- USB interface
- SD / MMC support
- Bluetooth support
- Display
The radio from Hyundai attracts attention with its streamlined shape, comfortable carrying handle and four backlit speakers. The illumination here is not only for beauty - it is more difficult to forget the luminous device somewhere in nature, although in the apartment bright illumination can be inconvenient. We mentioned nature for a reason, because the device's connectors are protected by a tight-fitting rubber cover. He, of course, will not withstand immersion in water, but drops of rain or road dust - quite.
It is very easy to operate the radio. With just one button, you can select the desired mode (wireless, headphones, analog input or radio).
HYUNDAI H-PCD400 reads memory cards and flash drives, and the radio frequency is automatically tuned. In this case, each performed action is displayed on the display. By the way, if you listen to music through the line-in and turn off the backlight, then the battery (already long-lasting) will last even more.
pros: appearance, moisture protection, autonomy.
Minuses: Does not remember modes when turned off.
2. GPO Brooklyn 1980S-Style Portable Boombox
- Bluetooth
- RCA input and 3.5mm Aux in
- CD player
- cassette player with recording function and digital tape counter
- DAB and DAB + FM radio with Info button
- USB and cassette playback / recording
- volume control, balance, bass and treble
- charging time: 1.5 hours, playback up to 4 hours
- 60x14x30, 10 kg
In second place among the best radio tape recorders in terms of sound quality for the home is the classic Western "boombox" - large, shiny and old-school. However, the size here is not just for beauty, and the radio has everything for reading any music format in any way possible. There is a front-loading cassette deck, a CD player, a USB port, and the ability to read from memory cards. In addition, this model has a radio, and an analog input, and Bluetooth. And two giant 40W speakers each.
Most of the controls are on the front panel: equalizer, volume bar, mode switching, radio and backlight presets. In addition to the buttons and toggle switches on the radio there are two more screens - the radio scale and the volume level. Not so aesthetically pleasing analog input and microphone jack are delicately hidden on the right side of the radio.
This 80s-style wonder can be plugged in or used with batteries. Separately, it is worth noting the presence of a rechargeable battery, which favorably distinguishes the radio tape recorder from other devices of the same price level. In general, this is a very worthy radio tape recorder for both lovers of high-quality music and for those experiencing nostalgia for the 80s.
pros: variety of music sources, large and powerful speakers, rechargeable battery.
Minuses: in Russia you will have to look, there may be problems with warranty and service.
1. Hyundai H-PCD120
- CD radio
- sound power 4 W
- MP3 support
- FM tuner
- line input
- USB playback
Audio products from Hyundai occupy a budget niche on the Russian market. It makes no sense to expect musical beauty at the Hi-Fi audio level from the H-PCD100 radio, but for its price level it sounds very good. There is no deep bass, but the "Jazz" equalizer preset allows you to compensate for this.
The second big plus of the radio is omnivorousness. She reads both flash drives and disks, catches the radio. There is even a line-in for a phone or computer if you want to output sound through the radio's speaker system.
However, the low price still makes itself felt, so some options important for users are missing. For example, there is no memorization of the track when playing from a flash drive. So, if the flash drive is voluminous and the number of records has exceeded a hundred, get ready to press the button for switching records for a long time and sadly.
pros: price, variety of music sources, pleasant sound.
Minuses: the speakers are paper and are not protected by anything, playback is only available in order of tracks.
and not too lazy to write about trash?