The CP-81 from Retrospekt is a new portable cassette player offering a classic cassette tape experience. It features a minimalistic design aesthetic anchored by a clear plastic body with all of the core cassette player functions. Features include play, fast-forward, rewind and record. A microphone jack allows for line-in recording.…
The CP-81 from Retrospekt is a new portable cassette player offering a classic cassette tape experience. It features a minimalistic design aesthetic anchored by a clear plastic body with all of the core cassette player functions. Features include play, fast-forward, rewind and record. A microphone jack allows for line-in recording. This player comes packaged with Retrospekt’s RFH-01 headphones featuring an adjustable headband and orange foam cushions, but the standard headphone jack allows for use with most other headphones as well. This unit can be both battery-operated or powered by a Type-C USB input. Requires 2 AA batteries (included).
Cassette Playback
Play, Fast-Forward, Rewind & Record
3.5mm Headphone Jack
2xAA Batteries Battery (Included)
RFH-01 Stereo Headphones (Included)
Good to know:
90-Day Warranty
Easy Returns
Ships from Milwaukee, WI
LONG LIVE RETRO TECH – LONG LIVE RETRO TECH – LONG LIVE RETRO TECH – LONG LIVE RETRO TECH –
If you're looking for a simple, reliable way to enjoy cassette tapes, the CP-81 is a great place to start. It delivers the core cassette experience — play, fast-forward, rewind and record — in a brand-new player. While vintage models can offer additional features such as AM/FM radio or auto-reverse, the CP-81 focuses on the essentials in a clean, easy-to-use design. For many listeners, that's all you need to start enjoying tapes.
Unlike most retailers, we don't simply receive these players and put them on a shelf. Every CP-81 is individually inspected, tested and calibrated by our team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We verify operation, evaluate playback quality and adjust tape head alignment (azimuth) when necessary to ensure the best performance possible. It's an extra step that helps deliver a better listening experience right out of the box.
Cassette tapes have a warmer, more analog sound with a unique character all their own. If you're expecting lossless digital audio, you may be disappointed. If you're looking for a more intentional and tactile listening experience, you'll understand why so many people still love cassettes. Headphone quality also make a notable difference to the listening experience.
No. Most portable cassette players can be connected to any device with an auxiliary (AUX) input, including powered speakers, stereos and many cars. Simply connect a standard 3.5mm audio cable and enjoy your tapes through larger speakers.
Cassette tapes are easier to find than you might think. Retrospekt carries thousands of both vintage and newly released tapes, and many local record stores, thrift shops and vintage retailers stock them as well. Part of the fun is the hunt — you never know what you're gonna find!
Not at all. Insert a cassette, plug in your headphones, press Play and enjoy. Part of the charm of cassette listening is its simplicity — no apps, accounts or updates required.
If you're looking for a simple, reliable way to enjoy cassette tapes, the CP-81 is a great place to start. It delivers the core cassette experience — play, fast-forward, rewind and record — in a brand-new player. While vintage models can offer additional features such as AM/FM radio or auto-reverse, the CP-81 focuses on the essentials in a clean, easy-to-use design. For many listeners, that's all you need to start enjoying tapes.
Cassette tapes have a warmer, more analog sound with a unique character all their own. If you're expecting lossless digital audio, you may be disappointed. If you're looking for a more intentional and tactile listening experience, you'll understand why so many people still love cassettes. Headphone quality also make a notable difference to the listening experience.
Cassette tapes are easier to find than you might think. Retrospekt carries thousands of both vintage and newly released tapes, and many local record stores, thrift shops and vintage retailers stock them as well. Part of the fun is the hunt — you never know what you're gonna find!
Unlike most retailers, we don't simply receive these players and put them on a shelf. Every CP-81 is individually inspected, tested and calibrated by our team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We verify operation, evaluate playback quality and adjust tape head alignment (azimuth) when necessary to ensure the best performance possible. It's an extra step that helps deliver a better listening experience right out of the box.
No. Most portable cassette players can be connected to any device with an auxiliary (AUX) input, including powered speakers, stereos and many cars. Simply connect a standard 3.5mm audio cable and enjoy your tapes through larger speakers.
Not at all. Insert a cassette, plug in your headphones, press Play and enjoy. Part of the charm of cassette listening is its simplicity — no apps, accounts or updates required.
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 204 reviews.
You gotta make a case!!!
Kohli L.5/5Verified
I wanted a straightforward cassette player, and this one is awesome! If you want an easy way to play your cassettes, I highly recommend this cassette player. I started falling into a rabbit hole when researching which cassette player to get, but then I decided to just bite the bullet and get this one. I'm happy I did!
I will say the headphones don't feel comfortable on my ears, but that has always been the case for these sorts of headphones. I still think this is a 5-star product.
Sheena S.5/5Verified
Needed a new cassette player .. couldn't afford ebay prices .. this was the fix ! They knocked it out of the park ! 10/10 would recommend
Cody D.5/5Verified
Truly loving it so far! It’s so immersive and grounding to listen to music this way again. 🧡✨
Ani A.5/5Verified
I bought my Restrospekt Cassette Player to play some new tapes I bought, after my previous radio player broke for some reason. It arrived in a timely fashion, has that exact retro look and feel I’ve always wanted, and was in perfectly fine condition when it arrived. I’ve since played those new tapes side to side multiple times, and the audio quality on the headphones is very good for ones of that kind of build. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cheaper alternative to an antique Walkman or similar cassette player.
Liam M.5/5Verified
Solid simple cassette player. Reasonable price considering the current market for them.
Josh M.5/5Verified
This portable cassette recorder was a gift for my son’s birthday, and he is super pleased. The quality of this product was well worth the wait and the price. I’m planning to order one for his brother. On FB, many friends were impressed and interested in having one for their old cassette collections. Thank you! Your company cares about great products!
Anna M.5/5Verified
The CP-81 is such a cool modern rendition of the Walkman. Quality is amazing, super easy to use and lightweight but doesn't feel cheap in any way.
I'm obsessed with this cassette player and the retro headphones are such a cool addition to such a cool piece of technology.
Alex S.5/5Verified
Can’t begin to say how happy I am with this. The quality of this feels amazing and the headphones sound great. The cassettes I ordered along with it work beautifully as well. I’m definitely coming back for future cassette purchases from this and I hope this lasts me years to come ❤️
Roberto S.5/5Verified
love it the quality is actually really good i was a little skeptical about it but once it arrived, the sound and the cassette tape was perfectly conditions
Camila S.5/5Verified
I ordered one not expecting much but I was pleasently surprised, works great, sounds great, and I love the look of it.
Lyssa G.5/5Verified
It was honestly such a W tape player. The headphones feel really high-quality and it sounds amazing and the simplistic design makes it stand out, but it low-key can’t survive a fall. My cat knocked it over so I had to buy another one, but it was okay because it was kind of my fault. But i also got a case for it and I’m gonna use that next time just in case my cat lurks.
Julian R.5/5Verified
The sound is great. This is exactly what I wanted!
Daniel S.5/5Verified
Amazing player I love how small it is it makes it much easier to store and carry around and it plays great no issues with it!
Joshua K.5/5Verified
I absolutely love this cassette player! One of my favorite parts is the record feature and ive already made 2 custom cassettes. If you are like me and love old stuff like this i would absolutely recomend. This cassette player has brought me so much joy and i cant wait to expand my cassette collection!
Aiden B.5/5Verified
Better than I ever expected! I got into collecting cassettes and have been eager to get a player, this did not disappoint. The price was just right during a recent sale. I expected some normal cassette “hissing” sounds but it’s not noticeable unless music isn’t playing. My tapes all sound incredible! The headphones it comes with are nice and do a good job, but I’ve been gravitating toward my Bose QC for noise cancelling and they work perfect using the jack.
Meghan A.5/5Verified
The wording had me thinking you could charge this without batteries but it does not.
It’s also supposed to play while plugged in which I’ve yet to get to work and they do not offer the correct charger for sale since the ones I have doesn’t work for it even after confirming I had a correct charging block and cord with them online.
I shipped it back thinking it was defective but the one they sent me had the same deal
They tested it when my old one arrived and the one they shipped verifying it does work plugged in.
i asked for a recommendation on a cord and all they could say was a laptop cord worked for them.
I can’t seem to make it work and without a proper recommendation for another cord I don’t want to blindly buy cords.
A big draw for me was being able to plug and play when I didn’t have batteries so it’s a bummer that I can’t get it to work.
If I had known this ahead of time I would have gone with a different tape player especially for the price.
It is very cute though and plays fine.
Mercy C.3/5Verified
The front of the cassette player came super scratched up, which is annoying. The player feels cheap, it definitely feels like it wouldn’t survive a drop. It works, and I wanted to be able to listen to my cassettes, but for the cost I wish I had gotten the we are rewind or another equivalent brand. It feels like for the cost it shouldn’t feel like a cheap toy, and it’s not much cheaper than things with Bluetooth capability or even some all in one record cassette players.especially since the belt attatchment is seperate, I don’t really wanna pay more but carrying it around is annoying too. Getting a scratched up device with a quality control sticker was a little frustrating. I definitely considered returning it, but I needed something to play my tapes on and returning this item by mail sounds annoying, I live in the middle of nowhere.
Samuel M.2/5Verified
I'm very pleased with this cassette player. I waited a bit to review it so I could get a full feel on the device. The only issue I've had was with fast forwarding on long play tapes that are around 60 minutes per side. I have some rare tapes like the one pictured here and some old recordings on tape my grandparents made on the old school large blanks. They played fine but if you fast forward one those spiciffic type the tape can get bunched up. You'll be able to tell and stop before it can cause any damage, and I beleive the instruction manual warns against doing so in it anyways.
Customer service is top notch! They helped me with some trouble shooting for an audio issue I had and even consulted with the team over if long play tapes should work fine in the player. My limited release copy of the "A Hat in Time" ost played wonderfully, only just the little hiccup with fast forwarding. I've been enjoying the player so far.
I have not tested the built in microphone for blanks, but even if it's not the best the player comes with a microphone jack port go get better recording. I've already recommended the player and websight to friends.
Duncan S.5/5Verified
I’ve been looking for a quality portable cassette player and I liked the size and the price point. This unit meets my expectations and I haven’t had any of the issues mentioned in other reviews with wow and flutter or sticking buttons.
Melissa C.5/5Verified
Came in perfect condition
Sophia B.5/5Verified
Love it!
Kaiel T.5/5Verified
Love this! So exciting to try something new (to me) :)
Breanne C.5/5Verified
perfect!
Charlize C.5/5Verified
I love this cassette player! I love seeing the parts move in real time and the headphones sound great and bring back the nostalgia I was searching for!
Corey J.5/5Verified
Feels nice n heavy. The buttons are very chunky and click to perfection. The headphones sound as old school as it gets. Totally satisfied with this cassette player.
Omar C.5/5Verified
I absolutely love it!
Alex V.5/5Verified
Great player that works fine, needed one to play vintage cassettes and now I’m considering getting a refurbished Walkman!
Justin S.5/5Verified
This is the first cassette player I've bought. That being said, I think it's great for the price. The black case doesn't come with it but the retro headphones do and those a great as well. Definitely gonna buy some more items from them.
Jaron P.5/5Verified
The unit works great, and has correct pitch and speed. The look and feel is also quite nostalgic. For being the price of only $99, it is a good deal in an age of difficulty to find quality portable cassette players. The only flaw I found initially was that that upon hitting the record / play button, the play button became stuck, unable to stop and return. In order to stop the tape from recording, I had to disassemble the back of the unit and manually stop the play feature. After doing so, the units play and record features work fine, but the recording quality leaves a bit to be desired. For the price point and play back quality, I can look past the flaws and see the overall benefits.
Ian R.4/5Verified
Worked perfectly when playing all of my cassettes :)
Emma E.5/5Verified
Cassette player works well and I love it
Anissa5/5Verified
Great cassette player compared it to a Sony cassette player the only difference it’s a little bit low on the bass and sound but great product overall. You can tell that Sony cassette players from back then focused a lot on bass and high sound due to the popularity of hip hop which bass was very Important throughout certain time periods but thanks I still love the product!
Wyndell F.4/5Verified
I was looking for a new cassette player (I use the term Walkman for everything 😁) because my older Walkmans are going to need repairs soon. I think I want to sell them while they still work (I also have the original boxes). So I did a lot of research and got the Retrospekt player for the price. There are a lot of people out there that disparage new Walkmans on YouTube but this one comes with earphones, another reason why I purchased. The earphones are awesome in my opinion and end I up buying a separate pair on Amazon. But back to why I got this… I wanted a player I could take on the bus and on vacations without worrying that I am going to damage my classic Walkmans in some way. This one is very lightweight and the sound is great. It also looks very cool. I wish they would sell different colors and make one that has auto-reverse play. I love the red light (looks cool when I listen at night) on the side of this player and the fact that it automatically stops when the tape is done playing. I wanted to rate this 4.5 stars so I rounded up. For the reasons why I bought it, I rated it 5 stars. And another reason why I rated it 5 starts is because the customer service team (Magdalena) was very responsive to my annoying questions 😁. I don’t think you will be disappointed with this, just have fun with it. I also wish it would automatically stop when FF or RW at the end, but that is what my classic players do so I can’t ding for that reason. Please note that I did not test the recording feature as I did not purchase it for that reason. It’s a fun player and I applaud Retrospekt for having the courage to sell a Walkman, keeping this technology alive. Keep up the great work!
Matthew K.5/5Verified
Awesome product!!
Elias P.5/5Verified
Didn’t want to waste money on something cheap that would likely be of poor quality, so I took a chance on this product. I love the transparent design. I unfortunately overestimated the headphone length, and caused a moderate fall from my desk to my laminate floor shortly after unboxing :( </3. But on the bright side, my new cassette player is unscathed. Looking forward to buying more tapes and using it on the regular. I only wish it had a belt clip, but I’ll survive. Keep up the great work Retrospekt. Analogue is not dead.
Vee T.5/5Verified
What a great little cassette player!
Cesar R.5/5Verified
Love this cassette player Feels very premium and solid for the price!
Josh R.5/5Verified
I was in the market for a portable cassette player & having tried just about every 30$ one I could find on amazon I saw an ad for Retrospekt's
CP-81 & couldn't be more satisfied!! The sound quality is great & they had some great cassettes for sale as well both vintage & new bands!! Picked up a few of my favorite bands on cassette for this player such as Molchat Doma,Generation X, Mötley Crüe & The Guess Who! All of which play beautifully without fail so far. For the price & for how reliable it is Retrospekt won me over & will continue to get my business. Can't wait to see what the future holds for this company!
Anthony M.5/5Verified
I really like this player at first I was a bit skeptical, but after reading the reviews I decided to give it a shot and was impressed of the quality. The only thing I had to do right out of the box, was tune it which was a little upsetting, but with the clear instructions from the user manual, and the see-through case, it was easy to locate I got to tune it to my liking, and it works great now, overall solid little player. I would buy again to gift someone else for sure.
