If you’ve got a soft spot for cassette tapes—or maybe you’re just curious about why they’re making a comeback—Maxell’s new portable cassette player might catch your attention. The Japanese brand, known for its legacy in recording media, has launched the MXCP-P100, a compact tape player that brings back the analog experience but adds just enough modern tech to make it work for today’s listeners.

Yes, this is a brand-new cassette player… in 2025.

The Maxell MXCP-P100 might seem like a throwback at first glance—and honestly, it is. It looks like something straight out of the '80s or '90s, with physical buttons, a volume wheel, and that familiar chunky build. But this isn’t just a nostalgia piece. There’s real functionality here for people who still love or are rediscovering cassettes.

Cassettes have quietly been growing in popularity again over the past few years, especially among collectors and music fans looking for a different, more physical way to experience music. The problem? There aren’t many good players out there anymore. Most of the ones you’ll find today are either cheap knockoffs or vintage gear that’s increasingly hard to maintain.

That’s where Maxell comes in. They were the first to sell cassette tapes in Japan back in 1966, and now they’re jumping back into hardware with a device that’s both practical and familiar.

Let’s get the basics out of the way: the MXCP-P100 plays tapes. That’s it. It’s strictly a playback device—no recording, no fancy equalizers, and no Dolby noise reduction. If you remember that low-level hiss that was always in the background on cassette tapes, it’s still here. That’s part of the charm, for better or worse.

But unlike older players, this one has Bluetooth 5.4, which means you can pair it with your wireless headphones or speakers. It also has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack if you want to go old-school (or just save on battery).

One nice detail: inside the player is a brass flywheel, which is designed to reduce speed inconsistencies and keep playback smooth. That might sound minor, but it’s actually a pretty important feature—tape players can easily sound wobbly or distorted if the mechanics aren’t solid.

Another big difference from the old cassette players? No AA batteries. The MXCP-P100 is fully rechargeable via USB-C, and a USB-A to USB-C cable comes in the box. You’ll get up to 9 hours of playback using wired headphones, or around 7 hours with Bluetooth. And yes, you can keep listening while it’s plugged in and charging.

For anyone who remembers carrying spare batteries or dealing with your tape slowing down as the power ran out, this is a welcome improvement.

It’s not the smallest cassette player ever made, but it’s still compact enough to toss in a bag or clip onto your belt. It weighs 210 grams (lighter than most smartphones), and its dimensions are 122 x 91 x 38 mm. There’s even a built-in clip on the back if you want to rock it like it’s 1992.

The control layout is pretty intuitive: physical play, stop, rewind, and fast-forward buttons on the top; volume, Bluetooth pairing, charging port, and headphone jack on the side. Nothing too complicated.

Here’s the catch: it’s currently only being sold in Japan, where physical media is still relatively popular. The official retail price is ¥13,000, which comes out to about $90 USD. That’s not bad, especially when compared to some refurbished or modified cassette players being sold online.

That said, the MXCP-P100 has already sold out in both colors (black and white) on Maxell’s website. Some have popped up on eBay for around $130, so you can still get one if you’re willing to pay a bit more or wait for a restock.

There’s no official word yet on whether Maxell plans to sell this internationally, but given how quickly the first batch sold out, there may be more on the way.

The MXCP-P100 isn’t trying to be a hi-tech, all-in-one audio device. It’s for people who already own tapes or want to start exploring the format again without investing in vintage gear. It doesn’t try to do too much, it just does what it’s built for, with a few modern touches to make life easier.

If you’re into cassettes or just want a more hands-on way to listen to music than scrolling through a digital playlist, this might be worth checking out. Just be prepared for a little bit of that analog unpredictability, and maybe a flashback or two.