There’s something oddly satisfying about watching a cassette’s reels spin through that clear plastic window — a mechanical ballet that streaming will never replicate. But unlike vinyl and CDs, cassette tapes were not made for quality but pure convenience. This is why the format’s comeback is even more head-scratching than its more hi-fi counterparts.
Maxell, the Japanese company that practically invented the cassette experience back in 1966, has decided that nostalgia deserves a modern upgrade. It just debuted the MXCP-P100 cassette player, which combines old-school charm with modern conveniences.
Heritage Meets Innovation
Maxell’s relationship with cassette tapes runs deeper than most other brands. When they introduced Japan’s first cassette tape in 1966, portable music was still a distant dream. Fast-forward nearly six decades, and that same company is addressing the curious revival of a format that was supposedly dead and buried by the digital revolution.
Past Meets Present
At 4.8” x 3.6” x 1.5” and weighing just 7.4oz, the MXCP-P100 aims to be compact enough to fit in your pocket but still attractive enough to engage your nostalgic core. It’s noticeably larger than the sleekest Walkmans from the format’s heyday, but the added bulk serves a purpose. A brass flywheel inside is intended to stabilize tape movement and reduce the rotational irregularities that plagued cheaper players of the ’80s and ’90s.
The control layout respects the original template with satisfyingly clicky transport buttons across the top. Meanwhile, the volume dial and connectivity options have been relegated to the side panel. The transparent cassette door delivers the visual feedback that made watching your favorite album spin so hypnotic. There’s even a belt clip for anyone brave enough to commit to the full retro experience.
A Wireless Cassette Player?
Not that it needed to, but this unit justifies its existence in 2025. Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity means your wireless headphones can handle the warm analog signal without the tangle of wired units. However, the 3.5mm jack still gives you the option for wired connections, extending battery life from seven to nine hours, depending on your listening preferences. Charging takes place via a USB-C port, which can get you full life after just 2 hours, which is a huge bump from those fickle AA batteries you had to deal with back in the day.
Pairing cassette warmth with wireless convenience sounds contradictory until you actually try it. The MXCP-P100’s Bluetooth 5.4 implementation purportedly handles the analog-to-digital conversion cleanly, preserving the character that makes tape playback distinctive. You’re not getting hi-fi perfection, but that’s never been the point. The appeal lies in that gentle tape hiss, the subtle compression, and the organic way music breathes through the medium.
It Still Has Its Limitations
The MXCP-P100 doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. Built around a reliable Tanashin cassette mechanism, it prioritizes consistency over audiophile aspirations. There’s no Dolby noise reduction, no auto-reverse, and certainly no recording capability. This is strictly a playback device for Type 1 (normal position) cassettes up to C90 length, covering the vast majority of existing tape collections.
The honest truth is the cost of manufacturing an entirely custom mechanism wouldn’t make any economic sense, which is why portable cassette and CD players these days all build off the same 1 or 2 options available. But while other manufacturers cut costs with plastic components, Maxell swapped in a brass flywheel for smoother tape transport and more stable playback.
Spec Sheet
Model: MXCP-P100
Dimensions: 4.8” x 3.6” x 1.5”
Weight: 7.4oz
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery Life: 9 hours (wired), 7 hours (Bluetooth)
Charging: USB-C, 2-hour charge time
Compatibility: Type 1 cassettes up to C90
Colors: Black, White
Availability: Japan-only
Pricing & Availability
The Maxell MXCP-P100 launches exclusively in Japan through Maxell’s direct sales platform for ¥13,000 (~$90). Stateside availability remains unconfirmed, though you can get one through certain outlets right now, and also eBay and the like — but expect to pay a premium for this. The units debuted in both black and white versions, both of which sold out very quickly.
Recap
Maxell MXCP-P100 Bluetooth Cassette Player
Maxell, the brand who basically invented the cassette player, has made a new version with Bluetooth connectivity for wireless listening and USB-C for recharging. However, Stateside availability will be limited to the secondary market.
