The 7 Best Audio Cassette to MP3 Converters (2023)
Converting cassette tapes to MP3 is a great way to preserve your memories. When shopping for converters, you will find a wide range of options available, and choosing the right one might be confusing. If you want to save your old tapes and voice recordings to digital files, this list has it all.
This guide will help you select the most suitable MP3 converter for yourself, both price and quality-wise, to save your day. I’ve selected the 7 best audio cassette-to-MP3 converters on the market right now.
My top pick is the Reshow Cassette Player. This is a popular and quality option that transfers audio to your computer via a USB cable.
My budget pick is the DIGITNOW USB Audio Grabber. This is a budget-friendly, compact option with a converter cable that uses audio from a cassette player directly.
Contents
- The 7 Best Audio Cassette to MP3 Converters
- 1. Reshow Cassette Player
- 2. DIGITNOW USB Audio Grabber
- 3. BlumWay Portable Cassette Recorder Player
- 4. DIGITNOW USB Cassette Player BR607
- 5. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface
- 6. MYPIN USB Cassette to MP3 Converter
- 7. Kaforble Cassette Tape to MP3 Converter
- How do cassette-to-MP3 converters work?
- What to look for in a cassette-to-MP3 converter?
- Why does cassette conversion matter?
- Summary
The 7 Best Audio Cassette to MP3 Converters
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Reshow Cassette Player
Emulating the classic Walkman look, the Reshow Cassette Player is simple to use, as it is designed explicitly for inexperienced individuals. This easy-to-use MP3 converter comes with headphones, a software CD, a USB cable, and a user manual. You can also get a digital copy of the software if your laptop or PC does not have a CD ROM (i.e. most new computers!).
All you need to do is install software on your machine for recording. Then pop a cassette inside the player in a quiet room and attach the USB cable to your device. Once all the songs are recorded, you can transfer them to your portable music player, and you are good to go.
However, if you want to listen to your tapes as they are, feel free to use the player as a Walkman since it is lightweight and has a compact design. The Walkman aesthetic is an excellent addition for individuals who are looking to bring back the 80s nostalgia!
2. DIGITNOW USB Audio Grabber
The DIGITNOW USB Audio Grabber is an extremely budget-friendly converter that comes with almost all the features needed to get the job well done.
You will find two RCA connectors and a headphone jack on the analog cassette side of the converter. The other side comes with a USB connection which eliminates the need for batteries to operate.
Unlike most cassette players, you do not have to place the cassette inside as it uses audio from your cassette player directly. All you need to do is connect one end of the converter to the cassette player and the other end to your computer. Launch the recording software and start recording your favorite songs!
3. BlumWay Portable Cassette Recorder Player
If converting your favorite songs through the computer seems like a chore, then the BlumWay Portable Cassette Recorder Player might be one of the most suitable options out there for you. It is an affordable alternative to some of the best converters, and for the price you pay, you get quite a few nifty features.
However, if you are looking for a recorder player with a voice recorder or a flash drive, you can skip this and jump to the next product. This handy converter is a great option for anyone who wants to convert and listen to their favorite music on the go.
It comes with two recording modes – auto and manual. Our favorite feature about the automatic mode is that it detects the silence between the songs on a tape and creates a new file for each song. You can also use it to listen to your favorite songs in your car using the AUX cable!
4. DIGITNOW USB Cassette Player BR607
The DIGITNOW USB Cassette Player BR607 is an affordable option and a simple-to-use one at that. All you have to do is use a USB flash drive to convert the music from the tape to MP3 files without the need for a PC. Pretty nifty and useful!
This cassette-to-MP3 converter features volume control, an auto-reverse function, manual/auto mode, and has the classic play, stop, and rewind controls. It has an impressive sample rate of 32KHz and a bit rate of 128 Kbps. Plus, it works with USB drives up to 128 GB!
This converter is battery-powered and requires 2 AA batteries which is the standard. For an affordable price, you get a functional, user-friendly, and affordable option that requires no PC and does the job well.
5. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface
If you are looking for an advanced-level converter, I highly recommend trying the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface. Its great sound quality and easy-to-use interface make it a great option for new as well as experienced recording enthusiasts.
The features of this audio interface are as impressive as its design, as they allow users to record high-quality vocals in their home studios. However, to use this option, you would probably need RCA to 1/4-inch connectors.
It is great for recording into music production software. If you already have an audio interface like this, you could just use it to record cassette to MP3. If not, you can check out the best audio interfaces on the market right now.
6. MYPIN USB Cassette to MP3 Converter
The MYPIN USB Cassette to MP3 Converter is a very similar option to the DIGITNOW BR607. It has all the same features as the BR607 like the auto-reverse feature, auto/manual mode, and volume control. Naturally, it has all the same controls like play, stop, and rewind. All pretty standard so far.
This device supports USB flash drives with up to 128 GB of storage space. It also features a high read rate of 4M-6M/S. Compared to the BR607, this converter has a better audio sample rate of 48kHz, meaning that the audio quality is slightly better.
The MYPIN cassette converter comes with headphones and a basic but useful carrying bag if you plan on taking it with you. For the given price and the features included, this cassette-to-MP3 converter brings value for money to the table.
7. Kaforble Cassette Tape to MP3 Converter
The Kaforble Cassette Tape to MP3 Converter is an affordable option that has all the standard controls – play, stop, rewind, and volume control. It is multi-compatible and supports Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 11, Mac (older than version 10.5), and GNU/Linux.
This converter comes with a detachable external speaker if you plan on traveling with it. It features a direction button to shift the playing direction of the cassette without having to eject it and two modes – loop playback and one-side play.
What’s great about this product is that it comes with earbuds (earphones), a USB cable, a storage bag, and a software CD. You have everything you’ll need from a budget-friendly product like this and the features are up to par.
How do cassette-to-MP3 converters work?
The way cassette to MP3 converters work depends on their composition, but most of these converters require users to install software on their computers.
Once you have installed the software, you need to place the tape inside the converter, play it, and start recording it using the software. After the audio has been recorded, you can transfer it to your preferred audio devices.
Apart from such cassette converters, some do not require computers to work. An example of such a converter is the DIGITNOW USB Cassette Player BR607. To use this cassette-to-MP3 converter, you only need to insert a USB flash drive and the tape. Once the audio is recorded, take the USB flash drive out, and you are good to go!
What to look for in a cassette-to-MP3 converter?
Before you choose and purchase one of the best cassette-to-MP3 converter, I recommend assessing your requirements. If you want a converter to digitize all your old cassette tapes and will not be using the converter regularly, you can go for the less expensive and simpler options out there that will do the job.
However, suppose you have a home studio and cannot compromise on the quality even a bit. In that case, there are several high-end options available in the market, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface.
Why does cassette conversion matter?
Cassette tapes are not a reliable audio recording format and can get damaged even if you use them carefully. They can break down easily, which can be frustrating, especially if you have important recordings saved in them. Moreover, they are just not as convenient as the latest digital format devices, which is why converting them to MP3 format is a safe option.
Summary
Nostalgia should be preserved to relive memories, and sometimes old music and audio recordings are the best way to experience them again. If you have a wide collection of audio cassette tapes at your home and want to preserve them, digitizing is the way to go.
My top pick is the Reshow Cassette Player, a popular and quality option that transfers audio to your computer via a USB cable.
My budget pick is the DIGITNOW USB Audio Grabber, a budget-friendly, compact option with a converter cable that uses audio from a cassette player directly.
