The CD Revival: Why Young Collectors Are Buying Compact Discs Again
By Andy Noble · Milwaukee
For years, the compact disc was treated like an embarrassing middle child — not as romantic as vinyl, not as convenient as streaming. It was the format everyone dumped at Goodwill while patting themselves on the back for “going digital.”
And then something unexpected happened.
CDs started selling again.
Not just a little — noticeably. And not just to older collectors clinging to nostalgia — but to very young buyers, many under 25, who never grew up with CDs in the first place.
At We Buy Records MKE here in Milwaukee, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. Over the past year, CD demand has spiked from two very different groups:
It’s not just a Milwaukee thing. National and international data backs it up — CDs are quietly having a moment.
After nearly two decades of decline, CD sales have stabilized — and in some years, increased.
No one is pretending CDs are replacing streaming.
They don’t have to dominate to matter.
They just need demand.
Let’s be honest: vinyl has priced out an entire generation.
A new LP routinely costs $30–$40.
A used LP that was $8 ten years ago might now be $25.
A used CD of the same album? Often $2–$5.
“I can buy five CDs for the price of one record.”
But price isn’t the only reason CDs are back.
For Gen Z, CDs aren’t outdated — they’re unfamiliar, which makes them interesting. For older buyers, CDs feel newly practical again.
That overlap matters.
👉 We Buy Records MKE is actively buying CD collections in Milwaukee and across Southeast Wisconsin.
Have CDs you’re ready to move on from? Send a couple photos and a rough count. We’ll reply fast with a straightforward local offer.
Sell CDs in Milwaukee — see what we buy → No shipping · No online fees · No pressure
Why compact discs are finding new life with younger collectors
| Signal | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| 📀 CD Sales | U.S. CD sales increased for the first time since 2004 and have stabilized after years of decline. |
| 👶 Who’s Buying | Gen Z now buys more CDs than Boomers, driven by affordability and physical ownership. |
| 📈 Collector Activity | Discogs reports double-digit growth in CD collecting and want-list additions year over year. |
| 💸 Price Gap | Typical used CDs sell for $2–$5, while many vinyl records now cost $25–$40. |
| 🧠 Why It Matters | CDs offer affordable ownership, consistent sound quality, and a non-algorithmic listening experience. |
Unlike vinyl, used CD prices haven’t exploded.
That’s actually why the format is thriving again.
This creates a simple feedback loop:
Key signals behind the renewed interest in compact discs
If you’re sitting on boxes of CDs — this isn’t dead media.
It’s re-circulating media.
At We Buy Records MKE, we’re actively buying:
You don’t need rare titles.
You don’t need perfect condition.
You just need volume and variety.