The CD Revival: Why Gen Z (and Boomers) Are Spinning 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:
- Gen Z buyers discovering CDs as a cheap, physical alternative to vinyl
- Gen X and Boomer collectors revisiting the format they once abandoned
It’s not just a Milwaukee thing. National and international data backs it up — CDs are quietly having a moment.
CDs Are (Quietly) Climbing Back
After nearly two decades of decline, CD sales have stabilized — and in some years, increased.
- 2021 marked the first year since 2004 that U.S. CD sales rose
- 2023 saw another year-over-year increase
- Discogs reported double-digit growth in CD collecting activity
- Gen Z now outpaces Boomers in CD purchases
No one is pretending CDs are replacing streaming.
They don’t have to dominate to matter.
They just need demand.
Why Young Buyers Are Choosing CDs
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.
What CDs Offer That Streaming Doesn’t
- Ownership — no disappearing albums
- Tangibility — liner notes, artwork, lyrics
- Consistent sound quality
- Full-album listening without algorithms
For Gen Z, CDs aren’t outdated — they’re unfamiliar, which makes them interesting.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.
The CD Comeback — At a Glance
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. |
CDs Haven’t Become Expensive — and That’s the Point
Unlike vinyl, used CD prices haven’t exploded.
That’s actually why the format is thriving again.
- Most common titles remain affordable
- New collectors can experiment without risk
- Large libraries can be built quickly
This creates a simple feedback loop:
- CDs stay cheap
- Young buyers take chances
- Demand increases
- Stores restock more CDs
- Collections circulate again
The CD Comeback, At a Glance
Key signals behind the renewed interest in compact discs
- 📀 Format trend: CD sales increased for the first time since 2004 and have since stabilized.
- 👶 Who’s buying: Gen Z now buys more CDs than Boomers.
- 📈 Collector behavior: Discogs reports double-digit growth in CD collecting activity.
- 💸 Price reality: Most used CDs sell for $2–$5, compared to $25–$40 for vinyl.
- 🧠 Core motivation: Affordable ownership, sound quality, and non-algorithmic listening.
What This Means for Milwaukee Sellers
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:
- Large CD collections
- 90s–2000s era CDs
- Pop, rock, hip-hop, indie, metal, and jazz
- Well-kept personal libraries
You don’t need rare titles.
You don’t need perfect condition.
You just need volume and variety.