FiiO CP13 Transparent Cassette Player
£107.40
|The FiiO CP13 Transparent is a playback-only cassette player with a rechargeable 1,800 mAh battery, 3.5 mm headphone output and support for Type I to IV tapes. Its transparent finish turns a distinctly impractical little tape machine into desk-side theatre, which is rather the point.
Prices correct as of: 08/05/2026 15:23
StuffYouMayWant is an editorial curation site. We may earn from qualifying purchases via affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
At a glance
One-line verdict
A transparent cassette player for people who miss tapes enough to accept no recording or auto-reverse, but would like the machinery visible while the nostalgia happens.
Best for
Buy it if you want to play Type I, II, III or IV cassettes through wired 3.5 mm headphones and consider exposed mechanics a perfectly valid design choice.
Skip it if
Skip it if you need recording, auto-reverse or a player that can safely be left in a hot car during Britain’s annual three-day heatwave.
The full picture
There are easier ways to listen to music than feeding a small plastic rectangle into a dedicated machine. There are also easier ways to make toast than owning a sourdough starter, and yet civilisation persists. The transparent FiiO CP13 cassette player exists for the particular person who has tapes, wired headphones and a healthy suspicion of frictionless convenience.
We think its appeal is less about pretending cassette tape is sensible and more about acknowledging that it is wonderfully tangible. The CP13 is a two-track stereo, playback-only player with a fully analogue audio circuit, a JRC5532 operational amplifier and a conspicuous 30.4 mm pure-copper flywheel. In transparent form, the internals are part of the event rather than something politely concealed behind black plastic.
This is not a Swiss Army knife for obsolete media. There is no recording and no auto-reverse, so a full album side eventually requires the ancient physical act of turning the tape over. Still, it supports Type I, II, III and IV cassettes, has a standard 3.5 mm headphone output and puts volume on a physical knob. The basic proposition is admirably direct: cassette in, headphones on, decisions reduced to which side of the tape you are currently ignoring.
The rechargeable 1,800 mAh battery is specified for at least 13 hours of headphone playback under FiiO’s test conditions, and charging is stated at around three hours with a 5 V, 2 A adapter. At approximately 120 × 88.3 × 31.8 mm and 310 g for this transparent listing, it is a deliberately substantial bit of audio nostalgia rather than a featherweight trinket. We chose it because it makes a niche habit look suitably ridiculous and oddly dignified at the same time.
The Irresistible
- The transparent housing makes the CP13’s cassette mechanism and oversized 30.4 mm pure-copper flywheel visible, which gives a humble tape player the air of a miniature machine room.
- It supports Type I, Type II, Type III and Type IV tapes, so the player is not limited to one narrow cassette formulation.
- A fully analogue audio circuit and JRC5532 operational amplifier suggest this is a deliberately specified audio device, not merely nostalgia moulded into plastic.
The Clever Part
- The 1,800 mAh rechargeable battery is specified for at least 13 hours of playback through the 3.5 mm output under FiiO’s stated test conditions.
- A physical volume knob and standard 3.5 mm headphone output keep the essential controls and connection familiar.
- FiiO states that the protected charging circuit permits use while charging, useful when a tape has reached its most melodramatic chorus at an inconvenient moment.
- The listed box includes a USB cable and window protective film alongside the player, manual and warranty card.
The Fine Print
- It is playback-only: no recording function and no auto-reverse means the cassette still demands occasional manual intervention.
- At approximately 310 g for the transparent version, this is a fairly weighty commitment to analogue whimsy.
- The manual advises against use or storage above 45°C or below 0°C, and says to keep it away from water; cassette revival does not override basic common sense.
The Reality Check
- Choose this only if playback is enough: anyone needing to record cassettes or have the player reverse automatically has reached a hard stop.
Buyer questions answered
Is the FiiO CP13 cassette player available in transparent?
Yes, the supplied UK listing identifies this variant as the FiiO CP13 Cassette Player (transparent). It is the version for people who would rather see the tiny mechanical drama than hide it in a drawer.
How long does the FiiO CP13 battery last?
FiiO specifies at least 13 hours of playback through the 3.5 mm headphone output under its stated test conditions. The CP13 has an 1,800 mAh rechargeable battery, so the tape ritual need not include hunting for disposable cells.
How long does the FiiO CP13 take to charge?
Charging takes approximately 3 hours with a 5 V, 2 A adapter. FiiO also states that the protected charging circuit allows the player to be used while charging.
What cassette tapes can the FiiO CP13 play?
The FiiO CP13 supports Type I, Type II, Type III and Type IV cassette tapes. That is a pleasingly broad invitation to investigate whatever unlabeled relics are still lurking in the loft.
Does the FiiO CP13 record tapes or have auto-reverse?
No, the CP13 is playback-only and has neither recording nor auto-reverse. One must still turn the cassette over manually, as our ancestors presumably did between cups of tea.
Inside this drop
More from Vol. 08
Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 Bluetooth Speaker
The Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 is a Bluetooth speaker with a transparent dome, six 40 mm mid-high drivers, a 130 mm subwoofer and five music-synchronised lighting themes. It is a fairly serious audio arrangement disguised as the sort of object guests will assume has opinions about interior design.
Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K
The Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K (A1654) is a 10,000mAh Qi2-certified wireless power bank with up to 15W wireless output, a smart display and a foldable stand. It exists for the modern ritual of watching a phone battery descend while pretending the train has a plug socket.
Dexas MudBuster Portable Dog Paw Cleaner
The Dexas MudBuster is a blue medium dog paw cleaner: an easy-grip tumbler with soft silicone bristles inside. Add water, twist it around each muddy paw and dry the paw afterwards. It exists because outdoor walks and clean floors have apparently entered formal negotiations.
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 Bluetooth Adapter
The Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 is a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver for standard 3.5 mm headphone jacks. It sends wired-source audio to wireless headphones, can pair two sets, and can also feed Bluetooth audio into wired speakers. A tiny diplomatic mission for obsolete sockets and modern earbuds.
Keep browsing
More Music & Audio finds you may want
Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT Turntable
A fully automatic belt-drive turntable with Bluetooth, wired PHONO and LINE outputs, and a built-in phono preamp. It plays 33⅓ and 45 RPM records and uses a fixed AT-VM95C cartridge: vinyl listening without making tonearm management your new evening hobby.
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker
The Bose SoundLink Max is an impressive portable speaker that combines great sound quality with practicality, making it a perfect companion for outdoor activities, parties, or just filling your home with music, all in a sleek blue design.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless Headphones
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is an over-ear Bluetooth headphone with hybrid noise cancellation, ambient pass-through and USB-C audio. Nappa leather, memory-foam earpads and aluminium arms give the everyday commute a frankly overqualified sense of occasion.
Divoom Ditoo Pixel Art Speaker
The Divoom Ditoo is a compact Bluetooth speaker with a programmable RGB LED screen, TF-card playback, radio and alarm functions. It is also a 505 g monument to the idea that a desk speaker should have hobbies, which frankly seems fair.