SMSL

SMSL PL20

Ranked #22 in CD Players

181 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

A competent budget player whose problem is arithmetic: the PL200 MKII is close enough in cost and far better equipped. Buy the PL200 MKII instead.

Consolidated from 13 cited sources across 12 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

8 positive sources
4 mixed sources
1 unconvinced source

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

2 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

It is not a bad machine, it is just pointless, because the PL200 MKII sits one step up the same ladder with a far better DAC for modestly more money. This is the classic "outclassed at its own brand's price point" trap.
Flagged 20 October 2026

It is not a bad machine, it is just pointless, because the PL200 MKII sits one step up the same ladder with a far better DAC for modestly more money. This is the classic "outclassed at its own brand's price point" trap.
Flagged 20 October 2026
Limited headphone amplification and lack of Bluetooth make it less compelling than other portable options.
Flagged 28 July 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

Check price

Pros & cons

✓ The sensible entry point in SMSL's current CD line
✓ Stood out as the best-buy in a test of the brand's entire CD range
✓ A clean, honest budget transport
✓ Robust build
✓ Low-noise performance

✗ Outclassed by the PL200 MKII which offers a far superior DAC at a similar price
✗ Weak headphone amp
✗ No Bluetooth connectivity

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 4 articles, 8 video reviews and 1 community source

8 positive sources

AF Digitale Francesco Destri · reviewer · Dec 2025

Una delle caratteristiche più interessanti del PL20 è la funzione One‑Click Lossless CD Rip , una delle soluzioni più ingegnose mai integrate in un lettore di questa categoria. Con la semplice pressione di un pulsante, l’intero contenuto di un CD viene infatti trasferito, in tempo reale e senza perdita di qualità, su una memoria USB esterna. I file risultanti sono in formato WAV per garantire la conservazione integrale dei dati a 16 bit/44,1 kHz, così da creare un archivio digitale identico alla sorgente originale.

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Passion for Sound Review unit from SMSL Passion for Sound · 115K subscribers · Dec 2025

All you need to know is that the PL20 sounds better than the PL150

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HIFI Daydreaming ducurguz · reviewer

Hold the RIP button, and the PL20 copies the entire CD to a USB stick as lossless WAV files. No computer, no software, no drama. A full album takes somewhere in the ten to fifteen minute range. For anyone with a shelf of 300 CDs and a car that only has a USB port, this feature alone is the purchase justification. Sticks up to 256GB are supported, formatted as exFAT or FAT32.

Read M Matt Coykendall Matt Coykendall · 37.7K subscribers · Jan 2026

Sound-wise, the PL20 delivers exactly what you want from a CD player at this price point.

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HiFiGo Hifi go · reviewer · Dec 2025

The SMSL PL20 is available now, promising to be a must-have addition for collectors looking to modernize their listening experience without sacrificing the ritual of spinning CDs. It is available in Black and Silver colour options priced at $199. Feel free to check out more information here .

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MyVinylos by Igor MyVinylos by Igor · 14.3K subscribers · Mar 2026

This is its box in which it comes very well packaged, very well protected.

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Passion for Sound AndysRecRoom · owner · Dec 2025

Got a PL 150 for a friend a while ago and it is rock solid and sounds excellent.

Watch A AV Atmos AV Atmos · 11.4K subscribers · Dec 2025

SMSL has released the all-new PL20 CD Player. It’s not just a CD player, but also a tool to rip the tracks from your CDs and keep them in digital formats with you. SMSL has equipped the PL20 with a high-end dual DAC arrangement featuring dual CS43131 DAC chips. The PL20 also supports high-resolution audio playback from USB Flash drives. Users can use their flash drives and explore their favorite music with ease. SMSL PL20 features multiple output options as well, including 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs, RCA line-output, and Coaxial/Optical digital. Outputs. Instant CD Playback, One-Key CD Ripping, and High-Res audio signal processing, all these features make the PL20 a must-have product in every audiophile’s collection!!

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4 mixed sources

audioreviews.org Article

TBH, I didn’t hear a ton of difference between the PL100 (which has a single DAC) and the PL20 (which specs a dual DAC); perhaps the PL120 showed, again, a bit more high-end extension and microdetail.

Read D Desktop HIFI Desktop HIFI · 36.8K subscribers · Mar 2026

Well, the PL 20, I believe, is perfect for anyone who wants a modern all-in-one desktop CD solution with ripping Bluetooth functionality and a budget friendly price. It works well as a main player in a small system as a source for an external DAC, but it's less suitable if you want native SACD playback or you need a high power headphone driver

Watch P Prime Audio Reviews Prime Audio Reviews · 23.2K subscribers · Aug 2026

So guys, SMSL PL20, overall it's not bad. I quite like him. But I think it could be much better, even if it were a little more expensive

Watch T The Apartment Audiophile Review unit from SMSL The Apartment Audiophile · 6.6K subscribers · Aug 2026

So, is the SMSL PL20 worth your hard- earned $200 ? Here is the honest truth. This is a beautifully put together device with excellent sound that makes digitizing your old collection incredibly easy. But competition in this budget desktop category is getting fiercer. Devices like the Fosi Marach and FiiO DM15 R2R are taking the lead, offering front-panel headphone outputs and true gapless playback right out of the box. I haven't tested these competing models in my system yet to compare them directly to the PL20, but listen: if they perform as claimed, the PL20 will have a hard time standing out against them with all its flaws

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1 unconvinced source

B r/BudgetAudiophile u/dwl99 · owner

The PL20 I received can't play 2 out of 5 CDs I tested. It couldn't read one CD, then had pauses and noises when playing back the first song. Both CDs are legit, clean and plays well in my two cars' CD players. SMSL asked me to record a video, then offered a replacement with 5% refund.

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Frequently asked questions

It ranks #22 of 25 on our CD players tier list, in F tier. That placement draws on 13 cited sources across 12 outlets.

1 of the 13 sources with a clear view is critical of it: r/BudgetAudiophile. Outclassed by the PL200 MKII which offers a far superior DAC at a similar price. Weak headphone amp. No Bluetooth connectivity.