In the age of mega-millionaire tech-bros, many people are looking to cleanse their lives from the perils of modern technology. Vintage electronics are making a comeback; from vinyl records and cassette tapes to old fashion alarm clocks. These old electronics are getting revitalized for the modern age. Here are some old and beloved old-timmey tech that have Generation Z in a chokehold.
Vinyl Record Players
Before Spotify told you that you listened to 2,000 hours of sad music this year, people had to physically put a record on, drop the needle, and vibe. No shuffle, no skips — just that rich, crackly sound that makes you feel ten times classier than you actually are. Vinyl is the real audiophile flex; let’s be honest, flipping a record is way more satisfying than closing a laptop in frustration.
Cassette Players & Walkmans
You think not having Spotify Premium is bad? Try fast-forwarding a cassette blindly to find your favorite song. And if the tape got tangled? Time to surgically fix it with a pencil like some kind of cassette surgeon. Even in the age of streaming, walkmans are still used because nothing says “I’m mysterious” like walking to class with a cassette player.
CD Players & Discman
Burning a mix CD is the best way to make a playlist. Instead of just throwing songs together, you have to carefully curate the perfect combination of tracks. Getting gifted a CD playlist is like the ultimate form of love, especially if it’s decorated. Objectively, the best part of making a CD is decorating it Sharpies like it is a masterpiece. No shuffle, no skipping tracks, just a perfectly curated playlist that you have to commit to.
Boomboxes
Boomboxes aren’t just retro — they’re a statement. This literal suitcase of sound made music a communal affair; with a boombox, your playlist isn’t just for you, it’s for everyone within a 20-foot radius. Many speaker companies have given into the boombox revival, allowing today’s listeners to experience the raw, unapologetic energy of a boombox that demands attention.
Wired headphones
Wired headphones are better than AirPods; Apple truly failed when they took the free headphones out of the iPhone box. These amazing headphones don’t randomly die, don’t magically disappear in your hoodie and they work with everything. Plus, wrapping the cord around your phone, or leaving one headphone dangling out gives Bella Swan vibes.
Old Alarm clocks
Apple stays turning the volume off your alarms, so next time you miss your 8 a.m. class make sure to blame Steve Jobs. Apple alarms are not making any noise, but vintage alarm clocks will wake you up — whether you like it or not. No gradual fade-in, no soft chime, just raw panic-inducing BEEP BEEP BEEP energy that guarantees you won’t sleep through your class.
Typewriters
Picture this: It’s 2 a.m., your paper is due in six hours, and instead of typing in Google Docs, you’re pretending to be Hemingway, clacking away on a vintage typewriter. There’s no backspace, no spellcheck — just pure commitment. Good luck submitting your essay on Canvas.
Vintage Mechanical Keyboards
These keyboards don’t just type; they announce your presence. Every keypress sounds like a thunderclap in the library, but that’s part of the experience. It’s the closest thing to ASMR and productivity at the same time. You’re not just writing an essay — you’re composing a symphony.
DVD Players & Portable DVD Players
Why do people still buy DVDs; because Netflix removes your favorite show the second you get invested. DVDs never buffer, never disappear and bonus points you only have to pay for them once!
Camcorders
Before phone cameras, every family event was recorded on a camcorder that weighed as much as a dumbbell. The footage: grainy, shaky and absolutely iconic. Today, filmmakers love them for that vintage aesthetic, because, let’s be honest, modern phone cameras give an uncanny valley effect.
Flip Phones
Switch out your black hole of distraction smart phone for a flip phone. Slamming a flip phone shut was the original power move. No “red button” nonsense, just a clean snap that said “conversation over.”
Polaroid Cameras & Instant Film Cameras
In the wise words of OutKast, “shake it like a Polaroid picture!” These cameras give you instant memories — no retakes, no filters, just the moment. In a world where your camera roll is a black hole of 10,000 forgotten selfies, Polaroids give you something real to hold. That’s why Fuji Instax is still everywhere; nothing beats a physical photo you can stick on your wall.
Vintage Film Cameras
Film photography isn’t just alive, it’s thriving. That random chunky Canon your mom used at your kindergarten graduation; It’s now considered ‘aesthetic.’
Try out one of these vintage electronic items to escape Elon Musk’s America.
