CDs are making an unexpected comeback as Gen Z and other consumers show renewed interest in older technology and physical media.

According to a new report by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), CD sales generated $171.1 million in revenue in the first half of 2026, up 58.6% from around $107.9 million during the same period last year.

The number of CDs sold also rose sharply, reaching 17.5 million units, a 45.7% increase from roughly 12 million in the first half of 2025.

The rebound comes after a difficult year for the format. In 2025, 29.5 million CDs were sold, down 11.6% from 33.3 million in 2024. CD revenue also fell from $338.9 million in 2024 to $312.4 million in 2025.

The renewed interest in CDs comes amid a broader revival of retro technology, including dumbphones, digital cameras, typewriters, landline phones and other forms of physical media.

For many Gen Z consumers, the appeal lies in having greater control over their relationship with technology. Older devices offer fewer notifications, apps and algorithms, providing an alternative to the always-connected experience of modern smartphones.

A growing number of companies are also responding to the trend by developing retro-inspired products, while young consumers are buying older gadgets from thrift stores and vintage technology marketplaces.

The RIAA’s figures, however, may not capture the full scale of the CD revival, as they exclude used CD sales from thrift stores, garage sales and other second-hand markets. They also do not account for older CDs being passed down from parents to younger generations.

There is also a caveat when comparing revenue figures. The RIAA changed its calculation method in 2025, moving from estimated retail value to wholesale value. As a result, revenue figures from 2024 and 2025 are not directly comparable.

Unit sales, however, are unaffected by the change and show that CD sales were still declining before the sharp increase this year.

Meanwhile, vinyl continues to grow. Revenue from physical music formats rose 25.9% to $731.5 million in the first half of 2026, driven by a 58.6% increase in CD revenue and a 17.7% rise in vinyl revenue.