Sony Walkman WM-22 Cassette Player

The Sony Walkman WM-22 is one of the most elegant portable cassette players Sony ever made. Released in 1985, it represented the Walkman line at its most refined — slim, lightweight, and built with that unmistakable mid-80s Sony industrial design. It plays standard cassettes with a single headphone jack, and that simplicity is part of its charm.

The WM-22 is collectible because it sits right in the golden era of the Walkman. It is not the rarest model, but it is one of the prettiest, and the cassette revival has brought serious demand from both nostalgic buyers and a younger generation discovering analog audio. Working units in good cosmetic condition are increasingly hard to find, and the WM-22 clean lines make it a favorite for display collectors too.

When buying, the belt is the first concern — virtually every WM-22 will need a new drive belt, as the original rubber degrades over decades. This is a cheap fix if you are handy, but factor it into the price if you are not. Test the play and fast-forward functions if possible. Check the battery compartment for corrosion, and make sure the headphone jack is not crackling. Original foam-pad headphones are a nice bonus but rarely survive in usable condition.