Vinyl continues to dominate the physical music market, but CDs are making an unexpected comeback.
Luminate’s 2026 Midyear Report reveals that CD sales in the United States climbed sharply during the first half of the year, outpacing the growth of vinyl.
CD sales reached 16.3 million units, representing a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Vinyl sales also grew, although at a more modest rate of 2.4%.
Although still sold more units overall, but CDs recorded one of their strongest growth periods in more than a decade.
Vinyl Remains the Best-Selling Physical Format
Although vinyl continues to lead the physical music market, Luminate found that CD sales grew nearly seven times faster during the first half of 2026.
The report points to renewed consumer interest in owning physical music.
While vinyl remains the preferred format overall, CDs are attracting collectors, dedicated fans, and younger listeners.
Luminate believes the renewed interest is not simply because more people are using CD players again.
Instead, collectible editions have become a major reason behind the format’s revival.
Deluxe packaging, exclusive artwork, photobooks, trading cards, signed editions, and merchandise bundles have turned CDs into affordable collectibles.
Fans can support their favorite artists while owning a physical piece of an album release.
K-pop continues to play an important role in physical music sales. Even so, the trend extends beyond the genre.
Luminate reported that U.S. CD sales would still have increased by 6.7% during the first half of 2026 even without K-pop releases.
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Younger Fans Collect CDs Without Playing Them
One of the report’s most notable findings involves younger music fans.
Luminate estimates that about half of Gen Z and Millennial consumers who purchase CDs do not own a CD player.
Instead of buying CDs to listen to music, many see them as collectible items that strengthen their connection with the artists they support.
The trend reflects changing attitudes toward music ownership.
Physical formats are no longer competing directly with streaming services.
Instead, they have become an extension of fandom by giving listeners something tangible to collect.
Vinyl and CDs Continue to Grow Together
Vinyl remains the top-selling physical music format in the United States.
During the first half of 2026, consumers purchased 21.8 million vinyl records, compared to 16.3 million CDs.
Luminate also reported that total physical music sales, including vinyl, CDs, and cassettes, increased 7.8% year over year.
The figures suggest demand for physical media remains strong despite the continued popularity of streaming.
Rather than replacing vinyl, CDs have established a new role in today’s music market.
Affordable prices, collectible packaging, and exclusive artist releases continue to attract longtime collectors and a new generation of fans.
As streaming dominates everyday listening, Luminate’s latest findings suggest physical music is not disappearing.
Instead, it is continuing to evolve.