10 fun gadgets from the 80s you can still buy today

Smartphones and social media might not have arrived yet, but the ’80s were an era of incredible innovation, and the gadgets that paved the way for our current technology can now be found all over Amazon. Back then, a shopper could pop a cassette into their Sony Walkman and turn off the world — but they would have had to physically go to a mall to get those deals. Blast Bananarama and use Amazon Prime to take advantage of shipping that would have seemed utterly futuristic forty years ago.


Now buyers can maximize great savings on all sorts of 80’s gadgets, most of which come with a few updates to fit current electronics. Whether shoppers like music, home accessories or games, these great products allow them to explore the world of analogue.

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QFX J-220BT ReRun boom box

List Price: $54.99

Sale price: $39.22 (29% off)

QFX J-22OBT ReRun Boombox Amazon product shot

For buyers looking for that ’80s street credential by slinging a boombox on their shoulder, they can get the best of all eras with the QFX J-22OBT ReRun Boombox, the perfect blend of analog and modern technology. Not only can it play cassettes and AM/FM radio, but it can also record them to USB flash drives and stream up to 30ft with Bluetooth, making it perfect for setting up at pool parties or outside during an epic breakdance battle.

RELATED: The 10 Best Smart Speakers on Amazon

Boomboxes were all the rage in the ’80s, and now with these savings, they’re perfect for adding that retro vibe to WFH days and backyard kickbacks. One Amazon reviewer said: “What I love about this player is that you can adjust the bass and treble to your liking. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen an electronic device with these features. The sound is fantastic. Crystal clear during playback. My old cassettes play perfectly and sound great.”

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Polaroid Now i-Type Instant Camera Gift Pack

List Price: $199.99

Sale price: $179.99 (10% off)

Polaroid Now i-Type instant camera Amazon product shot

  • Available in black, white, yellow, gold, mint and red

Polaroid cameras have made a comeback in recent years, especially since so many are compatible with current technology. The Polaroid Now i-Type instant camera gift pack ensures buyers have everything they need to get in the action without sacrificing savings for style.

The 80’s were all about living in the moment and with a set that includes the Polaroid camera, 16 sheets of film, a handy strap and album, sharing those precious memories has never been easier or more fun. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who wants tangible reminders of the moment, such as: a wedding or a birthday, and the self-timer function offers a little more control for a more editorial shot.

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Simon

List Price: $21.99

Sale price: $20.96 (5% off)

Hasbro Simon Match Amazon Product Shot

Get ready for hours of fun with Simon, Hasbro’s interactive memory game that lets players see if they can repeat what “Simon says”. The Simon device displays a series of lights and sounds that must be repeated by pressing the colored pads to advance to the next round. What starts as a leisurely game soon turns into a fast-paced race to keep up.

Simon was a classic ’80s game for kids to play at sleepovers or parties when the tension was building and an overly complicated pattern had everyone roaring with laughter. Buyers looking to see if they still have what it takes, or giving it away to challenge others should take advantage of what this nostalgic game has to offer.

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Retro game console

List Price: $29.99

Sale price: $23.99 (20% off) – Additional 5% off with coupon

Any buyer looking to recreate memories of Saturday mornings playing video games on a vintage Nintendo console will be more than satisfied with this retro gaming console from Infityle. Unlike the ’80s version, this console holds hundreds of games without having to insert cartridges, so family members can get in on the fun faster.

RELATED: The 10 best video games for kids

Best of all, with these savings, this console is a fraction of what the original NES would be. One Amazon reviewer was nostalgic: “This was a great gift at an affordable price. Reminds me of my old one I had. I showed the kids the games I grew up with, so it was fun.”

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GPX Portable Cassette Player

List Price: $24.99

Sale price: $17.27 (31% off)

GPX Portable Cassette Player Product Shot

Before smartphones, iPods and other small music devices, devices like the GPX Portable Cassette Player were the portable music players of choice. The Sony Walkman was the first to hit the market in the late ’70s, and by the ’80s “Walkmans” (regardless of brand name) were ubiquitous and a particular favorite of those just getting into the fitness craze.

A cassette player isn’t just for shoppers who have a large collection of cassettes lying around – there are many artists still releasing music on various media, and cassettes have become as trendy as vinyl. This device (and Björk’s vulnicuranow available on cassette) would make the perfect gift for audiophiles.

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QFX RETRO-39 Shoebox Tape Recorder

List Price: $33.99

Sale price: $31.28 (8% off)

QFX Retro-39 Shoebox Tape Recorder Amazon product recording

Attention all mixtape lovers! The QFX Retro-39 Shoebox Tape Recorder offers the retro look of the ’80s shoebox tape recorders and puts the power to harness universal sentiment right in your hands. Harness the nostalgia of that blast from the past by mixing like a pro with a variety of mics capturing each unique track, or use it to digitally preserve important tapes from eras gone by.

In the ’80s, music fans had to sit in front of radios and hope the DJ wouldn’t talk about their favorite songs, hoping to turn them into the ultimate declaration of love and friendship. Best of all, it offers a place for a USB stick with MP3s of buyers’ best playlists.

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GPD Micro PC

List Price: $699.99

Sale price: $639.99 (9% off)

GPD Micro PC Amazon product shot

The 1980’s were an era of great innovation, particularly with regard to microprocessors, and “pocket computers” became all the rage. They may look different now, but the GPD Micro PC exists in the same spirit as its portable predecessors. Pocket computers may have looked like rugged calculators, but they functioned much like how today’s buyers use keyboards on modern laptops.

RELATED: The 10 Best Computer Monitors With Speakers

This version of the pocket computer has very low power consumption, but has 8 GB of RAM, a full keyboard and a 6-inch screen with HD images protected by Gorilla Glass. For anyone who wants the versatility of a laptop with the capabilities of a tablet, this is the micro PC for the job.

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List Price: $229.00

Sale price: $149.00 (35% off)

Bose SoundLink Around Ear Wireless Headphones II product photo from Amazon

  • Available in black and white

Earbuds might be all the rage now, but in the ’80s over-ear headphones were the most common option, and the Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless Headphones II are some of the best out there. With this great deal, buyers can enjoy all the convenience of these analog-era headphones with all the flexibility of their wireless design.

With rich, immersive sound, Bluetooth technology, and 15 hours of use from a 3-hour charge, they’ve got all the modern conveniences with a shape and look that pays a little homage to the era that got buyers Madonna, Michael Jackson and Def Leppard banging in her ears.

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GEREFEREN telescope

List Price: $439.99

Sale price: $129.99 (70% off)

Referred telescope Amazon product photo

The 80’s were an era of science fiction movies and space exploration; the war of stars The trilogy was in full swing, and the first American female astronaut, Sally K. Ride, flew into space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Children had set up telescopes in their windows in hopes of seeing NASA rockets, UFOs and other exciting phenomena in the night sky.

Now the Gereferen telescope makes stargazing just as fun and affordable. With an easy no-tool setup and 16x to 120x magnification, buyers can spend hours tracking the sky or give it as a gift to the budding astronomer in your life.

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The clapper

List Price: $28.85

The product shot of the Clapper Amazon

Before Bluetooth technology was available, The Clapper was the closest device to today’s smart home accessory. When an ordinary table lamp was connected to it, the lamp could be turned on and off with a simple hand clap, and the device is still available today.

These days, The Clapper is a little more sophisticated, allowing for a Home Away option and connecting multiple devices, but it remains the same trusted home accessory it always was and way ahead of its time.

Buy on AmazonNEXT: The 10 best deals on exclusive Amazon toysDisclaimer: The links contained in this buying guide are affiliate links. Screen Rant cannot guarantee product availability or pricing.

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