“Do they still make VCRs?”
It’s one of the most common questions we hear. Maybe you’ve found a box of old tapes and want to watch them. Maybe your old VCR finally gave up. Maybe you’re just curious whether this technology still exists.
Here’s the complete answer.
The Short Answer
No, VCRs are no longer manufactured. The last company making them stopped production in 2016.
But don’t worry — that doesn’t mean you can’t get one. Millions of VCRs were made over the decades, and plenty of them still work or can be refurbished to work.
When Did They Stop Making VCRs?
July 2016 — Funai Electric, a Japanese company, announced it would cease VCR production. They were the last manufacturer.
Late 2016 — The final VCRs rolled off the assembly line.
Funai had been making VCRs for various brands (Sanyo, Emerson, Magnavox, and others) and was the last remaining manufacturer. When they stopped, VCR production worldwide ended.
Why Did They Stop?
Several factors combined to end VCR manufacturing:
Declining demand: Sales had dropped from 30 million units per year at their peak to about 750,000 in 2015. Simply not enough people were buying new VCRs.
Parts shortage: Components that went into VCRs became harder to source as suppliers stopped making them.
Rising costs: With lower volume and harder-to-find parts, each unit became more expensive to produce.
Format obsolescence: DVD, Blu-ray, streaming, and digital downloads all offered better quality and more convenience than VHS.
The writing had been on the wall for years. Most major manufacturers had already exited the market. Funai held on longer than most but eventually couldn’t justify continued production.
What About DVD VCR Combo Players?
The same story applies. DVD VCR combo players were also made by Funai and others, and production ended around the same time.
No new DVD VCR combo players have been manufactured since 2016.
So Where Can You Get a VCR Today?
Even though new VCRs aren’t made, you have several options:
Option 1: Refurbished from a Specialty Seller
This is what we do at TEKlinq. We source used DVD VCR combo players, thoroughly test and refurbish them (replacing worn belts, cleaning heads, verifying all functions), and sell them with warranties.
Pros: - Tested and guaranteed to work - Worn parts replaced - Warranty included - All accessories provided
Cons: - Higher cost than used
Option 2: Used from Online Marketplaces
eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist all have VCRs for sale.
Pros: - Often lower prices - Wide selection - Can find rare models
Cons: - Quality varies dramatically - Many “untested” units don’t actually work - No warranty typically - Shipping can damage units
Option 3: Thrift Stores and Estate Sales
VCRs show up at Goodwill, Salvation Army, estate sales, and garage sales.
Pros: - Very low prices ($5-20 typical) - Can sometimes test before buying - Fun treasure hunting
Cons: - No guarantee they work - Usually no remote or cables - Increasingly picked over
Option 4: New Old Stock (Rare)
Occasionally, someone discovers a cache of never-opened VCRs from old warehouse inventory.
Pros: - Actually new - Original packaging
Cons: - Extremely rare - May have degraded rubber parts from age - Usually very expensive
What Should You Look For?
If you’re buying a VCR in 2026, here’s what matters:
DVD VCR Combo vs Standalone VCR
For most people, a DVD VCR combo is the better choice: - Usually newer (less wear) - More readily available - Includes DVD player as a bonus - Single device, single remote
4-Head Hi-Fi
Always look for 4-head Hi-Fi stereo: - Better picture quality - Better special effects (pause, slow-mo) - Better sound quality
This is standard on virtually all combo players from major brands.
Brand
Reliable brands include: - Sony (excellent quality) - Panasonic (excellent quality) - JVC (excellent quality) - Samsung (good quality) - Magnavox (good budget option)
Condition
Refurbished is ideal — the unit has been tested and serviced.
“Tested working” is okay if the seller seems reliable and has a return policy.
“Untested” or “as-is” is risky. Many of these don’t work.
Common Questions
Can I still buy VHS tapes?
Sort of. New VHS tape releases ended in the early-to-mid 2000s. But you can find used tapes everywhere: thrift stores, eBay, estate sales, Facebook Marketplace. Blank tapes for recording are still available from remaining stock.
Will my old VCR still work?
Maybe! If it’s been sitting unused for years, the rubber belts may have degraded. Try it with a tape you don’t care about. If it doesn’t work, a repair shop or refurbisher may be able to fix it.
Can I connect a VCR to a new TV?
Yes. If your TV has RCA inputs (red/white/yellow), you can connect directly. If your TV only has HDMI, you’ll need an RCA-to-HDMI converter (inexpensive and easy to use).
How long will refurbished VCRs be available?
No one knows for certain. The pool of repairable units shrinks over time. Parts become harder to find. But with millions of units made over the decades, VCRs should remain available for years to come — the question is whether prices will rise.
Should I hurry up and buy one?
If you have VHS tapes you want to watch or preserve, don’t wait indefinitely. Tapes degrade over time, and eventually the supply of working VCRs will diminish. That said, there’s no imminent crisis — you have time to find the right unit.
The Bottom Line
VCRs aren’t manufactured anymore, but they’re far from gone. Millions of working units exist, and a healthy refurbishment industry keeps them running.
If you need to play VHS tapes — whether irreplaceable home videos or a beloved movie collection — you can absolutely still get a quality machine that will do the job reliably.
Just buy from someone who stands behind their products, make sure it includes everything you need to connect to your TV, and enjoy reliving those memories.
Ready to find your VCR? Browse our refurbished DVD VCR combo players — tested, warranted, and ready to play.