Entertainment
Raunchy, R-Rated Horror Classic Succeeded By Completely Ignoring The Book
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Whenever we get a new movie based on a book, existing fans all have the same question: how accurate will the film be? After all, these literary lovers have spent countless hours envisioning these stories, and it’s hard enough for fans to accept actors who look different than the characters they envisioned. If a director deviates from the source material too much, those fans may even boycott the film. That’s why the Lord of the Rings movies remain the gold standard for literary adaptations: not only is the cast perfect, but every single frame was dripping with Peter Jackson’s love for J.R.R. Tolkien.
However, there are exceptions to every rule. One year before Elijah Wood suited up as Frodo Baggins, we got a raunchy, R-rated horror movie that became the stuff of pop culture legend. To this day, it inspires memes shared by everyone from Gen X to Gen Alpha. The movie is, of course, American Psycho. Did it succeed by being a loving, 1:1 adaptation of the book? Nope: in fact, writer/director Mary Harron changed major aspects of the work, including adding plenty of jet-black humor. The result is the greatest horror comedy since Scream, and a movie that (with my apologies to author Bret Easton Ellis) is much better than the book.
Killing Has Never Been So Cool
The premise of American Psycho is both simple and bloody. We follow the misadventures of Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale), who is an investment banker by day and a murderer by night. After he kills a colleague (played by Jared Leto), he ends up on the radar of a nosy detective (played by Willem Dafoe). Over the course of the movie, his mind slowly unravels, to the point that he’s weirding out everyone from his secretary (played by Chloë Sevigny) to his fiancée (played by Reese Witherspoon). Soon, it’s clear that New York City will never be the same, either for Bateman or the victims whose bodies litter his apartment.
If you have a dark enough sense of humor, Bret Easton Ellis can be a funny writer; go check out Rules of Attraction if you don’t believe me. With that being said, his American Psycho novel isn’t very funny, nor is it meant to be. The book actually opens with an epigraph from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes From the Underground. “Both the author of these Notes and the Notes themselves are, of course, fictional. Nevertheless, such persons as the composer of these Notes not only exist in our society, but indeed must exist.” The message is clear: there must be Patrick Batemans in real life, making American Psycho a cautionary tale.
A Killer Critic
Ellis was giving us a warning, one that seems downright quaint in a post-Epstein world. Namely, that rich people are committing countless obscene crimes that we don’t know about, using their wealth and fame to shield themselves from any suspicion. While that was a valid and very relevant warning cry when the book was published, the truth is that the text as written would have made for a film that alternates between boring and horrifying. Fortunately, American Psycho the movie embraces demented comedy at every turn, something that adds levity to even the most horrific moments.
Here’s an example: the Patrick Bateman of the books is downright obsessed with certain celebrities, leading to bizarre moments like him popping wood while staring at Bono during a concert (no, really!). The American Psycho movie condenses this into a simpler hyperfocus on modern music, setting the stage for his execution of Paul Allen. With newspapers to protect the floor and plastic sheeting to protect his suit, Bateman looks like he is channeling his inner Dexter. It all looks very grim, but it’s tough to take anything seriously because our onscreen killer is giving a smarmy, Pitchfork-style review of freaking Huey Lewis right before he starts swinging his axe.
The Mask Comes Off
While the American Psycho movie arguably softens Patrick Bateman in certain ways, it does so in order to fit the deliciously black comedy tone. For example, the killer in the book is extremely homophobic, something that is seemingly absent in the movie. I say “seemingly” because in its place, we have Bateman giving a lofty speech about ending apartheid, feeding the homeless, promoting civil rights, championing women’s rights, and returning to “traditional moral values.” It’s obvious in this scene that he’s completely full of sh*t and just saying what people want to hear. This is part of his mask, allowing him to hide the monster lurking right beneath the surface.
Perhaps the most important change from page to screen was removing Patrick Bateman’s justifications for murder. In the book, we get ostensible explanations for why he is killing people, but these explanations make little sense and are often contradictory. While that is reasonable in an “anyone can justify anything” kind of way, the American Psycho movie wisely dispenses with this to the point that neither the audience nor Bateman himself understands his nihilistic need to kill. Leaving this up to interpretation has entertained fans for decades, all while underscoring the book’s bleak themes. Bateman is a symptom of our world and not the sickness itself, and that’s the scariest thing of all.
American Psycho is very nearly a perfect horror movie, one that perfectly showcased Christian Bale’s acting chops before he became the Dark Knight. The movie blends heady themes about nihilism, violence, misogyny, and bro culture, delivering unforgettable kills with one bloody hand and unforgettable laughs with the other. If you’d care to revisit this awesome film, you don’t have to spend any money, so there’s no need to feed a cat to your nearest ATM. All you have to do is stream American Psycho for free on Tubi!
Entertainment
This $145 ASUS Chromebook is a laptop and tablet in one
TL;DR: Get two gadgets in one with this ASUS Chromebook CM30, on sale now for only $144.97 (reg. $369.99) through July 19.
$144.97
$369.99
Save $225.02
If you’re in the market for a laptop and a tablet, you have a pretty steep price tag ahead of you. The ASUS Chromebook CM30 solves for that, giving you two devices in one thanks to a detachable keyboard.
Right now, you can bring home this multitasking device for less than you would pay for just one of those items — $144.97 — until July 19.
Mashable Deals
The world asks a lot of us these days. Since we’re all used to multitasking, our devices should be able to do it too. This ASUS Chromebook CM30 is up to the task — offering an easy way to switch from a productivity laptop to a relaxation tablet in just a few seconds.
The ASUS Chromebook is a 2-in-1 device powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, delivering smooth, efficient performance. 8GB RAM and 128GB eMMC storage let you multitask, save files locally, and have enough room for your favorite apps.
The 10.5-inch touchscreen delivers crisp visuals and intuitive touch control and easily detaches from the keyboard to provide a sleeker user experience. There’s also a garaged stylus with fast-charging technology that lets you change things up when you’re tired of tapping.
This Chromebook arrives running Chrome OS, an efficient operating system for today’s busy world. There are also dual 5MP front and rear cameras for capturing images and hopping on video calls.
You’ll enjoy up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, and plenty of ports for your connectivity needs. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 help you connect anywhere, and you can rest easy taking this ASUS Chromebook along with you thanks to its military-grade aluminum chassis that offers rugged protection on the go.
Mashable Deals
You’re saving over $200 thanks to this model’s Grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing on the case.
Bring home an ASUS Chromebook CM30 for just $144.97 today.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Microsoft Office is finally a one-time purchase, and it’s only $30
TL;DR: Instead of paying for Microsoft 365 every month, get a Microsoft Office lifetime license while they’re on sale for $29.97. Sale ends July 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
$29.97
$219.99
Save $190.02
You might not want to keep paying for Microsoft 365 anymore. At its absolute cheapest, Microsoft 365 is $99.99 per year, and that’s if you pay for the full year up front, but it’s also not your only option anymore. Instead of paying for the same software year after year, now you can get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office installed directly onto your PC, and it’s only $29.97 (reg. $219.99) on sale.
You don’t have to pay a monthly fee to get the core Microsoft apps anymore.
This version of Microsoft Office comes with
-
Word
-
Excel
-
PowerPoint
-
Outlook
-
Publisher
-
Access
-
OneNote
-
Teams (free version)
Just keep in mind that Microsoft is ending support for Publisher in October, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use it. It just means it won’t be changing anymore, which may actually be a good thing if you like your apps to look the same tomorrow as they were yesterday.
This license is a little different from Microsoft 365. It doesn’t come with extras like cloud storage, or the new AI integrations, but for many users, that’s actually a good thing. The AI integrations are still being worked out, so sudden updates can totally change your workflow. If you want a simple, reliable set of tools to work with, this is an excellent option for a great price.
Mashable Deals
Through July 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT, it’s only $29.97 to get a Microsoft Office lifetime license.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Hands-on with Tiny Vinyls new tiny record player
Table of Contents
The miniature record maker Tiny Vinyl has announced some tiny accessories for its pocket-sized singles, including a new Tiny Vinyl Player ($49.99), crate ($19.99), and display frame ($14.99). The lineup is available exclusively at Target starting today, July 12.
Tiny Vinyl debuted last August as a new way for music lovers to enjoy some of their favorite artists’ singles in physical format. (For my fellow Millennials out there, they’re basically a new take on HitClips.) Each four-inch, fully functional Tiny Vinyl record has one song per side and is numbered, making them highly collectible. The current Tiny Vinyl catalog features releases from several dozen artists, including BTS, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Kid Cudi, Noah Kahan, and Zara Larsson.
In a press release, Tiny Vinyl co-founder Neil Kohler said the company’s new accessories are a direct response to fan requests. Co-founder Jesse Mann added: “These new products give music fans and collectors everything they need to build out their own little Tiny Vinyl universe, a setup as fun and personal as the music they love.”
Hands-on with Tiny Vinyl’s new player and accessories
Tiny Viny’s new accessories range in price from $15 to $50.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Tiny Vinyl records are playable on many standard turntables at 33 RPM, making the Tiny Vinyl Player an inessential novelty purchase for most adults who are already into the vinyl-collecting hobby. I think it has much more appeal as a “baby’s first record player” that parents buy for their kids. My younger self would’ve had her American Girl Dolls DJing with it. (American Girl actually sells a toy turntable for the same price already, but it’s not functional.)
The player is a manual belt-drive turntable in a box with a faux leather exterior. Inside, there’s a small storage pocket, a simple control panel, and built-in speakers. It has Bluetooth support if you’d prefer to pair it with a nicer wireless speaker or headphones instead. You can also plug in a wired speaker on the back.
The storage pocket can comfortably fit about six Tiny Vinyl records — preferably, ones you’re not precious about. When the player’s lid is shut, it hits the corners of their gatefolds unless they’re pushed to the back of the pocket.
They are, indeed, tiny vinyl.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The player’s control panel features a power button, an audio output selector with an LED indicator light, and a volume slider. When it’s on, its silicon platter doesn’t start spinning until you unlock its plastic tonearm, raise it with its cue lever, and move it over the platter. The tonearm and its lock are a little delicate; those are the only parts I’d be worried about a child accidentally breaking.
Mashable Light Speed
Tiny Vinyl sent me three different mini-records to test on the player. It offers the kind of audio quality you’d expect for $50: pretty tinny, muffled, and a little distorted. (I also played the records on my regular turntable for comparison’s sake, and they sounded 10 times better.) On the upside, I couldn’t hear the player’s interior mechanisms at all when it was on — it runs really quietly.
The Tiny Vinyl Player supports Bluetooth and wired speakers. (That blue indicator light means it’s paired with my JBL Charge 5.)
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The Tiny Vinyl Player comes with a USB cord and power adapter. A company representative told me that it should only be plugged into an outlet, as hooking it up to a laptop or another device with a USB port won’t give it enough juice to work.
The Tiny Vinyl Storage Crate can hold up to 30 Tiny Vinyl records. It has the same pebbled pleather finish as the player and is designed to sit beneath it. There are four indents on its surface where the player’s feet are supposed to go.
The Tiny Vinyl Storage Crate can hold up to 30 mini-records. (I only had three on hand.)
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Tiny Vinyl’s new 2×2 Display Frame is meant to showcase your four favorite Tiny Vinyl covers. Its build quality is also on par for the price: It’s made with MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and an acrylic pane. Right out of the box, my initial review unit was splitting in several spots and had dried adhesive on some of its corners. (Tiny Vinyl had a replacement in the mail at the time of writing, and I’ll update this story if it’s any different.)
The display frame comes with four clear plastic sleeves bearing the Tiny Vinyl logo. The company rep confirmed that these are made from polypropylene, which won’t damage your records with off-gassing over time like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sleeves.
Vinyl is back in a not-tiny way
Tiny Vinyl records work on many standard turntables.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The press release noted that Tiny Vinyl’s inception was motivated by two recent trends: miniature collecting and vinyl collecting. The former gained popularity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, largely thanks to videos of miniature builds on social media. They tap into viewers’ desire for control, fascination with craft, and penchant for the adorable, experts told NPR last spring.
The vinyl revival, meanwhile, has been brewing for nearly two decades now. According to a report from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), U.S. vinyl sales have seen 19 years of consecutive growth. Last year, they hit $1 billion in revenue for the first time. (That’s not even counting pre-owned vinyl.) Call it the Taylor Swift effect: The singer-songwriter’s 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, sold over 1.6 million copies on vinyl last year, per a report from Luminate, an entertainment industry analytics company. That’s 5.5 times as many units as the second-bestselling vinyl release of 2025, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, which sold 292,000 copies.
There are several factors behind the vinyl resurgence, two being mere nostalgia and consumers’ growing interest in owning physical media. Another is because popular artists like Swift (and their labels) are embracing the format alongside their fans.
In recent years, this has increasingly involved a strategy of releasing multiple vinyl variants of the same album as a means of driving sales, according to another Luminate report. These special, often limited-edition pressings boost the collectible factor and fuel fan FOMO. (For her part, Swift released 11 different vinyl variants of TLOAS, including nine webstore exclusives that were only available for a short time.) Tiny Vinyl records, which are chart-eligible with the RIAA and Billboard, are yet more variants to hunt down.
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Jude Bellingham stars as England beat Norway to reach semis
Entertainment
Raunchy, R-Rated Horror Classic Succeeded By Completely Ignoring The Book
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Whenever we get a new movie based on a book, existing fans all have the same question: how accurate will the film be? After all, these literary lovers have spent countless hours envisioning these stories, and it’s hard enough for fans to accept actors who look different than the characters they envisioned. If a director deviates from the source material too much, those fans may even boycott the film. That’s why the Lord of the Rings movies remain the gold standard for literary adaptations: not only is the cast perfect, but every single frame was dripping with Peter Jackson’s love for J.R.R. Tolkien.
However, there are exceptions to every rule. One year before Elijah Wood suited up as Frodo Baggins, we got a raunchy, R-rated horror movie that became the stuff of pop culture legend. To this day, it inspires memes shared by everyone from Gen X to Gen Alpha. The movie is, of course, American Psycho. Did it succeed by being a loving, 1:1 adaptation of the book? Nope: in fact, writer/director Mary Harron changed major aspects of the work, including adding plenty of jet-black humor. The result is the greatest horror comedy since Scream, and a movie that (with my apologies to author Bret Easton Ellis) is much better than the book.
Killing Has Never Been So Cool
The premise of American Psycho is both simple and bloody. We follow the misadventures of Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale), who is an investment banker by day and a murderer by night. After he kills a colleague (played by Jared Leto), he ends up on the radar of a nosy detective (played by Willem Dafoe). Over the course of the movie, his mind slowly unravels, to the point that he’s weirding out everyone from his secretary (played by Chloë Sevigny) to his fiancée (played by Reese Witherspoon). Soon, it’s clear that New York City will never be the same, either for Bateman or the victims whose bodies litter his apartment.
If you have a dark enough sense of humor, Bret Easton Ellis can be a funny writer; go check out Rules of Attraction if you don’t believe me. With that being said, his American Psycho novel isn’t very funny, nor is it meant to be. The book actually opens with an epigraph from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes From the Underground. “Both the author of these Notes and the Notes themselves are, of course, fictional. Nevertheless, such persons as the composer of these Notes not only exist in our society, but indeed must exist.” The message is clear: there must be Patrick Batemans in real life, making American Psycho a cautionary tale.
A Killer Critic
Ellis was giving us a warning, one that seems downright quaint in a post-Epstein world. Namely, that rich people are committing countless obscene crimes that we don’t know about, using their wealth and fame to shield themselves from any suspicion. While that was a valid and very relevant warning cry when the book was published, the truth is that the text as written would have made for a film that alternates between boring and horrifying. Fortunately, American Psycho the movie embraces demented comedy at every turn, something that adds levity to even the most horrific moments.
Here’s an example: the Patrick Bateman of the books is downright obsessed with certain celebrities, leading to bizarre moments like him popping wood while staring at Bono during a concert (no, really!). The American Psycho movie condenses this into a simpler hyperfocus on modern music, setting the stage for his execution of Paul Allen. With newspapers to protect the floor and plastic sheeting to protect his suit, Bateman looks like he is channeling his inner Dexter. It all looks very grim, but it’s tough to take anything seriously because our onscreen killer is giving a smarmy, Pitchfork-style review of freaking Huey Lewis right before he starts swinging his axe.
The Mask Comes Off
While the American Psycho movie arguably softens Patrick Bateman in certain ways, it does so in order to fit the deliciously black comedy tone. For example, the killer in the book is extremely homophobic, something that is seemingly absent in the movie. I say “seemingly” because in its place, we have Bateman giving a lofty speech about ending apartheid, feeding the homeless, promoting civil rights, championing women’s rights, and returning to “traditional moral values.” It’s obvious in this scene that he’s completely full of sh*t and just saying what people want to hear. This is part of his mask, allowing him to hide the monster lurking right beneath the surface.
Perhaps the most important change from page to screen was removing Patrick Bateman’s justifications for murder. In the book, we get ostensible explanations for why he is killing people, but these explanations make little sense and are often contradictory. While that is reasonable in an “anyone can justify anything” kind of way, the American Psycho movie wisely dispenses with this to the point that neither the audience nor Bateman himself understands his nihilistic need to kill. Leaving this up to interpretation has entertained fans for decades, all while underscoring the book’s bleak themes. Bateman is a symptom of our world and not the sickness itself, and that’s the scariest thing of all.
American Psycho is very nearly a perfect horror movie, one that perfectly showcased Christian Bale’s acting chops before he became the Dark Knight. The movie blends heady themes about nihilism, violence, misogyny, and bro culture, delivering unforgettable kills with one bloody hand and unforgettable laughs with the other. If you’d care to revisit this awesome film, you don’t have to spend any money, so there’s no need to feed a cat to your nearest ATM. All you have to do is stream American Psycho for free on Tubi!
Entertainment
This $145 ASUS Chromebook is a laptop and tablet in one
TL;DR: Get two gadgets in one with this ASUS Chromebook CM30, on sale now for only $144.97 (reg. $369.99) through July 19.
$144.97
$369.99
Save $225.02
If you’re in the market for a laptop and a tablet, you have a pretty steep price tag ahead of you. The ASUS Chromebook CM30 solves for that, giving you two devices in one thanks to a detachable keyboard.
Right now, you can bring home this multitasking device for less than you would pay for just one of those items — $144.97 — until July 19.
Mashable Deals
The world asks a lot of us these days. Since we’re all used to multitasking, our devices should be able to do it too. This ASUS Chromebook CM30 is up to the task — offering an easy way to switch from a productivity laptop to a relaxation tablet in just a few seconds.
The ASUS Chromebook is a 2-in-1 device powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, delivering smooth, efficient performance. 8GB RAM and 128GB eMMC storage let you multitask, save files locally, and have enough room for your favorite apps.
The 10.5-inch touchscreen delivers crisp visuals and intuitive touch control and easily detaches from the keyboard to provide a sleeker user experience. There’s also a garaged stylus with fast-charging technology that lets you change things up when you’re tired of tapping.
This Chromebook arrives running Chrome OS, an efficient operating system for today’s busy world. There are also dual 5MP front and rear cameras for capturing images and hopping on video calls.
You’ll enjoy up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, and plenty of ports for your connectivity needs. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 help you connect anywhere, and you can rest easy taking this ASUS Chromebook along with you thanks to its military-grade aluminum chassis that offers rugged protection on the go.
Mashable Deals
You’re saving over $200 thanks to this model’s Grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing on the case.
Bring home an ASUS Chromebook CM30 for just $144.97 today.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Microsoft Office is finally a one-time purchase, and it’s only $30
TL;DR: Instead of paying for Microsoft 365 every month, get a Microsoft Office lifetime license while they’re on sale for $29.97. Sale ends July 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
$29.97
$219.99
Save $190.02
You might not want to keep paying for Microsoft 365 anymore. At its absolute cheapest, Microsoft 365 is $99.99 per year, and that’s if you pay for the full year up front, but it’s also not your only option anymore. Instead of paying for the same software year after year, now you can get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office installed directly onto your PC, and it’s only $29.97 (reg. $219.99) on sale.
You don’t have to pay a monthly fee to get the core Microsoft apps anymore.
This version of Microsoft Office comes with
-
Word
-
Excel
-
PowerPoint
-
Outlook
-
Publisher
-
Access
-
OneNote
-
Teams (free version)
Just keep in mind that Microsoft is ending support for Publisher in October, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use it. It just means it won’t be changing anymore, which may actually be a good thing if you like your apps to look the same tomorrow as they were yesterday.
This license is a little different from Microsoft 365. It doesn’t come with extras like cloud storage, or the new AI integrations, but for many users, that’s actually a good thing. The AI integrations are still being worked out, so sudden updates can totally change your workflow. If you want a simple, reliable set of tools to work with, this is an excellent option for a great price.
Mashable Deals
Through July 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT, it’s only $29.97 to get a Microsoft Office lifetime license.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Hands-on with Tiny Vinyls new tiny record player
Table of Contents
The miniature record maker Tiny Vinyl has announced some tiny accessories for its pocket-sized singles, including a new Tiny Vinyl Player ($49.99), crate ($19.99), and display frame ($14.99). The lineup is available exclusively at Target starting today, July 12.
Tiny Vinyl debuted last August as a new way for music lovers to enjoy some of their favorite artists’ singles in physical format. (For my fellow Millennials out there, they’re basically a new take on HitClips.) Each four-inch, fully functional Tiny Vinyl record has one song per side and is numbered, making them highly collectible. The current Tiny Vinyl catalog features releases from several dozen artists, including BTS, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Kid Cudi, Noah Kahan, and Zara Larsson.
In a press release, Tiny Vinyl co-founder Neil Kohler said the company’s new accessories are a direct response to fan requests. Co-founder Jesse Mann added: “These new products give music fans and collectors everything they need to build out their own little Tiny Vinyl universe, a setup as fun and personal as the music they love.”
Hands-on with Tiny Vinyl’s new player and accessories
Tiny Viny’s new accessories range in price from $15 to $50.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Tiny Vinyl records are playable on many standard turntables at 33 RPM, making the Tiny Vinyl Player an inessential novelty purchase for most adults who are already into the vinyl-collecting hobby. I think it has much more appeal as a “baby’s first record player” that parents buy for their kids. My younger self would’ve had her American Girl Dolls DJing with it. (American Girl actually sells a toy turntable for the same price already, but it’s not functional.)
The player is a manual belt-drive turntable in a box with a faux leather exterior. Inside, there’s a small storage pocket, a simple control panel, and built-in speakers. It has Bluetooth support if you’d prefer to pair it with a nicer wireless speaker or headphones instead. You can also plug in a wired speaker on the back.
The storage pocket can comfortably fit about six Tiny Vinyl records — preferably, ones you’re not precious about. When the player’s lid is shut, it hits the corners of their gatefolds unless they’re pushed to the back of the pocket.
They are, indeed, tiny vinyl.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The player’s control panel features a power button, an audio output selector with an LED indicator light, and a volume slider. When it’s on, its silicon platter doesn’t start spinning until you unlock its plastic tonearm, raise it with its cue lever, and move it over the platter. The tonearm and its lock are a little delicate; those are the only parts I’d be worried about a child accidentally breaking.
Mashable Light Speed
Tiny Vinyl sent me three different mini-records to test on the player. It offers the kind of audio quality you’d expect for $50: pretty tinny, muffled, and a little distorted. (I also played the records on my regular turntable for comparison’s sake, and they sounded 10 times better.) On the upside, I couldn’t hear the player’s interior mechanisms at all when it was on — it runs really quietly.
The Tiny Vinyl Player supports Bluetooth and wired speakers. (That blue indicator light means it’s paired with my JBL Charge 5.)
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The Tiny Vinyl Player comes with a USB cord and power adapter. A company representative told me that it should only be plugged into an outlet, as hooking it up to a laptop or another device with a USB port won’t give it enough juice to work.
The Tiny Vinyl Storage Crate can hold up to 30 Tiny Vinyl records. It has the same pebbled pleather finish as the player and is designed to sit beneath it. There are four indents on its surface where the player’s feet are supposed to go.
The Tiny Vinyl Storage Crate can hold up to 30 mini-records. (I only had three on hand.)
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Tiny Vinyl’s new 2×2 Display Frame is meant to showcase your four favorite Tiny Vinyl covers. Its build quality is also on par for the price: It’s made with MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and an acrylic pane. Right out of the box, my initial review unit was splitting in several spots and had dried adhesive on some of its corners. (Tiny Vinyl had a replacement in the mail at the time of writing, and I’ll update this story if it’s any different.)
The display frame comes with four clear plastic sleeves bearing the Tiny Vinyl logo. The company rep confirmed that these are made from polypropylene, which won’t damage your records with off-gassing over time like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sleeves.
Vinyl is back in a not-tiny way
Tiny Vinyl records work on many standard turntables.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The press release noted that Tiny Vinyl’s inception was motivated by two recent trends: miniature collecting and vinyl collecting. The former gained popularity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, largely thanks to videos of miniature builds on social media. They tap into viewers’ desire for control, fascination with craft, and penchant for the adorable, experts told NPR last spring.
The vinyl revival, meanwhile, has been brewing for nearly two decades now. According to a report from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), U.S. vinyl sales have seen 19 years of consecutive growth. Last year, they hit $1 billion in revenue for the first time. (That’s not even counting pre-owned vinyl.) Call it the Taylor Swift effect: The singer-songwriter’s 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, sold over 1.6 million copies on vinyl last year, per a report from Luminate, an entertainment industry analytics company. That’s 5.5 times as many units as the second-bestselling vinyl release of 2025, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, which sold 292,000 copies.
There are several factors behind the vinyl resurgence, two being mere nostalgia and consumers’ growing interest in owning physical media. Another is because popular artists like Swift (and their labels) are embracing the format alongside their fans.
In recent years, this has increasingly involved a strategy of releasing multiple vinyl variants of the same album as a means of driving sales, according to another Luminate report. These special, often limited-edition pressings boost the collectible factor and fuel fan FOMO. (For her part, Swift released 11 different vinyl variants of TLOAS, including nine webstore exclusives that were only available for a short time.) Tiny Vinyl records, which are chart-eligible with the RIAA and Billboard, are yet more variants to hunt down.
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