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The Best Turntables

Last updated on September 28, 2022

We looked at the top 9 Turntables and dug through the reviews from 6 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Turntables.

Best Turntables

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So you’ve decided to invest in a record player? If you’ve made up your mind, congratulations: The very fact that you have one in your home will make you just a little bit cooler. Buying a turntable signifies that you care about your music. That a song means more to you to than just background noise while you’re washing the dishes. Let the debates rage on as to whether the sound quality of vinyl can truly trump that of digital files. Every physical record bought puts more money back into the pocket of the artist than pressing play on any app, and that helps keep the music alive in a very real way.

Having said that, you’re going to want that turntable to sound as impressive as possible given your budget — unless you really are just buying it for cool points. That’s where things get tricky.

The good news is that thanks to DJ culture, turntable technology had improved considerably over the past few decades, and it’s even made record players more affordable overall. While true audiophiles might drop $800 or more for a high-end unit, there are plenty of full-featured and even impressive turntables available in the range of $200 to $500. You can even find serviceable players for under $100, but beware. You get what you pay for, and some cheaper turntables can actually harm your records over time.

Considering that a turntable is basically just a way to get a record to spin smoothly while a needle runs along its surface, there are a surprising array of parts involved. But the main ones you need to worry about are the stylus, the tonearm, the drive and the preamp (or lack thereof).

The stylus is essentially a fancy word for the needle, the pointed part that touches your record and actually “reads” the sound. Most modern styli are made out of diamond or sapphire, so as you can imagine they can make up a good chunk of the cost. The material actually matters less than the shape of stylus, which falls into two main categories: Spherical or elliptical. Spherical styli are the most common, and their wider profile tracks less of the smaller grooves. As a result, you won’t get the most dynamic range in the high frequencies, though the tip itself tends to suffer a bit less wear and tear. Elliptical styli cut deeper and therefore can pick up a wider frequency, at the cost of more frequent replacements. If you get into some high-end turntables, you might find hyperelliptical or Microfine stylus types that combine the best of both worlds — for a price.

The tonearm is the arm that holds the cartridge (the housing mechanism for the stylus), lifting it onto the record. Your main options here are automatic or manual, both of which are self-explanatory. Manual tonearms require you to drop the stylus onto the record (carefully!) and automatic ones will do it for you at the press of a button. While automatic tonearms might be the obvious choice, some vinyl lovers actually prefer the ritual of placing the needle. There are also some who contend the excess weight in some automatic tonearms can harm the vinyl over time.

The drive is the mechanism that actually makes the turntable turn. First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that drive is capable of playing the record at the correct speed (33 or 45 RPM — or in rare cases, 78 RPM). Then there’s the actual type of mechanism, which can be either a belt drive or a direct drive. Belt-driven players are the old school type still preferred by connoisseurs since they tend to be more silent. As a trade-off, you may have to replace the belt eventually if your player sees a lot of use. Direct drive turntables have a dedicated motor that spins the platter, which is sometimes audible but more convenient.

Finally, you’re going to want a way to get that sound out to your speakers, provided the turntable doesn’t come with its own built-in. That’s where a preamp comes in. Without getting into the audiophile technicalities, a preamp amplifies the signal from your record to a level that allows it to be picked up by the speakers. Many modern turntables do have a preamp built-in, and that’s definitely the case if they come with their own speakers (or if they have Bluetooth connectivity). That’s definitely convenient but be advised that a separate preamp will allow you more control over the sound quality if you plan on investing in a high-end audio setup.

You can expect many modern turntables to also come with Bluetooth connectivity or a USB port. This can open up a whole new set of options if you just want to play music from your smartphone or convert those old vinyl records into digital albums. Either way, you can expect a quality turntable to become the centerpiece for any party, and for a lot of musical nostalgia.

Our Picks For The Top Turntables

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Top Pick

ByronStatics Auto-Stop Diamond Stylus Turntable

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

ByronStatics

Auto-Stop Diamond Stylus Turntable

This faux leather turntable folds up like a suitcase and has a handy carrying handle, so you can head to a friends for a night of music and dancing. The unit comes in a choice of black or teal and is nice and lightweight. It's able to accept three different record sizes, as well as operate in three separate speeds.

Overall Take

Travel-FriendlyThis turntable has a headphone jack, so you can listen to your favorite tunes without disturbing a roommate.

  Runner Up

ION Audio RCA Outputs Digital Conversion Turntable

ION Audio

RCA Outputs Digital Conversion Turntable

Although this turntable has a set of speakers, it can also be connected to your favorite Bluetooth device. Users will love the turntable's elegant black finish, as well as its user-friendly design. One features that sets this model above all others is the ability to convert tracks into digital files that can then be enjoyed on other devices.

Overall Take

Convert Your TracksThis turntable has a wireless range of up to 100 feet.

  We Also Like

Victrola Easy Carry Retro Turntable

Victrola

Easy Carry Retro Turntable

This turntable nails the look and feel of the early Victrola players. That alone will be enough for beginners, and the quality is impressive (though true audiophiles may want to hook up some speakers). No vinyl? No problem, thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity.

Overall Take

Stylish Beginner's UnitThis player can accommodate old vinyl or Bluetooth audio with equal amounts of style.

  Strong Contender

Fluance Sound Isolating Analog Turntable

Fluance

Sound Isolating Analog Turntable

High-quality construction is what you can expect from this attractive turntable. The unit is made using a solid wood and outfitted with sound isolation feet to keep vibrations under control. You'll also find the sound is superior to other models, thanks to the upgraded elliptical stylus and the balanced counterweight.

Overall Take

Multiple Finishes AvailableYou'll find this turntable comes in a choice of a white, black or walnut finish.

  Also Great

ANGELS HORN Anti-Skating Classic Turntable

ANGELS HORN

Anti-Skating Classic Turntable

This turntable model has been upgraded to include Bluetooth 5.0, allowing you to play your record through your wireless speakers. The turntable offers two speeds and has both an adjustable counterweight and a premium cartridge. Music lovers will also appreciate that the model is sold in a choice of mahogany or walnut.

Overall Take

Wireless ConnectivityThis turntable is capable of playing both 33 1/3 and 45 rotations per minute records.

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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the turntables available to purchase.
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We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Victrola Easy Carry Retro Turntable

Our Total Score

9.9

Our Take

This turntable nails the look and feel of the early Victrola players. That alone will be enough for beginners, and the quality is impressive (though true audiophiles may want to hook up some speakers). No vinyl? No problem, thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity.

What to Look For

Once you’ve invested in a turntable, you’ll want to care for it properly. if you don’t have a cover for your platter, you’ll want to find a turntable mat to minimize the amount of dust that settles on the surface. Even a small amount of dust can cause pops and even scratches, both of which can ruin your records — not to mention a good musical vibe. Rubber mats will attract less dust than cloth ones, and don’t forget to wipe down your records with a brush or even cleaning fluid before they get played. A little care can turn a record collection into a lasting heirloom, after all.

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