Collecting vinyl has had a massive resurgence in the last decade or so, practically replacing other forms of physical media like CDs. While many people obtain vinyls as collectibles or display pieces, there are plenty of audiophiles who collect vinyls for their crisp, unparalleled audio.
If you’re in the second group, you’ll need a turntable to play your vinyl. But with such a rich market, it’s tough to tell what brands and products are in the space as great options, and which are just trying to cash in. We’ve collected a list of some of our favorite turntables and record players, so you can listen to your favorite album until the needle needs resetting.
AudioTechnica AT-LP60X-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable
Great for all users
The AudioTechnica AT-LP60X-BK is a fully automatic belt-driven turntable. This is the best choice overall for anyone from beginners to enthusiasts.
AudioTechnica - usually stylized as Audio-Technica or simply AT - is one of thebiggest namesin modern turntables. They have products for nearly any “level” of vinyl enthusiast, but few of them can compete with the AT-LP60X-BK (we’ll just call it the LP60X).
This turntable is perfect for anyone, but it’s most popular among beginners. The automatic needle moves and stops on its own with the press of a button so you don’t have to worry about manually putting it in place. It also has variable speeds, so you can listen to records at different RPMs. As a writer’s note - I have this one! It’s never let me down, and I enthusiastically suggest it to anyone, but particularly people entering the hobby for the first time.
Sony PS-LX310BT Belt Drive Turntable
Full of features, but a bit pricy
The Sony PS-LX310BT Turntable is an excellent beginner option, though its price puts it a bit higher than some beginners may want when it comes to investing in their setup. For its cost, it offers multiple excellent benefits and can serve you long past your “beginner” phase.
Sony has its hands in nearly every peripheral and home entertainment industry, and it’s not known for letting us down. We’ve selected the PS-LX310BT Turntable as our choice for a great belt-driven turntable that’s just a touch out of the “beginner” price range.
Despite the slightly higher price, it’s still much more affordable than some of the luxurious options you’ll find in the space. It has a simple, minimalist aesthetic so that it isn’t a dominant part of your audio display, letting you design the area around your vinyl and the album covers you love instead of taking the attention away from them.
Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player
Great aesthetics, super versatile
The Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record is a great choice for people who are more interested in a visual setup than playing their vinyl. While this is still a functional choice, its quality as a record player is overshadowed by the strong competition in the scene.
If you’re looking for a functional novelty piece, the Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 is an excellent option. It certainly has its roots in nostalgia, and at first glance, this “archaic” visual seems like it might be the main draw. But you don’t have to worry about this being a novelty and nothing more; this is a fully functional vinyl player for any purpose.
The Victrola Nostalgic is also a Bluetooth player, so you can connect it to external speakers with ease. We also recommend this turntable if you’re listening to more physical media, as the “six in one” name refers to the different media available, including CDs, cassettes, radio, and more.
Audio-Technica ATLP120XBT Stereo Turntable
Great for experienced users
Audio-Technica’s products range from beginner to expert, but the ATLP120XBT lands somewhere in the middle. This is a great choice for enthusiasts who want a bit more control over their music.
AT’s turntables are legendary, but while many of them are focused on entry-level or beginner-friendly features, some buck that trend. The ATLP120XBT is an excellent example of an “expert-level” turntable for enthusiasts who want to have a bit more control over their equipment.
The 120XBT puts control into the user’s hands by removing most automatic features, allowing full control over what the piece is doing at all times. It carries the same slim, minimalist aesthetic that most AT equipment does. While this is a pricier option, it’s arguably AT’s best choice on the market.
Seasonlife Vintage Vinyl Record Player with Speakers
Perfect entry-level performance
If you’re looking for a turntable on a budget, this record player is a wonderful choice. While its quality is undoubtedly not quite as high as other options, it’s a great entry-level piece to get you started.
Vinyl is a fantastic hobby, and finding the right turntable feels like a massive success. But one thing can’t be denied - it’s not a hobby that comes cheap. If you’re a vinyl enthusiast on a budget, Seasonlife is a brand we strongly recommend keeping your eye on. They tend to fall under the radar on account of not being as big as other names in the space, but they provide excellent products at a price range that most of their competitors simply don’t.
The Seasonlife Vintage Vinyl Record Player is one of their best budget options. Partially, this is because it comes with built-in speakers, which many turntables don’t include. That lets you get listening to your favorite record quickly, though it does need to be said that the built-in speakers aren’t near the audio quality of external speakers. Still, it’s a great option to get listening while you save for new speakers.
ANGELS HORN Vinyl Record Player
Perfect out of the box
ANGELS HORN is a great choice if you want a turntable that’s functional the moment you take it out of the box. This piece is pricy, but a large chunk of that price is because it comes with matching speakers.
ANGELS HORN is a wonderful turntable option for people who want a full, functioning set to listen to vinyl the moment they open the box. This set is most notable for coming with a set of external speakers, designed with a woodgrain that beautifully matches the turntable. All three combine for a minimalist, albeit rustic, aesthetic.
These included speakers are more than adequate for most listeners, though audiophiles will certainly find options in the speaker space that can outperform them. This option is also a bit pricier than many others due to it coming with speakers, so if you’re on a budget, there may be better options in the space for you to explore.
FAQ
Do Turntables Require External Speakers?
It depends on the turntable in question. We’ve included several here that come with speakers, as well as several that will need external speakers to output audio. One thing is for certain: external speakers tend to provide a better audio quality than most with built-in speakers. We suggest external speakers for this fact, but if you’re on a budget, there’s nothing wrong with using a turntable with built-in speakers.
Are Turntables, Record Players, And Vinyl Players The Same Thing?
Generally, these terms are used interchangeably, yes! The primary difference between the terms is that, technically speaking, a turntable ispartof a record player. Turntables don’t come with a built-in preamp, amplifier, or speaker. Adding these features (among some others) will make a turntable a record player.
How Do I Pick A Good Turntable?
Start with setting a budget. Afterward, look for a reputable brand that delivers turntables people trust. From there, we suggest looking at features and deciding which ones you need and don’t need. You can save money by getting a pure turntable, or you can shell out a bit more for a “proper” record player and get a full system.
