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What Is the Best Turn Table Record Player? Read Our Turntable Reviews!
If you were looking to get yourself a new turntable, here are some of the best turntables available in the market now—from pocket-friendly record players for beginners to high-end turntables for music enthusiasts and pros. Rather than choosing the best that money can buy, we’ve opted for variety in terms of money and features. Hopefully, there’s one with the right features and price tag for you.
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Our Top Choice
The Audio-Technica Direct-Drive Professional Record Player with USB Compatibility is manually-operated and can play records at 33.3, 45, and 78 RPM. It even comes with a high-torque direct-drive motor for fast startups. However, if you were looking for a turntable with Bluetooth, the
Audio Technica Fully Automatic Bluetooth Belt Drive Stereo Turntable might be perfect for you.
Audio-Technica Direct-Drive Professional Turntable Record Player - Analog & USB, Fully Manual, Hi-Fi, 3 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital, Anti-Skate and Variable Pitch Control
Features
Audio-Technica has been a leading brand in electro-acoustic products for decades. Its motto of “always listening” should give you some idea of the types of products it manufactures.
Its passion for music is evident in the Direct Drive Professional Turntable; it's not just pretty on the outside, but hosts a whole load of great features for beginners and professionals alike.
Let’s take a look at some of the awesome features you can expect:
- Direct drive design
- Target light
- Stroboscope
- Reverse switch
- +/-20% pitch control
- Playback speeds: 33.3RPM, 45RPM, and 78RPM
- Included are: an aluminum platter, tone arm, and AT-P2 cartridge
- USB port so you can connect and transfer records to your computer
Although both aesthetically pleasing, you can choose between silver or black as the color of your turntable, to ensure it fits in just perfectly with your style.
Best Value
Electrohome Winston Vinyl 3-in-1 Classic Turntable Record Player – Available with or without USB Recording
Features
When electronic goods are in question, scarcely is there a company currently operating on the market that can boast of some long-term experience, especially if you compare them with some other industries. (Some German knife-making firms have been around for two-hundred years!) Well, Electrohome would be an exception, as this proud business has been putting forth its design solutions for over a century now! Specializing in intricate electronics and home entertainment, these folks have been creating some of the most stylish playback devices in America, and judging from some of their recent efforts, they haven't been planning on letting up anytime soon.
In the past couple of years, the company of Electrohome has had a certain shift towards the multipurpose, as it believes that its devices should allow customers to enjoy their music regardless of the medium in question. Thus, its latest line of playback devices allows you to play vinyl records, CDs, meddle with USB devices, formats, the entire lot! So, if you'd like to buy one of its devices, or are simply interested in what these guys are all about, head out to their webpage and learn more.
Now, the Electrohome's Winston Vinyl Record Player looks like a device that could easily become a prop in a period movie or even sit still at a museum for awhile! Despite its ancient appearance, this bundle of electronics can actually play vinyl records, CDs, and even had AM/FM radio built in.
A list of the most important features for the Electrohome's Winston Record Player:
- Plays vinyl records and CDs
- Supports AM/FM radio
- Illuminated tuning dial
- Automatic belt-drive turntable mechanism
- Sapphire-tipped ceramic needle
- Durable construction
Assuming the name of a Britain's Second World War chancellor Sir Churchill, and the looks of a piece of furniture he might have sat on, the Electrohome's Winston Record Player is a device that can truly enhance your living quarters both visually and melodically, so to speak. There's also a headphone port, for good measure! What's not to love?
Oh, and you can purchase this device with or without the ability to record USB—how convenient is that?
TEAC's All-In-One Record Player Stereo System with Bluetooth combines vintage style with modern playback options including a CD recorder/player that plays CDs, MP3, and WMA files, and supports Bluetooth devices for wireless playback. Teac offers a variety of all in one record player systems, as well as
many Classic Turntables sold individually.
Teac All-In-One Record Player Stereo System Turntable with Bluetooth – Wireless Audio Streaming, CD Player, AM/FM Tuner and Speakers
Features
For a number of years, TEAC America has been known as the leader when it comes to the manufacture of all-in-one home audio systems because of their quality, design, and build. Recently, TEAC added the LP-P1000 to its family of turntables and we are sure it will build on its reputation.
The new LP-P1000 turntable is an all-in-one music system, with a FM/AM tuner, CD player, and a Bluetooth receiver. The retro-modern design and two-way speaker system offers you benefits that most other competitors can't.
Here are some of the features you can expect from your Teac Turntable:
- Three Play Speeds: 33.3, 45, and 78 RPM
- Auto-return Tone Arm: returns to resting position automatically when finished playing records
- Vibration-resistant Rubber Mat: absorbs vibrations and prevents skipping during playback
- Bluetooth Connection: allows you to play music wirelessly through your smartphone or tablet device
- CD Player: plays CD, CD-R/RW, MP3, and WMA files
- Playback Modes Include: shuffle play, program play (max 32 tracks), and repeat play
- LCD Display: shows the song titles and artist names
- Added Features: Two auxiliary audio inputs, RCA jack on the back, and a stereo mini jack at the front
- PLL-synthesized AM/FM Stereo Tuner: stores up to 40 (20 AM + 20 FM) stations
- Headphone Output: left/right balance control
- Bass-reflex Speakers: these are two-way
- Remote Controller: bass/treble control
Coming from a young but plucky company specializing in the production of all kinds of high-tech devices, the Victrola 8-in-1 Bluetooth Turntable Entertainment Center is a playback contraption with retro looks and modern-day electronics! If you'd like a simpler, suitcase-like model, check out the Victrola Vintage Suitcase Bluetooth Turntable instead. We particularly love the one with the 70's
retro tie dye design.
Innovative Technology Victrola 8-in-1 Classic Turntable with Bluetooth - Record Player & Multimedia Center, Built-in Stereo Speakers, Wireless Music Streaming, Multiple Designs
Features
Founded some 15 years ago by a bloke called Corey Lieblein, Innovative Technology is a company that started out small, with a rather modest roster of products counting only—1. Talk about a one trick pony, huh! Its times of “single-productness”, so to speak, were about to change, however, as its plucky team set off to work in an illustrious effort to launch the business further into the murky waters of the global market. Nowadays, the company has branched out to more than 10 different countries, and counts over 300 various electronic products for this and that!
Throughout their short existence on the market, the folks at Innovative Technology have had a goal to reach, and it pretty much consisted of making the best cutting-edge products that can compete with some of the well-established businesses, and organizing a customer support that will prove to its customers that it’s serious about what it makes. So far so good, we'd say, and if you'd like to learn more about this business, check out its official website and also, maybe create an account.
As for its 8-in-1 beast of a vintage-looking (and we imagine—smelling!) turntable, it's a proper treat for anyone who's into retro style and some good music! (We meant good, wooden kind of smell, by the way.) That's right; possessing three different speeds of reproduction and offering a Bluetooth-based data transfer system, this cheeky little model may look like it came straight from the 1920s, but it sure acts like a modern-day contraption.
The list of features for the Innovative Technology's Victrola Vintage Turntable:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Plays at three different speeds
- Can record directly to a USB device
- Comes with a built-in CD
- AM/FM radio-enabled
- Headphone jack
All in all, a curious piece of design coming our way from the Innovative Technology engineers. This Victrola contraption enables you to not only play your favorite vinyl records, but also putter about with radios, USB cables, and other wonders of modern technology! Add to that the retro design and you've got yourself a proper mantel-top masterpiece! Oh, and did we mention that this device comes in five color options? Choose from black, white, espresso, mahogany, and oak!
The 1byone Bluetooth Turntable combines the classic style with modern technology with the vinyl-to-MP3 recording system. If you’re looking for a classic turntable that comes with speakers, the
1byone Wireless Turntable HiFi System is a best seller. It’s a patented designed vinyl record player with magnetic cartridge, wireless playback and auto off.
1byone Belt Driven Classic Turntable with Wireless Connectivity, Built-in Phono Pre-amp, USB Digital Output Vinyl Stereo Record Player with Magnetic Cartridge, 33 or 45 RPM
Features
1Byone is a popular brand that is developing their business worldwide - by creating products that actually help them connect with the people, experiences, and activities they love. One such product is turntables, a special musical device that sits in a special place in many of their people's hearts, whether they just discovered it or grew up listening to vinyl.
In order to meet the needs of both these groups, 1byone came up with their Belt-Drive turntable to be a time machine that takes you back to the old generation, with its classical wooden design, or to be a powerful tool you can experiment with, with in-built Bluetooth-technology and MP3 recording.
The 1byone Bluetooth Record Player features an auto-stop for both the record player and the USB Flash Drive when the record reaches the end, which is absolutely awesome! The speakers are adequate; though you might get an additional speaker add-on to boost the sound. The turntable comes with a cover which can be closed around everything to prevent your records being scratched by your pets or anything else!
In addition, the 1byone belt-driven Bluetooth turntable comes with these awesome features:
- Classic design
- Dust cover – to prevent any unwanted debris or scratches
- Three selectable speed settings
- Built-in stereo speakers provide optimized sound and clarity
- Bluetooth and plug-and-play features – allow you to listen to music from any of your devices through your turntable
If the natural wood design doesn’t float your boat, this Bluetooth turntable also comes in black!
Best Record Player Buying Guide: Professional Turntables vs Classic Turntable vs Turntable with Bluetooth – Which Is Right for You?
Turntables are prized piece of equipment that has been around in their modern form for ages. Despite competitions from digital CD, audio players, and other players, they are still produced in a wide range of price and feature points. Questions such as “How do I choose a record player” depend on what you want. Maybe you are looking for one that has a belt drive rather than a direct drive player. Or maybe, you want a turntable that has a phono preamp, so that you can boost the volume up just a little bit more.
It is important to know that many of these players will not have all these features simply because some were built for professional DJ’s while others were only designed for vintage record lovers, so the final decision will definitely need to take into consideration how you plan on using this piece of audio equipment.
Right now, if you do not understand this information, please don’t panic. We’ll tell you exactly what you should be looking for when buying a record player. We’ll take it step by step to help you find a suitable turntable for your specific needs.
In our quest to find the best turntable for our readers, we found over 1,000 different turntables in these popular categories – belt driven turntables, direct-drive professional turntables, and vintage turntables, among others. Before we turn to our top 5 recommendations, we are going to take a look at the 4 crucial things to consider before purchasing a turntable or record player, to get the most out of your investment.
Video: How to use a Record Player
How to Use a Turn Table. | Courtesy of Breanna Vince
Price
There are over hundred, if not thousands, types of turntables available in the market today, in a wide range of prices. For example, you can get some record players for as low as $20 to $30 per piece, while others may cost you up to $30,000 or even more designed for professional use.
So, first, you will need to establish a budget so that it will help you narrow down your search.
Turntables that cost less than $100 are considered cheap players, but it will help you get your toes into the water before committing to something substantial.
Turntables that cost between $300 and $500 offer you the most out of your investment. At this price point, you will be able to find brand-new high-quality turntables, without any difficulty, it just depends on what features are a “must-have” for you.
Turntables in the $500 or more price point are really great pieces, particularly designed for collectors and serious audiophiles. But once you get past the $1000 price mark and into tens of thousands of price range, you will be looking at more art pieces and extreme collectibles.
For our review, we wanted to collect a range of five record players that had something to offer the average user and also didn’t break the bank. The turntables in this review range from $129.99 to $322.95, so not for the fanatical audiophile, but a mix of reasonably priced tables for beginners, hobbyists or start-up collectors.
Features
Knowing how to find the 'right' turntable involves assessing what you need and knowing what to look for. Besides the price factor, you should also consider these crucial features before looking for a turntable.
Do you need a belt drive or direct drive turntable?
- Belt drive turntables are for audiophile community, while the direct drive turntables are for professional disc jockeys (DJ).
- Direct drive turntables allow DJs to rotate the platter backwards with their hand, which creates cool audio effects. It also offers very consistent rotational speed.
Do you need a manual or an automatic turntable?
- Turntables are also classified as either manual or automatic. Manual turntables require the user to lift the arm manually and place it on the spinning record, prized by many audio enthusiasts.
- On the other hand automatic turntables can play itself with just a push of a button, and highly suitable for people who simply want to sit back and enjoy listening to some good ol’ records.
Or, perhaps you want a turntable with a built-in phono preamp that will raise the volume up to a manipulative level.
If you’re stuck choosing, refer to above points to make your decision smoother and hassle free.
Construction and Design
Turntables usually look and operate very simply, but there are many small parts that work together to produce high-quality sound. If you see someone going for a high-end turntable (over $500, for e.g.), then trust us when we say that they are paying for increased precision and stability rather than anything else.
A turntables main purpose it to place a needle on a moving record to produce music. It's such a simple mechanism, you say, but do you know that a single record groove is smaller than a width of a human hair?
Here are key components that play a huge role into re-creating the sound on the record with as much precision as possible.
- Plinth - It's the foundation of a turntable that ensures its stability for good playback. It could be made from wood, metal, or plastic.
- Platter - The rotating component over which the record spins. The heavier the platter, the better. Most platters can play at the speed of 33RPM and 45RPM, but you will need to buy an additional turntable if you wanted to play a rather old 78RPM format record.
- Tonearm - The arm designed to place the needle gently over the record to produce sound, which also maintains a consistent sound/speed of the record.
- Cartridge/stylus - A stylus is a needle, and a cartridge is a housing that supports the stylus. Many people recommend that you "spend some extra money on a good cartridge" because even a slight upgrade can improve the sound quality of your system dramatically.
Video: How to Properly Setup Your Turntable
Setup of a Brand New Turntable. | Courtesy of Gentec International
Performance and Ease of Use
One should focus on the ease of use before looking for a turntable because you will be using your hands a lot of time compared with other music playing devices.
It's important to assess the original set-up of a turntable right from the beginning, including how easy it is to attach the platter, belt, and any other adjustments that are required before using it. What about the manual? Well, it has to be thorough with easy to understand instructions, clearly explaining speed selection and cueing a track.
If you’re an avid hobbyist then you probably won’t have any problem operating an old-fashioned record player. However, some of you millennials out there might find it easier to start off with a modern, technology based turntable. Kids and their technology nowadays!
Get the Best Turntable of 2021!
If you went through these top five turntables, you might realize how good they are for beginners as well as hard-core music fans and professional DJs. Whether you were looking to buy your first deck, rip your vinyl using a USB deck, or upgrade to a professional-level model, these turntables will be worth your investment. Feeling excited? Pick your favorite and get the beats playing—or see what else our featured brands have on offer.
Our Top Choice
Audio-Technica Direct-Drive Turntable
Best Value
Electrohome Winston Vinyl Record Player
Teac All-In-One Turntable Stereo System
Victrola 8-in-1 Vintage Look Turntable System
1byone Belt Drive Wireless Record Player
Turntable FAQs
What is a turntable?
A turntable is a device used to play sound recordings on vinyl phonograph records. It is composed of a cartridge (tonearm) and the platter spinning the record. Check out our review for more details.
How set up a turntable?
To set up a turntable, you should connect the different parts. But, first, you should use the RCA cable to plug into the output port on the turntable. If your turntable is belt-driven, you should attach the belt to the motor pullet and the platter. Without it, the records won’t spin. Once your platter is moving, start working on balancing the tonearm after unplugging the record player. Before lifting the tonearm, ensure the anti-skate control is set to zero. Ideally, the tonearm height should be parallel to the surface of the record when the cartridge is sitting in the groove. Lastly, set the tracking weight to the level recommended by the manufacturer.
How to use a turntable?
If you want to use a turntable, lift off the dust cover and place the vinyl phonograph record on the platter while holding the outer edges without the groves. Start the motor so that the record goes into the spinning motion, ensuring you pick a specific speed. Lift the tonearm using the cue lever and lower it onto the record. Make sure the tone arm goes where the record starts as you bring down the stylus. Sit down and listen to the record until it is over and return the tonearm to its original position.
How does a turntable work?
A turntable works by turning using a direct drive motor or a belt-drive motor, turning a platter, spinning the record. The tonearm has a ceramic or magnetic cartridge, which comes into contact with the record, collecting the sound. The sound signal goes to an output device (such as a speaker) and is heard audibly as music.
How to hook up turntable to receiver without a phone output?
To hook a turntable to a receiver without a phono output, first, turn it off and unplug it. Connect it to preamplifier inputs and connect the preamplifier to the receiver. Once you have grounded the turntable to the preamplifier, could you turn it on?
