From the Sony Walkman and MiniDisc Player through to the iPod and the latest phones with enough memory to cram your whole music collection on, the music world has been obsessed with the advancement of playback technology for a long time. The main job of these enhancements has been to boost convenience, but where does that leave your vinyl collection? Vinyl is certainly an outlier in the battle with digital music, but today’s best Bluetooth turntables are here to change that.
Bluetooth was first introduced in 1998 but it took until 2004 for it to become more widely used. These days, Bluetooth is a household name and the tech is everywhere: From headphones and phones, to TVs and video game consoles. It's also in a new breed of advanced record players that are harnessing the tech to shake up the vinyl market. In a nutshell, wireless record players sync to any speakers within range and operate your stereo remotely. They can be used with headphones if you prefer private listening sessions too.
The best Bluetooth record players open up the possibility of spinning a record in one room and listening to it while you’re doing something in another, or slapping on your favourite pair of headphones to make a sandwich in the kitchen while delving into a forgotten corner of your epic vinyl collection.
Below, you'll find my top Bluetooth turntable picks which cover a range of budgets and I've also included buying advice towards the bottom of the article to help you make an informed choice.
Huw Baines is a freelance music writer with a particular interest in all things punk, hardcore and vinyl. Alongside Louder, he has written for Long Live Vinyl magazine, the Guardian, Kerrang!, Huck, Guitar Magazine, Vice, Clash, and elsewhere.
Best Bluetooth turntables: Quick list
Best for beginners
The AT-LP60XBT underlines that fact by strips everything back. Aimed at beginners and budget buyers, this deck boasts solid sound alongside maximum plug and play user-friendliness.
Best for balance
This Sony wants to be all things to all people, and in this case that’s a really good thing – it’s nicely balanced. It also comes with a built in phono preamp alongside its Bluetooth connectivity.
Best budget option
This model has long been regarded as one of the finest competitors in the budget to mid-range bracket, and here the Bluetooth capability has been drafted in as a tasty new feature.
Best all-rounder
There’s a lot to be said for being the jack of all trades, and in the Audio-Technica ATLP120XBT-USB we have the record-playing, all-connecting equivalent of a vinyl everyman.
Best for ease of use
Unlike the other models on this list the Pro-Ject Juke Box E Bluetooth record player also boasts RCA inputs and outputs, its own amplification and a receiver, meaning you can also stream music through it.
Best value option
Arguably the best value entry-level wireless record player, sound quality is perfectly passable and the Bluetooth range means you can position separate speakers in different rooms to enjoy music wherever you are.
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Best compact option
The Lenco LBT-188 is a perfect Bluetooth record player for small spaces and comes complete with an integrated phono preamp and USB connection, so you’ll need only a set of speakers to make the most of this nicely-designed unit.
Best for the environment
The House of Marley Stir it Up is, like other products from the brand, designed with a sweet sustainable bamboo finish which gives it a great contemporary look and makes it eco-friendly, too.
Best for portability
For anyone just getting into vinyl, suitcase style portable record players offer a great way to get started. The Victrola VSC 580BT is a cost-effective, nicely designed option which will have you playing your music in no time.
Best for beginners
Audio Technica have been churning out quality turntables for a long time, and the AT-LP60XBT underlines that fact by stripping everything back. Aimed at beginners and budget buyers, I think this is the best Bluetooth turntable for beginners as it boasts solid sound alongside maximum plug and play user-friendliness.
Packed into this wallet-friendly deck you’ll find a built-in phono stage and balanced sonic performance. It’s also almost entirely automated, so you’ll be delving into your records with absolutely minimal fuss. It’s not the prettiest, but it makes up for that by ensuring that the ride is smooth elsewhere.
Read the full Audio-Technica AT-LP60xBT review
Best for balance
The Sony PS-LX310BT Bluetooth record player wants to be all things to all people, and in this case that’s a really good thing as it doesn’t sacrifice one element in order to cram another feature on top. It’s nicely balanced.
It comes with a built in phono preamp alongside its Bluetooth connectivity, prioritising ease of use above anything else, and it'll take you longer to decide what to listen to than to get your headphones paired with the deck.
Up to eight devices can be synced, too, while the sound quality is excellent given the entry-level price point. The PS-LX310BT is a fantastic choice when buying a wireless record player. Plus, it’ll look good when sat on top of one of the best vinyl record storage consoles.
Read the full Sony PS-LX310BT review
Best budget option
The Pro-Ject Essential III Bluetooth record player enters the ring with a huge pedigree on its side. The base model has long been regarded as one of the finest competitors in the budget to mid-range turntable bracket, and here the Bluetooth capability has been drafted in as a new, extra feature.
Boasting a phono preamp alongside its Bluetooth functionality, the Essential III channels years of Pro-Ject hits into a fresh package, boasting bright sound, punchy treble and winning sonic versatility.
This is undoubtedly the best wireless record player for the money. It has so much to offer and years of tweaking to the Pro-Ject format behind it. It’s an ideal blend of cutting edge and tried and tested. Buy it, you won’t regret it.
Read the full Pro-Ject Essential III review
Best all-rounder
There’s a lot to be said for being the jack of all trades, and in the Audio-Technica ATLP120XBT-USB we have the record-playing, all-connecting equivalent. If your system is well-established and you’re looking for an affordable deck to slot in, the 120 (as it shall be known from this point) has you covered. If you’re looking to stream over Bluetooth, you’re set. And, if you have a large collection to back up, the 120 will see you right thanks to its USB connectivity.
As a direct-drive turntable with integrated phono preamp, I can also see the 120 being popular with vinyl samplers and producers looking for an easy way to get into crate digging. Simply hook the deck up to your audio interface and you’re good to go. For everyone else, Audio-Technica has once again produced the goods with a superb balance of price, performance and functionality.
Read the full Audio-Technica ATLP120XBT-USB review
Best for usability
Meet a modern twist on the music centre. Unlike the other models on this list, the Pro-Ject Juke Box E Bluetooth record player also boasts RCA inputs and outputs, its own amplification and a receiver, meaning you can also stream music through it. Bluetooth is a two way street around these parts.
On the vinyl side of things, this setup also has plenty to offer. It takes its job of protecting the Pro-Ject name seriously, balancing dynamic space with a sense of warmth. And, all this still lands comfortably in the mid-range pricing-wise. To borrow a phrase from baseball, this is a multi-tool player.
Read the full Pro-Ject Juke Box E review
Best for value
I'm a big fan of the ION Audio Air LP, which is arguably the best value entry-level wireless record player. Sound quality is perfectly passable, and I also found the Bluetooth range meant I could position separate speakers in different rooms to enjoy my music wherever I was.
The Audio Air comes in a couple of classy finish options and is small enough so as to not dominate the space. Throw in USB connectivity for backing up your collection and you’ve got a package which is, certainly at this price, hard to beat.
Read the full ION Audio Air LP turntable review
Best compact deck
Often, when people decide to install a vinyl-playing system at home, they can be put off by the amount of other ‘stuff’ you need. Older record players usually require some form of amplification, meaning people living in small spaces will need to think carefully before they take the plunge. The alternative is to look for something with all the bits you’ll need already included, and with the Lenco LBT-188 there is a perfect Bluetooth record player for small spaces.
The integrated phono preamp and USB connection, along with Bluetooth, means you’ll need only a set of speakers to make the most of this nicely-designed unit. It’s also smaller and more compact than certain others on the list, making it ideal for anyone in cramped apartments who doesn’t want to compromise on style.
Best for the planet
As much as vinyl is revered for its unique tonal character, you shouldn’t overlook how the record player itself will fit into your setup. While it shouldn’t matter if the sound is good, record players are not tiny devices and, as such, you should give consideration to how it’ll look perched on your shelf or sideboard. The House of Marley Stir it Up is, like other products from the brand, designed with a sweet sustainable bamboo finish which gives it a great contemporary look.
Sound quality is about on par with what I'd expect in this price range, however the Stir it Up does take a bit of tweaking to find the sweet spot. This is a simple fix however and shouldn’t put you off what is a very attractive deck.
Read the full House Of Marley Stir It Up review
Best for portability
For anyone just getting into vinyl, suitcase style portable record players offer a great way to get started. The Victrola VSC 580BT is a cost-effective, nicely designed option which will have you playing your music in no time.
The Bluetooth functionality here is worth highlighting, however, as it’s something of a one-way street. You can, for example, stream music from your phone or tablet and play it through the built-in speakers but you can’t, on the other hand, stream your vinyl to a set of external Bluetooth speakers.
Understandably, given the price, the speakers contained within the Victrola aren’t of the highest quality - bass and low-end suffer particularly - but what you lose in audio fidelity you make up for with convenience. Plus, thanks to the stereo RCA outputs, you can always hook up to a preamp and better speakers if required.
Best Bluetooth turntables: Buying advice
What is a Bluetooth turntable?
A Bluetooth turntable is like a traditional record player, with the added bonus that it can connect wirelessly to your Bluetooth-equipped stereo system, powered speaker or wireless headphones.
How to choose the best Bluetooth turntable for you
You can trust Louder
A lot of major audio brands have jumped aboard the wireless record player train, with slick spinners from Sony, Cambridge Audio and Pro-Ject available all coming in at various price points to suit most budgets and proving that it’s not just a passing fad. For me, one of the greatest things about Bluetooth decks is how simple they are to operate.
On one hand they have the potential to remove the need for trailing wires completely, while on the other, many of the best Bluetooth record players also come complete with built-in phono stage (so skipping a separate preamp to boost the signal from your turntable). That means they’re about as plug and play as you can get, if you choose to go old-school.
You will need powered, Bluetooth ready speakers and perhaps a pair of wireless headphones to make the most of the tech, but otherwise you should be up and running with the push of a couple of buttons.
Do Bluetooth turntables sound good?
Of course, Bluetooth turntables are designed for listening to music, so how much does the extra tech impact the sound? It’s worth remembering that here Bluetooth is introducing a digital element to an analogue system, so as a result you'll likely experience some deterioration in audio quality due to the compression involved. For the casual listener this will be a negligible difference, but it could potentially be outweighed by the increased freedom you'll get from your Bluetooth turntable.
That said, up your budget a little and you’ll find plenty of high quality wireless record players out there - it’s all about getting what you want from your records and how best to enjoy them.
If you need some extra advice, have a read through our guide on how to buy your first vinyl record player.
How do you pair a Bluetooth turntable with headphones/speaker?
As mentioned, in order for your Bluetooth deck to work, you will need powered Bluetooth (not Wi-Fi) ready speakers or a pair of wireless headphones.
The first step is to get your Bluetooth turntable and speaker or headphones to ‘talk’ to each other. To do this you need to put both into pairing mode. On your Bluetooth record player this is usually accessed by long-pressing the Bluetooth button, with a different coloured light engaging to indicate you’re in pairing mode.
With both your deck and device in pairing mode, position them close together, and they should connect. A short sound or change of light colour will indicate a successful connection. You’re now ready to beam your wonderful vinyl sounds to your chosen Bluetooth device. What’s more, the next time you switch your Bluetooth record player on, it should automatically connect to your paired device.
The process of pairing can differ slightly from device to device, so check manufacturer instructions for the full picture.
How much should you spend on a Bluetooth turntable?
You really don’t have to spend much to get your hands on a deck that’s packing Bluetooth. The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is a fantastic budget turntable as it is, but the added Bluetooth functionality makes it an even better proposition. Up your budget and that additional cash will mostly bag you better components, like a quality tonearm and cartridge, a tasty phono preamp and, critically, better sound. As with most things turntable-related, when it comes to your budget, the sky really is the limit.
Which brands make the best Bluetooth turntables?
As I've already mentioned, Bluetooth tech has been adopted by most of the major turntable manufacturers. Therefore, to find the best wireless record player for you, you simply need to look to the big guns in the traditional turntable world - and I'm looking at you Sony, Audio Technica, Pro-Ject, Cambridge Audio and Lenco.
How we test Bluetooth turntables
When it comes to testing the latest Bluetooth decks, I naturally check all the usual elements such as sound quality, build quality, set up and features, and judge those against other products in the field and in that price bracket. But, being Bluetooth record players, it’s important that the connectivity is up to scratch, too. For this, I check for ease of connectivity using multiple devices including headphones and speakers, the stability of the connection (whether I experienced any drop outs) and the range.
For some, Bluetooth is a nice-to-have rather than essential feature, so I ensure that Bluetooth is there for a reason, does the job well and doesn’t indicate that corners have been cut in other important areas such as the tonearm or cartridge.
Related buyer’s guides
- Best vinyl record storage: Keep your records safe
- The best record players: Treat your vinyl to something special
- The best portable record players: Portable turntables for small spaces
- The best budget turntables: Spin your sounds for less
- How to set up a record player: Get the most from your wax
- Best vinyl record cleaners: Keep your vinyl collection in tip-top condition
- 7 ways to make your vinyl sound better: Get the most from your set-up
- 9 cheap upgrades you can make to improve your vinyl setup
- How to store vinyl: Tips on keeping your collection in great condition