Best portable record players 2025: Portable turntables that’ll fit even the smallest space

A woman lying on a sofa listening to a red vinyl record playing on the Audio-Technica Sound Burger AT-SB727. The picture also features a clock, posters, vinyl covers on the floor and vinyl records used as decorations on the wall.
(Image credit: Audio-Technica)

Portable record players are by no means a new phenomenon. Since the early days of industrialised stamping-noises-into-discs, we’ve been conceiving clever, unique and even fun ways to listen to said noises just about anywhere. Today’s portable affairs are just as ingenious as the pocket gramophones of the early 20th century, but perhaps a little more technologically sophisticated.

Our present-day and ongoing vinyl revival, though, has absolutely sparked a renewed vigour with respect to the production of new and exciting record players – particularly in the entry level, as younger music fans discover the joys inherent to dropping wax on to platter and needle into groove. It is in the entry level where most portable record players live, often being cheap and cheerful answers to the questions “how can I take the new King Gizzard record to my friend’s bedroom so we can listen to it together?” and “what simple record player setup can I take to my uni halls under one arm?”.

Portable record players are convenient not just for their ability to be packed up and moved around with ease, but also for the fact that most take up much less space than an equivalent (and functionally stationary) hi-fi system. Between this and the ease with which they can be set up, a portable turntable is an understandably popular choice for newer adherents to the vinyl cause.

Some big trade-offs are often made with respect to fidelity, build quality and even the safety of your records at the very bottom of the budget range. Many of the portable record players currently on the market are not worth even the low price afforded to them – and even a good few of the portable players that made it into my shortlist below are found lacking against higher-quality non-portable contemporaries. However, for someone discovering a new format – and for the convenience offered – this price is, in these cases, an easy one to pay.

Besides which, there are some incredible examples that buck the trend, from the eye-catching and funky Audio-Technica Sound Burger AT-SB727 to the DJ-friendly Numark PT01 Scratch. Whatever your wants and needs in this portable record player space, you ought to find something that works in my six-strong shortlist below. And if you've still some questions, whether you’ve never used a record player before or are buying for the first time, I've got loads of answers for you in our FAQ section below.

Product guide

FAQ

Best portable record players

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Which is the best portable record player?

Portable record players are typically entry-level affairs, and for that reason are often a little underwhelming on the actual record-playing front. Realistically, you’re not going to be getting elite audiophile levels of sound from any portable turntable, so you may need to adjust your expectations slightly.

That said, there's still joy to be had from listening to your records on such devices, even if you’re veering a little into lo-fi territory. And besides, if pristine audio was your goal, you arguably wouldn’t be looking at portable players. With this in mind, take them for what they are; quick, easy ways to enjoy your vinyl records and the perfect way to get newcomers into the world of vinyl. As such, the metrics for what make the best record player are going to be a little different.

You’ll notice how the majority of units opt for a traditional ‘suitcase’ design, meaning they can be packed up and moved around simply by closing the lid and snapping the clasps into place.  While this does enhance their portability credentials, in reality, most people will find a specific location and leave the player in one place - with some deciding to buy a portable record player simply because they don't take up much room and can be set-up easily.

If this is true for you, and in addition to portability, you’re likely looking at the record player’s aesthetics. For example: How will it look on your side table? Will it fit in with your bedroom layout? There are plenty of variations on the theme, from players designed to look like they’ve been removed from a 1930’s time capsule, retro 70s-styled models or even futuristic, sleek designs. You’ll know which look will suit you best so it’s worth shopping around. 

Of course, aesthetics are one part of the puzzle; the functionality of your portable record player is also an essential consideration. Do you need one that’ll do more than play records, whether it has a built-in amp with an aux in or Bluetooth connectivity? Do you need it to be truly portable, or will it remain in place in your room? In these ways, the best portable record player is the one that fits your needs like a figurative glove.

Can I connect a portable turntable to speakers?

Standard record player systems are modular in nature, with the record player connecting to a separate hi-fi amplifier often by way of RCA connections. Portable record players often have their own integrated amplifier and speakers, making them pretty much plug-and-play – and a few of the portable record players I've highlighted above are great examples of this.

Realistically, though, they’re not often the best-sounding. Built-in speakers are great for casual, background listening but I wouldn’t trust them with anything where you want to hear detailed audio, or have more control over your audio. If you want to connect external speakers, check for audio outputs that enable you to connect to external speakers or headphones.

It is a rare portable turntable that doesn’t have some kind of facility for connecting to an external device, whether by way of RCA ports, a 3.5mm stereo out or even via Bluetooth functionality. However, there are those rare few that are closed systems – or that have Bluetooth, but only for playing music back from your phone as opposed to casting vinyl audio out.

Incidentally, if you want a proper Bluetooth turntable experience, I would recommend checking out our guide to the best Bluetooth turntables.

Do I need a cartridge and stylus for a portable turntable?

As with the vast majority of turntables below £500, portable turntables will come with their own cartridge pre-installed – so you won’t need to buy your own off the bat. Besides, the vast majority of portable record players share the same mass-manufactured tonearm assembly, too, with its own integrated cartridge and a cheap (sometimes ceramic) stylus.

As such, there are few portable turntables with the correct ½” headshell mounting standard that would enable you to install your own cartridge. Besides, as I’ve touched on already, we’re not buying a portable record player for fidelity. Quirky sound is part and parcel!

If your stylus is damaged, though, chances are you can swap it out if need be. Many budget turntables today use the same Audio-Technica AT-3600-series styli, which can be replaced if you need to.

How we test record players

Best portable record players

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Myself and the wider Louder team are music fans first and foremost, so while we are certainly interested in the spec sheet of any portable record player we test, we’re less focused on the nitty gritty detail of a deck that will deliver marginal gains.

We listen to music around the clock - it's part of our job - so we know how albums are meant to sound. For our tests, we hook each turntable up to our home systems and spin an eclectic variety of genres, and albums from classic to modern, to really put the gear through its paces. That means we can test if the deck delivers the fullness of modern metal, the low-end of hip-hop, the richness of classical, the lo-fi grit of punk etc. We’ll often call on the ears of a colleague or family member to give us a second opinion, too.

To cap it all off, we also test how easy the record player is to set up and operate. Anything that makes it harder to get on with listening to our favourite albums gets marked down.

Finally, we take a look under the hood of any other features a turntable offers, such as computer-connectivity for digitising our records, an automatic tonearm or built-in preamp.

Why trust us?

To date, the Louder team have more than 15,000 reviews logged across the site, on everything from new music releases and live shows, to turntables, headphones, speakers and more.

We hear the feedback and know the artists you listen to most, so when it comes to recommending a portable record player, I'm confident that I'm highlighting a product that will offer you enjoyment and value for money.

Many members of the Louder team are also vinyl enthusiasts and not only collect vinyl, but also invest in turntables in all shapes, sizes and budgets. When it came to picking out the best portable record players, the first thing I looked at was just how portable the units were. If they were too unwieldy or heavy, they didn't make the shortlist.

Sound quality, build materials, stylus checks, value for money and ease of use are always high on my list while sifting through record players, and I also make sure to include whether Bluetooth is a factor.

You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

Paul Dimery

Paul has spent the past eight years testing and writing about gadgets and technology for the likes of Louder, T3 and TechRadar. He might not have the wealth or the looks of Tony Stark, but when it comes to knowing about the latest cool kit, Paul would surely give Iron-Man a run for his money. As for his musical leanings, Paul likes everything from Weyes Blood to Nirvana. If it's got a good melody, he's on board with it.

With contributions from