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
Speeds: 33/45rpm
Connectivity: Aux out, Bluetooth
Speakers: No
+ Truly portable design
+ Excellent quality sound
- Some subtle noise
A revamp of a classic design from the 80s, the Audio-Technica Sound Burger AT-SB727 is a truly portable record player you really can take anywhere. It looks incredible too and is sure to be a conversation starter wherever you take this bit of kit - but don't think it's just a gimmick, this thing has the sound to match those looks. The Sound Burger's specs are in line with AT's full-size turntables, so you get a lovely warm sound no matter what records you like to spin. We found it bright and lively overall, lacking a little stability due to the design, but if you want a portable player, we can't think of much better than this.
Speeds: 33 1/3 rpm
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Speakers: Yes
+ Fun to use
+ Bluetooth connectible
+ Powered by AA batteries
- unsurprisingly poor sound reproduction
The Stoyko Record Runner BT is a little more of a toy than a true portable record player – but it plays records, and is also arguably more portable than any other record-playing device in existence. So there. Besides, this is a fun little thing to use, and what is listening to vinyl if not fun? Rather than the record rotating, it is the Record Runner that runs around your records, powered by two AA batteries; an Audio-Technica stylus tracks along the groove, sending audio either to a built-in speaker or out your speaker of choice via Bluetooth. Your vinyl-collecting uncle might have opinions about owning this, but it’s a fun stocking-filler with a surprisingly “OK”.
Speeds: 33/45/78rpm
Connectivity: Aux in, Headphones RCA, Bluetooth
Speakers: Yes
+ Huge range of colours
+ Super easy to use
- Speaker could be better
If you're getting into records for the first time then I would go for the Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Vintage. It won't break the bank and paired with a set of speakers delivers an excellent sound. I love that it's available in a huge array of colours too, which makes it that much easier to mix in with the home decor. There's plenty of connectivity options built-in, including an aux in, headphones out, RCA out, and Bluetooth. This means you covered for pretty much every eventuality, making this player a great all-rounder. It's super easy to get up and running too, perfect for first-timers.
Speeds: 33/45/78rpm
Connectivity: Aux in, Headphones RCA, Bluetooth
Speakers: Yes
Not all portable record player speakers were created equal and to be honest, most of them aren't great if you're looking for audio quality. This budget offering isn’t much different, but I was nonetheless a little impressed with the Retrolife vinyl record player, which delivers a more rounded sound from its onboard speakers than others in its price bracket. They won't replace dedicated speakers of course, but they certainly do a decent job. You also get a raft of connectivity options, allowing you to play other devices via aux-in, as well as stream wireless via Bluetooth. To top things off you can also listen via headphones, should you want to do some late-night listening without disturbing others.
Speeds: 33/45/78rpm
Connectivity: Aux in, Headphones RCA, Bluetooth
Speakers: Yes
+ Easy to setup
+ Compact size
- Speakers aren't the best
While the majority of portable record players feature Bluetooth, I found the Victrola Journey + to handle this kind of connectivity seamlessly every time, making it my top pick for portable record players with Bluetooth integration. Whether you're using your phone or a Bluetooth speaker it provides a reliable connection every time. The Journey + is super easy to set up, and even if you've never owned a record player before, you'll be up and running in minutes. The onboard speakers are decent, but thankfully there's an option to add external speakers via RCA or use a good pair of headphones which will significantly improve the sound quality.
Speeds: 33/45/78rpm
Connectivity: RCA, line-in, headphone jack, USB
Speakers: Yes
+ Lightweight
+ Solid build quality
- Garish design
The Numark PT01 Scratch is a DJ-friendly portable turntable that hits all the marks for on-the-go performativity. It gets its name from the niftily-included ‘scratch switch’, a killswitch stand-in for the crossfader on a DJ mixer that enables you to cut as well as scratch; travelling turntablists unite! There’s also a stereo input for scratching to beats from elsewhere, USB connectivity for recording your performance, and a built-in battery for true portability. On sound, the Numark PT01 Scratch to be exceptionally good-quality for a portable device – making this a hot purchase for a plurality of reasons.
FAQ
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
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.
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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.
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