9 cheap upgrades you can make to improve your vinyl setup

Spincare vinyl record cleaning kit
(Image credit: Spincare)

It doesn’t matter what age you are or whether you love rock, metal, prog or punk – there’s something magical about listening to music on vinyl. Maybe it’s the anticipation as the needle hits the groove; perhaps it’s being able to properly admire the cover art; or it could be you just like looking cool when your friends come over.

Whatever your reasons for loving vinyl records, you’ll want to ensure that the experience is as fabulous as it can be. Obviously, your first concern should be getting your hands on a brilliant turntable – and you’ll find some top choices in our list of the best record players. But getting something decent to play your collection on is just the start, and there are a number of other accessories you might want to consider, to ensure that your vinyl journey goes as smoothly as possible, including cool vinyl storage ideas.

Here, then, are nine great ways you can upgrade your record-spinning rig without breaking the bank.

Paul Dimery author photo
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.

Cheap vinyl setup upgrades: Product guide

Cheap vinyl setup upgrades: Buying advice

Buying vinyl records is not a cheap hobby, especially when you add in deluxe box sets, limited edition coloured vinyl editions and rare and valuable vinyl. The costs soon mount up and that's why I've put together this list of nine cheap products that will enhance your vinyl set up.

We all want to keep our record collections in tip-top shape after all, and get the most out from the music, so items such as phono pre-amps, vinyl storage solutions, cleaning products and widgets that help you to play 7-inch singles are pretty much essential. Decide which products would make your vinyl listening more enjoyable, check your budget and explore the options - there are a ton of knick-knacks out there.

Don't forget that the Louder team have put together a bunch of sweet-sounding guides to help you with your purchasing decisions, so whether you're after a new Bluetooth turntable, a portable record player, one of the best turntables on the market or a pair of headphones for vinyl, then we have you covered.

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