Best record players: Treat your vinyl collection to a top turntable

Deciding on one of the best record players to get the most from your vinyl collection isn't an easy decision given the amount of quality turntables vying for your attention. The resurgence in vinyl sales over the last decade or so has meant that audio firms including Sony, Technics, Rega, Audio-Technica, House Of Marley and Pro-Ject have had to keep on top of their game to keep the discs spinning.

If you’re considering upgrading your turntable from a cheaper deck, you might be wondering what you get for that extra cash. And when you throw in product details such as phono preamps and Bluetooth, the process can initially seem a little bewildering.

Don’t worry though, as I've been dropping the needle on some of the best turntables out there and I'll explain exactly what they’re all about. Not only that, but below you’ll also find buying advice and the best prices on record players from all the leading brands.

Tom Parsons author image
Tom Parsons

Tom Parsons is a music and film fan who's been testing audio kit of all varieties for around 15 years - from turntables and headphones, to speakers and TVs - most of those at What Hi-Fi? He also loves rock and metal and is a particularly big fan of Coheed and Cambria.

Best record players: Quick list

Best overall

Best record players: Rega Planar 3 Elys 2 Turntable in black

(Image credit: Rega)
The best record player you can buy for sound quality vs value

Specifications

Operation: manual
Drive: belt
Cartridge: optional/moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
Built-in phono stage: no
USB recording: no
Bluetooth: no
Dimensions (hwd): 12x45x36cm

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional sound
+
Traditional looks and build

Reasons to avoid

-
Needs a solid support

The original Planar 3 is now more than 40 years old. Yet, amazingly, if I was to put it and this current version side-by-side, I think most people would be hard-pressed to spot any differences beyond the smarter plinth and updated tonearm.

Under the skin, almost every part had been revised since the last version – the

P3-24
and yet the core character remains. This Rega turntable is an unbelievably clean and clear performer that doesn’t impart its own character on your records. Everything you throw at it will sound just as it should – packed with detail, punch, rhythm and impeccable tonality.

You can also buy the Rega Planar 3 with added Elys 2 moving magnet cartridge, which will add a handful of cash to the purchase, but the extra outlay is worth it if you're looking for top-drawer performance and crystal clear audio.

If you want to hear your vinyl as intended, this is how you should do it. In my opinion, this is the best record player around right now, bar none.

Read the full Rega Planar 3 review

Best mid-priced option

Best record players: Audio Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB

(Image credit: Audio-Technica)
The best record player for those looking to upgrade their starter gear

Specifications

Operation: manual
Drive: direct
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45, 78
Built-in phono stage: yes
USB recording: yes
Bluetooth: yes
Dimensions (hwd): 14x45x35cm

Reasons to buy

+
A lot of bang for your buck
+
Similar styling to a classic Technics deck
+
Extra tech is genuinely useful

Reasons to avoid

-
It's cheap, but not totally budget

Taking some visual cues from the legendary Technics SL1200/SL1210, the AT-LP120XBT-USB might be a mouthful, but that doesn’t detract from what’s lurking under the hood. 

For starters you get pitch control and a high-performance direct drive motor and an integrated and switchable phono stage. But two of the coolest features include a USB output so you can convert your records into audio files, and wireless aptX Bluetooth connectivity - so you can beam your sounds straight to your vinyl headphones.

This deck is easy to set up and has a built-in phono stage, meaning you’re ready to plug and play straight from the box. 

If you’re serious about getting the best from your vinyl, but don’t have a huge budget, this is a budget-friendly record player that will last you years.

Read the full Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB review

Best for analogue nostalgia

Best record players: Technics SL-1500C in silver

(Image credit: Technics)
The best record player for analogue nostalgia and next-gen tech

Specifications

Operation: semi-automatic
Drive: direct
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45, 78
Built-in phono stage: yes
USB recording: no
Bluetooth: no
Dimensions (hwd): 12x23x16cm

Reasons to buy

+
As straightforward as vinyl gets
+
Sounds simply amazing

Reasons to avoid

-
Looks like a posh DJ deck

This Technics turntable is a thoroughly modern unit with direct drive - so there's no belt to mess about with - a built-in cartridge and integrated phono preamp. It’s also semi-automatic, so while you have to place the stylus in the groove to begin with, the tonearm will lift from the record at the end without you needing to lift a finger.

But what I found most impressive about this next-gen turntable is how amazing the SL-1500C sounds. Clean, organised and dynamic, it takes a digital approach that digs up all of the detail on that big, black slab, but it’s not cold and unfeeling in the way of a hi-res music player.

In short, it’s as straightforward as vinyl gets and it sounds amazing. If you’ve got a grand to drop on your analogue habit, this is the best record player to spend it on.

Read the full Technics SL-1500C review

Best on a budget

Best record players: Rega Planar 1

(Image credit: Rega)
The best turntable for a straightforward experience

Specifications

Operation: manual
Drive: belt
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
Built-in phono stage: no
USB recording: no
Bluetooth: no
Dimensions (hwd): 12x45x36cm

Reasons to buy

+
Unbeatable sound for the money
+
Simple set-up

Reasons to avoid

-
No integrated phono stage

If you are after features such as Bluetooth and USB recording, the Rega Planar 1 isn’t going to be for you. It’s one of the only turntables in its bracket that doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp, which means you’ll need an amplifier that’s got one or will need to factor in the cost of an external unit.

What it is, though, is the best-sounding turntable available at this sort of price. If you want to hear your just-bought or much-cherished records just as intended, the Rega is how you do it.

And don’t go thinking this is a cold, complicated deck. On the contrary, I found it produced a really fun sound and is pretty straightforward to set-up. If you’re prepared to be just a bit adventurous, this is the deck to buy.

Read the full Rega Planar 1 review

Best for beginners

Best record players: The Lenco L-85 turntable in red

(Image credit: Lenco)
The best turntable for plug-and-play simplicity at a low price

Specifications

Operation: semi-automatic
Drive: belt
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
Built-in phono stage: Yes
USB recording: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Dimensions (hwd): 15x42x36cm

Reasons to buy

+
As simple as turntables get
+
Incredibly affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Spending more gets better sound
-
Looks and feels cheap

It looks like a children's toy, and is almost as cheap, but the Lenco L-85 is actually a semi-automatic, belt-driven turntable with a built-in phono stage and the ability to record via USB. It’s as plug-and-play as vinyl gets.

It's old school enough – it comes with a pair of RCA cables so you can plug the L-85 into your stereo amplifier and get started straight away – but it's 21st century enough too: a USB port means you can convert your vinyl into MP3 files. 

I think it's a great beginner record player for anyone who's just getting into vinyl or digging out their old records from the garage.

Read the full Lenco L-85 review

Best with Bluetooth

Best record players: Pro-Ject Juke Box E Bluetooth Turntable in white

(Image credit: Pro-Ject)
The best turntable for Bluetooth connections in both directions

Specifications

Finish: Black, red, white
Dimensions: 11.8 x 41.5 x 33.5cm
Phono preamp: Yes
USB: No
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45

Reasons to buy

+
Supremely easy to use
+
Fun, quirky design

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacking a little muscle sound-wise

Now for something a little different – a Bluetooth turntable that not only allows you to spin your favourite albums, but also lets you stream music through it too. This is made possible on the Pro-Ject Juke Box E Bluetooth because of RCA inputs and outputs, its own amplification and a receiver. It's a neat and versatile twist on the other turntables on our list.

Vinyl sounds great, offering a balance of dynamic space and warmth, while the mid-range price makes this a serious contender for your next purchase. To borrow a phrase from baseball, this is a multi-tool player.

Read the full Pro-Ject Juke Box E review

More options...

So those are our top picks, but there are may more great options to choose from that offer something a little different in terms of features and performance. We've selected some more of our favorites below.

Best record players: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo in black

(Image credit: Pro-Ject)
The best turntable for sound and style in one neat little package

Specifications

Finish: High gloss, Satin, Real-wood veneer
Dimensions: 415 x 118 x 320 mm, dust cover open 415 x 365 x 405mm
Phono preamp: No
Speeds: 33/45/78

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek and stylish design
+
Sounds the business
+
Change speeds with one button

Reasons to avoid

-
No phono preamp

Pro-Ject are doing great things with their turntable range – and the Debut Carbon EVO is another excellent choice from the Austrian audio firm. It’s priced in a similar bracket to the

, so what do you get for your hard-earned cash by choosing this particular model? 

Perhaps the biggest difference is the inclusion of a rocker switch at the bottom of the unit which allows you to change speeds from 33/45/78 RPM with the simple push of a button – no need to for a manual kerfuffle. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo also boasts improved suspension for more solid playback. I also think it looks the part thanks to its stylish and sleek design.

Read the full Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO review

Best record players: Clearaudio Concept turntable

(Image credit: Clearaudio)
The best turntable for great all-round performance

Specifications

Operation: manual
Drive: belt
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45, 78
Built-in phono stage: no
USB recording: no
Bluetooth: no
Dimensions (hwd): 12.5x42x35cm

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to set up
+
Great build
+
Excellent all-round audio

Reasons to avoid

-
You'll pay a premium for performance

If you’re not familiar with the Clearaudio Concept turntable by now, the idea is essentially getting the most exceptional sound you can from your records at this price. Simplicity is a big part of this package’s charm: unlike some rival designs, which require patience, a steady hand and a passable grasp of mathematics to get working, the Concept is a 'plug and play' product straight out the box. 

This is a fabulously finished deck. Speed (33.3, 45 and 78rpm) is controlled by a hefty rotary dial, and the whole thing operates with the sort of solidity more readily associated with outside water closets.

I really can’t see anyone turning down the Clearaudio Concept for a lack of talent. It's as clean, rhythmic, detailed and spacious as you’ll find for the money, not to mention engaging and entertaining. A conceptual masterpiece, you could say... and it comes with a cost to match.

Read the full Clearaudio Concept review

Best record players: Audio-Technica AT-LP3 record player

(Image credit: Audio Technica)
The best record player for automatic operation at a low price

Specifications

Operation: fully automatic
Drive: belt
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
Built-in phono stage: yes
USB recording: no
Bluetooth: no
Dimensions (hwd): 13x44x35cm

Reasons to buy

+
Fully automatic operation
+
Authentic sound

Reasons to avoid

-
No Bluetooth or recording

Those suitcase-style, portable record players you see almost everywhere you look these days are designed to bridge the gap between vinyl enthusiasm and analogue actuality by building everything in and making it as hands-off as possible.

But let's not beat around the bush: some (but not all) of those suitcase turntables sound less than stellar, and unless you’re boarding the vinyl train for entirely hipster reasons, there are plenty of other options available.

This includes the Audio-Technica AT-LP3, which has a completely automatic action – start the record at the touch of a button and finish it without lifting a finger – but sounds downright excellent for the money, with a balanced, natural sound that doesn’t mask your tune of choice. If you're looking for a great Audio Technica turntable, this is the one to go for.

Read the full Audio-Technica AT-LP3 review

Best record players: The Sony PS-LX310BT in black

(Image credit: Sony)
The best Bluetooth turntable if you're on a strict budget

Specifications

Operation: fully automatic
Drive: belt
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
Built-in phono stage: yes
USB recording: no
Bluetooth: yes
Dimensions (hwd): 11x43x37cm

Reasons to buy

+
Fully automatic operation
+
Bluetooth built-in

Reasons to avoid

-
Purist decks sound even better

If you’re looking to marry old-school hi-fi with new-school cool, this Sony spinner is the best record player for you in my opinion. The big draw is Bluetooth support, which you can use to send that rich, analogue audio via the digital, wireless domain to a pair of Bluetooth headphones or a wireless speaker.

On top of that, the tonearm action is automatic, so the needle will find your record’s groove via a button-press and will extricate itself at the end with no intervention necessary.

Crucially, the PS-LX310BT record player also sounds great. Detailed, punchy and direct, this is a deck that reveals the details lurking in the depths of those vinyl grooves and brings them to the surface in fun, bubbly fashion.

Read the full Sony PS-LX310BT review

Best record players: Pro-Ject T1 turntable in black

(Image credit: Pro-Ject)
The best record player for bass-heavy audio

Specifications

Operation: manual
Drive: belt
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
Built-in phono stage: no
USB recording: no
Bluetooth: no
Dimensions (hwd): 10x42x34cm

Reasons to buy

+
Weighty, bassy sound
+
Lovely build quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Sound isn’t exactly neutral
-
No integrated phono stage

If you want your affordable record player to have a premium look and feel then Pro-Ject turntables are definitely worth your consideration, and specifically the Pro-ject T1. This entirely plastic-free deck is completely solid and weighty, and it comes more or less ready to rock straight out of the box – you need only place the platter and belt yourself.

It should be noted that the T1 is light on fancy features – there’s no Bluetooth or USB recording, and you’ll need to add a phono preamp – but that’s simply because sound quality has been prioritised.

While the Rega Planar 1 is the no-frills record player to choose for sheer clarity and detail, this Pro-ject counters with a smoother, weightier, bassier sound that will suit a lot of your vinyl collection.

Read the full Pro-Ject T1 review

Best record players: Sony PS-HX500 Turntable in black

(Image credit: Sony)
The great big brand option for newcomers

Specifications

Operation: manual
Drive: belt
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
Built-in phono stage: yes
USB recording: yes
Bluetooth: no
Dimensions (hwd): 10x43x37cm

Reasons to buy

+
Simple set-up but great sound
+
Built-in phono stage and ripping

Reasons to avoid

-
Rega Planar 1 sounds better
-
No Bluetooth

On paper, the Sony PS-HX500 record player’s big selling point is that you can use it to rip your vinyl records – in hi-res, no less. Of course with our digital set-ups, that’s incredibly useful, but the best reasons to buy it are that it’s exceedingly simple to set up (find out how to properly set up a record player), has a built-in phono preamp and that it sounds great.

This Sony turntable will make the most of your cherished vinyl by playing and even recording it – just plug in your Mac or PC and download Sony’s bespoke software – with all of its detail, clarity and texture intact.

But it doesn’t require a degree in audio engineering to set-up and you don’t need to buy a phono stage on top. It’s the perfect choice for the first-timer determined to take vinyl seriously.

Read the full Sony PS-HX500 review

Best record players: Buying advice

Best record players: Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

(Image credit: Audio-Technica)

How to choose the best record players

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.

So, you've decided to pull the trigger and purchase a shiny new record player, but what are the key elements to consider before laying down your hard-earned cash? 

It might sound obvious but sound quality is the biggest priority by far. While no audio firm has a completely perfect record in this area, sticking to the established and well respected brands is a great place to start. 

While our pick for best record player overall is made by Rega, don't forget about Pro-Ject which also boasts an accomplished range, while Technics and Clearaudio dominate the high-end record player sector. Sony and Audio-Technica, meanwhile, are particularly good at pairing true hi-fi audio quality with modern features such as Bluetooth and USB recording.

It's also important to put some thought into whether you’ll actually use those kinds of features. While it’s nice to have lots of options at your fingertips, don’t splash out on tech you'll never use, as you could save yourself a bit of cash. If in doubt, remember this: the techiest turntable is almost never the one that sounds the best.

Are record players easy to set up?

It's worth bearing in mind that setting up a turntable for the first time can be a fiddly business, with components that need fitting and carefully adjusted. However, some are simpler than others. Many of the best record players on the market have automatic functionality, which means you only have to press a button for the tonearm to move into place and drop the needle into the groove at the start of the record.

Fully automatic and semi-automatic turntables lift the needle from the groove at the end, too. For many people, though, especially those who have been in the vinyl game for a while, a little initial tweaking and manual operation are keys to the charm of turntable ownership, and the simplest record players are often the best-sounding. Ultimately, only you can decide what type of vinyl listener you want to be.

Do I need speakers for my record player?

While some record players do come with built-in speakers - mostly at the budget end of the spectrum - these can be functional at best. If you’re going down the portable record player route, then this may well be enough for mobile listening of your vinyl. However, if you’re planning on spending a bit of cash on your turntable and want to get the best from your vinyl, then we do recommend purchasing a dedicated set of hi-fi speakers. You may need a separate phono preamp for that, but more on that below.

Do I need a phono preamp for my record player?

If you’re boarding the vinyl train for the first time or getting back into the hobby, start by familiarising yourself with some key components, particularly the phono stage. This is essentially a step-up amplifier – they’re often referred to as phono preamps – that increase the tiny output of a record player to a level that a standard stereo amplifier can work with.

Many turntables have a phono stage built-in, as do some stereo amplifiers. Generally speaking, though, a phono-less turntable that goes through an external phono stage before getting to the amplifier will sound best, so consider going down that route if you’re serious about good audio quality from your record player.

So, the question is, does your new record player come with one built-in? If it’s a yes, then you should be able to hook your speakers/amp up directly to your deck. If not, you’ll need to factor in additional budget for a phono pre-amp. Without one, your vinyl will sound quiet and weedy, and nobody wants that.

Best record players: Dark image of the side of a record player

(Image credit: Getty/Antonius Hielscher / EyeEm)

How much should I spend on a record player?

This all depends on whether you’re looking for a budget turntable, or something a little higher up the budget scale. If you’re going truly budget then you can pick something up for up to around the $/£150 mark. Drop anywhere from £/$200-400 and you’ll be comfortably into territory where the components are better, the sound starts to improve and you’ll get an extra dollop of style. This is a hugely popular area with the record player space, so you’re spoiled for choice. Don’t forgot you’ll need to pay a little extra if you also want features such as Bluetooth and USB-connectivity.

Now, you could spend absolutely thousands on a new record player, but set a budget of $/$500+ and you’ll be in the realms of a deck that delivers a premium cartridge and needle, luxe components for the platter and tonearm and an overall better quality product that’s designed to last.

What are the best record player brands?

Technics and Audio-Technica are respected brands with a particularly big following in the DJ and hip-hop worlds. Then you have other mainstream brands like Sony who have built a strong reputation in the hi-fi world over decades.

At the budget end of the spectrum you can’t go wrong with brands including Lenco, ION and House Of Marley.

Rega has been making turntables and components in England for almost 5 decades now, so if you buy a deck bearing the Rega logo you know you’re in safe hands. Pro-Ject is another brand to look out for, offering everything from pocket-friendly slabs, to artist collaborations (with the likes of The Beatles), as well as beautifully engineered showstoppers.

How we test record players

We’re music fans first and foremost here at Louder so, while we are certainly interested in the spec sheet of any record player we test, we’re less focused on the nitty gritty detail of a deck that will deliver marginal gains. For us, we’re all about how the turntable sounds. 

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.

Tom Parsons

Tom Parsons is a music and film fan who's been testing audio kit of all varieties for around 15 years - from turntables and headphones, to speakers and TVs - most of those at What Hi-Fi? He also loves rock and metal and is a particularly big fan of Coheed and Cambria.

With contributions from