- 10.00/10 1. Premium pick: Rega RP3
- 9.70/10 2. Editors choice: House of Marley Stir it Up Wireless Turntable
- 8.80/10 3. Best value: Victrola Vintage Suitcase Turntable
- 9.60/10 4. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
- 8.00/10 5. JOPOSTAR Bluetooth Turntable
Vinyl records are experiencing a resurgence. Once considered lost to the annuls of time, records are now fashionable and in-demand again.
Whether it's spinning a new collector's edition record or a nostalgic journey into a forgotten musical past, you'll need a record player.
But which is the best record player for you?
Premium pick1. Rega RP3
10.00 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Rega RP3 is one of the most notable record players on this list. That's in part thanks to its astounding audio quality, but also its history. Rega has been manufacturing turntables in the UK since 1973. The original Planar 3 was in production for 23 years from 1977.
The RP3 is the latest iteration of the Planar 3, aimed at budget-conscious audiophiles. Before finding fame as a turntable manufacturer, Rega produced the world's most successful and widely used tonearms. In keeping with previous models, the company's RB330 tonearm is found here too.
Unlike the other models on this list, this is not a modern record player designed to capitalize on vinyl records' renewed interest. Instead, this is an evolution of one of the world's most popular turntables. As such, there is no USB output, Bluetooth, or computer software. The RP3 comes without a cartridge, allowing you to choose your own.
Key Features- Lineage back to the original 1977 Planar 3 record player
- RB303 tonearm
- Brand: Rega
- Built-in Pre-amp: No
- Drive: Belt
- Bluetooth: No
- Speeds (RPM): 33
- Audiophile-quality sound at affordable price
- No USB output
- Cartidge not supplied
1. House of Marley Stir it Up Wireless Turntable
9.70 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Stir It Up Wireless Turntable is a product from House of Marley, the audio company patroned by reggae legend Bob Marley's son, Rohan Marley. Given his father's reputation, House of Marley has a strong focus on high-quality audio and eco-friendly products.
This record player is a belt-driven two-speed turntable capable of playback at 33RPM or 45RPM. The belt and its automatic pitch control are integral to the player's high-quality audio. There's an autostart feature, too, helping you get your record playing in as little time as possible. Notably, the Audio-Technica MM needle cartridge is also replaceable.
The Stir It Up Wireless Turntable is an updated edition of the original Stir It Up Turntable, but with Bluetooth connectivity included. The Bluetooth 4.2 connection allows you to stream your records to your favorite wireless speaker, rather than relying on a cabled connection. As a result, you can place the turntable anywhere in your home.
In keeping with the House of Marley philosophy, the turntable's main body is furnished in responsibly-sourced bamboo. The slipmat is made of the company's REGRIND silicone, composed of upcycled post-consumer waste. The record player comes equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack and USB port for recording your vinyl records.
Key Features- Bluetooth 4.2
- Belt-driven
- Built-in Pre-amp
- Brand: House of Marley
- Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
- Drive: Belt
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Speeds (RPM): 33, 45
- Replaceable cartridge
- Sustainable materials
- Tricky to set the balance arm correctly
1. Victrola Vintage Suitcase Turntable
8.80 / 10 Read ReviewsIf you want to play your records on-the-go, then the Victrola Vintage Suitcase Turntable is for you. As the name suggests, the turntable is housed within a suitcase, allowing you to lock it up and take it with you. However, there is no internal battery, so you'll need to plug it into an outlet for power.
The record player operates at 33RPM, 45RPM, and 78RPM. There's a 3.5mm jack output for you to plug speakers or headphones into. The unit comes with in-built speakers too, although reviews note these are reasonably low quality.
It also has Bluetooth, so you can wirelessly stream your records to any Bluetooth speaker or headset. As the most budget-friendly turntable on this list, it's an excellent choice for anyone just starting out on their vinyl journey.
Key Features- Integerated speakers
- Speakers can be used with external devices
- Turntable integrated into portable case
- Brand: Victrola
- Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
- Drive: Belt
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45, 78
- One of the best value record players
- Portable
- Bluetooth support
- Lighweight tonearm
1. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
9.60 / 10 Read ReviewsAudio-Technica is one of the most popular professional-grade audio brands. If you've ever been inside a recording studio somewhere in the world, you'll likely find Audio-Technica equipment. Their needle cartridges are even used on other turntables, including the House of Marley Stir It Up Wireless Turntable.
The Audio-Technica ATLP120XUSB is one of the company's finest turntables. The physical design of the record player is designed to give the optimal playback experience. The s-shaped tonearm, aluminum platter, and slipmat all contribute to the stellar audio output.
This model is a direct drive, so there is no additional belt spinning your records around. There are three playback speeds; 33RPM, 45RPM, and 78RPM. Like many modern record players, there's a USB output, allowing you to record your vinyl records.
Key Features- Built-in Pre-amp
- S-shaped tone arm
- Software bundle to record vinyl collection to MP3
- Brand: Audio-Technica
- Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
- Drive: Direct Drive
- Bluetooth: No
- Speeds (RPM): 33, 45, 78
- Full manual controls
- Aluminum platter reduces vibrations
- No bass control
1. JOPOSTAR Bluetooth Turntable
8.00 / 10 Read ReviewsThe JOPOSTAR Bluetooth Turntable is a more affordable record player. It comes equipped with many modern features, while also keeping the price down. To achieve this, there is a compromise; audio quality. That's not to say that it is unlistenable, but it may not do for audiophiles.
The player looks like a traditional turntable, with a solid wood appearance, while the hinged plastic cover protects your records and the player from dust. The JOPOSTAR Bluetooth Turntable comes with two generic cartridges. You can upgrade these yourself if you'd prefer a higher quality audio output.
There's a USB port on the back so you can record and digitize your record collection, while two built-in stereo speakers provide audio. There are also stereo aux outputs if you want to connect your own speakers. An integrated Bluetooth connection means you can wirelessly stream the turntable's audio to your speakers or headphones.
Key Features- Built-in speakers
- RCA outputs
- Vinyl to MP3 recording
- Brand: JOPOSTAR
- Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
- Drive: Belt
- Bluetooth: No
- Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45, 78
- Budget-friendly
- Self-contained playback unit with built-in speakers
- Wood-style plastic design
- Acceptable sound reproduction
FAQ
Q: Is It Worth Buying a Record Player?
The majority of people now listen to music on various streaming services. It's unlikely that most listeners even hold a library of digital music. However, some music fans prefer to own music, either digitally or physically.
Although the last standard physical format, CDs aren't an essential purchase anymore. Instead, vinyl has taken its place as the most popular physical format. Some fans are collectors who enjoy the physical product (the artwork, inner sleeve, the record itself) but have no intention of playing the record.
However, a growing number of collectors prefer listening to the physical record, whether that's because they believe the sound quality to be superior or so they can experience the album in entirety. If you fall into that category, then it is definitely worth buying a record player.
Q: How Much Should I Spend on a Record Player?
As with other purchases, the amount you spend should be proportional to your use, need, and budget. This guide lists record players at a range of prices, best suited to a range of uses.
As a rule of thumb, anything below $100 will be unlikely to have the best sound reproduction. That's especially true if it is a portable player or has integrated speakers. These players are best suited for casual listening or where portability is critical.
Between $100 and $200, you'll be able to purchase a solid record player that has good sound reproduction and most likely includes a pre-amp and other outputs. Record players above that range will have the best sound reproduction but are better suited for audiophiles rather than casual listeners.
Q: Are Vinyl Records Better Quality than CDs?
Depending on who you ask, you'll either get a resounding yes or an absolute no. We experience audio subjectively, so while it could be possible to find a metric to compare objectively, it still wouldn't represent how people consume music.
On the whole, fans of the physical format believe that vinyl sounds better, as more information is written into the record's grooves than encoded in a compressed MP3. You'll also hear that the sound is warmer from the combination of the vinyl and needle.
Indeed, a large part of the attraction of vinyl is the identifiable and always present hiss. That said, this is just one of the reasons vinyl is better than digital music.
