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Spinning a record or two after a long day is one of my favorite ways to unwind. Since I started collecting records in 2012, I’ve been using a trusty Pro-Ject Audio turntable my dad gave me, and it’s never disappointed me or left any marks on my vinyl. Pro-Ject Audio is one of many respected makers of turntables (including Audio-Technica, Technics, and U-Turn Audio), and there are numerous options to choose from, ranging from entry-level models to audiophile-pleasing investments that cost upwards of $1,000. Figuring out which is the right one for you can be intimidating, especially for the uninitiated.
To find the best turntables, I tested several on my own, using records I’ve spun on my personal gear plenty of times. I also spoke with experts such as record store owners, vinyl geeks, and DJs. All you need to get started on your vinyl journey is a preamp — more on what that means below — a few records, and a set of decent speakers (plus the necessary cables).
Our experts had different recommendations for beginners, but they all advised avoiding one very popular all-in-one record player that comes in a suitcase: “Whatever you do, don’t get a Crosley,” says DJ Prestige of the DJ-focused website Fleamarket Funk, who says that if you’re serious about your new hobby, you should look for machines with better sound quality — and with needles that won’t “eventually ruin your records.”
In practice, that means avoiding not just a Crosley, but most if not all record players. While a record player is self-contained and will play vinyl without any other equipment, the sound quality is typically poor; a turntable and speakers (like Audioengine’s A2+) will give you a purer sounding analog home-audio system. Our experts also cautioned against getting the cheapest turntables for the same reasons. To get an entry-level turntable that won’t cause damage and has good sound quality, expect to spend between $200 and $500.
Update on December 6, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Signal output
A turntable produces a “phono” signal, and a preamp converts that to a “line level” signal (sometimes called AUX), which allows it to work with other audio equipment, like speakers. Without a phono preamp, your turntable won’t be able to produce sound. Most modern turntables come with a built-in phono preamp, which allows you to connect directly to speakers via the line out. You can also buy a preamp separately for use with any of these models, as long as they have a phono out, and especially if you’re looking to upgrade your setup; they start around $100 and go as high as $500.
Connections
In addition to connecting to external speakers via an analog cable, some turntables also come with USB outputs that allow you to connect them to your computer and archive physical records in a digital format. You can also get turntables that support Bluetooth speakers and headphones. Sullivan suggests avoiding turntables that have built-in speakers, because if played too loudly, the turntable’s needle can jump and cause the record to skip. (None of the turntables we recommend have built-in speakers.)
Controls
Many novice record collectors just want to hit the play button, watch the needle drop, and hear sound fill up a room. ”The most entry-level turntables should be something easy to use with not a ton of manual settings where you can really just allow yourself to enjoy learning how to play and care for records and not have to worry too much about maintenance,” says Jake Sullivan, co-owner of Wooden Tooth Records in Tucson, Arizona.
Fully automatic turntables will start at the beginning of the record and then stop and lift the tonearm at the end of the record. A manual turntable gives you more control because it allows you to choose where to drop the tonearm and stylus, picking which song you want to hear.
Drive
Belt-drive turntables spin the platter using a belt that’s attached to the motor. The belt will have to be replaced over time due to wear and tear, but it isolates the tone-arm from the motor, preventing it from picking up background noise from the motor running. In a direct-drive turntable, the motor sits right under the platter, so you run the risk of that affecting the sound, but it also allows the turntable to rev up to the right speed nearly instantly and provides more precise control over the speed of the turntable (belt-drive turntables typically only switch between 33 and 45 RPM) — both of which are appealing to DJs.
Best turntable overall
Signal output: Phono, line | Connections: Analog, Bluetooth on upgraded model, no USB | Controls: Fully automatic | Drive: Direct
Audio-Technica has a great reputation in the industry, and the LP60X is one of its most popular models among professionals and enthusiasts. It has a built-in preamp as well as Bluetooth capability that will let you connect to a standard Bluetooth speaker for wireless, vinyl-powered sound. Mark Steinberg, chief technologist and turntable specialist at B&H Photo Video, describes it as “an entry-level serious turntable,” explaining, “It’s not a toy. It’s not going to damage your records.”
Jake Sullivan, co-owner of Wooden Tooth Records in Tucson, Arizona, has been selling the LP60X in his record store for several years and says it’s a great entry-level turntable that nails the fundamentals. “It’s pretty foolproof, where somebody who has no experience with records can look at it, figure out how to play a record, and get good sound out of it, and they’re built like tanks.” In fact, it’s the model he uses for the customer listening station in his store.
Note that the LP60X does not have a replaceable cartridge (the part of the turntable that holds the needle), which means you won’t be able to upgrade that component if you get more serious about vinyl down the line. Steinberg also points out that it is fully automatic, which could be great if you’re new to vinyl and want to make things a little easier, but purists will likely prefer the feel and ritual of manual operation.
Best upgrade turntable
Signal output: Phono, line | Connections: Analog, Bluetooth, USB | Controls: Fully manual | Drive: Direct
The Audio-Technica LP120X is modeled — not so subtly — after what is probably the most iconic turntable of all time, the discontinued Technics 1200. Steinberg says he would recommend it to any customer, but he suggests it especially to those newer to vinyl who want something a little nicer than an entry-level option and don’t mind manual operation
This turntable’s key feature is the magnet-powered “direct drive,” which is usually only found in professional-grade turntables or other, more expensive units. DJ Prestige explains that unlike turntables with a “belt drive” (a motor powered by replaceable belts that wear down with use and may need to be swapped depending on the type of record you play), a direct drive will rarely, if ever, need service. According to Prestige, a DJ of 20 years, it can handle records of all sizes without any fiddling under the hood. “If I were starting over right now, I’d probably get this,” he says, because of the quality you get for the price. And though Mike Davis, owner of New York City’s Academy Records, has never used the LP120X or its very similar predecessor, the LP120, “I bought a 120 for my nephew, and he loves it. And he bought one for his friend, who loves it too.”
This turntable checks other appealing boxes, too. It comes from a reputable maker; it has a built-in preamp, so the only other thing you need to use it is a speaker that connects to an outlet; and its USB output allows you to connect it to your computer if you want to archive your vinyl. It’s also fully manual, so you have much more control and a more tactile experience when playing records.
According to Steinberg, the LP120X has a more efficient motor than the earlier LP120, “so it needs less energy and gets up to speed faster.” I’ve heard that Audio-Technica does a great job of listening to customer feedback, Steinberg says, and the 120X reflects that, boasting a lower profile, a stronger preamp, and a power supply that’s built into the charging cord instead of the turntable itself.
Best Bluetooth-enabled turntable
Signal output: Phono, line | Connections: Analog, Bluetooth, USB | Controls: Manual | Drive: Belt
If you need a turntable that’ll work with a Bluetooth speaker, JBL’s Spinner BT has impressive sound and easily connects to speakers and headphones for convenient listening.
There’s a quick-install guide that breaks things down into easy steps, and it took me about ten minutes to get things set into place and calibrated. After the turntable is set up, all you have to do is put your Bluetooth speaker or headphones into pairing mode, then hit the pairing button on the back of the Spinner BT, and the two devices will connect.
I tested the Spinner BT alongside JBL’s Boombox 3, a large booming speaker with a handle that lets you lug it from room to room, playing, in my case, Prince’s Purple Rain. Even from across my house, the Spinner maintained a connection to the Boombox as I carried it with me. It’s far from the traditional vinyl-listening experience with bookshelf speakers or a nice set of headphones, but it’s a convenient upgrade that lets you play your records across a wider physical range without having to move your whole setup. And if you do prefer the analog approach, there are outputs for speakers and headphones, too.
If you like a clear dustcover on your turntable, the Spinner BT’s matte cover may not appeal to you. I think the matte cover looks great, and it makes it stand apart from most turntables.
Most stylish turntable
Signal output: Phono, line | Connections: Analog, Bluetooth | Controls: Fully manual | Drive: Direct
My first turntable, gifted to me by my dad back in college, was an entry-level Pro-Ject Audio Debut III turntable. Even to my then-untrained ear, it sounded great, and still sounds good enough to keep me from wanting to upgrade. The company “pretty much only makes turntables,” says Steinberg, who notes that many of the brand’s models are priced “in the thousands,” making the T1 a great choice for someone who wants to dip their toes into the higher-end market. Davis and DJ Prestige agree that Pro-Ject turntables are known for their minimalist build, streamlined look, and high-quality materials, like a cartridge made by Ortofon, a company that Steinberg says has a long history of producing audiophile-approved components. The T1 comes with a built-in preamp, Bluetooth connectivity, and a manual tonearm, making it accessible to both novice users and more experienced collectors. It also has a sleek and beautiful design that would compliment any interior-design enthusiast’s space.
Best classic turntable
Signal output: Phono only (no built-in preamp) | Connections: Analog | Controls: Fully manual | Drive: Direct
The discontinued Technics 1200 is something of an icon in the turntable world. “The 1200 was the standard when it came out in the ’70s, and it’s been the standard ever since,” says Davis. DJ Prestige is a longtime fan too. “I’ve been DJ-ing for 20 years, and all I’ve had are Technics,” he says. Eilon Paz — a photographer and the author of Dust and Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting — called the Technics 1200 a “workhorse” and told us that after it was discontinued, there was a big outcry in the record-collecting community. According to Paz, this newer model is Technics’ attempt at appeasement. Like other high-end turntables, it’s a manual turntable that doesn’t have a built-in preamp or Bluetooth connectivity or a USB output. This is Technic’s ode to a classic turntable.
Best statement turntable
Signal output: Phono, line | Connections: Analog | Controls: Fully manual | Drive: Belt
While I love the general aesthetic of a turntable, none have caught my eye quite like U-Turn Audio’s Orbit. It doesn’t just produce great sound: It looks good enough to serve as a centerpiece. It comes in an assortment of colors, including black, white, blue, green, and red, as well as oak and walnut finishes that cost an additional $120, and a custom option.
I tested the Orbit with a pair of U-Turn Audio’s analog speakers, which sounded excellent, even when awkwardly placed behind my TV due to limited space. While listening to Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town, each track sounded rich and balanced, without producing many unwanted sounds from the motor.
In addition to looking and sounding great, the Orbit Basic is easy to set up. An optional built-in preamp allows for easy connection to a set of analog speakers, though that convenience will cost you a bit extra. Some of its parts, like the cartridge, can be upgraded later, so you can swap the needle for one that’ll last longer.
I have one minor quibble with this turntable: Its belt drive is a bit tricky to set into place, and took a few minutes of frustratingly trying to loop the belt around the disc platter until I was able to secure it. That’s not an issue once you’ve set it up, but if you want to change the turntable’s speed from 33 to 45 RPM or vice versa, you’ll have to readjust it and go through the fiddly process again.
That’s not enough to detract from its good looks. When I posted a picture of the Orbit to my Instagram Story, at least five friends reached out asking where I got the pretty turntable.
Our experts
• Mike Davis, owner of New York City’s Academy Records
• Eilon Paz, photographer and the author of Dust and Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting
• DJ Prestige of Fleamarket Funk
• Mark Steinberg, chief technologist and turntable specialist at B&H Photo Video
• Jake Sullivan, co-owner of Tucson, Arizona’s Wooden Tooth Records
Additional reporting done by Jordan Bowman
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