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Nothing beats the sound of a great record player, right?
For music lovers, having a vinyl setup in your home is the ultimate way to enjoy your favorite albums, but with so many record players and turntables out there, it’s hard to find the perfect one.
Fear not, Billboard has your back! In honor of Prime Day, we searched to find a selection of our favorite record players and turntables (click here for funky, sleek ways to store and display your record collection in your home or studio).
What’s the difference between a record player and a turntable? In short, a turntable is a more isolated version of a record player that tends to be portable, and popular with DJs, while most record players are usually designed to stay in your house (although we do have some portable options on the list).
From low-cost to luxury, see below for a list of eight of the best record players and turntables for all budgets.
BEST VALUE
ByronStatics Record Player
Starting with a bargain, Bryson Statistic’s suitcase record player is a good option for the price. Available in black, blue and dark grey, this three-speed record player has built-in stereo speakers (with a jack for headphones), which deliver a decent amount of sound. The record player supports AUX/RCA and Bluetooth connectivity in select models.
SUITCASE TURNTABLE
Crosley Voyager Portable Vinyl Record Player
This is the classic suitcase record player and it’s on sale for its lowest price of the season. Choose from more than a dozen colors, each with built-in speakers, Bluetooth capabilities and retro good looks.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Fluance RT81 Turntable
Fluence RT81 is another highly-rated record player. Features include an Audio Technica AT95E diamond elliptical tipped stylus (designed to track your record grooves with greater precision and accuracy for a high-definition audio experience) and a rubber slip mat for “superior isolation from unwanted vibrations.” Although Fluence record players don’t have Bluetooth, you can connect them to external speakers, or shop the Fluence RT81 turntable with five-inch bookshelf speakers ($489).
MINIMALIST PICK
U-Turn Audio – Orbit Plus (Gen 2) Turntable
The U-Turn Orbit (available in white, red, black and blue) is known for it’s “balanced and neutral sound” and it’s popular on TikTok. This sleek turntable is equipped with an OA2 gimbal arm that utilizes “precision bearings” to ensure that the stylus moves freely, a low-resistance acrylic platter for “speed consistency” with anti-skate preset and an adjustable counterweight. The external, two-speed belt drive (33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM) is designed to separate the “low-noise motor from the rest of the turntable.”
FULL SETUP
Vinyl Record Player With Speakers
This Prime Day deal gets you a full turntable set, with a record player and two external speakers. We love the vintage-inspired look of the wood trim, and the slim design (which sits perfectly on a bookshelf or table). Bonus: apply the on-site Amazon coupon to save an additional $10 off your purchase.
TOP-RATED
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK Turntable
Interested in Audio Technica? The AT-LPX60-BK is a good alternative for beginners and intermediate listeners alike. Merging hi-fi audio and Bluetooth technology for wired and wireless listening, the AT turntable easily pairs with speakers and headphones. The turntable is available in several different colors, all on sale for 24% off. This one of the best-reviewed record players on Amazon with more than 80% of shoppers giving it a full, five-star review.
PORTABLE PICK
Victrola Revolution GO
Carry the music with you. Victrola’s portable, rechargeable Bluetooth record player features a three-speed belt driven turntable and an Audio Technica moving magnetic cartridge. The rechargeable battery lasts for up to 12 hours and the carrying strap makes it easy to take from spot to spot. Bonus: this Amazon deal includes a vinyl record cleaning kit that doubles as a record stand.
LUXE PICK
Rega Planar 1 Turntable with Premounted Carbon MM Cartridge
If you can afford to go up in price, the Rega Planar 1 is a good starting point on the scale of higher-end turntables. It features a brand new RB110 tonearm, built with the new Rega designed bespoke bearings with ultra-low friction performance and a 23mm, higher mass, phenolic platter equipped with an improved flywheel effect for better speed stability. The turntable runs on a 24v, low noise, synchronous motor designed to reduce the vibration transfer.
For more product recommendations, check out our tips on how to clean your vinyl records and the best speakers for music lovers.
