Subj : The best turntables for all budgets, tested and selected by TechR (2/2) To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Nov 25 2025 14:00:09 You don't necessarily have to (it may come with them if the product is listed as a 'record player' it probably will already have speakers in the package). But if it's just the deck, you might want to. Check out the best stereo speakers . After all, a turntable is only as good as the speakers it's hooked up to, if that's how you want to listen. Or, you might want to look into the best over-ear headphones and wireless earbuds to go with your record player if there's Bluetooth transmission or simply go wired and retro, with some of the best wired headphones . If you opt for a wireless record player, you might want to invest in a Bluetooth speaker , a wireless speaker , or to connect it to your existing smart speaker . Also note that if your deck of choice doesn't have built-in amplification (a pre/power solution in one product is often called an 'integrated amplifier', but you can also buy preamps and power amps separately) or a phono stage, and you want to connect it to passive speakers, you'll need to buy these too check out our amplifier reviews for more information. Are old turntables better than new ones? The best-sounding turntable is the one you enjoy the most. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise. Some listeners love the warm, nostalgic tone of older models (if that's you, check out Bang & Olufsen's 1985 turntable re-release I think it's sold out, but you never know), while newer turntables can often deliver similar characteristics with added reliability and more modern features. Price and condition matter too. A high-end vintage deck may still outperform a cheaper modern one, though it might need repairs or maintenance to sound its best. If you want crisp, high-fidelity playback, go for a newer model. If you prefer a raw, vintage sound, stick with the classic you already have. In the end, its all about your taste and how you like your music to feel. Does my turntable need to have a built-in phono stage? Your turntable doesnt need a built-in phono stage, but its a smart choice for beginners often there's a switch allowing you to use the phono stage in the deck, or bypass it if you've got your own. A phono stage boosts the turntables signal so that your amplification and speakers can play it properly and every setup needs one somewhere in the chain. Many of the best turntables include a built-in phono stage, making setup simple, especially if youre using powered speakers without an amp. If not, youll need an amp or speakers that include one, or an external phono preamp between your turntable and amp. This is rare in wireless speakers, though the Cambridge Audio Evo One has one. Built-in phono stages are more convenient, while external ones can deliver better sound quality. What's the difference between belt-drive and direct-drive turntables? The difference comes down to what spins the platter the flat surface your record sits on and your priorities. Belt-drive turntables use a rubber belt between the motor and platter, which helps isolate vibration and reduce motor noise. Direct-drive turntables have a motor directly beneath the platter, offering faster start-up, greater durability and precise timing. Making them the go-to choice for DJs. Both types are excellent, but belt-drives (when done well) are sometimes thought to deliver better audio purity, while direct-drives suit performance and versatility. Are high-end turntables worth it? If youre an audiophile who can pick up subtle differences in sound and you have the budget a high-end turntable is worth it. Premium models deliver a more precise, natural sound, but only when paired with equally capable amps, phono stages, and speakers. If youre less focused on perfection, a mid-range turntable will still sound fantastic. High-end setups often need large speakers and plenty of space to shine, so if room is limited, you may be better off saving your money. How much should I spend on a turntable? It depends on your priorities. A $99/99 turntable will play vinyl just fine, but spending more usually means a better overall experience. A good mid-range example is the Rega Planar PL1 , which has a list price of 299 / $595 / AU$645. Here, Rega focuses on solid engineering rather than flashy features. Sony's slightly cheaper PS-LX310BT comes in at 249 / $249 and adds Bluetooth for convenience, though you'll trade sound quality and style in return. As with most audio equipment, it comes down to what matters most to you. If you already have quality speakers and amps, investing more will pay off. But as our guide show, you can get a great turntable for a lot less than you may think. Is it worth buying an expensive turntable? It all depends on your budget and needs. Casual listeners may be perfectly happy with a budget or mid-range turntable, while audiophiles who appreciate subtle sound detail will benefit from investing in something high-end. Premium models, like our high-end pick, the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2, offer a refined build and beautifully balanced sound. In general, you get what you pay for. Higher-priced turntables usually include better components such as platters, cartridges and tonearms that reduce vibration and enhance clarity. That said, great sound doesnt have to break the bank. Many affordable and mid-range models rival pricier decks, though you may need to compromise slightly on features or finish. Can I upgrade parts of my turntable for better sound in the future? Yes. It's one of the big appeals of vinyl. Many of the best turntables can be upgraded. For example, the cartridge (thats the bit that holds the needle) can be switched out, which makes a big difference to sound quality. You can also swap out the platter mat, upgrade the platter itself, or invest in a better phono stage (the preamp). Some models will also let you upgrade the tonearm, though thats a bit more advanced. If you're starting with a beginner deck, there are fewer upgrade options, but with mid-range and higher-end models, there's usually lots of room to tweak and improve your setup over time. What's the difference between a record player and turntable? Although the terms record player and turntable are often used interchangeably, they describe different devices. A turntable is part of a larger audio setup. It spins the vinyl but needs a preamp, amplifier and speakers to produce sound. Turntables appeal to audiophiles because theyre highly customizable, letting you mix and match components like the stylus, cartridge, and tonearm for a tailored sound and easy upgrades over time. A record player is an all-in-one system with a built-in amplifier and speakers. Its convenient, compact,and perfect for casual listeners or small spaces, though it cant match the sound quality or flexibility of a full turntable setup. If you value customization and high fidelity, go for a turntable. If you prefer simplicity and plug-and-play ease, a record player is the better fit. In this guide, we've chosen both turntables and record players to suit different needs. What is the most reliable turntable? For us, reliable means a turntable that's a fantastic all-rounder and good value for money. With that in mind, you can't go wrong with the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo that sits at the top of our list of the best turntables, with an expansive, detailed sound and impressive specs. If you're willing to spend a little more, then the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 is our high-end option. This futuristic, fantastic-looking turntable brings you a balanced and insightful sound, as well as modern connectivity options. In contrast, the Fluance RT81 is a mid-range option with no-frills but a great sound for the price. But if by reliable you mean sheer toughness, then the Technics SL-1500C needs to under consideration, because it's built like musical tank. What makes a high-quality turntable? This largely depends what you're looking for although of course, we have our opinions. We judge a high-quality turntable on the build, the different playback speeds that are on offer, the compatibility and how well-damped the deck is. It's also worth looking for extra features, like USB ports. Beginners may want to find an easy-to-use turntable rather than a high-quality, picky one requiring calibration of the tonearm and such. We recommend looking for simple setups, built-in phono stages and wireless connectivity, like Bluetooth. Style matters too, so pick out a look you like as well as a solid and dependable design. Does vinyl sound better? That's a big question even audiophiles don't fully agree. Vinyl is often praised for its warm, rich sound, especially older pressings made from analog masters. Because its a fully analog format, theres no digital processing to interfere with the recordings natural texture and depth. However, many modern records are pressed from digital masters. This means that the music has already been digitized to some extent before being cut to vinyl. You still get the tactile joy of playing a record, but the sound quality might not be all that different from what youd hear on a well-mastered digital file or CD. So vinyl generally does offer more nuance and character than compressed MP3s. But whether it truly sounds all that better depends on the recording, the pressing, the device you're using and your ears, because a lot of this is also down to personal preference, too. Are there any dangers with cheap turntables? Cheap turntables don't tend to sound as good and can damage your records. Budget turntables use a ceramic cartridge instead of a magnetic cartridge, which means the needle is flexible and so will cause more wear to the record's grooves. They also often lack counterweights, so the needle presses too hard into the record and poor damping or wobbly motors can add even more pressure and vibration. Built-in speakers make things worse by shaking the body of the turntable itself. Not all cheap turntables are bad. Some brands made good decisions about putting the money into the parts that matter. Always check trusted reviews of people with experience, and consider strong saving a little longer to get a step-up model if you can. The jump in safety and quality from 'super-cheap' to 'inexpensive' is large, but the price isn't that different. Does my turntable need a USB port? Many mid-range and budget turntables now include USB ports, a relatively new feature in the vinyl world. But should you prioritize it? Well, we have a whole guide that digs into the question of whether your next turntable should have a USB port , but we'll summarize the key points here. A USB ports main purpose is to digitize your vinyl collection. You can connect the turntable to a computer and record playback complete with analogue imperfections. In some cases, there may be albums or tracks on records that never made it onto the best music streaming services , so you might want to preserve these digitally, and a USB port enables you to do that. But that is essentially the only reason. You wouldn't use for direct music playback in any way, and they're not used for software updates that improve turntable performance or anything like that. If you are looking for an affordable turntable with a USB port, read our Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB review that's an excellent option for the price. How can I listen to a turntable using headphones? To use headphones with a turntable, youll need either a model with built-in Bluetooth (such as the Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT at #2 in the list , or Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 at #3 in the list ) or you'll need to have them connected to an amp that offers a headphones output. Most turntables dont come with a headphone jack, so youll usually have to run the turntable through a preamp or amplifier that has one, or that has Bluetooth support. How we test the best turntables Having tested countless record players over the years, we know that the best way to find out whether they live up to their specs is simply to open up our vinyl collection, set up the deck, calibrate the tonearm (if necessary) and get playing. Setup: When it comes to beginner and budget-friendly turntables, we're looking for simple setups, built-in phono stages and wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth (for listening to the vinyl spinning on the platter through your wireless headphones) alongside solid tracking. Extra features: Naturally, when it comes to high-end audiophile record players, we look at the playback speeds offered, compatibility, how well-damped the deck is and extra features such as USB ports. Build quality: Of course, a rock-solid, dependable build is also paramount here. We spend considerable time looking into the quality of the build. This means in terms of how the build impacts the performance because sound is what matters the most but also how to feels to use and how it'll look in your home. Style isn't everything, but if you're paying high-end prices and want something that looks just as high-end, aesthetics matter. Performance: Audio quality is of paramount importance when it comes to selecting the best turntables. To earn a spot in this guide, a deck has to produce detail and clarity from your record stash while delivering that warm, rich analogue sound that good turntables are so well known for. Value: Finally, are you getting your money's worth? Several of the best turntables in this guide are expensive, but considering the build, performance and build, they represent great value. Similarly, you'll find cheaper options here but that doesn't mean they're not great value in some respects, particularly for beginners who may need reliability but not necessarily premium specs and features. The latest updates to this turntables guide November 20, 2025 Refreshed the introduction. Added the Technics SL-1300G as our 'Best for sound' pick in the no.4 slot, based on our recent testing. Moved all of the other recommendations up a place to accommodate the new Technics entry. November 7, 2025 Added a new entry, the Majority Folio, as our 'best cheap' pick based on recent testing. Also added several new FAQs to the bottom of the guide to help readers make the best buying decision. August 15, 2025 Refreshed the introduction. Added the Avid Ingenium Plug&Play in a new 'Best plug and play' category, based on our recent testing. July 3, 2025 Removed several entries from the main list, including the Denon DP-300F, Marantz TT-15S1 and Victrola Hi-Res Onyx, and added them to our 'Also consider' section instead. Renumbered the new list and checked to ensure all info is up to date and relevant. Added several new entries to the FAQs section to help readers find the best turntable for them. May 30, 2025 Added more beginner-friendly explanations and advice to our FAQs section, including about phono stages and automatic operation. May 2, 2025 Refreshed the intro. Added several new responses to our FAQs section to demystify the turntable buying process for readers. See more updates April 11, 2025 Refreshed the introduction and added a link to gives readers details about Record Store Day 2025. Added the Vertere DG X as our new 'best for design' pick, based on recent testing. March 14, 2025 Rewrote the introduction and added information about the Technics SL-1200 watch. Alphabetized our 'also consider' section to make it easier for readers to scan, and added the EAT C-DUR Concrete here as another option. Restructured the 'how to choose' advice to focus on the key considerations. February 17, 2025 Added more information for vinyl beginners to our 'How to choose' section. January 16, 2025 Rewrote the introduction to keep things up to date and to mention that we're testing the Gadhouse Duke & Roy. Added image galleries to each entry to give readers a better look at the products we're recommending. Ensured all copy is up to date and doesn't reference old deals or outdated advice. December 20, 2024 Added the new House of Marley Revolution as our best super-budget beginner pick. Refreshed the intro to add clarity on different models and newer tech. November 27, 2024 Added a section about Black Friday turntable deals and suggestions. November 1, 2024 Rewrote the introduction. Added the Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT as our 'best budget pick' , removing the older Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT. Updated our 'also consider' section to include some new alternatives, including the Victrola Stream Sapphire. Itemized our 'how we test' explainer to make it easier for readers to see what we're looking for when we're reviewing the best turntables. September 3, 2024 Added the Victrola Hi-Res Onyx as 'best for Bluetooth streaming'. Listed the Victrola Eastwood II, Majority Moto 2.0 and Rekkord Audio F300 to a new 'Also consider' section, which details products we've tested but don't recommend as a 'best for' model in this guide and why. August 5, 2024 Swapped the Lenco LS-410WA for the Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 as our new 'best all-in-one' option. It requires speakers adding, but that's it and it sounds like a high-quality hi-fi system. July 31, 2024 Swapped the Lenco LS-410WA for the Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 as our new 'best all-in-one' option. Granted, you do need to buy extra speakers but it's nearly all-in-one, and it's a great-sounding, well-priced, compact pick. July 5, 2024 Added a section explaining the use of USB ports in turntables. June 7, 2024 Checked all products. Added information about the difference between turntables and record players. May 10, 2024 Added information about the potential risks of cheaper turntables damaging vinyl. March 28, 2024 Removed Clearaudio Concept because it's been discontinued. January 22, 2024 Updated copy and content to reflect new turntables. November 10, 2023 Checked all recommendations, and updated some descriptions and FAQs to aid clarity. Added notes about Black Friday deals. October 2, 2023 Checked products against current prices and reviews, and updated some buying advice. September 14, 2023 Added buy it if, don't buy it if boxouts to each individual product write-up, and checked product rankings against latest reviews. August 9, 2023 Updated the format of this guide to feature quick links at the top, refreshed prices within the copy to reflect the market. July 19, 2023 Changed images to our own hands-on pictures. Reordered products to reflect the latest prices. June 13, 2023 Checked all products against our latest reviews and ratings. TechRadar turntables coverage Buying guides Best stereo speakers Best wireless speakers Best Bluetooth speakers Best hi-res music players Best headphones DACs Best wired headphones Best wired in-ear monitors Best earbuds Best wireless headphones Top reviews Pro-ject Debut Carbon Evo review Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT review Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 review Fluance RT81 review House of Marley Revolution review Rega Planar PL1 review Technics SL-1500C Turntable review Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 review Explainers You need to be careful when buying new vinyl the digital music loudness war can mean they sound worse than second-hand records 8 things to know before buying a cheap turntable Want to get into vinyl? 3 great beginner turntable systems to get you started Should you buy a Bluetooth turntable? The advantages and disadvantages explained Does your turntable need a USB port? Here's why it does (or doesn't) matter Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT vs Victrola Hi-Res Onyx: which is the best Bluetooth turntable? Notable launches Pro-Ject's Elvis themed turntable means I'll listen My Way Hells bells! Pro-Ject's AC/DC turntable just left me thunderstruck Looking for a beginner turntable? Here's three I recommend Technics' legendary SL-1200 turntable just got two limited 'Master Edition' versions and they're actually the last track for a famous model Audio-Technica's see-through turntable is so cool, it seems a shame to put your vinyl on it This wild turntable plays vinyl without a tonearm, automatically detects the RPM, and is a solid lump of aluminum This impossibly cool turntable uses a removable disc instead of any visible controls it's a weird minimalist dream A vertical turntable with an 'optical' stylus is the futuristic vinyl spinner I dreamed of as a kid Pro-Ject's new affordable tube pre-amp for turntables could be the perfect next step in your analogue vinyl journey ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/turntables/the-best-turntables --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .