Last Updated on September 1, 2023 by Daniel Osakwe
Welcome to our review of the best turntables. Below, we’ve listed and reviewed 10 of the best turntables available in the market.
These turntables featured below are both belt drive and direct drive turntables. In addition, these turntables are easy to operate, durable, and comes with a wide range of features.
So, if you’re looking for the best turntables to buy, you just found the right place. And without further ado, why not check out the 10 best turntables we’ve reviewed below.
Table of Contents
Buyers Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying a Turntable
Belt drive versus direct drive: This reveals to you how the engine is identified with the platter, and why it is significant. Ace DJs love direct-drive turntables since they locate a functional pace promptly when the engine is turned on, and the platter diverts freed from obstruction when the engine is shut down. In case you’re not a DJ, you’ll need a belt-driven ‘table. A versatile band identified with the engine turns the platter, which eliminates motor change, and assistants bring out more subtlety from a chronicle.
Cartridge: Most turntables go with a cartridge pre-mounted on the tonearm. The cartridge contains the stylus —which by a long shot a large portion of us gently infer as a “needle” or “pickup” — that reads the record’s grooves and produces sound. The presented cartridge is normally a superior than normal section level decision, regardless, different music darlings choose to climb to get basically more grounded execution.
USB output: You purchase a turntable since you love fundamental sounds. By and by, a few ‘tables have a part that permits you to cause modernized duplicates of your supported groupings so you to can shield them and take the music with you when you go out. On the off chance that that sounds fantastic to you, search for a turntable with a USB output.
Turntable Mats and Slipmats: DJs use mats to decrease grinding on their records, yet they are gigantic for each turntable. They improve sound quality and shield your records from getting injured. Take the necessary steps not to attempt to play a record without one. Felt mats are the most comprehensively seen sort because of their flexibility, extend mats are best for opening up the sound range and adaptable mats decrease vibrations for sound clearness.
Best Turntables Compilation Chart
Name | Features | Where to Buy |
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB | Motor: Direct drive | Platter: Die-cast aluminum | Get it on Amazon |
Audio-Technica AT-LP60 | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Die-cast aluminum | Get it on Amazon |
Denon DP-300F | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Die-cast aluminum | Get it on Amazon |
Fluance RT81 | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Aluminum | Get it on Amazon |
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Aluminum | Get it on Amazon |
Rega Planar 1 | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Phenolic resin | Get it on Amazon |
Marantz TT-15S1 | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: High-Density Acrylic | Get it on Amazon |
Clearaudio Concept | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Polyoxymethylene | Get it on Amazon |
Sony PS-HX500 | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Aluminum Diecast Alloy | Get it on Amazon |
Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable | Motor: Direct drive | Platter: Polyoxymethylene | Get it on Amazon |
Best Turntables in Connectivity
Rega Planar 1
Dimensions: 17.5″ (450mm) W by 4.5″ (115mm) H by 15″ (385mm) D | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Phenolic resin | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: Rega Carbon
There’s a lot of conversation on whether the Rega Planar 1 or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is the best section level Hi-Fi turntable. It’s a close-by match and there are no sensible victors, each giving a wonderful starting spot to audiophiles on a cautious spending plan.
While the Rega may don’t have the extreme carbon tonearm of the Pro-Ject, Planar 1 regardless of everything sounds wonderful and is particularly damped with its phenolic gum platter. Additionally, for novices, the Rega Planar 1 is as yet easy to set up, any way you’ll have to get your own phono preamp.
Finally, the Rega Planar 1 just sounds so incredible that it’s hard to accuse it to an outrageous. Vocals are revealing and you can hear the surface from instruments like the violin. The included Rega Carbon cartridge is not all that much yet makes sense of how to be an exceptional partner for the turntable.
It’s an outrageous choice between Planar 1 and the Debut Carbon anyway you can’t turn out severely with either.
Pros | Cons |
Excellent sound quality | No phono preamp included |
Easy to set up, even for newbies | Manual speed change |
Sony PS-HX500
Dimensions: 16.54” x 13.78” x 4.92”; (W x D x H) | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Aluminum Diecast Alloy | Phono preamp: Yes | USB: Yes 44.1kHz / 48kHz / 96kHz / 192kHz (16bit / 24bit) | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: Sony 9-885-210-05
The Sony PS-HX500 is a remarkable segment level turntable for those essentially starting with record gathering. Its hero segment is its ability to record Hi-Res sound from its USB output in 96kHz/24bit resolution. This is a bewildering component for those planning to digitize their records.
To the extent of sound quality, the Sony PS-HX500 sounds broad and gives incredible detail. In any case, the included needle sounds to some degree coldblooded and sibilant once in a while and doesn’t have the goals of continuously exorbitant cartridges.
While some may like the moderate structure of Sony, it’s absolutely forgettable and its plastic structure leaves a lot to be needed. Dealing with the turntable consistently leaves us requiring dynamically premium materials that don’t shake.
Pros | Cons |
Hi-Res audio USB recording | Forgettable design |
Good sound quality for the price | Plastic build |
Cambridge Audio Alva TT
Dimensions: 17.12” x 14.48” x 5.47”; (W x D x H) | Motor: Direct drive | Platter: Polyoxymethylene | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: Elliptical
$1700/£1500 for a sound system is expensive paying little heed to the brand, and it’s Cambridge’s most exorbitant ever turntable by a mile. However, it’s strikingly demonstrated and plans to pass on all the various and numerous inclinations of the vinyl position with very few of the exchange offs.
The truth’s prepared to stream remotely to a 24bit/48kHz aptX HD standard makes it number one of each a field of one. No other turntable from any better-settled brand right now grandstand – Rega, for instance, or Clearaudio – can move toward this level of convenience.
Pros | Cons |
Simple to set up | Not the last word in dynamism |
Hi-res aptX HD wireless streaming |
Best Turntables in Design
Marantz TT-15S1
Dimensions: 440mm x 350mm x 110mm; (W x D x H) | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: High-Density Acrylic | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: Clearaudio Virtuoso
The Marantz TT-15S1 costs a veritable bit of progress, yet you’re truly getting an astonishing arrangement. The Clearaudio Virtuoso included with the turntable is $1000 when purchased freely.
Moreover, you get a killer tonearm and bewitching turntable at a worth that is obviously an endeavor, yet not ridiculous. So what does the Marantz TT-15S1 get you over the resistance? Essentially all parts of the turntable have been poured over to be also as can be relied upon to be at the expense.
The fit and finish are astonishing and it’s a pleasure to manage the extraordinary portions. This is a turntable you’ll wind up regarding its visual and noticeable qualities. Amateurs should not get this turntable as it requires more data to set up fittingly than the entry-level turntables on this once-over.
In any case, on the off chance that you’re set up to take your record assembling and checking out the accompanying level, the Marantz TT-15S1 is the perfect spot to start.
Pros | Cons |
Excellent attention to detail | Expensive |
Gorgeous design |
Clearaudio Concept
Dimensions: 16.54” x 13.78” x 4.92”; (W x D x H) | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Polyoxymethylene | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45, 78 rpm | Stylus: Clearaudio Concept MC
If the Clearaudio Concept and Marantz TT-15S1 give off an impression of being notable, that is because the Marantz was worked by Clearaudio to Marantz’s determinations. This infers everything about the heavenly structure nature of the Marantz endures to the Clearaudio Concept (for instance this is a turntable that is as impeccable as it sounds).
One little yet noteworthy complexity between the Marantz and the Clearaudio is the ability to play 78 rpm records. While by far most will never run over 78s, it’s charming to understand that the Clearaudio Concept is prepared for playing them. The Concept moreover has a helpful spread dial on the plinth, which implies you don’t have to swap the belt position truly.
As for negatives, the Clearaudio Concept has no remarkable imperfections. In reality, it’s expensive any way you’re regardless of everything getting it at this moment. The included Clearaudio Concept moving-circle cartridge costs $1,000 without any other individual.
Pros | Cons |
Excellent build quality | Expensive |
Detailed, rich sound |
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon
Dimensions: 415 x 118 x 320mm (WxHxD) | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Aluminum | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: Ortofon 2M Red
Starting now and into the foreseeable future things start to get to some degree progressively ‘certified’: The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is in the runnings to be the best section level howdy fi turntables you can buy.
While vinyl newcomers may drawback at the worth, the Debut Carbon is really an incomprehensible arrangement. For the money, you get a particularly made deck that is damped fittingly for unimaginable sound quality.
The carbon-fiber tonearm is lightweight and strong and is regularly put something aside for turntables costing generously more. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is for the developing darling that is centered around the record gathering interest and considering that devotion, it doesn’t feature comforts like an auto-returning tonearm, gets for changing rate or an included phono preamp.
Novices may be executed by the manual changing of the belt position to change speeds and the nonappearance of an included preamp. In any case, if you have to isolate more detail and objectives from your records than the more affordable choices on this summary, or in case you have to start in transit of being a real vinyl gatherer, the Debut Carbon is likely your most sensible alternative.
Pros | Cons |
Excellent value for a hi-fi turntable | Requires a phono preamp |
Easy to setup | Manual speed change |
Best Turntables Price
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB
Dimensions: 450.0 mm (17.72″) W x 352.0 mm (13.86″) D x 157.0 mm (6.1″) H | Motor: Direct drive | Platter: Die-cast aluminum | Phono preamp: Yes | USB: Yes | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45, 78 rpm | Stylus: AT95
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB is an extraordinary at an early stage the turntable for any developing vinyl devotee. Out of the box, it incorporates the ability to play 33 ⅓, 45, and 78 RPM, which suggests there will never be an assortment you can’t play. There’s moreover a worked in phono preamp so you never need to worry over finding one in solitude.
New record specialists will worship the straightforward game plan and features while more screened customers will appreciate the choice to dial in the vertical after edge, following force and successfully replaceable headshell. Obviously, no doubt a Technics SL-1200 hoax anyway at a limited quantity of the worth, it’s completely advocated, notwithstanding all the difficulty.
The AT-LP120-USB moreover goes with a USB yield that licenses you to record your record combination if you need it. To spread it out obviously, this deck discovers an agreement of accommodation for amateurs while so far including some additionally evolved features for you to form into.
Pros | Cons |
Great sound quality for the price | Mediocre USB output |
Great for newbies and pros alike | Plastic build |
Audio-Technica AT-LP60
Dimensions: 360.0 mm (14.17″) W x 97.5 mm (3.84″) H x 356.0 mm (14.02″) D | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Die-cast aluminum | Phono preamp: Yes | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: ATN3600
If you would incline toward not to spend a fortune on the best turntable on earth and you’re not worried over squeezing every single drop of steadiness from your LPs, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is a perfect starting stage.
This turntable can play most vinyl and is by far the most sensible turntable we have on this overview. It’s furthermore completely customized, which implies it’ll line a record and return the arm to resting position without requiring a manual switch. The fundamental rebuke with a turntable this unobtrusive is that it won’t create with you as your vinyl combination develops.
The understood phono preamp suggests you’re left with it, regardless, you can displace the needle once it wears out. While there are more affordable, insufficiently planned turntables accessible, it’s not supported, notwithstanding any potential advantages, as you danger hurting your important records with incapably balanced and improperly weighted tonearms.
Vinyl is exorbitant so we recommend the AT-LP60 for students just wanting to start.
Pros | Cons |
Fully automatic | Passable sound |
Excellent value | Can’t replace the cartridge |
Denon DP-300F
Dimensions: 17-3/32 x 4-51/64 x 15″ (434 x 122 x 381 mm); (WxHxD) | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Die-cast aluminum | Phono preamp: Yes | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: DSN-85
The Denon DP-300F is a beguiling turntable that sounds comparatively on a standard with its looks. The included DSN-85 cartridge isn’t the most exact yet it before long makes sense of how to make your music sound vaporous and reasonably unequivocal, especially at its expense. You’ll need to plug in more cash to hear more detail.
While the DP-300F misses the mark on the USB output of a bit of the turntable recorded here, it’s up ’til now an unimaginable starting turntable for any person who wouldn’t prefer to truly line their assortments or have a penchant for falling asleep while checking out the music.
The Denon’s customized start/stop feature suggests your needle won’t be exhausted at the completion of the record as the arm rapidly returns when an assortment is done. Manufacture quality is OK for an all-plastic turntable, yet its buttons feel humble – a minor issue, be that as it may, shouldn’t be a significant issue for you.
Pros | Cons |
Fully automatic | Buttons feel cheap |
Affordable | Plastic build |
Fluance RT81
Dimensions: 16.5” x 5.5” x 13.75” | Motor: Belt drive | Platter: Aluminum | Phono preamp: Yes | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: ATN95E
The Fluance RT81 is an extraordinary starter turntable for the fan. It’s anything but difficult to set up and use for tenderfoots yet you can change out the cartridge to press out more execution later on. Novices in like manner won’t have to worry over getting an alternate phono preamp, as one is understood.
In any case, you can turn it off if you have to use a predominant external preamp. The principle disadvantage is that Fluance’s advanced “auto-off” feature essentially executes the platter, thwarting over the top needle wear yet you’ll regardless of everything need to reestablish the arm to its resting place yourself.
You’ll moreover need to genuinely line records, which is certifiably not a significant issue utilizing any methods anyway is an intriguing point for those looking for a totally modified turntable. The Denon DP-300F is a staggering choice for those looking for a totally automated record listening experience.
Pros | Cons |
Decent sounding phono preamp | No auto returning tonearm |
Great sound for the price | Poor vibration damping |
Test Process
During our testing, we relied on the opinion of experts and feedback of clients based on these major factors: Performance, Ports, and Design.
More analysis of these turntables were uncovered from further research and online reviews. From the result and feedbacks (both positive and negative), we were able to categories each product according to our standard.
If you take a critical look at our review, you’ll discover the manner at which each turntable has been categorized. Also, take note that after our testing, the turntables that weren’t up to standard were excluded from our list.
Questions
Conclusion
Getting the best turntables wouldn’t be stressful anymore (thanks to the list of the best turntables we’ve reviewed above). However, if you’ve found one or two above that you’ll like to buy, always ensure you check the necessary features of your preferred choice before purchasing.