The 10 Best Record Players and Turntables of 2023
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Timeless winners from Fluance, Victrola, Sony and more
People / Kristin Kempa
There’s something special about playing a record. It’s an engaging way to experience music while adding a cool, retro vibe to any room.
Today's Top Deals
Victrola Revolution GO is 35% off at bestbuy.com
Sony PS-LX310BT Turntable with Bluetooth connectivity is 20% off at electronics.sony.com
Victrola Navigator Bluetooth Record Player is 25% off at walmart.com
“To me, the reasons to get into vinyl are for the aesthetic, sound, and ritual of listening to music with the format,” Grammy-winning producer and mix engineer John Davis tells PEOPLE. Head of Product and Brand at Victrola Don Inman adds, “Much like food, music is about taste and learning what you like.” He considers record players an investment that’s worth spending “a little extra.”
Whether you're discovering a passion for vinyl or looking for the best gift for the record lover in your life, we’ve found the best record players and turntables for varying budgets and needs.
Read on for the best record players and turntables of 2023.
Best Overall: Fluance RT81 Turntable
Who It’s Good For
Those who are serious about their record collection, looking for a high-quality, long-lasting turntable.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone on a very tight budget or looking for a fully automatic or fully manual experience.
The Fluance RT81 Elite is the Goldilocks of record players and perfect for vinyl enthusiasts at any stage of their turntable journey. We love that the tonearm on this player is semi-automatic. It delivers the hands-on, manual experience of starting a record with less likelihood of scratching your beloved vinyl collection.
Semi-automatic means you place the tonearm to start a record, but a specially counterbalanced mechanism drops the needle gently and perfectly in place. An anti-skating system protects the record from potential needle scratches, and the auto-stop feature prevents unnecessary wear of your needle.
The solidly built plinth or base of this player reduces vibrations and produces a smoother sound. A built-in preamp allows you to connect to external speakers with ease and provides the opportunity to integrate this player into future upgraded sound systems. The turntable is available in black, white, and walnut (our favorite). It’s a great choice for homes of various types of listeners — from vinyl novices to seasoned musicians.
Dimensions: 13.75 x 16.5 x 5.5 inches | Speakers: None | Operational Mode: Semi-Automatic
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Best Budget: Crosley Electronics C6 Vinyl Record Player with wireless Bluetooth
Who It’s Good For
Vinyl lovers looking to spend less than $200.
Who It’s Not Good For
Those looking for built-in speakers, since you’ll have to buy speakers separately.
The Crosley C6 Vinyl Record Player offers high quality with a slightly lower price tag. It comes with Bluetooth capability and can easily connect with speakers you already own. Since it isn’t attached to any specific speakers it allows for upgrades to your speaker set-up over time. It comes with a built-in preamp that’s user-friendly for all levels. And its sleek and minimal design allows it to blend in with any room aesthetic. For a quality manual, two-speed turntable, this price can’t be beat.
Dimensions: 14.25 x 16.5 x 5 inches | Speakers: None | Operational Mode: Manual
Best Portable: Victrola Revolution GO
Who It’s Good For
Anyone wanting a vinyl experience in the backyard, by the pool, or on the road.
Who It’s Not Good For
Audiophiles needing a richer, higher quality sound experience.
Now you can take your records with you wherever you want to set the mood. The Victrola Revolution GO is our favorite portable record player. It is a rechargeable, battery-operated record player that’s truly easy to transport. This player not only delivers the convenience of mobility but also features Bluetooth capability and built-in stereo speakers. You can enjoy 12 hours of cordless listening with this player.
We love that it comes in fun, bright colors in addition to classic black. The record player is more about the experience than just the quality of the sound. It’s great for novices and vinyl aficionados alike. “If I go to my backyard, I love to have an outdoor vinyl experience with my Revolution GO and a few of my favorite albums,” shares Inman. A detachable guitar strap helps with portability, and the lid is removable to showcase the vinyl you’ve brought along.
Dimensions: 12.99 X 12.83 X 4.84 inches | Speakers: Built-in | Operational Mode: Manual
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Best for Sonos: Sonos Pro-Ject T1
Who It’s Good For
Those looking to add a record player to their home’s Sonos setup.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone who doesn’t have Sonos or isn’t interested in getting a Sonos setup in the future.
Looking to integrate a record player into your existing Sonos setup at home? Look no further than Sonos’s own Pro-Ject T1. This sleek and slim turntable will blend in seamlessly. Made with no hollow spaces or plastic, the Pro-Ject T1 minimizes vibrations for a smoother listening experience. The low-friction, vibration-free tonearm bearing ensures higher-quality sound.
This two-speed record player comes with a built-in preamp and will connect wirelessly to any Port, Five, or Amp Sonos speaker. It comes in three attractive colorways: black, white, and walnut. Coming in at almost $450, this record player might be an investment, but it’s a great way to add vinyl to your existing Sonos setup.
Dimensions: 16.34 x 13.19 x 3.94 inches | Speakers: None | Operational Mode: Manual
Best with Bluetooth: Sony PS-LX310BT Turntable with Bluetooth connectivity
Who It’s Good For
Those wanting to integrate a record player into a Bluetooth setup with automatic playback.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone who prefers to use wired speakers for their record player or wants a manual experience.
The Sony PS-LX310BT is our pick for anyone wanting Bluetooth capability in a record player. Most of us have at least one Bluetooth speaker in our homes. You can easily integrate this record player into your existing Bluetooth speaker setup, whether it’s a soundbar or a wireless portable speaker. Or connect this record player to your Bluetooth headphones for a private listening session. This fully automatic two-speed record player makes listening to vinyl a breeze. It also comes in just under $200, making it a great value.
Dimensions: 1 x 4.38 x 14. inches | Speakers: None | Operational Mode: Automatic
Best with Built-in Speakers: 1 by ONE High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable with Built-in Speakers
Who It’s Good For
Those looking for an all-in-one set-up, or anyone short on space who doesn’t have room for external speakers.
Who It’s Not Good For
People who want an automatic record player and don’t need built-in speakers.
If you’re looking for built-in speakers, this 1 by ONE record player is for you. It’s perfect for small spaces that lack room for a more involved set-up with external speakers. It also has Bluetooth capability and an auxiliary input port to connect other devices. We love that this record player comes with a built-in preamp so you can upgrade your set-up with external speakers in the future.
With an Audio Technica diamond-tipped stylus, you know the sound quality will be good. This turntable is manual so you’ll still get that hands-on experience many love with a record player. It offers two speeds and comes in at a great price point for a complete set-up. The record player also saves space and adds style to any room. The mix of wood, metal, and subtle retro detailing will complement any design aesthetic.
Dimensions: 17.32 x 7.56 x 14.57 inches | Speakers: Built-in | Operational Mode: Manual
Best Vintage: Victrola Navigator Bluetooth Record Player
Who It’s Good For
Vintage lovers wanting a super retro aesthetic in a record player.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone short on space who wants a simple streamlined turntable.
This one’s for the vintage lovers. The Victrola Navigator will be a conversation-starter in any room. This player is a one-stop-shop for all your retro listening needs. It includes a turntable, CD player, cassette player, an FM radio, and built-in speakers. Plus, bluetooth capability allows you to play music from other devices.
The turntable has 3 speeds for varying record sizes. If you want to add speakers down the line, you’ll need to purchase an amplifier, as this one doesn’t have a built-in preamp. The rich wood finish and retro details make this piece feel like an heirloom. We’re partial to the espresso finish, but it comes in a total of five color options — one is bound to match your decor. The possibilities are endless with this timeless and unique record player.
Dimensions: 18.20 x 13.20 x 10.00 Inches | Speakers: Built-in | Operational Mode: Manual
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Best for Beginners: Audio-Technica AT-LP3BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black
Who It’s Good For
Beginner record-listeners or anyone preferring an automatic operation mode in a record player.
Who It’s Not Good For
Those who love the feeling of dropping the needle on a record.
If you prefer a more hands-off listening experience when it comes to records or if you’re nervous about scratching your records, the fully automatic Audio Technica LP3 turntable is the one for you. You won’t have to sacrifice quality for ease with this record player. The LP3 features a balanced tonearm with hydraulically damped lift control and rest for perfect needle drops every time. With a simple press of the start or stop button, this record player does all the work for you.
The auto-stop feature lifts and replaces the tonearm when a record has played all the way through, so you won’t have to worry about potential scratches if you’re not nearby to stop it manually. This two-speed record player comes with a pre-amp for easy connection to external speakers. At $200, this quality record player from a trusted brand is a great choice for those at the beginning of their vinyl journey or anyone looking to assure their records remain scratch-free.
Dimensions: 17.1 x 5 x 13.8 inches | Speakers: None | Operational Mode: Fully automatic
Best for Vinyl Enthusiasts: Audio Technica LPW30TK Manual Belt Drive
Who It’s Good For
Vinyl enthusiasts who want a fully manual and hands-on experience.
Who It’s Not Good For
Record novices looking for a simple plug-and-play option.
The Audio Technica LPW30TK suits those looking for a fully manual and hands-on experience when it comes to vinyl. The setup for this record player is a bit more involved, requiring the balancing of the tonearm and set of the anti-skate — consider it an in-depth introduction to your turntable.
This record player delivers the high quality sound one expects from Audio Technica. The high-performance moving dual magnet phono cartridge comes with a 0.6 conical stylus. A switchable built-in preamp allows you to integrate this two-speed player seamlessly into a vinyl-lovers’ dream setup.
Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 8 inches | Speakers: None | Operational Mode: Fully manual
Best Investment: Technics Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1200GR
Who It’s Good For
Serious vinyl lovers and DJs looking for a solid, quality turntable that’ll last.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone who wouldn’t want to spend more than a few hundred dollars on a record player.
The Technics 1200 GR is an updated model of the highly revered 1200 series that originated in the 90s. Its direct drive allows for more precise speed control and torque — perfect for DJing and high-fidelity listening. Davis still has his 1200 series from the 90s, so you know these are built to last. “It’s the classic DJ deck from that era,” he says. “It's got direct drive and is really solidly built with a good cartridge and preamp — sounds great for any music. [These players] are just super standard, easy to set up, no fuss.”
The updated version features a coreless direct drive motor, 3 speeds, and a high sensitivity tonearm. This record player is for the vinyl buffs who are looking to upgrade to the ultimate, heightened music experience.
Dimensions: 17.84 × 6.81 × 14.65 inches | Speakers: None | Operational Mode: Manual
How to Pick the Right Record Player
Included Speakers
Deciding if you want a record player with speakers or without will depend on your priorities. For a higher-quality listening experience, you’ll want to invest in good external speakers.
“If I’m slowing down, having a drink, and doing some relaxed yet critical listening of any album, I want separate speakers,” says Inman. If saving space is a priority for you or you’re looking to keep your costs down, you can still find a decent sound with internal speakers found in the Victrola Revolution GO — a portable and affordable option.
Manual, Automatic, or Semi-Automatic
Manual record players like the Pro-Ject T1 offer the most control and tactile experience of listening to vinyl. For many, that is part of the appeal. If you’re new to vinyl and wary of scratching your records, a fully automatic player like the Audio Technica LP3 might appeal to you. Consider if you’ll be sharing the player and your record collection with anyone less experienced when deciding between manual or automatic turntables.
Automatic record players are the easiest to use by far but are also usually more expensive than other options. A semi-automatic record player like the Fluance RT81 Elite is a nice alternative that allows for some hands-on operating, but takes some of the guesswork and anxiety out of the vinyl listening experience.
Built-in Preamp or External
A built-in preamp is definitely the simplest way to go. It allows you to plug your turntable directly into external speakers. However, you can find better quality in external preamps for a more hi-fi sound. An external preamp takes up more space and you’ll need to find one compatible with your record player.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of record players?
There are three different types of record players, based on the operation mode (how the needle is placed on and removed from the record). A manual record player requires the user to place the needle on the record and take it off. An automatic record player moves the needle on its own at a press of a button to start or stop the record. Semi-automatic record players blend both modes. They require you to move the needle to start the record but can drop the needle on their own. They may also lift the needle at the end of the record.
What is the best Bluetooth record player?
Our favorite Bluetooth record player is the Sony PS-LX310BT. It’s made of high-quality components, delivers great sound, and comes in under $200.
Does a good record player make a difference?
A good record player can make all the difference in your vinyl listening experience. If your player is low quality, it can damage your record collection. Higher quality components ensure you hear all the details of the music, which is what makes listening to vinyl so appealing in the first place.
Take Our Word For It
L.A Hubilla is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE specializing in lifestyle, home, and beauty content. She regularly tests products for multiple digital outlets including InStyle, Byrdie, and Travel + Leisure. For this article, she consulted with Don Inman, the head of Product at Victrola, and John Davis, a Grammy-winning producer and mix engineer based out of Brooklyn’s The Bunker Studio, on the technical aspects consumers should consider when shopping for a record player.
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