What are the best turntable brands?

There are loads of great turntable brands, but a few names consistently come up thanks to their build quality, sound, and reputation. Audio-Technica is a big favorite for beginners and budget-friendly options. Pro-Ject, Cambridge Audio and Rega are loved by audiophiles for their simple design and excellent performance. Technics is legendary, especially if you’re into DJing or want something solid and long-lasting. If you’re after something a bit more high-end, we've included brands like Rega (again!) and Vertere above that are worth a look. Whatever your budget, it's best to stick to trusted names to ensure good sound and durability.

What should I look for in a beginner-friendly turntable?

If you're looking for a beginner-friendly turntable, keep it simple. An automatic turntable handles the needle for you, which reduces the risk of you scratching your records. But if you prefer manual control, you'll have more options. Bluetooth connectivity makes setting up your record player easy, since it means you can stream wirelessly without an amp or any extra cables, to one of the best Bluetooth speakers . It's great for flexibility of positioning individual items if you don't have a lot of space, too. Otherwise, you'll need speakers and an amp (though this could be built into your speakers, or into the record player in some cases). A built-in phono stage is essential for beginners. It amplifies the signal so that your records play properly through a speakers and dedicated amp. Without one of these, you'd need a separate preamp, adding yet more complexity. The vast majority of beginner turntables include this, so you can plug and play right away – but just make sure before you buy.

What does it mean if a turntable is automatic?

An automatic turntable does the hard work of putting the needle onto the vinyl for you. Press a button and it will spin the record, move the tonearm into the correct starting position, then lower it onto your record. Once the music has finished, it will lift it back up. There are semi-automatic models, which tend to handle just one part of that process, usually the lift at the end. Manual turntables leave everything to you, which some vinyl lovers prefer for the extra control. But if you want something that’s simple and hands-free, especially to avoid scratching records if you’re new to turntables, automatic models are a good choice.

What does it mean for a turntable to have Bluetooth or wireless streaming?

A turntable that comes with Bluetooth or wireless streaming lets you play your records without cables. So instead of connecting to an amp or wired speakers, it sends audio wirelessly to Bluetooth speakers or headphones. This makes setup easier – there's no need for extra gear and no tangle of wires – but it’s worth noting that Bluetooth compresses audio, which means you will lose some detail compared to a wired connection. Some turntables include other wireless streaming tech, over Wi-Fi, which can be much higher quality, but these will be more expensive (as will the speakers they work with). However, it's worth nothing here that some record players have built-in speakers, and offer a Bluetooth connection so you that play music from your phone onto their built-in speakers. So if you're looking at buying a record player with built-in speakers and you want support for Bluetooth out to other speakers, make sure the connection works the way you want first!

Do I need to buy speakers for my turntable?

Aside from your new turntable, there are some other bits of kit you might want to invest in. First off, you'll want to check out the best stereo speakers ; after all, a turntable is only as good as your speakers you hook it up to. Or, you might want to look into the best over-ear headphones and wireless earbuds to go with your record player. If you opt for a wireless record player, you might want to invest in a Bluetooth speaker , a wireless speaker , or connect it to your existing smart speaker . If your deck of choice doesn't have built-in amplification 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 one you enjoy listening to – and don't let anybody tell you any different! Some people prefer the rich, authentic quality of an older turntable. However, many of the newest turntables bring you that same sound, but with several new features and a more reliable experience. Price comes into play here, as you might expect. If you have an older turntable but it's much more expensive and higher quality than a newer, cheaper model, you might prefer the older sound. You should also consider whether it's in need of some TLC. Older turntables might need repairing to sound as good as they once did. Finally, what do you want to listen to? If you're looking for high-end audio that sounds exactly as intended, you might want to try a newer turntable. If you want a more gravelly sound and don't mind sacrificing some quality, use the old turntable you already have. Ultimately, new turntables are more advanced than older turntables, but it all comes down to your preferences.

Does my turntable need to have a built-in phono stage?

Your turntable doesn’t necessarily need a built-in phono stage, but it's a good idea for beginners. It all depends on your current setup and what you’re plugging it into. A phono stage, which might also be called a phono preamp, is what you need to boost the signal from your turntable to a level that an amplifiers is then able to work with. So at some point in your audio setup you’ll need one. Lots of the best turntables that we recommend have a built-in phono stage, and this makes getting yourself set up easier – especially if you’re connecting your turntable to powered speakers without a dedicated amp. But if you don’t have a phono stage built-in, you’ll need either an amp or speakers with one built in there, or an external phono stage that connect between your turntable and your amp. This is rare in wireless speakers, though the Cambridge Audio Evo One has one. Built-in phono stages tend to be better in terms of convenience, but external ones can offer better sound for the real audiophiles. If you think you'll want something futureproof for getting more hardcore in the future, several record players here have optional preamps, which you can bypass if you buy something higher-quality in the future.

What's the difference between belt-drive and direct-drive turntables?

The difference all comes down to what makes the platter spin – that’s the flat bit of your turntable that your record sits on. And the one you should choose depends on your priorities. Belt-drive turntables use a rubber belt that runs from the motor to the platter to actually spin the platter. This isolates the motor and the platter, which helps to reduce motor 'noise' and vibration leaking into your recordings. This means it’s a great choice if you’re focused on sound quality above all else. Direct-drive turntables are powered by a motor that’s directly under the platter. They tend to be quicker to start, more robust, have super-accurate timing, and are often preferred by DJs because they’re better for cueing up tracks and scratching. Both are a good choice, but generally, it’s belt-drives that are the better choice for audio quality and pure listening. Whereas direct-drives are for performance or multi-tasking.

Are high-end turntables worth it?

If you're an audiophile that can notice the subtle differences and nuances of the devices you're playing music on, and if you have the budget, you'll benefit from a high-end turntable. Premium turntables typically offer a more precise and natural sound, so your vinyl collection will come across better than ever – though you'll need to pair it with a phono stage, amp and speakers that are equally revealing, of course. If you don't have as strong an ear for music or you simply don't need perfection, you'll be just as happy with a mid-range turntable. You also tend to need pretty hefty setups with large speakers to benefit fully from the qualities of high-end turntables, so if you're tight on space, you may also be better off saving your money.

How much should I spend on a turntable?

That really depends on you. A $99/£99 turntable will do a good job of playing vinyl, but the more you spend the more premium your experience is likely to be. One of our current favourite mid-range turntable is the Rega Planar 1 , which has a list price of £299 / $595 / AU$645. But while it's an undeniably great turntable, Rega has chosen to spend its money on the core components and high quality engineering rather than gee-whiz features or fancy materials. Its more expensive models follow that philosophy too, focusing on delivering the most pristine audio quality possible. Sony's slightly cheaper PS-LX310BT comes in at £249 / $249 and adds Bluetooth to the mix – but what you gain in connectivity you lose (slightly) in visual appeal and in sound quality. It's not bad by any means, but if you're listening on high-end equipment you'll hear a difference. As with most audio equipment, it comes down to what features matter most to you. If you already have high-end audio kit then it's worth spending that little bit more to get a really premium sound. But as our guide above demonstrates, you can get a really great turntable for a lot less than you might expect.

Is it worth buying an expensive turntable?

It all depends on your budget and your needs. Casual listeners might be happy with a mid-range or budget turntable. But those deeply invested in the vinyl experience or audiophiles who can appreciate subtle audio nuances might find that investing in a high-end turntable could significantly improve their listening experience. If you have a small budget and can’t possibly consider an expensive turntable, there are more affordable options. Consider the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT in our guide above, which is great value for money. Granted, in our testing, we did say the materials the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is made from feel a little cheap, and there could be more detail in the audio, but they’re not deal-breakers, and there does need to be a trade-off for that more affordable price tag. Of course, expensive options, like our high-end pick, the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 , are well worth the money. They have a premium build and a balanced and insightful sound quality. With turntables, and most tech for that matter, you tend to get what you pay for. And when it comes to turntables, higher-priced options often offer superior audio quality. They boast better components like platters, cartridges, and tonearms, which effectively reduce vibrations and noise, thereby enhancing the clarity and detail of the sound. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. You can find affordable and mid-range tech that can compete with much more expensive devices – you often just have to make a small sacrifice in one or two areas.

Can I upgrade parts of my turntable for better sound in the future?

Yes. In fact, it's one of the big appeals of vinyl. Many of the best turntables are designed with upgrades in mind. The easiest thing to upgrade tends to be the cartridge (that’s the bit that holds the needle). Switching this out can make 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 that’s a bit more advanced. If you're starting with a budget-friendly or beginner deck, there might be 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 two distinct types of vinyl playback devices. Turntables are the components within a larger audio system that spin the vinyl record – they're basically just a way of getting the recording off the wax. They require additional equipment – including a pre-amp, amplifier and speakers – to produce the sound you hear. People like turntables because they're usually highly customizable, allowing users to mix and match components like the stylus, cartridge, and tonearm to tailor the audio output to their preferences, which is further tailored to your tastes or budget by the other hi-fi components. This makes them a favorite among audiophiles who want high-quality sound and a way to upgrade parts over time. Record players, on the other hand, are all-in-one units that include the turntable, amplifier and even speakers. This makes them more convenient and user-friendly, particularly for casual listeners or anyone living in a small home. While they offer ease of use and portability, record players generally do not match the audio quality of a good turntable setup. They also don't provide much customization, and it's not as easy to upgrade them. Choosing between a turntable and a record player depends largely on your needs and preferences. If you prioritize sound quality and are keen to customize your audio setup, a turntable might be the better choice. If you prefer simplicity and want a compact option, a record player would better serve you. 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?

This is a big, complex question. And the answer depends on what you’re comparing it to – even among audiophiles, there’s some debate. Generally speaking, traditional vinyl, especially older pressings made from analog masters, is often praised for its warm, rich sound. That’s because it’s a fully analog format and no digital processing gets in the way of the original recording’s 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. Which means that while you still get the tactile joy of playing a record, the sound quality might not be all that different from what you’d 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” really 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?

Obviously, cheap turntables aren't likely to sound as good as more expensive models – but they also pose a risk of damaging your records. Most cheap 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. In addition, cheap turntables often don't have counterweights in the arms, which means the needle isn't balancing delicately on the grooves, it's pushing into them – and then that combines with the inflexible needle. If the motor is rocky in quality and the turntable isn't well damped against outside vibrations, the record may wobble and apply even more undue pressure. And that goes double for turntables with built-in speakers, which will be adding their own vibrations to the body. Not all cheap turntables are a disaster waiting to happen to your (not cheap!) vinyl – some will have made good decisions about putting the money into the parts that matter, and skipping other unnecessary features. But some definitely are, so be sure to buy based on the reviews of people with experience, and consider strong saving a little longer to get a step-up model if you can, because 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?

You might have noticed that several mid-range or budget turntables include USB ports, which is obviously a relatively recent addition to the tech inside these machines. So, should you prioritize having this option on your next spinner? 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. The point of the USB port is to be able to digitize your record collection. You can connect it to a computer, and use software to record what the player plays – 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.

Hawk testing

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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