Record players are having a serious moment right now. Vinyl is back in a big way, and people love the unique analog sound that you can only get from a record player. Of course, that means there are tons of options out there for anyone shopping for a new model. In this guide, the expert product reviewers at BGR will share our picks for the best record players you can get right now.
Our top picks
- Best overall record player: Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
- Best record player for vinyl conversion: ION Audio Max LP
- Best Bluetooth record player: Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT
- Best cheap record player with built-in speakers: WOCKODER vintage record player
- Best record player for DJs: Technics SL-1200MK7
We have tested each of these record players extensively, plus dozens of other models that didn’t quite make the cut. If you want to see why we chose each one, keep reading to see the breakdown.
1. Best overall record player: Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
Pros: Easy to use, great sound quality, affordable price
Cons: No Bluetooth, no option to play 78 RPM records
Our pick for the best overall record player for most users is the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X.
In our extensive testing, we found that the AT-LP60X offers excellent sound quality and wonderful simplicity. At just $149, this model is also one of the most affordable options we tested that’s suitable for real vinyl fans. There are plenty of cheap record players out there, but they won’t give you an experience that’s anywhere near as good as the AT-LP60X.
As the name suggests, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is an update of Audio-Technica’s long-time best-selling turntable, the AT-LP60. Compared to the original, the new and improved version features a new design for the tone arm base that improves stability and precision. It also has a new head shell that reduces resonance, according to Audio-Technica.
One potential downside to this model is that it only plays 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records. That means if you have any old 78s lying around, this probably isn’t the right record player for you. Thankfully, this isn’t a problem for most people.
Something that might seem like a drawback is the fact that the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X only has RCA audio outputs. To our ear, however, this record player has excellent sound quality that perfectly suits vinyl records instead of sounding overprocessed and digitized, which is an issue for some record players.
People in search of a great basic record player with no frills and a low price tag should definitely check out the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X.
2. Best record player for vinyl conversion: ION Audio Max LP
Pros: Cheap, easy to use, comes with conversion software
Cons: Low-quality built-in speakers
If you want to consolidate your record collection and convert your albums to MP3s, the ION Audio Max LP is a terrific low-cost option.
This three-speed turntable plays at 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM, letting you play any record in your collection. It has a USB port that allows you to plug it into your computer and, with the included ION Audio EZ conversion software, save your tracks onto your PC.
The ION Audio Max LP also has a 1/8-inch Aux input, so you can connect your old cassette player or CD player. That way, you can easily convert your tapes and CDs to digital formats, too, instead of only your vinyl records.
Of course, the Audio Max LP also has standard RCA outputs, so you can connect to virtually any external speakers and listen to your vinyl instead of just converting it. There are built-in speakers as well, but they don’t offer good sound quality.
3. Best Bluetooth record player: Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT
Pros: Great sound quality, easy to use, supports up to eight Bluetooth connections
Cons: Doesn’t support newer long-range Bluetooth standards, no option to play 78 RPM records
Since the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is our pick for the best overall record player, it stands to reason that our pick for the best Bluetooth record player would be the Audio Technica AT-LP60XBT. After all, it’s the same model… but with Bluetooth.
The Audio Technica AT-LP60XBT turntable has all the same strengths as the regular model, including the option of connecting to up to eight Bluetooth devices at once. This fully automatic belt-drive player can play 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records, and it will also wirelessly connect to any device with Bluetooth support, such as headphones or speakers.
Bluetooth sound quality is terrific, but we did have one main complaint when we tested the AT-LP60XBT. Since it has Bluetooth 5.0, it doesn’t support long-range wireless connections like newer Bluetooth standards.
The Audio Technica AT-LP60XBT features the same dual magnet phono cartridge and replaceable diamond stylus as the model without Bluetooth. The platter is made from anti-resonance aluminum to help absorb vibrations. And even though this is a Bluetooth model, the player still comes with audio cables.
4. Best cheap record player with built-in speakers: WOCKODER vintage record player
Pros: Great design that looks vintage, easy to use, cheap
Cons: Lackluster sound quality
If you’re in search of a cheap record player with a built-in speaker, you’re probably not overly concerned with bells and whistles or sound quality. In that case, you can’t beat the WOCKODER vintage record player.
This model retails for $70, but it’s regularly on sale for around $40. If you come across the WOCKODER vintage record player while it’s not on sale with a discount, you should definitely wait a week or two before you buy one.
The WOCKODER vintage record player looks like something straight out of a black-and-white photo, though it comes in a bunch of different colorways, including black, brown, white, wood grain, and a sweet vintage light blue.
WOCKODER’s portable record player has built-in speakers, but it also allows you to connect via Bluetooth to play music from your phone. That being said, you’re much better off using one of the options in BGR’s guide on the best Bluetooth speakers.
This WOCKODER turntable supports three different listening speeds (33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM) and can play three different record sizes (7″, 10″, 12″). The turntable base also comes with a removable dust cover that protects your machine and your records.
5. Best record player for DJs: Technics SL-1200MK7
Pros: Best-in-class coreless direct drive motor, precise digital pitch control, excellent damping
Cons: Expensive (but you get what you pay for)
For decades, the Technics SL-1200 has been the gold standard in turntables for DJs. Now, all these years later, the current-generation Technics SL-1200MK7 is still our pick for the best record player for DJs.
This storied record player first debuted all the way back in 1972. It continued to be a favorite of DJs around the world until 2010 when Technics suddenly stopped making it. Thankfully, production resumed in 2016, and the SL-1200 lives on to this day.
In its newest iteration, the Technics SL-1200MK7 is still a model of precision and consistency. Technics’ best-in-class coreless direct drive motor starts and stops so cleanly. Also, the cabinet and insulator have an amazing design that reduces vibration as much as possible.
The iconic grip pattern on the sides of the platter combines with the phenomenal motor to make this model ideal for scratching. You also get Technics’ renowned digital pitch control the ensure perfect beat-matching during transfers.
So many DJs these days have gone all-digital. If that’s the route you’ve taken, there’s nothing wrong with that. If vinyl is your weapon of choice, however, the Technics SL-1200MK7 is by far our favorite way to wield it.
Why should you trust us?
You know that record collection your dad stores in his basement that hasn’t been touched in years? Well, vinyl is back, and the vintage look is cool again.
With a lot of popular artists selling their albums on vinyl again, you will need a way to play those hit records. While you could dust off your parents’ old record player — if it still works — why not check out some newer, state-of-the-art turntables instead?
With built-in speakers or USB and Bluetooth compatibility, you can find an upgraded record player that helps you enjoy your favorite new music as well as classic tunes. Plus, there are even record players that help you take old records and convert them to digital music files.
In this guide, we shared our picks for the best record players you can get right now. Our expert product testers at BGR have taken all sorts of different priorities into consideration, and we’ll recommend the best options for a wide range of different users.
