1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best budget
4. Best high-end
5. Best mid-priced
6. Best fully automatic
7. Best for beginners
8. Best for tinkerers
9. Best for going pro
10. Best for design
11. Best for durability
12. Best all-in-one
13. How to choose
14. How we test
15. Latest updates
The best turntables will transform your vinyl, making it sound smoother, richer, cleaner… just better. Many of the top record players today are also packed with the latest audio tech, including USB ports for ripping your vinyl and saving your curated (almost certainly unique and irreplaceable) collection of LPs as digital files.
Some of the best turntables in our list also come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity baked in, so they’ll work with music kit you already own, such as the best wireless speakers and the best headphones to upgrade your at-home listening experience.
We’ve selected only the best turntables and record players and turntables (the term 'record player' typically refers to a proposition with all amplification and speakers included, so it's ready to 'play'; a turntable tends to refer to the vinyl-spinning separate itself with tonearm, platter, slip mat and necessary tracking weights, but no onboard amplification or speakers) for this guide, based on the testing and opinion of our expert reviewers, who collectively have decades of experience in the hi-fi world. We've chosen a range of decks to suit any type of budget, home and music taste. Whether you want a clean and contemporary aesthetic or love the look of classic, retro spinners, we’ve reviewed every one.
Oh, and if you’re not a vinyl veteran, read our how to set up a turntable guide first to get you in the groove. Without further ado, here are the turntables that will inject some authentic analog warmth into your favorite LPs.
Becky is a senior TechRadar writer (which she has been assured refers to expertise rather than age) specialising in audio. Before joining the team in early 2022, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. At the moment, she's helping to find the best Black Friday deals on audio gear – which usually includes some nice turntable deals, especially on entry-level options, so keep your eyes open if you're looking to jump into vinyl. We found a great early deal on an Audio-Technica turntable, and more will come!
The quick list
Want to cut to the chase and find out which turntables are the absolute best? Have at this bevvy of beauties. Feel free to jump to a more detailed review of each product – or our nifty price comparison tool will help you find the best deals.
Best for most people
OK it's not exactly cheap, but the Debut Carbon Evo is the most refined, upgraded and enjoyable Pro-Ject model we've ever tested, which is why it's our shout for the best turntable most people could own.
Best budget buy
Low pricing and easy setup equals a home run for this AT deck. Or put your Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode, hold down the button on the bottom-left corner of the turntable’s plinth – now, you've got wireless vinyl.
Best high-end performer
Cambridge's updated V2 Alva TT has a switchable integrated phono stage and a new tonearm. The price has risen a little, but the V2 retains the original’s bank-vault build quality, hi-res wireless streaming and air of profound solidity that made it one of the best decks around.
Best mid-priced
This classic and understated turntable from a trusted name in audio is a small step up from entry-level, but manages to blend easy setup, sound quality, room to grow and features with a palatable price tag.
Best fully automatic
Starting your vinyl journey and don’t want a complicated setup? The Denon DP-300F is top shout. You’ll sacrifice a modicum of sound quality for convenience, but you can always upgrade the cartridge later to level up the audio.
Best for beginners
For the price, you can't go wrong. This is the perfect starter turntable for audiophiles. It has a 2M Red cartridge, offers stellar damping and even lets you upgrade the parts over time.
Load the next 3 products...
Best for turntable tinkerers
It's a Rega, and that comes with real pride in ownership, but it's also the best version yet of a truly classic entry-level record player… and one you can grow with, adjusting the tonearm, upgrading the cartridge and more.
Best for pros
A gorgeous turntable that sounds incredible. The Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge tracks beautifully, unearthing details you didn’t know were there. Getting serious with your vinyl collection? The TT-15S1 deserves an audition.
Best for beauty
The Concept puts Clearaudio's elite brand within reach of more analog lovers than ever. Differences from the norm are most obvious in the arm, which has a magnetic bearing, but also, just look at how elegant and beautiful it is…
Best bullet-proof build
Technics was reborn in 2015, (parent company Panasonic closed it in 2010) but this is the first deck released since the relaunch that really reminds listeners of what they loved about the brand. Truly, this direct-drive deck feels unbreakable.
Read more below
Best one-box player
The Lenco LS-410 combines the retro joys of vinyl with modern wireless streaming technology, adds a built-in loudspeaker array and plenty of amplification, all in a box that looks and feels nicer than it really has any right to at such a low price.
The best turntables of 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best turntable overall
✅ You want to hear everything from your records: The Pro-Ject is a wildly detailed listen – even the barely there transient details are picked up on and handed over.
✅ You don’t want to get too hands-on: The new automatic speed control means no more lifting off the platter and moving the drive belt.
❌ You want the cleanest, crispest vinyl experience: The Pro-Ject’s not without competition – and the best rivals are a little less laid-back.
❌ You want some 21st-century touches: Lately we’ve seen a few turntables with Bluetooth, or USB outputs. This ain’t one of them.
If you want to enjoy the rich sound of vinyl without losing out on a single scrap of audio information, check out the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo record player, one of the best turntables on the planet right now. The carbon fibre tonearm is supplied with a very capable Ortofon (or Sumika) cartridge. A new motor design, some damped and adjustable feet, and automatic speed change contribute no end to improved performance and improved ergonomics over the previous model from Pro-Ject.
It sounds fantastic. It doesn’t matter the sort of music you like to listen to either, the Debut Carbon Evo laps it up. In our testing we noted that every circumstance delivers a detailed and revealing listen, able to focus on the minutiae even as it describes the complete picture completely convincingly. It has all the warmth and weight the vinyl format is famous for, but it doesn’t get bogged down – instead it simply motors along in the most natural way imaginable.
At a glance, it looks just like every other record player. But its steel platter is now heavier, thanks to a thermoplastic ring on its inside edge – this reduces operation noise. There’s now a suggestion of convenience in the shape of a speed-change switch at the bottom of the plinth – previously you’d have to take off the platter and move the drive belt to change speeds, but now 33.3rpm can become 45rpm (or vice-versa) at a press. You can change the drive belt itself in order to play at 78rpm. Both belts are included in the package. The one-piece tonearm is made of carbon fibre, and comes fitted with a very capable Ortofon 2M Red cartridge (except in America, where it features a Sumiko Ranier cartridge instead). With a choice of nine finishes, including five very attractive new ‘satin’ options, there’s sure to be a Debut Carbon Evo to fit in with your interior decor choices.
The Debut Carbon Evo is the most refined, upgraded and enjoyable Pro-ject model we've ever tested, which is why it's our pick for the best turntable you can buy – but it’s also the most expensive. Don't let the price put you off if you can afford it though. In terms of specs, it justifies its price, with a new motor design, automatic speed change, improved performance and ergonomics, a choice of nine finishes.
Read our full Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo review
The best budget Bluetooth buy
✅ You have a tight budget: This is a budget turntable that's perfect for beginners.
✅ You want a simple set-up: There are a few things you need to do before you can get up and spinning, but set up is easy for the most part.
❌ You want high-end styling and build: We like how this turntable looks, but it doesn't feel particularly luxe or well-built.
❌ You want the ultimate audio experience: Sound is great here, but not perfect. For a more detailed, immersive experience you'll need to look elsewhere.
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is our top budget choice, and an excellent option for beginners. Setting it up is fairly straightforward, but does require some assembly. You can use it with a wired connection to speakers or headphones, or wirelessly via Bluetooth. With a built-in phono equalizer function, Audio-Technica says that you can use the AT-LP60XBT without a “phono amplifier or connectable equipment with a built-in phono amplifier”. You can also use it with your own external phono amplifier if you prefer.
The soundstage is generally very warm, which isn’t unusual for vinyl. If you prefer your music to have a little more attack in the treble frequencies, you may find yourself craving more crispness, but it’s all a matter of taste. Audio-Technica is known for producing high quality cartridges, and the one used on this turntable is no exception; the ATN3600L conical stylus fits perfectly into the grooves of the record and reveals details in songs you may have never noticed before. In our review, we wrote: “it makes your music an absolute joy to listen to.”
The design of the AT-LP60XBT is pleasing and functional with a matte black plinth and space-saving sleek build. It’s also very light at just 2.6kg, thanks to its extensive use of thin plastic. The downside is that while its neat dimensions and lightness could be an attractive feature for those who are short on space, the AT-LP60XBT does feel a little fragile. We’re not saying it’s badly designed, everything works well, but the materials used here aren’t as luxurious as what you’d find elsewhere.
If you’re looking for something super simple and not too pricey, this deck might be your best bet – and the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity does make the AT-LP6XBT record player feel like very good value for money.
Read our full Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT review
The best high-end performer
