Best Turntable in 2022

The first turntable we’ll review is the Pro-Ject Juke Box E. Anyone even remotely interested in turntables has surely heard of Pro-Ject Audio Systems, an Austrian manufacturer that turned 30 this year. 

The Juke Box E came out in 2018, and it’s one of the best–value turntable options on the market. This is an all-in-one system with Bluetooth and IR receivers and remote control. The device is composed of the popular Primary turntable and an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge. While most all-in-one turntables compromise sound quality to a certain degree to support so many options, the Juke Box E seems to avoid these pitfalls.

Build

The Juke Box E is a belt-drive player with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge and utilizes the tried and tested Primary turntable – probably the best turntable under 200 dollars you can get on the market. That alone puts Juke Box E slightly above its competitors in the same price range.

There are RCA outputs at line and preamp/phono level, as well as RCA line-level input, next to Bluetooth and IR. The IR is there for the remote control. Of course, since this is an all-in-one turntable setup, it comes with a built-in preamp (50W per channel – 4 ohms).

This turntable can be used right out of the box: The cartridge comes pre-fitted, and the tracking force and anti-skating force are also adjusted beforehand. And if you still don’t think this is the top choice at this price, just wait till you experience its seamless speaker pairing. 

If you want to go the extra mile, you can get it with Speaker Box 5 speakers at an additional cost, but even without them, the Juke Box E will connect to your existing stereo setup without a hitch.

This record turntable package includes speaker cables, a dust cover, and the aforementioned remote control. While having a remote is nice and dandy, the button layout is somewhat counterintuitive. Still, this is a pretty small downside to an otherwise very good record player.

Sound Quality

While most audio-elitists will probably roll their eyes at all-in-one turntables, the Juke Box E managed to beat many of its equally-priced brethren. 

The fidelity is definitely there, you get a warm sound, and the instruments have weight to them. Of course, the Juke Box E can’t match expensive ‘true hi-fi’ turntables, but it can certainly punch above its weight class. 

Surface noise is at negligible levels as well; if you really want to get the most out of this turntable, try removing the dust cover, as it can impact sound quality. While this may not be the world’s best turntable, the Juke Box E is certainly good enough to satisfy all but the pickiest users.

Price

This device will set you back between $599 and $699, depending on the supplier. If you want the speakers too, be ready to part with around $150 more.

Final Thoughts

We found the Pro-Ject Juke Box E to be a great affordable turntable. Ease of use is its main strength, added to the fact that it doesn’t suffer from the usual audio shortcomings plaguing all-in-one turntables. All in all, it’s a good record player, suitable for new and old vinyl lovers alike.

Next up on our list we have the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT. Audio-Technica is no small fry in the turntable world - far from it. It’s a reputable company with a long track record of manufacturing great turntables for beginners and those who can’t afford to spend a fortune on getting superb sound. 

The AT-LP60XBT is one of the least expensive yet solid record players you can find, available for as little as $200. While not packing the most high-quality components in the world, the sound quality is pretty good, and Bluetooth makes it ideal for cable-averse users.

Build

Unfortunately, this Bluetooth turntable had to be built with subpar materials to maintain decent sound quality but keep the price low. While it’s probably one of the better inexpensive options, the AT-LP60XBT might feel a tad too cheaply-built to the touch. 

Thin plastic is the predominant ingredient in the casing, which makes the device extremely lightweight - picking it up feels like playing with a toy. Not that this hurts the turntable’s performance, but it might be a turnoff for users who prefer sturdier designs.

The AT-LP60XBT is a belt-drive turntable. This is usually a good choice for home use due to better sound quality, but don’t expect to do any DJ shenanigans with it. The turntable is fully automatic (as any good affordable turntable should be) since it’s mostly beginners who opt for these devices. 

With automated turntables, you don’t have to worry about accidentally damaging the tonearm or stylus when starting or stopping a record.

The platter is made of aluminum and comes with a dual magnet cartridge. This is a record player with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to pair it with speakers or headphones. The built-in phono equalizer function alleviates the need for an external phono stage/preamp, but you can still connect one if you have it. For wired connections, a detachable RCA output cable is included as well.

Like any budget record player worth its salt, the AT-LP60XBT plays both 33 ⅓ and 45 RPM records, as there is a 45 RPM adapter included in the box, along with a plastic dust cover.

Sound Quality

While design concessions have obviously been made, this turntable sounds better than a device this affordable has any right to. The presentation is spot-on, with warm sound and proper fidelity. It might sound slightly subpar when it comes to lower frequencies due to the built-in equalizer. 

However, if you connect your external amp, you should experience a solid increase in sound quality. One way or another, this is probably the best budget turntable, and you’ll struggle to find anything as good in this price range.

Price

The main strength of this Audio Technica turntable is the balance of pricing and quality, as you can find the AT-LP60XBT for as low as $199 on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT combines excellent sound quality and Bluetooth connectivity with relatively low pricing to make a turntable ideal for beginners.

We present to you one of today’s best deals from a leading digital publisher and electronics manufacturer - the Sony PS-LX310BT. 

There’s no need to waste words on describing how influential Sony is not only in gaming but also in the record player market, so we’ll get right to the point: The PS-LX310BT is an exceptional entry-level turntable for under $300. 

Sony packed it with features and made it affordable yet not cheap-looking. This budget-friendly contender comes with Bluetooth connectivity, auto playback, and an integrated preamp - a bargain indeed!

Build

The most common method of cutting costs when manufacturing a turntable record player is by utilizing cheap plastic, and, at first glance, Sony’s best starter turntable is no different. But, even though the chassis is mostly plastic, the platter and the tonearm are both made of aluminum. 

A tonearm made of quality material is essential, as plastic ones feel extremely fragile and affect the sound negatively. You can't exactly expect a carbon fiber tonearm at this price, though.  Additionally, the rest of the device has a matte finish for extra visual appeal.

Like the previously reviewed turntables, the Sony PS-LX310BT is also a belt-drive device. It operates at two speeds - 33 ⅓ and 45 RPM, thanks to a 45-RPM adapter. Most of the best entry-level turntable options are, naturally, aimed at those just starting their vinyl collection. 

As one such option, the PS-LX310BT comes with a built-in phono preamp and an MM cartridge perma-mounted to the tonearm, saving you the hassle of setting it up. The only thing you have to do after taking the turntable out of the box is position the platter and pull the belt over the pulley. Plug it into a power source, and you’re ready to spin.

Going cordless is all the rage these days. To that end, this Bluetooth turntable allows you to place your speakers in otherwise unreachable places - so long as they’re within signal range - or move around the house with your headphones on. 

Of course, there’s something to be said about the loss of sound quality with Bluetooth-powered listening, but newer technologies minimize this drawback as well. Pairing up is easy: just put your speakers or headphones in pairing mode and press the Bluetooth button on the Sony PS-LX310BT.

Besides being one of the top Bluetooth record-player choices out there, this is also a fully automated turntable, so the tonearm will fall into place by itself when you press the Play button and raise itself once the record ends. 

Another great feature is the gain selection switch. You can adjust it to high, low, or mid to match the audio level of your record. The device also has a USB output socket, RCA cables, a built-in phono stage, and a phono/line selector switch.

Sound Quality

As previously mentioned in our record-player reviews, we were surprised by how good a budget record player can sound. Similar to the reviewed Audio Technica model, Sony’s turntable manages to beat all expectations. 

The instruments are weighty, and the sound is full, with the gain switch allowing you to get even more out of each record. Even the built-in preamp performs admirably. However, you can boost sound quality by using an external phono preamp.

Price

This turntable currently costs $250 on Sony’s website, and its combination of features and sound quality is tough to match in the under-$300 range.

Final Thoughts

The best affordable record player award goes to Sony’s PS-LX310BT. The aluminum tonearm makes up for the otherwise plastic frame, and the matte finish makes this turntable look like a $500 device, while the features, sound quality, and overall ease of use are practically unmatched by any of its competitors in this price range.

A beast of an entirely different kind, the Clearaudio Concept is an excellent turntable for vintage sticklers. While the previous options we’ve reviewed stood in the budget category, you should be ready to shell out big bucks for this premium device. This is also the first vintage record player we’re showcasing here – or at least a vintage-looking one.

Build

You can say goodbye to plastic-ridden turntables – we’re in the big leagues now. The box is made up of medium-density or pressure-formed solid wood, either in a single color or with wooden accents for a true vintage feel. Unlike its cheaper plastic competitors, the Clearaudio Concept has a solid weight to it.

As you’d expect at this price range, Clearaudio Concept is a belt-drive turntable. From a purely sound-oriented standpoint, the improved dampening on these models puts them a whole class above everything else on the market. 

If you choose to buy it with a cartridge and tonearm, you can get the Concept MM, Concept MC, or Essence MC cartridge. The tonearm can either be the Concept or the Satisfy Kardan variant.

The optional cartridge/tonearm setup will be fitted in the factory, so the only thing you’ll need to do is position the platter and pull the belt around the pulley. This sets the Concept apart from other expensive turntable options, which often require a bit of advanced knowledge to properly install.

Another aspect of the Clearaudio Concept distinguishing it from cheaper vinyl players is its three operating speeds, as opposed to two: 33 ⅓, 45, and 78 RPM. Consider upgrading the cartridge if you have a 78-heavy record collection, as prolonged use might cause some wear.

While classic turntable lovers will absolutely adore the stylish design of the Clearaudio Concept, futurism-oriented users will lament the lack of Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The best record–player brands often omit Bluetooth from their pricier devices. 

This may come as a surprise to some, having in mind how expensive this turntable is, but the hardcore vinyl market considers it an unnecessary gimmick.

Sound Quality

Clearaudio Concept’s sound quality is top-class. If you’re switching from a budget turntable, the difference in sound will be evident even to the most untrained ear. All frequencies, including the lower registers where more affordable turntables fail, are as crisp or as weighty as they should be.

All melodies played during our turntable reviews sounded warm and precise. Remember to provide proper support for the turntable to stand on to maximize the sound quality.

Price

Now we get to the iffy part – the pricing. If you want a top-notch record player setup, you need to be ready to part with a considerable sum of money. The current price of the Clearaudio Concept is an exorbitant $1,800 with the cartridge and $1,600 without one.

Final Thoughts

The Clearaudio Concept is a solid competitor to other heavyweights such as the Rega P5 and is the best turntable setup on our list if you can afford it. It’s got remarkable sound quality, a stunning design, and three available speeds to accommodate even the pickiest connoisseur – just be ready to part with a month’s rent to get one.

What constitutes the best budget record player? For those unable to spend $1,000+ on their musical hobby, a $150 turntable is considered a budget solution. However, by vinyl-market standards, everything below $500 is very affordable, and that’s where you’ll find the Rega Planar 1. 

This turntable actually came out back in 2005 under the moniker P1. However, it has undergone significant modifications over the years, retaining its distinguishable sound quality while improving on various aspects, allowing it to keep its title as the best turntable under 500 bucks.

Build

The Rega Planar 1 rocks a slick, minimalistic design that fits perfectly in any environment. The plinth looks laminated – a change from the original P1’s textured surface. The ON/OFF switch has also been relocated underneath the plinth to avoid any interruptions to the glossy surface. 

There are two colors available, black and white, and we found both to be equally appealing. The newest version of the Rega Planar 1 for 2021 has a matte finish, which also looks very stylish.

The addition of an RB110 tonearm is another reason why the Planar 1 is considered to be the best turntable for the money, regardless of your budget. The platter has undergone changes as well, with the new flywheel effect bringing further improvements to sound quality. 

Since both the tonearm and the carbon moving magnet cartridge are fitted at the factory, the Planar 1 is a true Plug & Play device: Enjoy your records the moment you get it out of the box.

Rega Planar 1 is a belt-drive turntable. Rega used a 24 V low-noise synchronous motor to reduce vibrations for better sound quality than other players in this price range can manage. This is actually the first Rega turntable in this category to utilize this type of motor, but it performs admirably.

The supported speeds are 33 ⅓ and 45 RPM – no 78 RPM here. The Planar 1 also has no preamp built in, but thankfully, you can snag a great amp – like Brio – from Rega’s website, too. Unpack the Planar 1, connect it to the preamp, and you’ll be all set to hear that sweet sound of vinyl records.

Sound Quality

If you’re impressed by the build and looks of the Rega Planar 1, wait until you hear it. 

The P1 is considered by many to be the best vinyl player in its price range, owing its huge popularity and longevity to the distinct sound quality. Many fans were worried that these recognizable audio capabilities might change or worsen with the alterations made to the turntable over the years.

They didn’t need to worry, though:  we’re happy to report that the Planar 1 sounds incredible, and any record you put on sounds great. The bass is strong but not too heavy, the instruments all sound spot-on, and everything is precise, textured, and crisp. Even the top models in the budget class can’t go head-to-head with the Planar 1.

Price

The Rega Planar 1 can currently be found for $475 on Amazon, but you might be able to get it for as low as $400 from other suppliers.

Final Thoughts

We’ve been trying hard to find some sort of weakness or fault with the Rega Planar 1, but there was none to find. From the visuals to the hardware and audio quality, the Planar 1 wins on all fronts.