Everyone knows by now that vinyl is back. The classic format has seen a resurgence for years at this point, and new albums these days almost always include a vinyl preorder. If you’ve finally decided to embark on the hobby, or if you’re looking to upgrade your current setup, we’ve compiled a list of the best turntables you can buy for under $600. Obviously, there are some very good, very popular options out there for around $1,000, but we had to start somewhere, and we had to narrow down the options a bit. Plus, there’s no reason for novices or even experienced spinners to spend that much to get a decent deck.
Best record players for 2025
Billy Steele for Engadget
Drive: Belt | Cartridge: Nagaoka MP-110 | Platter: Acrylic | Preamp: No | Bluetooth: No
Fluance’s preference for a glossy finish may not be your first choice, but the RT85N should absolutely be on your radar as a purely analog turntable. There’s no preamp here, so you’ll need to buy one separately for this model. You’ll get warm, expressive sound that caters to all the fine details of your record collection for highly enjoyable listening sessions.
Like other Fluance models, there’s a solid MDF wood plinth equipped with adjustable resonance damping feet. On the RT85N, the company moved the motor from underneath the acrylic platter to prevent unwanted noise and vibrations. There’s also a Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge and elliptical diamond stylus that provide a substantial upgrade over the RT81+. Simplified controls and automatic stop help bridge the gap when beginners are ready to upgrade to a more advanced setup.
- Warm, expressive sound
- Isolated motor
- Robust plinth with vibration-isolating, adjustable feet
- Requires a separate preamp
- Glossy finish isn’t for everyone
$550 at Macy’s
Billy Steele for Engadget
Drive: Belt | Cartridge: Ortofon 2M Red | Platter: Grooved acrylic | Preamp: No (optional) | Bluetooth: No
If you’re into minimal turntable designs that still look great, U-Turn’s Orbit line fits the bill. The company opts for a thinner plinth than most of the competition, offering a slimmed down look that I think is more sophisticated on the shelf. There’s also a range of colors and wood finishes available, so you can match your setup or cater to your style. The external drive belt will help reduce motor noise and unlike some of U-Turn’s models, you get electronic speed control here on the Orbit Special.
The company gives you the option to include a built-in preamp for an additional $80, but the Orbit Special I tested didn’t have one (remember our $600 limit). I enjoyed the expressive, detailed sound here, rich with analog warmth. U-Turn’s Orbit Arm 3 is also a highlight, combining a one-piece magnesium armtube with an Ortogon 2M Red cartridge (with elliptical diamond stylus) and a cue lever. It has an adjustable counterweight and internal anti-skate as well. Lastly, the adjustable rubber feet are robust, providing ample cushioning from any vibrations that could impact playback.
- Simple design
- External drive belt
- Expressive, detailed sound
- Easily removable dust cover
- No automatic stop
- No ground wire connection
- Wood finish costs more
$549 at Macy’s
Billy Steele for Engadget
Drive: Belt | Cartridge: AT-VM95C | Platter: Aluminum | Preamp: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes (aptX Adaptive)
I cut my teeth on an AT-LP60XBT, so I can vouch for how much of an upgrade the AT-LP70XBT is over that model. The audio improvements come from higher quality components like the cartridge, stylus, tonearm and three-piece construction. Simply put, the LP70XBT just looks more premium than the LP60XBT, and does so at a comparable price. Plus, you still get the fully automatic operation that will help beginners ease into their vinyl habit.
While the sound is crisp and clear on the LP70XBT, it’s not as full and immersive as some other turntables in this price range. The simple, straightforward controls are easy to master and there’s no tonearm calibration required during the setup process. And if you don’t have a need for Bluetooth connectivity, you can save yourself $70 and get all of the features I just mentioned on the regular AT-LP70X.
- Fully automatic operation is good for beginners
- Crisp, clear sound
- Optional Bluetooth connection
- Easily adjusts for 7-inch records
- Better sound is available for less money
- You’ll probably want to upgrade the stylus quickly
- Less-than-premium look
$205 at Wayfair
Billy Steele for Engadget
Drive: Belt | Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT91B | Platter: MDF | Preamp: Yes (optional) | Bluetooth: No
The Orbit Basic offers a lot of U-Turn’s best turntable elements in a $249 package. And for $80 more, you can have a built-in preamp added straight from the factory like our test unit. This model features U-Turn’s simple yet sophisticated design that’s available in several colors and two wood-grain options. You also get the company’s OA3 gimbal tonearm with internal anti-skate and adjustable counterweight. However, there’s no cue arm here and the tonearm is rather free swinging, so you have to be careful when placing it on a record.
The biggest downside to the Orbit Basic is the manual speed control. This requires you to physically move the belt on the external drive motor to change speeds from 33 to 45. Depending on your collection, you may not have to contend with that nuisance often. When it comes to playing music though, the Orbit Basic provides warm, crisp sound across a range of genres. The audio performance is best of any turntable we tested at this price, though the fully manual operation and lack of cue arm may present a bit of a learning curve to beginners.
- Simple design
- Optional preamp
- Easily removable dust cover
- Great sound quality for the price
- Manual speed control
- No cue arm
- Freeswinging tonearm
- Wood finish costs more
$249 at U-Turn Audio
Billy Steele for Engadget
Drive: Belt | Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT-VM95E | Platter: Aluminum | Preamp: Yes | Bluetooth: No
The sound quality on the RT81+ is nearly identical to that of the Alva ST, a turntable that costs more than twice as much. And here, you get robust, adjustable rubber feet to ensure your record player is sitting level. The solid MDF cabinet comes in an optional walnut wood veneer that looks nicer than the black and white options, but the high gloss finish may not appeal to everyone. I also enjoy the simple operation here, where you simultaneously turn the unit on and select speed with a single knob. The RT81+ also offers automatic stop (which you can disable) and an anti-skate system that aren’t always standard at this price.
- Straightforward design
- Automatic stop
- Adjustable feet
- Anti-skate system
- Sound quality is good, not great
- Glossy finish isn’t for everyone
$350 at Macy’s
Other record players we tested
Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT
This is about as basic as it gets, unless you opt for the AT-LP60X which ditches the Bluetooth connectivity. This is a perfectly decent option for someone just getting into vinyl, but if you spend a little more for the AT-LP70X, you won’t be in quite as big of a hurry to upgrade once you surrender to the obsession.
Cambridge Audio Alva ST
The Alva ST has a refined design that made me want to keep it out in my living room longer than many of the models on this list. The controls are limited on the top to power and individual options for 33 and 45 RPM speeds. Everything else is on the back panel, including Bluetooth pairing and preamp buttons. To complete the look, Cambridge Audio opted for a 1mm aluminium top plate, which sits on an MDF plinth with a layer of EVA to absorb vibrations in between.
While the overall audio performance on the Alva ST is warm and inviting, there is a lack of detail across genres. I’ve noticed albums don’t have a particularly wide soundstage, and songs lack their normal punch at times, so some sound compressed compared to when they’re played on other turntables. Additionally, the free swinging tone arm needs more resistance so it’s not so prone to dropping on a record immediately if it slips out of your fingers when you have the cueing lever down. Since this turntable is fully manual operation, I felt a bit of peril every time I went to lower the needle. (The price increased during testing for this guide.)
Denon DP-300F
Denon’s DP-300F is a mixed bag. On one hand, you get the convenience of fully automatic operation, dedicated speed and record size buttons and somewhat refined design. There are also some confounding decisions though, like the permanently affixed cables, the preamp switch being under the platter and the overall midrange build quality for a $500 turntable. The sound from the preamp and Denon’s cartridge has a clear lack of depth and detail that almost any model at this price should offer.
How to shop for a turntable
The first question you’ll need to ask yourself when looking for a turntable is how you plan to use it. Are you into vinyl for the ritual? If you simply like the concept of physical media, having to flip a record to finish it or the need to intentionally swap out an album when it’s done, that’s just fine. You probably can make do with a more affordable turntable since overall sound quality may not be a main concern. If you crave the warmth of analog sound, and you want the collection you’ve invested in to sound its best, you’ll need to consider something with better specs.
You’ll also need to account for where and how you’re going to listen to vinyl. Are you planning to connect this turntable to headphones or Bluetooth speakers? Do you have shelf or tower speakers you’re going to use? Are you willing to invest in a dedicated preamp or would you rather a new turntable come with one built in? All of these questions will impact your buying decision — even the Bluetooth codecs, if you’re going the wireless route.
Best record players (Billy Steele for Engadget)
Automatic, semi-auto and manual operation
If you’re just getting into vinyl, an automatic turntable will save you a lot of stress. These are the models that place the stylus for you — all you have to do is push a button. When you get to the end of the record, the turntable will also return the tonearm to its resting spot automatically. Or, if you need to stop your session mid-side, there’s a button for that too.
Some turntables have semi-automatic operation. Maybe they can’t place the needle for you, but they do have an automatic stop when a side of a record is complete. This auto stop, which sometimes comes with an on/off switch, can prevent unnecessary wear on your stylus and vinyl. Plus, many turntables with automatic operation allow you to take control if you need to drop the stylus in a certain place (that’s not the beginning of the record) or if you have a die-cut vinyl (like the It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown soundtrack).
Then there’s the fully manual option. Here, you’re solely responsible for placing the tonearm and taking it off when the music stops. A lot of turntables have a cue lever to assist with the process, and a lot of tonearms have a mechanism that lowers them slowly rather than violently dropping them on a record. This adds one more step to the ritual, and it’s one many purists prefer.
Preamp
The biggest decision you’ll need to make in terms of a preamp is to decide if you want one built into your turntable or if you’d rather use a separate one. It can be very convenient, especially for beginners, to use a built-in component to amplify the signal from the turntable before it hits any speakers or headphones. The downside is that you’re left with what the company provides from the factory, so if you’re looking to upgrade, you’ll have to disable the preamp inside. On most turntables, there’s a switch that allows you to do this, so it’s no trouble. But, opting to skip the preamp on some models could save you money that could be invested elsewhere.
A dedicated preamp typically uses higher-quality components and reduces noise by keeping internal parts properly separated. More robust models may even provide controls for things like tone or multiple inputs, while the basic options will simply allow you to plug in, play and forget it. If you’re after the best possible clarity and realism from your record collection, we’d recommend a dedicated preamp right from the start.
Best record players (Billy Steele for Engadget)
Removable cartridge/headshell
The next item you’ll want to consider is if the turntable you’re eyeing can be upgraded in the future. The best way to do this is by swapping out the cartridge. Most turntables allow you to do this but there are some that don’t, so you’ll need to pay attention to this detail. Upgrading the cartridge down the road is a great way to improve overall sound quality without having to buy a new turntable, new speakers or a new amp.
Belt drive vs. direct drive
There are two main types of turntables: belt drive and direct drive. All of the models we tested for this guide are belt drive, which means there’s a thin belt that connects the platter to the motor to make the thing spin. Direct drive turntables are widely used by DJs and Technics was the first to make them. Here, the motor is directly under the platter and connected to it directly so the setup is less prone to wearing out. This is especially key when you’re doing things like scratching. Direct-drive turntables tend to be more expensive than their belt-driven counterparts.
Counterweight and anti-skate control
Most turntables will include a counterweight on the tonearm and some form of anti-skate control. Both of these help keep the stylus in place with the correct amount of pressure, all to ensure proper operation with minimal wear on your records. Sometimes the anti-skate elements are built into the tonearm while other models offer a dedicated dial on the surface of the plinth. The ability to adjust both of these can help you fine-tune the performance of your turntable over time, which may be necessary after upgrading the cartridge or other components.
Other components to consider
Some final items you’ll want to evaluate on a prospective turntable purchase include the materials used for the base (plinth), platter and even the feet. Cheaper turntables may be mostly plastic affairs while more expensive models can use solid MDF (medium-density fibreboard) for the plinth. A lot of turntables have aluminum platters with a felt pad while others may feature a thick acrylic version. And while entry-level turntables may have small, plastic feet, premium models come with larger, adjustable, rubberized feet for better vibration isolation. While some of these come down to personal preference — a frosted acrylic platter looks really nice — there are some performance boosts to be gained depending on how the company uses the components.
How we test turntables
Since most turntables under $600 meet the criteria for entry-level through midrange, we tested every model with a set of Audio-Technica AT-SP3X powered speakers. These offer balanced sound for turntables with a 1.1-inch tweeter and 3-inch woofer in each unit. And at $269, they won’t break the bank if you need speakers for your new turntable and they’ll provide ample sound performance even if you spend more than our budget on a new deck.
For all of our test units that didn’t have a built-in preamp, we used the Fluance PA-10. At $100, it’s an affordable upgrade if you’re looking to bypass a turntable’s included components or if you’re looking to go more analog with your turntable purchase. There are no buttons or controls, just connect your turntable, speakers and ground wire (if you’re using one) and you’re ready to go. It’s simple, straightforward and inexpensive, so it’s a great option for beginners and more experienced vinyl collectors alike.
In terms of performance testing, we play a variety of genres on each turntable to evaluate sound quality. We also carefully examine the overall experience of putting a record on, setting the speed, placing the tonearm and more, which allows us to judge how well each turntable will work for users at different experience levels. Lastly, we take notes on design and components, comparing those elements from each turntable with our other test subjects to make our recommendations.
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