With a stunning design, sublime audio, and thoughtful additional features, the EAT B-Sharp is the best turntable out there. But that kind of high-end listening experience doesn’t come cheap. If you’re wanting to relive the good-old days on a college budget, you’re going to need something a bit more affordable, like the Audio Technica AT-LP120 or U-Turn Orbit Plus.
Fortunately for you, we have rounded up all the best turntables on the shelves for your consideration. Just keep in mind that this list doesn’t offer lavish $40,000 models that’ll make you feel like you’re in the studio with the late Duke Ellington, but rather cost-savvy players that range from entry-level options to the kind of audiophile-grade devices that will last a lifetime.
Vinyl 101
Note: Some of these turntables include a built-in phono preamp, while others do not. A phono preamp is a device that boosts the signal from the turntable so that modern electronics can play it. While many older receivers have a phono input, some newer devices do not. Whether or not you need a preamp will depend on your receiver/amplifier and favorite speaker setup.
| Best turntables | Category |
| EAT B-Sharp | Best turntable overall |
| Audio Technica AT-LP120 USB | Best low-cost option |
| U-Turn Orbit Plus | Best style |
| Technics 1200 | Best for DJs |
| Sony PS-HX500 | Best for ripping vinyl |
The best: EAT B-Sharp
Why you should buy this: Audiophile-grade components, gorgeous looks, insane build quality.
Who it’s for: The serious vinyl collector who is looking to upgrade to a turntable that will last them a lifetime.
Why we picked the EAT B-Sharp:
It requires a significant upfront investment, but the European Audio Team (EAT)’s B-Sharp turntable delivers the kind of high-end sound that will last you a lifetime. A beautiful turntable with a custom-designed suspension system and carbon fiber tonearm, the B-Sharp comes equipped with a beautiful Ortofon 2M Blue moving magnet cartridge, which helps it pull out every subtle musical timbre in your vinyl. Special feet help isolate the turntable from its position on your record stand or bookshelf and keep unwanted rumbles to a minimum.
Another cool thing about the B-Sharp is that it comes with a built-in record weight: A threaded weight screws onto the middle of the deck, allowing you to get gorgeous, punchy low-end from your records. All that, plus an insane overall build quality makes that EAT B-Sharp the model to get if you’re looking to buy a turntable that you’ll be able to pass down for generations. In fact, when you look at the quality of components and top-grade features offered by the B-Sharp, it actually offers one of the best values in the high-end audio universe.
The best cheap turntable: Audio Technica AT-LP120 USB
Why you should buy this: Simple functionality, classic looks, and USB connectivity.
Who it’s for: The new vinyl enthusiast who wants an affordable and great-sounding turntable that will last for years.
Why we picked the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB:
It’s hard to find a better entry-level option that Audio-Technica’s classic LP120. This rectangle of sparkling chrome might not be as fashionable as some of the others on our list, but it still looks and sounds good, and at a very enticing price to boot. The Audio-Technica AT-LP120 is a go-to starter turntable that’s rugged and reliable and has been a favorite of analog listeners for decades.
For a bit more dough than the cheapest beginner models on the market, the Audio Technica AT-LP120 USB also offers a slew of features like a selectable internal preamp so you won’t need a phono input, a USB output to capture your vinyl in digital form, auto-return (so you don’t have to babysit your records), and three speeds to handle virtually anything in your collection. Whenever people ask us what the best first-purchase turntable is — and they ask us a lot — we always point them to the LP120. It’s the Honda Civic of turntables, and we’re still big fans after all these years.
The best style: U-Turn Orbit Plus
Why you should buy this: Great sound and gorgeous design in multiple bright color options.
Who it’s for: The style-conscious vinyl enthusiast who wants great looks as well as superb sound.
Why we picked the U-Turn Orbit Plus:
For a little more money than the Audio-Technica LP120, style-conscious listeners can get an absolutely beautiful piece of analog audio gear. U-Turn’s Orbit Plus is among the best-sounding and most beautiful turntables you can buy at any price, and that’s largely because of its simplicity. You’ll have to pay extra for a built-in preamp ($70), there’s no USB connection, and there’s no automatic return. Even a cue lever ($40) is optional, so most users will have to manually set the needle, as well as manually adjust the belt to switch between 33 and 45 RPM speed settings.
All of this may be daunting for newcomers, but those who can accept that will find a sturdy turntable that runs quietly and sounds great, with elegant design cues like the above-board belt that allows you to watch the motor spin your favorite discs. Also, the lack of options lets U-Turn focus on quality. The Orbit Plus comes with an excellent Ortofon OM5E cartridge, and the high-mass acrylic platter will keep your vinyl spinning smoothly, making for a beautiful long-term investment that will shine for years to come in your listening space.
The best for DJs: Technics SL-1200 (any generation)
Why you should buy this: Insane durability and decades of use by the top DJs on earth make the Technics SL-1200 the best deck for musicians.
Who it’s for: The vinyl-loving DJ who wants a turntable that can take a licking and keep on spinning.
Why we picked the Technics SL-1200
Since it was first introduced in 1972, the durable Technics SL-1200 turntable has grown to become a legendary piece of audio gear, easily the most common turntable used by professional DJs around the world. Known for its high-torque direct-drive motor, the turntable is robust enough to withstand thousands of hours of scratching and manhandling, offering the kind of consistent performance DJs need on stage and in the studio.
The original SL-1200 model was discontinued in 2010 but remained so popular that Technics began manufacturing newer, higher-end versions in 2016. Whether you spring for the more expensive newer model or a classic from the original production run, we’re sure you’ll be happy with your purchase. This is the kind of tried-and-true model that will be spinning for decades to come.
The best for ripping vinyl: Sony PS-HX500
Why you should but this: An exceptional onboard digital-to-analog converter and USB connectivity.
Who it’s for: The audiophile who wants to preserve rare records at the highest-quality digital resolution.
Why we picked the Sony PS-HX500:
Those with the rarest collections will love the Sony PS-HX500 for its preservation abilities. Though it has the chops to playback your favorite records with brilliant clarity and warmth, it’s specifically designed for those who want to digitize their favorite analog music in high resolution. Paired with a special high-fidelity recording app, the player utilizes a Texas Instruments analog-to-digital converter that transfers at a bare minimum of 16-bit, 44.1kHz CD-quality resolution.
That’s just the baseline in terms of digital conversion quality: Sony’s deck can transfer files up to 24bit/192khz and even 5.6MHz DSD — the highest quality of any USB turntable of its kind. The price is on the high side for a device that’s mostly meant to help you archive your music, but if you want to both playback your vinyl and preserve it for the virtual age without spending a ton of cash on fancier outboard gear, the Sony PS-HX500 is the way to go.
How we test
We test turntables both at home and in our A/V testing lab over a period of weeks, using a wide variety of music both new and old. Typically, each turntable is connected to a wide variety of high-end speakers and our favorite stereo amplifiers, and compared side by side with other options in the price range when possible. We also test each turntable with both its inboard (where applicable) and outboard phono preamp, allowing us to hear the sound of the turntable via both inboard and outboard gear.
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