Best Budget Record Player Reviews – Affordable Vinyl Playback Without Compromises

In recent years, the nostalgic allure of vinyl has experienced a significant resurgence, drawing both seasoned audiophiles and new enthusiasts to the warm tones of analog sound. Today, the market offers a wide range of top-level, mid-price segments and, of course, budget devices. The latter are in high demand due to their simplicity and availability. As demand grows, the hunt for the best budget turntable has become an endeavor shared by many. While affordability is key, compromising on quality isn’t an option. However, choosing a high-quality budget player (which will sound good enough and won’t break after a month of use) is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. But fear not, dear reader, as I’ve scoured the market to bring you the top 5 budget turntables that provide good performance.

Our pick

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK

Best budget turntable

The AT-LP60X fully automatic belt-drive turntable plays 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records and can be connected directly to your home stereo with its built-in switchable phono preamp. Read the full review.

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Budget turntables comparison table

Best budget turntable reviews

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK – best overall

The first turntable I want to pay your attention to is Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK, which is one of the best budget record players on the market today. Yes, I immediately made a move with the trump card. So let’s take a closer look at it without wasting time.

Thanks to the AT-LP60X’s fully automatic player, you can enjoy high-quality sound for its price directly from your recordings – without the need for an additional phono stage. This modified version of the AT-LP60 features a redesigned tonearm base and headstock for improved tracking and reduced resonance. Even more noise reduction is achieved with an AC adapter that converts AC to DC outside the enclosure, reducing its impact on the signal path.

This model also features a detachable dual RCA output cable and a built-in phono equalizer, allowing the user to connect the turntable to their stereo system whether it has a phono input or not. This experience is realized thanks to the Dual Magnet cartridge with a replaceable needle. The cartridge is integrated into the head of the neck, which ensures good sound quality, but you can’t upgrade to a different or higher-end cartridge for improved sound. In addition, the player is equipped with an adapter for 45 rpm and a removable dust cover.

The shape of the LP60X has said goodbye to the rounded corners of the past. Now, the form of the player is more like a square. The dust cover has become much thicker and heavier, but it’s still plastic. By the way, when closed, the cover with the player has a very impressive appearance. The color solutions have also undergone changes. Now, the base of the player is always black, only the color of the front panel changes.

Sony PS-LX310BT – also great

During my exploration of various turntables, I had the pleasure of experiencing the PS-LX310BT. This model from Sony is one of the best affordable record players with Bluetooth functionality. You can listen to music, for example, through headphones or Bluetooth speakers. The presented device has everything you need to properly reproduce sound from a vinyl record: a massive support base (dense, acoustically inert plastic that dampens parasitic vibrations), a fairly heavy platter (die-cast aluminum) with a time-tested belt drive, a very elegant J -shaped curved tonearm (also aluminum), MM pickup and built-in phono stage (with a three-position “gain” control).

I’ve also noticed that the Sony PS-LX310BT has a rather strict but, at the same time, attractive design – it will look great in almost any interior. There are few buttons and controls; the large Bluetooth pairing key is in the table’s lower-left corner. The drive is belt-driven—a traditional design for players in the entry-level price segment.

Audio-Technica AT-LPW30TK – fully manual

The hero of the next review is one more inexpensive record player, Audio-Technica AT-LPW30TK. The model can operate at two speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. I also noticed that it features an aesthetically pleasing anti-resonance MDF (medium-density fiberboard) cabinet with simulated teak veneer. This turntable includes a straight aluminum tonearm with adjustable tracking force, a universal AT-HS4 half-inch cartridge, and a dual moving magnet phono stage.

The manufacturer has been a leader in phono cartridge design for over 50 years, and this expertise is demonstrated in the versatile AT-VM95C cartridge, which comes with a 0.6 mil tapered stylus but is also compatible with any replacement stylus in the VM95 series, offering a wide range of options to suit any budget. What’s more, the AT-LPW30TK features a built-in switchable phono amplifier and a detachable dual RCA output cable for direct connection to components with or without a dedicated phono input.

The Audio-Technica AT-LPW30TK features a professional-grade die-cast aluminum platter that is fitted with a damping rubber mat. The support disk in the player is mounted on a bearing made of high-precision steel and is driven by a low-noise motor through a belt. This way, no unwanted vibrations are transferred to the record, and the motor itself is also damped from the chassis. The design of this model provides a hidden location of the engine and belt under the support disk, which gives the player a neat and laconic appearance. The rotation speed is switched electronically, which is very convenient.

Fluance RT81 – semi-automatic

Turning our attention to another notable and affordable turntable, the Fluance RT81 – “purely analog pleasure” for adequate money and with audiophile respect. The turntable plays traditional LP and EP vinyl records with stunning quality (which is quite unusual for a device of this class) and also provides clear sound reproduction. The components of pretty high quality allow this belt-driven turntable to produce a completely beautiful sound that recreates the performance as the musician intended..

It’s worth noting that the RT81 features an evenly balanced S-shaped tonearm, complete with a counterweight and a headshell that houses the esteemed Audio Technica AT95E moving magnet cartridge. This cartridge was once the gold standard for quality in entry-level turntables until its discontinuation. Along with the turntable, you’ll find a 3-foot RCA cable equipped with a grounding wire, a versatile 100V – 240V (50/60Hz) AC power adapter that has a 5-foot cord, a protective dust cover, an adapter for 45 rpm records, and a comprehensive user manual.

Built-in preamp for versatile connections enhances its utility further. The support platter is aluminum, and the plinth is made of solid wood. Fluance experts say that this combination allows you to decouple vibrations as much as possible and get a “pure stereo panorama”. The turntables’ output jacks are gold-plated, and there’s also a phono stage inside, fortunately with a switch-off option.

1 by ONE H009 – all-in-one turntable

Shifting our focus to another intriguing option, we come across the 1 by ONE H009, an all-in-one turntable that promises a comprehensive vinyl listening experience. This unit is designed with versatility in mind, housing built-in speakers. One standout feature is its Bluetooth capability, allowing users the flexibility to stream their cherished digital tracks right through the turntable’s speakers.

The straight tonearm is equipped with an already-mounted Audio-Technica Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge and a customizable counterweight. Together, they ensure balanced channel output and deliver a noise-free, warm, and rich audio experience devoid of distortion. However, it’s worth noting that while this turntable offers multiple conveniences, it may not be the perfect option for audiophiles who look for the highest sound quality.

While the AT-LPW30TK courts the vinyl enthusiast with its teak wood veneer and manual features, the 1 by ONE H009 beckons those wanting an integrated solution without too many moving parts. It’s the epitome of plug-and-play, offering a seamless experience that is especially beneficial to those new to vinyl or those with limited space.