In today’s music world, vinyl records’ popularity is soaring, and budget-friendly turntables are becoming the go-to choice for many music enthusiasts. Choosing the best turntable under 100 dollars is important to ensure you get pleasant experiences from your vinyl collection without major financial investment. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the models of cheap but good record players so you can select your model without any worries.
Turntables under $100 comparison table
Name | Drive type | Operation type | Speeds, RPM | Phono Pre-Amp | Review |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Victrola VSC-550BT best overall | belt | fully-automatic | 33 1/3, 45, 78 | no | Review |
Crosley CR8005F | belt | fully-manual | 33 1/3, 45, 78 | no | Review |
WOCKODER R608 | belt | semi-automatic | 33 1/3, 45, 78 | no | Review |
Amazon Basics TT603BT | belt | fully-manual | 33 1/3, 45, 78 | no | Review |
Best turntable under $100 reviews
Victrola VSC-550BT – best overall
Let’s start with one of the best cheap record players, the Victrola VSC-550BT. The chassis and platter are made of high-quality materials with a focus on reducing resonance. Selecting the rotation speed of records, power on/off, and adjusting the volume are all easily accomplished with straightforward control elements.
This turntable includes built-in Bluetooth technology for wireless music streaming, a 3-speed (33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm) belt-driven vinyl record player, and a 3.5 input jack mm to play music from any device. Also, this model typically comes with a ceramic cartridge and stylus, which make it great for casual listening.
Furthermore, the portable design, carrying handle, and built-in stereo speakers allow you to enjoy music anywhere. As it is a suitcase turntable, the speakers are notoriously quiet, but an RCA input is included for adding your own external speakers and a headphone jack. And finally, one of the greatest parts is that it comes with a wide range of designs, allowing you to choose a style that perfectly complements your decor and personal taste, ensuring that it not only delivers outstanding audio quality but also seamlessly blends into your living space.
Compared to other models in this review, the Victrola VSC-550BT is the best record player under 100. Its combination of playback versatility, Bluetooth functionality, and an affordable price point makes it a well-rounded choice for both beginners and experienced vinyl enthusiasts.
Key specs
- Drive type: belt.
- Operation type: fully-automatic.
- Speeds, RPM: 33 1/3, 45, 78.
- Phono Pre-Amp: no.
- Speakers: yes.
- Bluetooth: yes.
- USB: yes.
- AUX: yes.
Pros
- Built-in Bluetooth technology.
- Wide range of designs.
- Perfect for beginners.
Cons
- Built-in speakers are notoriously quiet.
Crosley CR8005F
Moving to another model, I want to pay your attention to another representative of the best vinyl player under 100 dollars, the Crosley CR8005F. This model is the improved version of the popular model of the Crosley brand, which produces vinyl record players. Like our previous model, it is a compact suitcase with a handle that will become a great accessory in your room.
While the Crosley CR8005F doesn’t deliver audiophile-grade sound, it holds its own in the budget category. The belt-driven turntable handles 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM records, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of vinyl. The sound is clear and crisp for everyday listening, but for a richer audio experience, I would recommend you connect external speakers or headphones.
This model comes with a built-in ceramic cartridge and stylus. They may produce a warm, vintage sound but might not capture the finer details of your vinyl. The Crosley CR8005F features a platter that is typically made of molded plastic. While it may not be as heavy or substantial as the platters found on higher-end turntables, it serves its purpose for casual vinyl listening.
The straight lines of the body upholstered in artificial leather give this model elegance and turn an ordinary player into a stylish accessory.
In summary, the Crosley CR8005F is an inexpensive, charming, budget-friendly record player that captures the essence of vinyl’s golden era. It’s an excellent choice for beginners or those looking for a portable, cheap, and retro-inspired vinyl player.
Key specs
- Drive type: belt.
- Operation type: fully-manual.
- Speeds, RPM: 33 1/3, 45, 78.
- Phono Pre-Amp: no.
- Speakers: yes.
- Bluetooth: yes.
- USB: yes.
- AUX: yes.
Pros
- Elegant design.
- Handles all 3 types of records.
- Good sound quality for this range of turntables.
Cons
- The cartridge might not reproduce the finer details of the records.
WOCKODER R608
The next record player I want to review is the WOCKODER R608. In my opinion, this record player is quite vintage and stylish and serves as both a nostalgic homage to the past and a contemporary music player. The dynamic full-range stereo speaker of this turntable ensures a satisfying audio experience. It’s an all-in-one solution, so you don’t need to fret about additional speakers. Alternatively, you can enhance the sound quality by connecting it to external powered speakers through the RCA output. Furthermore, the availability of AUX and USB playback provides multiple avenues. Auto-stop provides convenience during music playback by automatically halting the record’s rotation once the playtime is completed.
Like numerous other turntable models within this price range, it accommodates three different playback speeds and can handle three distinct record sizes. These speeds encompass the standard 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM. Regarding record sizes, it supports twelve-, ten-, and seven-inch vinyl records for your listening pleasure.
The turntable’s base is equipped with a spring, which can help minimize vibrations and prevent skipping in most cases. Additionally, this particular model is exceptionally user-friendly for beginners, requiring only five minutes for setup. However, it’s worth noting that some users have reported a slightly slower response time when switching between functions as a minor drawback.
In summary, this good cheap record player deserves recognition among its budget-friendly counterparts, as it possesses all the essential features and attributes one would expect.
Key specs
- Drive type: belt.
- Operation type: semi-automatic.
- Speeds, RPM: 33 1/3, 45, 78.
- Phono Pre-Amp: no.
- Speakers: yes.
- Bluetooth: yes.
- USB: yes.
- AUX: yes.
Pros
- Vintage and stylish design.
- Dynamic full-range stereo speaker.
- Equipped with a spring under the plinth to minimize vibrations.
Cons
- Some of the users complain of slightly slower response time when switching functions.
Amazon Basics TT603BT
The hero of the next review is Amazon Basics TT603BT. This cheap turntable has 3 standard playback speeds and by this parameter surpasses some budget analogs. It also includes a built-in Bluetooth transmitter, allowing you to wirelessly connect and stream music to compatible speakers or headphones. While it may lack some of the features, it serves as a solid entry point for beginners and casual listeners. The TT603BT also has built-in speakers, which are not as good as other models in this price range. It doesn’t have enough bass for me and setting it at the max volume isn’t loud enough for me either.
The turntable comes equipped with a diamond stylus needle pre-assembled into the unit and includes an additional spare stylus needle for your convenience. Additionally, it features rubber foot pads that serve both to stabilize the turntable and to absorb shocks for smoother playback.
Regarding the appearance, it is a desktop-style case with a natural wood finish that gives a vintage look. Also, this model is very compact and won’t take up a lot of space.
Its simplicity, ease of use, and budget-friendly price point make it a practical choice for newcomers to the vinyl world or anyone seeking a straightforward, entry-level turntable.
Key specs
- Drive type: belt.
- Operation type: fully-manual.
- Speeds, RPM: 33 1/3, 45, 78.
- Phono Pre-Amp: no.
- Speakers: yes.
- Bluetooth: yes.
- USB: yes.
- AUX: yes.
Pros
- Additional spare stylus needle.
- Equipped with rubber foot pads to reduce vibrations and absorb shocks.
- Very compact size.
- Diamond stylus needle pre-assembled into the unit.
Cons
- Lacks bass and is not loud enough at maximum volume.