Best Record Players Under $200 Reviews

You are a little strapped for money, or your budget does not allow you to buy a premium model immediately, and you are on the hunt for the best turntables under 200 dollars? In today’s vinyl resurgence, budget-friendly record players have become increasingly popular.

In this guide, I’ll share with you 5 quite good models that combine affordability with worthy performance. I understand the significance of making the right choice when it comes to your vinyl experience, so let’s navigate through the options and help you find that perfect turntable.

Our pick

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK

Best budget turntable

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

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Turntables under $200 comparison table

Best turntable under $200 reviews

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK – best overall

The first model I want to introduce you to is the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK. Audio-Technica AT-LP60 can rightfully be considered a cult turntable, which, for many vinyl lovers, was the first step into this wonderful musical world. Almost ten years ago, the first model of this device was presented, and since then, there has been a process of constant improvements and refinements, taking into account the claims and wishes of users. But let’s get back to the review of our model, a fully automatic device with a belt drive and a DC motor. It has rotation speeds of 33.3 or 45 rpm and can be switched by a button.

Compared to the previous models of this brand, this one has an improved tonearm and a miniature handle for manually installing the cartridge stylus. This upgrade made it possible to reduce the impact of undesirable resonances and enhance the pickup head’s tracking capabilities on the track.

Also, the turntable is equipped with an MM cartridge with a dual moving magnetic system Dual Magnet. This cartridge type has a removable needle (diamond stylus ATN3600L), so it can be easily and quickly replaced when worn out. But if you want to remove the cartridge, unfortunately, it’s not impossible, as it is integrated into the player. The turntable comes with a built-in switchable phono stage, enabling a direct connection to an amplifier, AV receiver, or active speakers through the line input.

Of course, the main “highlight” of this model is the Bluetooth adapter with Qualcomm aptX codec support. This lets you connect the player wirelessly to wireless active speakers or headphones. At the same time (as you probably guessed), the possibility of a classical connection with a signal cable is preserved.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK model has a modern design, which now looks more formal and has a new dust cover. In my opinion, it now looks more stylish and features a minimalistic design typical of modern models. By the way, the black plastic base and cast aluminum base plate give the turntable a sophisticated and high-quality appearance.

ION Audio Premier LP – also great

The hero of our next review is the ION Premier LP model – a great choice for those who are looking for a record player under 150 dollars. This is a simple and convenient way to listen to your favorite vinyl records. This model is truly a complete sound system with built-in stereo speakers and an internal amplifier. So you can enjoy your music without any additional external equipment. Moreover, its simple controls and automatic operation are great for those new to vinyl.

The Premier LP player has a stylish design and good built-in speakers, and it is Bluetooth compatible if you want to connect to wireless speakers. It also has a built-in phono preamplifier for direct connection to non-Bluetooth speakers. However, some users have reported that the build quality of the Premier LP, particularly the tonearm, feels a bit flimsy compared to higher-end turntables. I agree with this opinion; the components are indeed not of the highest quality, but we should not forget about their price.

With specialized software, you can convert any recording into a digital file. To do this, you need to connect your player to your computer using the included USB cable. Additionally, this versatile unit has a 1/8-inch AUX input that you can connect to any other device, such as a cassette player, and play through the built-in speakers.

Crosley C62C – with speakers

The next player I would like to draw your attention to is the Crosley C62C. This is a two-speed product capable of playing music at 33 1/3 and 45 rpm using two high-frequency MDF speakers.

Thanks to natural material (walnut wood), it is characterized by great strength and endurance. It effortlessly blends the classic, retro charm of vintage record players with a modern touch. Its wooden finish and clear dust cover add a touch of elegance to any room, making it not just an audio device but a stylish decor piece. The matte black aluminum tonearm has an adjustable counterweight and a moving magnet cartridge for easy replacement when needed. Thanks to the three-leg design, the turntable is able to control vibrations.

The design with two handles lets you easily change the speed, increase the volume, and switch to a Bluetooth receiver if you want to stream music from your favorite digital playlist.

The speakers provide decent sound quality, especially for casual listening. The audio output is clear and sufficiently loud for small to medium-sized rooms. However, audiophiles may find the sound lacking in depth and detail.

1 by ONE H005

One more good choice of budget-friendly turntable is 1byONE H005. It is a belt-drive turntable that transmits audio to Bluetooth speakers. It has a sleek design and is manufactured with high-precision CNC machining, a sturdy aluminum platter, and a well-engineered tonearm, which together achieve a durable performance.

The turntable has a built-in magnetic cartridge and Bluetooth playback, allowing wireless streaming to speakers. The sound quality of the 1byONE H005 is quite good, in my opinion. It has a good balance between bass and treble, and the sound is clear and crisp.

It’s worth noting that the turntable is easy to set up and use. To set up the vinyl player, you need to connect it to a power source and a speaker or amplifier. You can then place a vinyl record on the turntable and use the tonearm and stylus to play the record. It has an auto-off feature that helps to save energy. The product has both 33 and 45 RPM speeds.

Retrolife HQKZ-006

The last but not the worst model I want to make a review of is the Retrolife HQKZ-006 turntable. The first thing I’ve noticed is that the turntable is a beautiful piece and easy to set up. The design is stylish, effortlessly blending a nostalgic retro aesthetic with modern functionality. The HQKZ-006, in my view, boasts commendable build quality with sturdy construction and durability. While it may not rival the high-end turntables in terms of sound quality, it holds its own, providing a crisp and enjoyable listening experience.

It has 2 speeds, 33 1/3 & 45RPM, which allows you to play a wide range of vinyl records, from full-length albums to singles. With a belt-drive record player and wireless output connectivity, it seamlessly bridges the gap between the analog and digital worlds. The turntable is compatible with personal computers, tablets, smartphones, and speakers.