The best turntables 2024, chosen by experts for all budgets (2024)

The best turntables will transform your vinyl collection, making it sound smoother, fuller, cleaner…just better. Many of the top record players today are also packed with the latest audio tech, including USB ports for ripping your vinyl and saving your curated (almost certainly unique and irreplaceable) collection of LPs as digital files too.

Some of the best turntables in our list also come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity baked in, so they’ll work with audio kit you already own, such as the best wireless speakers and the best headphones to upgrade your at-home listening experience.

We’ve selected only the best turntables and record players (the term 'record player' typically refers to a proposition with amplification and speakers included; a turntable tends to refer to the vinyl-spinning separate itself with tonearm, platter, and so on, but no speakers) for this guide, based on reviews from our experts, who collectively have decades of experience in the hi-fi world. We've chosen a range of decks to suit all budgets and music tastes, for veterans or beginners (see our how to set up a turntable to get you in the groove if that's you).

The quick list

Want to cut to the bit where we tell you which turntables are the absolute best? Have at this bevvy of beauties. Feel free to jump to a more detailed review of each product –or our nifty price comparison tool will help you find the best deals.

Written by

Written by

Becky Scarrott

I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. I'll always extol the virtues of listening (and dancing) to the best musical quality you can stretch to – and for more and more people, happily, that includes vinyl.

The best turntables of 2024

The best turntable overall

If you want to enjoy the rich sound of vinyl without compromising on even a speck of of glorious audio information, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo is one of the best turntables for this –and that makes it one of the best decks on the planet right now. Also, the carbon fiber tonearm is pre-mounted with a very capable Ortofon (or Sumika) cartridge. A new motor design, some damped and adjustable feet, and automatic speed change contribute no end to the Debut Evo's improved performance and improved ergonomics over the previous Pro-Ject model.

Simply put, it sounds fantastic. It doesn’t matter what sort of music you like to listen to, the Debut Carbon Evo laps it up. Our testing process revealed a detailed and compelling deck that's able to focus on the minutiae even as it describes the complete picture. And it does so with conviction. The Debut Carbon Evo has all the warmth and weight that vinyl is famous for, but it refuses to get bogged down – it simply motors along in the most natural way imaginable.

Its steel platter is now heavier, thanks to a thermoplastic ring on its inside edge – this reduces operation noise –and there’s now a suggestion of convenience in the shape of a speed-change switch at the bottom of the plinth; previously you’d have to take off the platter and move the drive belt to change speeds, but now 33.3rpm can become 45rpm (or vice-versa) at a press. You can change the drive belt itself in order to play at 78rpm. Both belts are included in the package. The one-piece tonearm is made of carbon fiber, and comes fitted with a very capable Ortofon 2M Red cartridge (except in America, where it features a Sumiko Ranier cartridge instead). With a choice of nine finishes, including five very attractive new ‘satin’ options, there’s sure to be a Debut Carbon Evo to fit in with your interior decor choices.

The Debut Carbon Evo is the most refined, upgraded and enjoyable Pro-ject model we've ever tested, which is why it's our pick for the best turntable you can buy – but it’s also the most expensive. Don't let the price put you off if you can afford it, though.

Read our full Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo review

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The best budget Bluetooth buy

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is our top budget choice, and a near-perfect option for beginner vinyl enthusiast. Setting it up will be easy for those familiar with the vinyl experience, but fledglings should note that it does require some hands-on assembly. You can use it wirelessly via Bluetooth to your wireless headphones and speakers, and with a built-in switchable phono preamp, you can connect directly to powered speakers, your computer or hi-fi system, whether it has a dedicated phono input or not –or bypass A-T's and use your own dedicated phono stage.

The sonic profile is generally very warm, which isn’t unusual for vinyl. If you prefer your music to have a little more attack in the treble frequencies, you may find yourself craving more crispness, but it’s all a matter of taste. Audio-Technica is known for producing high quality cartridges, and the one used on this turntable is no exception; the ATN3600L conical stylus fits perfectly into the grooves of the record and reveals details in songs you may have never noticed before. In our review, we wrote: “it makes your music an absolute joy to listen to.”

The design of the AT-LP60XBT is pleasing and functional with a matte black plinth and space-saving sleek build. It’s also very light at just 2.6kg, thanks to its extensive use of thin plastic. The downside is that while its neat dimensions and lightness could be an attractive feature for those who are short on space, the AT-LP60XBT does feel a little fragile. We’re not saying it’s badly designed, everything works well, but the materials used here aren’t as luxurious as what you’d find elsewhere.

If you’re looking for something super simple and not too pricey, this deck might be your best bet – and the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity does make the AT-LP6XBT record player feel like very good value for money.

Read our full Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT review

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The best high-end performer

If you’re looking for a top-performing turntable, the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 is tough to beat. You get a built-in phono stage so it can be connected directly to an amp or active speakers, but it's switchable, so you can use your own high-end solution if you have one. It also includes Bluetooth for sending sound directly to headphones or a wireless speaker – and it's aptX HD Bluetooth, so you get more detail. The device’s tonearm features anti-skate as well as counter-weight adjustment and has a detachable headshell for ease of cartridge-replacement. It’s pre-fitted with a cartridge, of course – a high-output Cambridge Audio moving coil option.

Inevitably, we found that it does sound its best through some great wired components than even the best top-tier Bluetooth headphones. However, we did still get that rich, vinyl sound wirelessly, and with greater clarity and precision than from cheaper Bluetooth turntables. As we said in our review: "The Alva TT V2 is a deft, smooth and insightful listen, a little short of dynamic headroom but very long indeed on detail retrieval, tonal balance and generously engaging sound."

It might be the best in the list for high-performing audio and specs, but it isn’t the prettiest or most elegant model. This turntable's aesthetic could best be described as functional; it is designed to look like a turntable, albeit a nicely constructed one. A hefty chassis is topped by a tactile aluminium plinth –but the build quality is classy.

The Alva TT v2 isn’t the most forthright or dynamically agile deck around for those who like oodles of attack. But it is way more convenient than the norm, and it's also a turntable that’s able to hold its head high in pure performance terms, too. If you want a deck packed with clever and useful tech that delivers an easy listen most music lovers will find enjoyable, it’s a great value investment.

Read our full Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 review

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The best mid-priced deck

The Fluance RT81 is an excellent beginner turntable. The reason? It's simple to set up and use for newbies, but as you'd expect, you can level up the cartridge to squeeze even more performance out of it later on. You don't need to worry about getting a separate phono preamp either, as there's one built in, but you can turn that off if you want to use a more powerful external preamp in the future.

We really enjoyed this turntable's sound during testing, but we did encounter a few issues. The Fluance RT81's promised “auto-off” feature turns the platter off to prevent excessive needle wear, which is good, but you still have to return the arm to its resting place yourself.

You’ll also have to manually queue records, which isn’t a deal breaker by any means but may put off anyone looking for a fully automatic player. If that's you, the Denon DP-300F (also in this guide) is a great choice for a fully automated vinyl experience.

Then again, if you want a more high-end performance from the get-go, take a look at the Pro-Ject Carbon Evo at the top of our guide. Then again, the Fluance remains a viable shout. As we wrote in our review: "If you want a turntable that just works, looks good, and can be upgraded later, the Fluance RT81 is the turntable for you."

Read our full Fluance RT81 review

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The best fully automatic pick

The Denon DP-300F is a gorgeous turntable that sounds just as good as it looks. As we wrote in our review: "If all you want is to listen to your records and not have to worry about cueing, premature needle wear or digitizing your records, the Denon DP-300F should be at the top of your list."

The DP-300F's features get you listening to your vinyl records as soon as possible, instead of having to fiddle with complicated counter-weights, tonearm setups and manual cueing.

Granted, the included DSN-85 cartridge isn't winning any awards for precision and exacting accuracy, but nevertheless it manages to make your music sound airy and reasonably detailed, delivering good performance for the price. You’ll need to spend a lot more cash to hear much more detail.

While the DP-300F lacks the USB outputs of some of the best turntables listed here, it’s still a great starting turntable for anyone who doesn’t want to manually cue their albums or who has a habit of falling asleep while listening to music. The Denon’s automatic start/stop feature means your needle won’t be worn down at the end of the record as the arm immediately returns when an album is done.

Read our full Denon DP-300F review

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Best deck for beginner enthusiasts

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is still one of the best entry-level hi-fi turntables you can buy, even though it has been usurped by the more recent model at the top of this list.While those looking to test the warm analog waters (rather than invest in vinyl for keeps) may be perturbed by the relatively high price here, we've tested it and we can tell you that it's actually an incredible bargain, for those who want it.

For the money, you get a very well made deck that’s damped properly and delivers fantastic sound quality. It also has a carbon fiber tonearm that's lightweight and stiff, a component usually reserved for turntables costing a lot more.

As we said in our review: "The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is well built, beautifully designed and just sounds awesome. It’s not the most resolving turntable but you wouldn’t expect it to be at this price range. When looking at the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon as a package, it’s hard to think of another turntable in this price range that can top it."

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is one for the budding enthusiast committed to record collecting. It doesn’t feature niceties such as an auto-returning tonearm, buttons for changing speed or an included phono preamp and newbies may be further disappointed by the manual changing of the belt position to switch speeds, along with its lack of inbuilt preamp. For others, this will be hi-fi heaven.

Hot tip: if you like the Pro-Ject Debut range but want a subtler look, check out the Crosley C10, which features a chic wooden-look plinth combined with a Pro-Ject tonearm.

Read our full Pro-Ject Debut Carbon review

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The best hi-fi turntable for tinkerers

There’s a lot of debate over whether the Rega Planar PL1 or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is the best entry-level hi-fi turntable. It’s a close match and although we've tested both, we don't think there's a clear winner. Each one provides an excellent starting place for an audiophile on a budget.

While the Rega may forgeo the fancy carbon tonearm of the Pro-Ject, the PL1 still sounds excellent and is well damped thanks to its phenolic resin platter. And for fledgling vinyl collectors the Rega is still an easy setup, though you’ll have to supply your own phono preamp. Want to embark on a life of tonearm adjustment, cartridge upgrades and maybe even vinyl subscription services? This is the deck for you.

In our testing, this record player sounded so good it seemed churlish to fault it. Vocals are revealing and you perceive the subtle textures of instruments within orchestral soundstages. The included Rega Carbon cartridge isn’t anything particularly special, but it's a very decent match for the deck. Given the choice between the Planar PL1 and the Debut Carbon we'd say that you can’t go wrong with either – and if that sounds like a cop-out, you'll simply have to read each review to make your choice.

Read our full Rega Planar PL1 review

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The best for going pro

The Marantz TT-15S1 is relatively expensive, but it delivers excellent performance for the price –and considering the Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge is included (which is around $1,000 when purchased separately) it's actually a great deal. You also get a premium tonearm and a winsome turntable. Yes, the price is definitely an investment, but it is not an unreasonable one.

What does the Marantz TT-15S1 get you over the competition? Attention to detail. During our testing, we were pleasantly surprised to find that just about every part of this turntable has been tweaked and optimised to be the best it possibly can be, for the price. The fit and finish are excellent and it's very pleasant to handle.

It is not a great option for vinyl newcomers; it requires more knowledge to set up properly than the entry-level turntables on this list (try the Audio-Technica model in at number two of this guide instead). But if you’re ready to take your record collecting and listening to the next level, the Marantz TT-15S1 is the perfect companion. In our review, we surmised: "Taken as a whole, the Marantz offers budding audiophiles the chance to chase higher fidelity without having to buy a turntable that costs as much as a car."

Read our full Marantz TT-15S1 review

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The best for durability

Say hello to this budget-friendly Technics SL. This SL-1500C will only set you back £899 / $999 / AU$2,499 (for reference, look to the Technics SL-1210g to see how much Technics decks usually go for). It may still not be the most affordable turntable on the market, but it's the first reborn Technics to really remind us of why we, and so many DJs, fell in love with the brand in the first place.

User-friendly and as painless as possible, the SL-1500C stands on four hefty rubberized feet with a lot of articulation. A switchable phono stage proves useful along with a switchable auto-stop feature –we've gone into great detail about these in our extensive review.

Sound-staging is really impressive here, with recordings given plenty of elbow room for individual instruments to make their presence felt at all times. There’s depth and height to the Technics’ stage as well as width, and the sound is consistently compelling.

In our review, we wrote: "This isn’t the most out-and-out accomplished turntable you can buy in purely sonic terms, but it’s not far off – and it’s more robustly made, better specified and has greater cachet than any price-comparable alternative. "

Read our full Technics SL-1500C review

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The best affordable one-box record player

The Lenco LS-410 is an all-in-one turntable: it has four built-in speakers, so you can listen to your vinyl without a single other thing needed. And it has Bluetooth built-in so that you can also use it as a wireless speaker, and actually the sound is pretty chunky and nice for that. Sonically, you can do better though. As we said in our review: "This isn’t the most dynamic sound you ever heard, for sure, but neither is it the most inhibited. And when it’s put into proper context, the LS-410 is a perfectly likeable and periodically quite impressive Bluetooth speaker."

OK, there are issues with its rotational consistency and the construction of its slightly rattly tonearm (and its controls), and it leads to sound that's too weedy to be deeply satisfying. Connecting to a separate amp (using the built-in phono stage, or to your own phono stage, usefully) doesn't really improve things enough either.

The thing is, it still has value because it just does so much in one package. If affordable vinyl sound quality is your priority, other options here may still be preferable, like the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT –but as a one-box solution, it's still worthy of your time.

Read our full Lenco LS-410 review

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How to choose the best turntable

Finding the best record player for you can seem confusing, but there are some key details you need to consider when choosing your next turntable.

One of the most vital things to look for when you’re shopping for a new vinyl player is how well damped it is.Damping is essentially the method by which manufacturers combat vibrations – whether internal or external. They do this through the use of different motor configurations, and through the use of various components.

Belt-driven turntables are going to be a lot quieter and offer higher fidelity than their direct drive brethren, as direct drive turntables have a motor that is directly connected to the platter. However, there are some great direct drive turntables out there, so don’t write them off just yet.

If you’re just starting out, you probably don’t need to be fooling around with a complex turntable featuring an adjustable vertical tracking angle, anti-skate and azimuth. You may even want a turntable that connects to your portable speaker or headphones wirelessly over Bluetooth.

Also worth considering is this: do you want to rip your vinyl to your digital library? If so, look for a turntable with a USB output and reliable software to get the job done.

Budget and style are important considerations, too. Turntables can cost anything from $50 / £50 to well over $2,000 / £2,000, it's a good idea to have a top-end fee in mind before you start your search. Think about how your new record player will fit into your home, as well. Do you have the space for an external amplifier? If not, look for a turntable with a built-in preamp.

How we test the best turntables

Having tested countless record players over the years, we know that the best way to find out whether they live up to their specs is simply to open up our vinyl collection, set up the deck, calibrate the tonearm (if necessary) and get playing.

When it comes to beginner and budget-friendly turntables, we're looking for simple setups, built-in phono stages and wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth (for listening to the vinyl spinning on the platter through your wireless headphones) alongside solid tracking and, of course, a rock-solid, dependable build.

Naturally, when it comes to high-end audiophile record players, we spend considerable time looking into the quality of the build, the playback speeds offered, compatibility, how well-damped the deck is and extra features such as USB ports.

Of course, whatever the price, audio quality is of paramount importance when it comes to selecting the best turntables. To earn a spot in this guide, a deck has to produce detail and clarity from your record stash while delivering that warm, rich analogue sound that good turntables are so well known for.

The latest updates to this turntables guide

June 7, 2024
Checked all products. Added information about the difference between turntables and record players.

May 10, 2024
Added information about the potential risks of cheaper turntables damaging vinyl.

March 28, 2024
Removed Clearaudio Concept because it's been discontinued.