The 4 Very Best Entry-Level Turntables

Belt drive | Bluetooth connectivity | Automatic | Built-in phono amp

This Sony turntable came recommended by four experts we spoke to, including Alex Bean, a DJ and senior marketing manager at RCA; Declan McGlynn, digital tech editor at DJ Mag; and music journalist Jessica Lipsky. Bean said it was a “good entry-level turntable,” while McGlynn considered it a good all-rounder at a good price. This is the most recent iteration of the PS-LX turntable, which has been updated to include Bluetooth functionality and a USB output, and it is powered by a belt-driven turntable. Mark Steinberg, chief technologist and turntable specialist at B&H Photo Video, said it’s one of his favourites for the price because Sony is such a trustworthy brand. We were also impressed with both its popularity and availability — it was the best-rated turntable according to customers at Currys and John Lewis and came highly rated on Amazon as well. McGlynn says that while it has stylish features, such as the tonearm, the audio options should also suit most listeners. “The Bluetooth audio might not be suitable for high-end audio needs, [but] it’s a useful feature for headphones or cable-free obsessives. It also features a built-in phono amp for immediate plug-and-play.”

Belt drive | Automatic | USB connectivity

Audio-Technica is one of the most respected turntable-makers, and their inexpensive LP60 model is a good model if you’re looking for something a little more basic. Like the Sony PS-LX, it features a belt drive, which is more common with less expensive models. According to Alani, “The LP60X has everything you need for your first player: The automatic operation allows for hassle-free playing, it features a range of connection options, and it has a dust cover to keep your vinyl looking and sounding sharp.” Though it lacks Bluetooth connectivity, it does have a USB port (a Bluetooth-enabled model, appropriately named the LP60XBT, is out of stock everywhere we looked). Audio-Technica has a great reputation in the record-player industry and comes endorsed by three of our experts: DJ Prestige, Steinberg, and Mike Davis, owner of New York City’s Academy Records.

Belt drive | USB connectivity | Preamp | Semi-automatic

We wanted to find a turntable that was close to £100 but still had some notable features, and this Lenco model is just the thing for beginners, according to DJ and producer Lauren Andrews, who performs under the name La La: “This is a great entry-level product. I’d recommend this for someone looking to explore listening to music on vinyl. They’re so easy to use, and they come in tons of different colours.” It includes features such as USB connectivity, auto return, and a dust cover, and while the sound quality won’t be as impressive as more expensive models, it can connect to external speakers via RCA cables, which come included with the turntable. It also features a preamp, reducing the need to buy an amplifier. On Amazon, it has 277 reviews, with many buyers upgrading to this model after initially buying the much-maligned Crosley turntable. It was also popular with teens and elderly customers — one woman said that she opted for the Lenco after trading in a more technical model, and this was easy to use with good sound quality. Another noted that while the platter and arm are a bit lightweight, for the price, it still does an excellent job, with the USB connectivity helping them digitise over 200 records. This might not last as long as other options on our list, but we’re confident it’s a great place to start.

Direct drive | Preamp | Bluetooth and USB connectivity | Manual

Consider this a more technical, upgraded version of the LP60 we featured above. The Audio-Technica LP120X is modelled — not so subtly — after what is perhaps the most iconic turntable of all time: the discontinued Technics 1200.

This record player’s key feature is the magnet-powered direct drive, which is usually found in only professional-grade turntables or other more expensive units. Unlike the belt drive, a direct drive will rarely, if ever, need service, explains Prestige, who says it can handle records of all sizes without any fiddling under the hood. “If I were starting over right now, I’d probably get this,” he says, due to the quality you get for the price. Although Davis says he has never used the 120X, “I bought a 120 for my nephew, and he loves it. And he bought one for his friend, who loves it too.”

For Steinberg, Prestige, and Davis, this record player checks other appealing boxes: It has a built-in preamp, so the only other thing you need in order to use it is a powered speaker, and it features a USB output that allows you to connect it to your computer in case you want to archive your vinyl. According to Steinberg, the 120X “has a more efficient motor, so it needs less energy and gets up to speed faster.” Audio-Technica does a great job of listening to customer feedback, Steinberg says, and the 120X reflects that with its lower profile, stronger preamp, and a power supply that is built into the charging cord instead of the turntable itself.