A growing record collection is an exciting thing. By getting yourself a decent record player, you’ll not only get the most out of the sound from records, but you’ll keep them sounding good longer.
Cheap turntables, usually those under £100, can damage your vinyl records over time. More advanced decks are specially designed to handle recordings with care and are built to maximize playback audio quality.
Whether you’re looking for your first turntable or giving your sound system an upgrade, we’ve selected the best turntables available to buy. For different budgets, the options below range from around £100 to almost £1000.
Best record players and turntables to buy in 2022
Sony PS-HX500
The Sony PS-HX500 delivers high-fidelity sound with sound co-engineered by Sony and Philips. If you have your own audio system, the turntable can be enjoyed in all its glory using the left and right outputs to maintain the spatial quality of the sound.
With the built-in analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter), you can capture the turntable’s output to a digital device, such as a USB flash drive, and play the music on other devices. This can be recorded in quality up to DSD 5.6 MHz – which has a higher bit rate than FLAC and other PCM formats like WAV. Essentially, you can extract audio from vinyl to high resolution files.
House of Marley, stir it up
House of Marley manufactures its range of audio products with the planet in mind, using sustainable materials to produce conscious and reliable products. The Stir It Up record player is made from harvested bamboo without harming the ecosystem. Rewind fabric is made from a blend of recycled materials: 30% reclaimed organic cotton, 30% reclaimed hemp, and 40% recycled PET.
The turntable has a built-in preamp that makes it easy to connect to an output device. It features a replaceable Audio-Technica moving magnet cartridge with an ATN3600L stylus, providing anti-skate control and auto start/stop functionality.
House of Marley devices are designed to handle reggae music. The Stir It Up turntable has been praised for its low frequency handling and warm, balanced sound.
The Technics SL-1500C turntable is often considered one of the best entry-level turntables on the market. It’s more expensive than most other models in this range, but it has a variety of premium features to reflect that.
The sound is said to be crisp and detailed with superb bass. The turntable is rated impressively, with What Hi-Fi giving it five stars and TechRadar giving it four stars. It has a switchable auto-lift function that can automatically lift the stylus off the record once it reaches the end of one side. The stylus is equipped with the Ortofon 2M Red, another well-reviewed piece of equipment for audiophiles.
i-Box turntable with Bluetooth
The i-Box record player is designed to be an all-in-one music system. It has an impressive range of listening options including Bluetooth, CD, cassette, FM radio and vinyl.
The turntable has built-in speakers – a rare feature for a record player. The USB port gives you the ability to play any digital files you own, while allowing you to download the audio from your recordings to a USB flash drive.
Pro-Ject T1 BT
A key feature of this turntable from Pro-Ject is its plastic-free design. The CNC machined plinth is made of MDF and the tonearm is made of one-piece aluminum. The absence of plastic or hollow spaces in the machine allows for lower resonance and reduced distortion.
The Pro-Ject T1 BT has Bluetooth connectivity, as well as an integrated phono stage which allows it to be connected to hi-fi systems requiring an AUX connection (it can still be connected via a separate phono input) .
T1 Project
If you’re looking for the premium features of the Pro-Ject T1 BT but don’t need the Bluetooth option, the Pro-Ject T1 is the one for you. It comes in the same compact design, with that stunning 8mm sandblasted glass top. This choice is ideal if you are looking for minimal construction, all it needs is a phono stage at the other end.
Rega Planar 1 Plus
The Rega Planar 1 Plus is equipped with all the best features of the Rega Planar 1 with the added inclusion of the Rega Fono Mini A2D phono stage. This allows it to be easily connected to an output, delivering Rega quality sound directly to your audio system.
The turntable is extensively reviewed to have stellar audio quality with clarity and precision.
Lenco L-85
If you’re on a budget, the Lenco L-85 offers great value with impressive features for the price. It is a user-friendly option that is perfect for beginners. Each component is easily assembled, so all you have to do is take it out of the box and connect it to an audio system.
The turntable has a moving magnet cartridge and a mechanical tonearm lift to make playing records smooth and simple.
Fluance RT81
Another solid choice for beginners, the Fluance RT81 turntable offers easy setup and user-friendly features. It has an auto start/stop feature: Moving the tonearm from its resting position will activate the platter so you don’t have to turn the player when changing records.
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