Best Record Player & Turntable Reviews 2018

Best Turntable Reviews 2018 | Best Record Player - When it comes to listening music, turntables will never get old. Even today, millions of people listen to vinyl records and enjoy music.

And if you also want to play your old/new records, it’s time for you to get the best turntable which sounds great. If you’re new to record players and turntables, don’t worry. I will help you learn about turntables, how to use them and how to find the best one from our reviews.

First and foremost, you need to know about turntables which are also known as record players. How they work and what are its different parts called. For this I have a cool infographic for you:

Beginners Guide to Turntables

How To Choose the Best Turntable in 2018

Choosing the best turntable which will play your records without damaging them is very important. There are many cheap turntables available in the market. But many of these will scratch your records. To some, it may not be big a deal but if you have collection of rare turntables and do not want even a scratch on them, you must choose a perfect turntable.

Here are some important factors you need to keep in mind before buying a turntable:

1. Price Range

Turntables and record players are available in different price range. You can get turntables for as low as $100 and can also cost you more than $500.

Depending on your budget, you can go for turntables. But remember this:

If you want a turntable with good sound quality and features, it will cost you some money. So first, fix your budget and then take a look the next factors.

Here are some best turntables under $200.

2. Belt Drive Vs Direct Drive

The next important step is to choose between a belt-drive and a direct drive turntable. Belt drive turntables have their motor located off to the side while in direct drive, it is mounted under the platter.

Audiophiles consider belt drive consider to be much better because it absorbs shock, prevent vibrations generated by the motor from reaching the platter and also result in less noise transmission.

Direct drive turntables are preferred by DJ’s because they offer more constant speeds, less noise distortion, have higher torque. You can spin direct drive turntables to produce different sound effects which many disk jockey’s do.

So I would recommend you to go for a belt drive turntable because it’s a better option if you’re a novice and want to get a good sound quality.

3. Automatic Vs Manual

Turntables come in two different forms: Automatic and Manual.

In an automatic turntable, you can play records with a push of a button.

In a manual turntable, you will have to lift the tonearm and then return the tonearm to the starting position.

If you’re new to turntables, then an automatic turntable is a good option for you. Because while using a manual turntable, you might scratch your records. But still it’s not a big deal. After a few attempts of using a manual turntable, you will get used to it.

4. USB Vs Non-USB

Having a USB port in a turntable is very important because with the help of it, you can connect your turntable to your computer and also digitize your records by converting them in MP3 format.

So before buying a turntable, make sure it has a built-in USB port.

5. Upgradable

Even after looking at the above factors, this is very important. Why?

Because some parts of a turntable get worn off after use and will result in bad sound quality. These parts include: cartridge, tonearm etc.

Before buying a turntable, check if these parts are upgradable. Although many brands provide turntables whose parts can be upgraded but it’s better to check before buying.

Top 5 Best Turntables Review:

1. Audio Technica AT-LP120 USB

The best turntable ever made! It has all the features you will need and there’s no compromise on its quality.

It comes with a USB output, can play 3 speeds, has a built-in preamp and many more features. The price is very affordable too and it’s the best for casual listening.

Audiophiles also call it the best turntable in the market right now. So if you don’t want to waste time finding turntables, you can go for this one. Period.

2. Technics SL-1210 MK2

Technics turntables always come with great features and sound amazing. And so does Technics SL-1210 MK2.

It has some really cool features like a non-pitch lock control, adjustable electronic breaking system, pitch reset and an LED stylus.

If you’re considering to buy a high quality turntable, this turntable is perfect for you. The pricing is a bit high but it’s worth what you pay for it.

You can also use this for DJing. It is highly-recommended by audiophiles and is really incredible.

3. Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB DC

This is one of many great Pro-Ject belt-drive turntable with a silicone belt. It has a pre-mounted Ortofon OM5e cartridge with built-in phono preamp and a USB output. You also get Audacity software for PC and Mac so you can convert your records.

Overall, this turntable runs silently and provides an awesome plug and play experience.

Another great turntable by Audio-Technica. AT –LP60-USB is fully automatic and comes with a built-in phono preamp. You can connect it to your home stereo with RCA output cables and also digitize your records via USB with the help of Audacity software.

It is a belt-drive turntable with 2 speeds. A headphone jack is also provided so you can listen your records privately.

This is the best Audio-Technica turntable after AT-LP120 USB. The sound is great and it won’t ruin your records.

5. Rega - RP1

RP1 by Rega is high quality turntable and has a low vibration motor. The design is very cool and it has a hand-assembled tonearm.

It is perfect for music lovers who want a good affordable turntable. Many reviewers say that this is the best turntable for this price and it certainly is.

6. U-Turn Audio - Orbit Plus

Made by U-Turn Audio, Orbit Plus is a high performance turntable which is easy to set up and use. You get lifetime technical support by U-Turn Audio which means you will not have to spend money a lot of money in its maintenance.

It is manual belt-drive turntable and can play 2 speeds. The sound is truly magical and your money is worth spending on this turntable.

Best Record Players Compared

In the previous section, I’ve covered the 6 top turntables which you can buy. Now the below comparison table will help you choose the best one.

I’ve mentioned the features of these turntables so you can get an idea of which turntable is suitable for you.

So this was all about the Best turntables that you can get, if you are looking to know more about record players, then you can check out our other articles where we reviewed the best turntables under 100, affordable turntables 200, best record player under 300.