Best turntables

Introduction

For many turntables are the way to play back music. You can’t replicate the sound of analogue as well in a digital format, so only the best turntable will do.

And then there’s the x-factor of vinyl physical records looking a lot cooler. In the past few years turntables have enjoyed a renaissance and you don’t have to be a hi-fi connoisseur to get into it either. Part of the passion is picking it up as you go, getting deeper and deeper into the various options available.

These are the best turntables – from expensive decks to more affordable record players – we’ve collated the options to suit your budget and help you get started on amassing that vinyl collection.



How we test

How we test Our audio experts use every turntable they test as their primary home music player for weeks while testing. During that time they A-B test against competitors in the same price range, using a variety of partnering hi-fi components and different genres of music, from classical to dance. Where appropriate, turntables are also tested with a variety of different cartridges.Ratings are based mostly on sonic performance, but also take into consideration build quality, ease of setup, and features.








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Audio-Technica AT-LP5X



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Pros


Extensive, useful spec
Smooth build and finish
Organised, controlled sound




Cons


Not quite as much scale or punch as is ideal






£349







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Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT



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Pros


aptX Bluetooth streaming
Integrated phono stage
Gets the audio basics right




Cons


Plays it safe in terms of sound
Feels insubstantial





£179







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Cambridge Audio Alva TT



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Pros


Simple to set up and use
Bank-vault build quality
Lovely, fluent sound
Hi-res streaming




Cons


Lacks ultimate dynamism
Quite expensive






£1500$1199







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Clearaudio Concept MM



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Pros


Awesome build quality
Simple speed switching
Easy setup
Superb timing and attack
Plays 78s




Cons


Not the best with vocals








£995







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Fluance RT80



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Pros


Integrated phono stage
Audio Technica AT91 cartridge
Smooth, detailed sound




Cons


Lacks bass reach
Short of dynamic headroom





£170$199







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McIntosh MTI100



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Pros


Controlled, explicit and entertaining sound from any source
That logo, those valves




Cons


Unblinkingly expensive
Interfaces could be nicer




£7495$6500







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Rega Planar 3



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Pros


Sounds incredible for the money
Dust cover included
Superb tonearm
Lovely build quality




Cons


Speed change requires platter removal







£625







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Rega Planar 8



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Pros


Exquisitely even-handed sound
Simple to set up
Impressive in purely engineering terms




Cons


Not especially impressive in purely visual terms






£2199$3695







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Sony PS-LX310BT



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Pros


Simple to set up and use
Phono stage and Bluetooth
Entertaining sound




Cons


Wireless performance suffers just a little compared to the wired alternative






£230$199







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Technics SL-1200GR/SL-1210GR



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Pros


Unparalleled timing and grip
Seismic bass
Fantastic build quality
Incredibly versatile




Cons


High asking price
Slight lack of resolution






£1299







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Technics SL-1500C



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Pros


Robust, full-fat sound
Bank-vault build quality
Plug’n’play simplicity




Cons


Capable alternatives available






£899$1399













Rega Planar 3

A remarkable turntable



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Pros

Sounds incredible for the moneyDust cover includedSuperb tonearmLovely build quality

Cons

Speed change requires platter removal

For many people this will be the only turntable they ever need. The legendary Planar 3 name is back, having gone through a few years as the P3 and then RP3 – and that’s because this is a whole new record player.The RB330 tonearm is an evolution of the old RB303, with a stiffer bearing housing and new cabling. The plinth has been re-engineered, the main bearing has been made to tighter tolerances and the bracing is stronger. The result is one of the finest turntables for less than £1,000. Timing and imaging are spot-on, it creates a wonderfully wide soundstage, and bass is bouncy yet controlled.Even if you end up buying the optional £200 TT-PSU power supply to add button-controllable speed switching, this is a bargain.Reviewer: Simon Osbourne-WalkerFull Review: Rega Planar 3













Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

A tweak on an already impressive formula



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Pros

aptX Bluetooth streamingIntegrated phono stageGets the audio basics right

Cons

Plays it safe in terms of soundFeels insubstantial

The AT-LP5X adheres to the proverb “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” or at the very least mess up what you have.The original deck was already an excellent and the AT-LP5X shores things up with a few useful upgrades. They include a switchable phono stage (moving magnet and moving coil), and a move to the AT-VM95E (which, mind you, only works with 33.3 and 45rpm records). You’ll need a different cartridge to play 78rpm records.Thankfully, the performance remains as composed, as impressive and as authoritative as ever. The AT-LP5X is convincing in its organisation and control of records, and that makes this deck a great combination of performance, convenience and features.Reviewer: Simon LucasFull Review: Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT













Cambridge Audio Alva TT

Brilliant hi-res wireless source



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Pros

Simple to set up and useBank-vault build qualityLovely, fluent soundHi-res streaming

Cons

Lacks ultimate dynamismQuite expensive

The Alva TT – named after the father of the phonograph, Thomas Alva Edison – was the world’s first aptX HD Bluetooth turntable. For those who crave high-quality and convenience, this might be the deck for you.It’s ability to stream at 24bit/48kHz ensures it doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of its audio performance. Build quality is rock solid – it feels hefty – and it has style to go with its reassuring build quality.We still favour playing records the traditional way, with its even-handed, faithful and convincing performance offering better results than wireless streaming. Still, having the option to go wireless will increase its appeal, opening up placement options around the home and making the vinyl revolution feel less daunting than it used to be.Reviewer: Simon LucasFull Review: Cambridge Audio Alva TT













Sony PS-LX310BT

Convenient and affordable



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Pros

Simple to set up and usePhono stage and BluetoothEntertaining sound

Cons

Wireless performance suffers just a little compared to the wired alternative

After launching the PS-HX500, a player that delivered on affordability and performance; the PS-LX310BT repeats the trick but adds Bluetooth connectivity to its feature-set.We’d admit that it’s not the most attractive of turntables, but it’s a convenient one with its built-in phono stage and a set-up process that requires you to just add the platter and belt-drive. If you’re learning the rope about vinyl, this would be a rocksteady option to start with.And once it’s up and running it’s a solid performer that favours smoothness, and extracts enough detail from vinyl tracks to make for an enjoyable listen. As you’d expect, it loses a bit of detail in Bluetooth mode, but at this price it’s an excellent stab at a wireless and accessible turntable.Reviewer: Simon LucasFull Review: Sony PS-LX310BT













Rega Planar 8

A pared-back effort from Rega



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Pros

Exquisitely even-handed soundSimple to set upImpressive in purely engineering terms

Cons

Not especially impressive in purely visual terms

Rega has stripped back this deck for an impressively engineered effort that’s focused on performance.Within that context Rega has succeeded wonderfully. The Planar 8 is an expressive deck, exhibiting a fluent, naturalistic and authoritative way with music. If you want the detail of your vinyl collection laid bare, the Planar 8 is the deck that will reveal all.Add in the splendid Ania cartridge and you have yet another remarkable turntable from the wizards at Rega.Reviewer: Simon LucasFull Review: Rega Planar 8













McIntosh MTI100

A turntable, amplifier and preamplifier in one



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Pros

Controlled, explicit and entertaining sound from any sourceThat logo, those valves

Cons

Unblinkingly expensiveInterfaces could be nicer

At £6995, the MTI100 is no one’s idea of a bargain, but the level of engagement and entertainment it provides is by no means a given, and you get McIntosh’s distinctive approach to design, wireless connectivity and the convenience of a turntable, pre-amp and amplifier all rolled into one body.For that alone, the McIntosh MTI100 is currently number one in a field of one.Reviewer: Simon LucasFull Review: McIntosh MTI100













Technics SL-1500C

One of Technics’ most affordable turntables



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Pros

Robust, full-fat soundBank-vault build qualityPlug’n’play simplicity

Cons

Capable alternatives available

With the SL-1500C, Technics has delivered the most convincing pound-for-pound product since it rose from the ashes in the 2010s.£899 isn’t an inconsiderable sum to pay for a direct-drive turntable, although there are plenty on this list that cost more. You do get a built-in phono stage for the money and a listening experience that’s confident and engaging. With its plug ‘n’ play approach and beautifully engineered looks, the quality the SL-1500C offers is inarguable.Reviewer: Simon LucasFull Review: Technics SL-1500C













Technics SL-1200GR/SL-1210GR

An excellent upgrade



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Pros

Unparalleled timing and gripSeismic bassFantastic build qualityIncredibly versatile

Cons

High asking priceSlight lack of resolution

The 1200 and 1210 turntables are so synonymous with DJing that most people don’t realise they were originally designed as hi-fi turntables. These new versions have been upgraded to improve sound quality even further, with a dampened platter, improved motor with digital speed control, and a low-noise power supply.The result is a record player with phenomenal timing and grip, as well as the ability to dig prodigious bass from those vinyl grooves. Throw away your preconceptions of it being a DJ turntable and give it a try.Reviewer: Simon Osbourne-WalkerFull Review: Technics SL-1200GR/SL-1210GR













Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

A budget performer



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Pros

aptX Bluetooth streamingIntegrated phono stageGets the audio basics right

Cons

Plays it safe in terms of soundFeels insubstantial

The LP60XBT picks up where the LP60 left off, mostly improving on its predecessor without leaving your wallet to whimper at the cost.It isn’t the most substantial of decks in terms of build, and the way it sounds is rather safe. There have been tweaks to the deck’s tracking and resonance rejection, and it employs a fairly even-handed approach in uncovering the frequency range, dishing out a well-judged performance for the money, though its wireless performance isn’t as strong as listening to it in its wired mode.As an investment it’s affordable, and if you want convenience then the LP60XBT makes a convincing case for its merits.Reviewer: Simon LucasFull Review: Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT













Clearaudio Concept MM

A classy effort



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Pros

Awesome build qualitySimple speed switchingEasy setupSuperb timing and attackPlays 78s

Cons

Not the best with vocals

Given the faultless build quality and super-slick styling, you’d be forgiven for thinking this turntable costs as much as an around-the-world cruise. But no. You’d be lucky to get a week self-catering in the worst part of Tenerife for the price of the Concept MM.As well as looking amazing, there’s some awesome engineering here, too. The tonearm has a magnetic bearing, which means it floats in the bearing housing, making no contact with the rest of the deck at all. Speed changing is easily achieved via a large knob on the plinth, and fans of old-time records will be pleased to know it can even handle 78rpm.Corners haven’t been cut with sound quality, either. It has superb timing and attack, as well as retrieving far greater detail, and with more subtlety, than you should expect at