Hey Mister DJ, put a record on

The best turntables on the market

There are plenty of streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music that make listening to music easier than ever. But for true audiophiles, there’s nothing that compares with the rich sound of records on a turntable. Which is why CNET has tested and rounded up some of the very best record players on the market right now.

There’s a difference in sound quality that music streaming can’t compete with. There’s nothing quite like picking up one of your favorite vinyl records, pulling it out of its sleeve and placing it on a turntable. As the needle drops onto the shiny vinyl, you’re transported by the performances of your most beloved artists.

Music enthusiasts on the lookout for a new system now have a lot of options. Not only can you find affordable speakers, but there are also plenty of high-quality turntables, including models with Bluetooth connectivity. Superior analog sound often requires spending more money, but it’s not necessary. Any of our best record player picks should provide great sound to have you spinning vinyl for years to come.

BEST RECORD PLAYER FOR THE MONEY: FLUANCE RT82

The Fluance RT82 offers everything you could want except an onboard preamp, so if you have a receiver or amplifier with a dedicated phono input, this is the model to get. We were mightily impressed by the well-thought-out inclusions with the Fluance. Autostart on/off, adjustable feet and even a little bubble-level were included with the user in mind. This high-quality turntable had one of the most entertaining sounds of the $300 turntables, with plenty of insight into recordings as well as a healthy bass kick.

BEST ULTRA-BUDGET TURNTABLE: AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP60X

If you’re just starting out in vinyl or looking for a cheap turntable to give as a gift, the inexpensive Audio-Technica AT-LP60X belt-driven turntable offers the warm sound you’ve heard about. Plus, it offers fully automatic operation. It also includes a limited upgrade path with a choice of line or phono output, allowing users to add their own preamp.

BEST TURNTABLE UNDER $1K: U-TURN ORBIT THEORY

The Orbit Theory may look similar to the original Orbit Plus, but this is a vastly superior turntable. Seemingly every component has been upgraded — from a hardwood plinth to a solid magnesium tonearm — and U-Turn charges handsomely for these improvements at $999.

The Orbit incorporates almost every must-have feature (save for automatic operation). The model has adjustable feet, speed control, a nifty tonearm lift and almost everything is preinstalled. While the package also comes with a felt mat, I found it sounded better without.

U-TURN LEFT: The U-Turn Orbit Theory is a bit of a splurge, but it incorporates nearly every essential feature an audiophile could ask for.

SARAH TEW/CNET ABOVE: The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is perfect for shoppers who are new to vinyl. TY PENDLEBURY/CNET TOP: The Fluance RT82’s supreme sound quality and userfriendly inclusions make it worth the $300 price tag.