10 Best Record Players 2024 in the US

A device that has brought us music for over a century has risen from the ashes after being declared obsolete. Invented in 1877, and reinvented again and again over the next hundred years, it was one of the first instances of recorded music that one could play back with audio. Nowadays this vintage machine is on the top of any music lover’s wishlist, for nostalgia and its uncorrupted sound. Now you not only have access to old music, but artists have started releasing their albums on vinyl records in an attempt to up sales, and it’s working. To many, nothing is cooler than a record collection, with songs ranging from the 1960s and ’70s to the 2010s. If you are looking to purchase one of these miraculous and trendy machines, then be prepared for a musical journey that ranges over a hundred years.  

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a record player. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of record players,

• See useful tips about that particular type of record player,

• Read reviews of different record players and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of a record player, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

• Manual record player: A manual record player requires you to place and remove the needle when playing records. Higher-quality turntables are mostly manual. You can end up scratching the record if you do not have a steady hand, however.

• Automatic record player: With an automatic record player, the needle of the machine moves on and off the record with the press of a button.

• Semi-automatic record player: As the word “semi” implies, this machine does only half the work of the automatic record player. You have to place the needle physically on the record, but the machine will lift the needle with a press of a button.

• Getting good sound quality: Many people agree that record players with detachable speakers allow for a better sound, as the vibrations do not affect the speakers as much. Many people complain of the sound quality of the record players that have speakers within the machine.

Record player with detachable speakers

• Make use of warranty plans: Many people struggled with some of the initial products, but were pleased when they received a replacement. If there is a problem with your product, contact the manufacturer and/or the store you bought it from, such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart etc. Manufacturers or the store you purchased it from will give you a refund or replacement if you have stuck within the time limit of that particular business exchange and refund guidelines.

• The older the record, the more different the turntable: If you are looking to listen to older records that are approximately 10-inch disks, then look specifically for a three-speed record player. A 10-inch disk has to play at 78 RPM (revolutions per minute), whilst more popular disks such as the 12-inch record, which can be found in most stores, have to be played at 33-⅓  RPM. There is another disk that is mainly used for singles, the 7-inch records which are played at 45 RPM.

Differences in record diameters

• Finding the right spot to put the record player: This is more than just putting it on a table or shelf. Record players use vibrations to produce sounds, and if they are on a surface that amplifies those vibrations, it can cause the needle to jump and skip, which scratches and damages records. It’s recommended putting it on a sturdy surface that is not prone to vibrations, such as wood or granite. You can also always buy a specialized turntable shelf that resists vibrations, making it less likely to cause damage to the records.

Turntable shelf, to minimize vibrations

How do you upgrade or replace parts on the record player?: Higher-end record players are easier to upgrade compared to cheaper ones that you can buy in a box, assembled at a CD store. However, there are parts that are more acceptable when upgrading your record player:

• Platter: This is the plate upon which the record spins. It is a better option to go for a heavier platter, as it reduces vibrations. If you want to dampen it more, you can buy a platter mat, which will reduce vibrations even more.

Turntable with platter mat

• Tonearm: This is the little lever that swings across the record to place the needle on the vinyl record. The higher the quality of the tonearm, the better the consistency and accuracy of the sound of the record.

• Stylus: No, this is not the little pen that you use for touchscreen phones, this is actually the needle of the record player. This part is the easiest to get a hold of with regards to replacing parts. The stylus impacts the sound quality of the record, and it is recommended that you replace it every 1000 hours of playing time.

• Isolation Feet: These are little feet you can place at the base of the turntable in order to reduce the amount of vibration.

• Consider the amount of space you have: There is no point in buying a turntable and extremely large and loudspeakers if you live in a small apartment building for example, as you are not going to get the kind of use you want of it.

• You get what you pay for: With regard to this particular type of product, the price certainly does indicate the type of quality that you are going to get. For example, it is cheaper to purchase a Crosley portable record player, however, it doesn't have as good sound quality as more expensive players such as larger, more stable players. This is because the vibrations the vibrations are more likely to affect a small, inexpensive and more portable speaker than a large, more expensive, and stationary speaker.

• Crosley’s first turntable was released in 1992. They are now one of the biggest record player producers in the world. Their mantra is “Amplify your style”. Their headquarters are located in Louisville, Kentucky.
• DIGITNOW was founded in 2010. It is a B2C e-commerce store that provides audio capture, video capture, and other machines.