The Best Turntables for Your Vinyl Collection

• Photograph: Audio Technica

  For Beginners

  Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

  The LP-120 is the most iconic entry-level turntable for a few reasons: It sounds great, the build is extremely durable, and it can be easily upgraded with fancier components down the road. I like this USB-enabled model because it allows you to plug the device directly into your computer so you can rip your records to MP3 files—great for preserving the playing condition of rarer vinyl finds while still getting to enjoy the music.

  It also comes with a built-in phono preamp. This is a necessary component that raises the output signal of a record player so it can be listened to on a modern stereo system, a pair of powered speakers, or a set of headphones. Vintage stereo systems from the 1970s and ’80s often came with phono amps on board, but that feature is rarely found on modern-day audio equipment like digital stereo systems and smart speakers. So the inclusion of a preamp here makes the record player compatible with the majority of stereos from every era right out of the box. Just plug it into anything with standard RCA (red and white) inputs or a USB port, and you're good to go.

• Photograph: Audio Technica 

  For Tight Budgets

  Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

  If you only plan to occasionally spin records, or if money is really tight, I recommend this cheaper Audio-Technica Turntable with Bluetooth. It easily pairs with our favorite Bluetooth speakers, which makes it great for setups where wires might be an issue. You can plug it into an actual stereo (it has a built-in phono preamp) to get the best analog audio, as anything sent over Bluetooth has been digitally converted and may not sound its best. But even running wirelessly, the LP60 does the job for most people who are just (ahem) scratching the surface.

• Photograph: Fluance

  For Classy Looks

  Fluance RT81 Turntable

  The Fluance RT81 sounds great, but I like it for a more shallow reason: It's beautiful. The wood-grain body and shiny metal components absolutely ooze class even though it sells for a still-manageable price. The last place I saw one? In a lawyer's house. Like the two turntables above, this one also comes with a built-in phono preamp, making plug-and-play listening very easy no matter what type of stereo you've got. 

• Photograph: Pro-Ject Audio Systems

  Best Sound for the Money

  Pro-Ject Audio Debut Carbon Evo

  It might seem backward that the turntable offering the best sound for the money is also one of the priciest on this list, but bear with me. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo (9/10, WIRED Recommends) sounds magnificent. It may not have the bells and whistles of our other picks, but Pro-Ject instead opts for high-quality components arranged in the simplest configuration possible. That includes a carbon-fiber tonearm, a custom thermoplastic elastomer-damped metal platter, and a house-made cartridge that typically retails for $150 alone.

  Downsides? The platter doesn't automatically stop spinning when the needle reaches the end of a record's side, so you'll have to stand up, walk over, and return the tonearm to its cradle a few times every hour. You'll also have to buy an external phono preamp (I like this one) or connect it to a stereo equipped with a phono input since it doesn't come with a built-in preamp.

• Photograph: Rega

  Also Amazing

  Rega Planar 1

  The Planar 1 is similar to the Debut Carbon Evo in its simplicity but offers even more premium components. There's a special motor that reduces music-muddying vibrations, and a high-mass spinning platter to keep your record stable and rumble-free throughout your listening. It's spendy, but this is widely considered to be among the best turntables under $1,000. It will definitely last you decades if you treat it properly. Like the other higher-end models on this list, the Planar 1 doesn't have a built-in phono preamp, so you'll need to provide your own.

  $525 at Amazon
• Photograph: U-Turn Audio

  For a Modern Flair

  U-Turn Orbit Plus

  The clear, acrylic platters and bright colors of U-Turn's Orbit Plus may not appeal to everyone's taste, but the unit does showcase many of the biggest trends in turntables: great sound, sleek design, and a (relatively) affordable price. I like the way the Orbit Plus has you change speeds between 33 and 45 revolutions per minute, something you do when switching between larger, long-playing records and smaller, single-song records: you physically move the belt that spins the platter, lifting it from one rung of the motor to the other. It's like switching from the larger gear to the smaller gear on your bicycle's front chainring. 

  Plus, it looks really cool to have an exposed belt spinning your tunes. There's no phono preamp on this one, so hook it up to a vintage stereo or buy an external preamp.

• Photograph: Sony

  For Ripping Records

  Sony PS-LX310BT

  This Bluetooth- and USB-enabled turntable features fully automatic playback. That means the stylus will lift and return itself to a resting position when it detects one side of a record is done. This makes it an awesome choice for ripping music from vinyl records to digital files you can play on your computer. Rather than constantly watching for when a record needs flipping, just set it and forget it.

• Photograph: Pro-Ject Audio Systems

  Best Under $1,000

  Pro-Ject Audio Debut Pro

  I haven't spent time with the new Pro-Ject Debut Pro yet, but I've tried so many Pro-Ject pro-ducts (pun intended) that I'm confident this new model is among the best under $1,000. With milled aluminum components, a hybrid carbon fiber tonearm, a high-mass metal platter, and a Sumiko Rainier cartridge, this no-nonsense deck is fitted with some of the best technology in the business. Look out for my review in the coming months.

• Photograph: McIntosh

  Instant Perfection

  McIntosh MTI100

  If you've got oodles of cash and no desire to mess with a separate amp, phono stage, and turntable, this behemoth from legendary audio brand McIntosh is what you're looking for. The turntable features an onboard tube preamp and solid-state power amp stage, allowing you to drop a record on the deck, plug in a pair of speakers, and immediately have a self-contained and singularly astonishing hi-fi experience.

  It's a McIntosh. The US-made gear from the beloved brand has been proven to last a lifetime and then some. Also, those fancy green tubes are almost the same color as the money this thing costs a heinous amount of, so you'll never forget what you spent on it.

  $6,500 at McIntosh
• Photograph: Art Pro Audio

  Vinyl Listening Accessories and Tips

  Other Stuff You'll Want

  Apart from powered speakers or unpowered speakers and stereo receivers (in either case, all you need to look for is one with a red/white RCA connection), the main accessory you might need for your turntable is a phono preamp, if one doesn't come built in. Phono preamps take the quiet signal from the turntable and bring it up to line level—the level your stereo expects from CD players, tape decks, and digital devices. The phono signal is usually always passed to the amp through the red and white RCA inputs on the back. There are plenty of good, cheap options for phono preamps. I like the Art DJPreII, which costs a little less than $70. I wouldn't spend less than $50 on one, but you don't need to spend crazy money either. (There are plenty of options costing hundreds of dollars, and you can skip most of those.)

  Other basics you'll need are tied to maintenance and setup. You'll want a record brush (often included with turntables), a way to clean your stylus, and a level to make sure your turntable is set up properly. Check out this video to see exactly what you need to do before you play your first record.

  Lastly, if you need a place to store all those LPs and 45s you've been buying, try a Flipbin. The company makes handsome table-top bins for safely displaying and protecting your records.