There’s something oddly satisfying about dropping a needle onto a spinning record. Vinyl sales are on the rise, and whether you’re just getting started or looking to replace an older turntable, there are plenty of solid record players that don’t cost a fortune.
There’s no shortage of affordable options that don’t feel like a downgrade, models that keep that classic look while adding just enough modern convenience to make everyday listening easy.
I’ve been working my way through a range of newer, fairly affordable record players from different brands. They vary in design, features and finish, but they all have one thing in common: they make playing records simple and enjoyable.
Some have fully automatic operation – just press ‘start’ and let the deck do the rest – which is ideal for those wary of tonearm technicalities. Others come equipped with Bluetooth, enabling you to wirelessly stream to compatible speakers or headphones, if that’s more convenient than a traditional wired setup. You’ll even find models with a USB output, making it possible to digitise your collection.
I think the Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT is by far the best option for most people, offering brilliant sound quality at a reasonable price. That said, I’ve tried plenty of other strong options too. Whether you’re getting back into vinyl or starting fresh, I’ve listened closely to help you find a record player that suits you.
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The best record players for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT: £217.90, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Majority stylo: £199, Richersounds.com
- Best for audio performance – Pro-Ject A1: £469: Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget direct drive – Lenco L-3810GY: £245.99, Lenco.uk
How I tested
Each record player was used over a number of weeks, focusing on the same criteria. These included sound quality, resonance, connection types, cartridge, and more. You can find my full testing criteria below.
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Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT
Best: record player overall
Speeds: 33/45rpm
Dimensions: 400mm x 110mm x 330mm
Weight: 2.9kg
Bluetooth: Yes
Built-in phono preamp: Yes
Why we love it
- Supremely easy to use
Take note
- Cartridge upgrades locked to Audio-Technica’s VM95 series
Budget-priced audio doesn’t come cuter than this. The AT-LP70xBT is a fully automatic, belt-driven turntable with built-in Bluetooth, and plug-and-play simplicity. It’s delightfully compact, and the J-shaped tonearm nods politely to classic Japanese hi-fi design, even as it improves tracking. Beneath this sleek exterior lies a three-piece anti-resonance chassis designed to dampen vibrations. It's lightweight, but there's enough mass and rigidity to keep unwanted resonance at bay.
This turntable doesn’t ask much of its owner. Just attach the belt drive, choose between line or phono out, and you’re done. There’s no need to fuss with counterweights or anti-skate dials; simplicity is the point. Fully automatic operation means the tonearm cues and returns itself at the push of a button. Bluetooth is also available using Qualcomm’s high-quality aptX Adaptive codec.
The AT-LP70xBT comes with Audio-Technica’s fixed-body AT-VM95C cartridge. While not extravagant, it produces an engaging soundstage with clarity and coherence that easily belies the turntable’s price. Channel separation is clean, and while the bass doesn’t dig especially deep, it feels punchy and present, while treble is crisp. Should you ever wish to refine the sound further, you can swap the stylus for any of the higher-spec models in the VM95 series – a welcome touch of upgradability in an otherwise self-contained system.
For beginners, this turntable offers analogue reassurance. For more experienced listeners, it offers convenience without compromise. Whatever way you look at it, it's a brilliant buy.
Buy now £217.9, Amazon.co.uk
Majority stylo
Best: budget record player
Speeds: 33/45rpm
Dimensions: 426mm x 131mm x 332mm
Weight: 4.6kg
Bluetooth: Yes
Built-in phono preamp: Yes
Why we love it
- Great performance for the price
Take note
- Doesn't match the performance of more premium options
It may be cheap and cheerful, but this turntable has built-in Bluetooth and comes with a reliable Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge. If you’re just about to begin your vinyl adventure, that’s a pretty encouraging start.
With a die-cast metal platter and lightweight carbon fibre tone arm, the deck feels well-finished, while an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate control hint at more enthusiast-minded ambitions.
Connectivity straddles the analogue-digital divide. Bluetooth 5.3 makes it possible to stream to headphones or speakers without cables, making it ideal for casual listening. Prefer the traditional route? There are also RCA outputs, and a switchable built-in phono stage means you can hook straight into powered speakers or an amp.
That Audio-Technica workhorse delivers crisp treble, rich mids and has a surprising amount of rhythmic grip. Dynamics are strong, with enough headroom to let guitars ring and vocals breathe. The stylo is a great choice for anyone looking who is to get into vinyl. It’s well built, generously specified, and sounds better than it has any right to at this low price.
Buy now £129.95, Richersounds.com
Pro-Ject A1
Best: record player for audio performance
Speeds: 33/45rpm
Dimensions: 430mm x 130mm x 365mm
Weight: 5.6kg
Bluetooth: No
Built-in phono preamp: Yes
Why we love it
- Deliciously musical
- Fully automatic operation
- Classic design
Take note
- Premium price could be difficult to justify
Name drop a Pro-Ject turntable to a music-loving mate, and you’ll no doubt receive an appreciative nod. And with good reason – the company makes darn fine disc spinners. The good news is you don’t need an audiophile license to drive one. Minimalist and musical, the Pro-Ject A1 is a plug ’n’ play turntable everyone can enjoy.
The first fully automatic belt-drive turntable from the brand, an entry point into its new automat series, it’s designed to appeal both to newcomers discovering the joy of vinyl and long-time listeners who just want to press play.
It’s a timeless design, and the build is reassuringly solid. Its die-cast aluminium platter has pleasing weight, and the 211mm aluminium tonearm arrives factory-installed and pre-set with an Ortofon OM 10 cartridge. There’s no need to fiddle with tracking force or anti-skate settings; it’s all been handled factory side.
The built-in moving-magnet phono stage means you can plug the A1 directly into just about any amplifier or powered speaker with a standard line-level input. Want to use your own external phono stage? A discreet switch hidden beneath the platter enables you to disable the onboard preamp – just lift the felt mat and flip it.
For all its ease of use, the A1 is a genuinely impressive performer. The Ortofon OM 10 cartridge is musical, agile, and tonally balanced, with just the right amount of sparkle in the highs and warmth in the mids. There’s no trace of woolliness here. If you’re stepping up from a budget deck or all-in-one system, the leap in fidelity will be immediate and obvious. For those upgrading from a more entry-level disc spinner, you’ll likely appreciate how fuss-free this one is. It’s pricier than the competition, but worth the extra spend.
Buy now £469, Amazon.co.uk
Denon DP-300F
Best: lifestyle turntable
Speeds: 33/45rpm
Dimensions: 434mm x 122mm x 381mm
Weight: 5.5kg
Bluetooth: No
Built-in phono preamp: Yes
Why we love it
- Designer good looks
- Smooth sound
Take note
- No Bluetooth
There’s not much Denon doesn’t know about vinyl turntables. It’s been making them for the best part of 50 years. The DP-300F is a ready-to-play solution for vinyl newcomers, and a compelling upgrade for listeners looking to level up their audio. Fully automatic, this belt-driven turntable is outfitted with Denon’s own cartridge, and it certainly looks the business.
You’ll need to do a little work during setup: balance the counterweight, set the anti-skate, and toggle between phono out and line-level output, depending on your system. But these are all straightforward tasks, well documented and easily done in minutes. For those inclined to upgrade in the future, Denon has thoughtfully included an extra set of headshell leads; a small touch, but appreciated.
Sonically, the DP-300F proves more than capable. The supplied DSN-85 cartridge might not have the cachet of a more familiar name, but it holds its own, delivering a smooth, full-bodied presentation that favours warmth and cohesion over attack and bite. The resulting soundstage is broad and well defined, and there’s crispness to the high frequencies that adds a little sparkle without tipping into harshness.
Overall, the Denon DP-300F is a smart, stylish turntable that leans into the joy of simple, effective vinyl playback. It may be slightly pricier than some rivals, but it justifies this with elegant automation, slick design, and a sound that’s rich and inviting. Not the obvious choice, perhaps, but a very good one.
Buy now £279, Amazon.co.uk
Lenco L-3810GY
Best: budget direct drive record player
Speeds: 33/45rpm
Dimensions: 450mm x 151mm x 365mm
Weight: 4.84kg
Bluetooth: No
Built-in phono preamp: Yes
Why we love it
- Stable direct drive performance
- USB output
Take note
- Build leans toward the lightweight and plasticky
- Assembly requires a bit more involvement than some fully plug-and-play options
If your vinyl dreams come with a hint of DJ ambition, but without the Technics price tag, the Lenco L-3810GY might just hit the right groove. This turntable offers a familiar silhouette and a tempting mix of features for budding record collectors and bedroom mixmasters. With a direct drive mechanism, USB recording capability, and a pitch control slider, it certainly looks the part. The removable headshell offers future upgrade potential, and there’s even a target light for cueing up records in low light.
There’s no mistaking the design inspiration here. The Lenco L-3810GY is an unabashed homage to the Technics SL-1200. That said, the build here leans toward the lightweight and plasticky, which is understandable at this price.
That direct drive motor means you get stable, start-stop performance without the belt fiddling, and the pre-mounted Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge delivers warm, lively playback with solid detail.
Assembly requires a bit more involvement than some fully plug-and-play rivals. You’ll need to balance the tonearm, balance the counterweight, and set anti-skate. However, the instructions are well-written, and it’s more Lego set than rocket science. In fact, if this is your first ‘proper’ turntable, the setup process offers a gentle, confidence-boosting intro to analogue audio.
Once spinning, the Lenco impresses. The AT3600 cartridge punches above its weight, offering crisp transients and a surprisingly rich midrange. Bass is taut, if not seismic. Digitising your vinyl via USB is possible with free software, such as Audacity, and the recordings should come out clean and balanced, assuming your source vinyl is in good nick. While the Lenco L-3810GY talks the DJ talk, it’s not built for back-cueing or scratching, but if you’re looking for something more tactile than an entry-level belt-drive deck, it offers substance, style and plenty of old-school cool.
Buy now £245, Lenco.uk
Your questions about record players answered
What is the best record player?
There are no real duds in this round-up. All the turntables in our lineup offer a high level of performance for the money. That said, the standout record player is the Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT. This stylish turntable has everything you could want from an entry-level vinyl player – it sounds great, is easy to install and use, and looks the part. The Denon DP-300F is similarly adept, and boasts a lovely design. If you want a lot for not much, the Majority stylo is fantastic for the price. Whichever model you opt for, you can be sure these turntables will treat your valuable vinyl well.
How I tested record players
Each of the turntables on test was carefully assembled and connected to my trusted reference audio system, ensuring a consistent setup for every model. To get a true sense of musicality and character, I spun a wide range of vinyl: the atmospheric layers and vocal nuances of Björk, the sweeping dynamics of Strauss’s orchestral works, and the brassy, chaotic joy of Stan Kenton’s big band jazz. I used these records to assess these players by several criteria:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Steve May is a technology journalist with more than 30 years’ experience, specialising in home audio, home cinema, TV, soundbars and personal audio. He writes for a variety of popular audio websites and publications. His reviews are based on real-world testing, and he will only recommend the handful of products he believes are worth your money.
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