Drop the needle on a new deck: The best record players under £350 in 2024

For analogue music fans, there's nothing quite like hooking up some of the best speakers for vinyl to your amp and dropping the needle on your favourite album. The depth and warmth of the audio are only part of the experience, though. It's also about being able to enjoy the large artwork, gatefold sleeves and the experience of holding your music in your hands. But, by upgrading your old desk to one of the best record players under £350 you could enjoy that music even more.

Some records are something of a journey too. You flip side A and listen to side B and realise there's a story there – often lost in a world of streaming music, and random playlists. But that's not to say that you can't connect a turntable to some wireless smart speakers and enjoy your records that way. The beauty of modern record decks is that they're a fusion of traditional analogue and modern tech, with some being able to connect via Bluetooth or even USB for digital recording.

Best record players for under £350 in 2024 at a glance

• Best overall: Audio-Technica LP120XUSBSV Manual Direct-Drive Turntable - View at Amazon
• Best budget: Audio-Technica LP60X Fully Automatic Belt-drive Stereo Turntable - View at Amazon
• Best Bluetooth: Sony PS-LX310BT Bluetooth Turntable - View at Amazon
• Best with built-in speakers: 1 BY ONE High Fidelity Bluetooth Turntable with Built-in Speakers - View at Amazon

But, if you're new to turntables or getting back into them for the first time in a few decades, there are still some choices to be made. Making sure your new deck will connect to any existing equipment such as an ideal amp for turntables is just one of the hurdles you'll face. And then there's the issue of manual controls versus automatic features. So, we’ve put together a buyer's guide and some FAQ, plus a handy jargon buster to help you make a wise turntable choice.

So whether you’re buying a record player for the first time, need to find a budget deck, or want to find that deck that evokes the one you used to own back in the day, keep reading. Our expert recommendations will help you find the best deck so that you can reopen that record storage crate and enjoy your music – which is what vinyl is all about. So, let's drop the needle on the best record players on the market for less than £350.

Best record players for under £350 in 2024

Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

How to choose the best record player under £350

Whether you're looking for your first new deck or just replacing your old turntable on a budget, any new record player will need to do the right job for you. Some vinyl collectors may have a vast collection of 45rpm records, including 7-inch singles, others the 12-inch EP and so on. So, it's important to make sure that you have all of the features you'll need.

For instance: Not all new decks come with large hole adapters for singles with the centre punched out - usually seen when they've been used in jukeboxes. Some listeners prefer more automatic features like an auto return tonearm that resets the deck at the end of the record. Others might want to tweak and tune more advanced playback features like anti-skate and pitch control for fine speed adjustments. So, keep an eye out for any special playback needs you may have before you buy. Here are the usual things to look out for.

Buy with your amp and connections in mind

Not all record decks are built the same. This is particularly true when it comes to connectivity. Back in the day, you'd only have to worry about a pair of red and white phono cables, now you'd just as likely to find a deck sporting a USB port or even Bluetooth.

Those modern players with Bluetooth compatibility will allow you to connect wireless self-powered speakers. Some of the best bookshelf speakers are active speakers with Bluetooth – meaning they have their own internal amplifier built in. So, if you're after a super-sleek minimalist system for playing vinyl, active speakers are a great option for avoiding messy speaker wires, separate amps and cable runs.

However, the classic separate amp and speakers are probably the best method for getting the best analogue sound quality out of your vinyl. So, as long as your chosen turntable has standard phono (also known as RCA) connectors for the left and right channels, you'll be all set to connect to an amp.

Manual control and adjustability

Not everyone wants the fuss of manual adjustments and controls when they just want to rediscover their record collection. But, dig a little deeper into the vinyl experience and you may well want the ability to tweak this and that. Yes, there are automatic decks, some of which can even cue up the next track for you at the press of a button, but the more automatic they are the more costly. We're fans of more manual controls as that often goes hand in hand with a better experience as your collection grows.

Some of the most typical manual settings that you won't find on more basic models are detailed in our jargon-buster section below. But, the classic ones are anti-skate control (adjusting the balance of the tonearm so that the stylus doesn't get dragged out of the groove), and fine adjustments of the tracking force (the weight of the stylus on the record). The latter is often missing from the very cheap and lacking turntables out there.

More basic controls are popular automatic features like an auto-shutoff and auto-return tonearm, both of which are ideal for those who have often found themselves leaving their record playing overnight, only to get up the next morning to find the needle cutting its way through the last groove or, worse, skating into the label at 33rpm.

Design

As always, all that glitters is not audio gold. With the resurgence of vinyl has come an abundance of cheap and fancy-looking decks. Often, they're thinly disguised and inferior copies of much more expensive decks. Others are suitcase-style or vintage-looking players which all contain the same low-quality lightweight plastic mechanisms. So, as with our list of the best above, stick to well-regarded brands and you won't go far wrong.

There are some excellent modern-looking turntables available that look great next to some of the best active speakers for those who prefer the super-minimalist look, and others that echo the DJ decks of the 80s and 90s – such as those made by Technics. Style-wise, there's a lot of choice out there.

Extra Features

With modern technology infiltrating something as classic as vinyl, there are bound to be some upgrades. Of course, Bluetooth is one of them. But you can even record your vinyl to MP3 – usually via a USB port to connect to a PC or MP3 recorder.

USB outputs on record players are typically used to digitise vinyl records via free audio-editing programs like Audacity. This is great for keeping electronic copies of your favourite vinyl, classics or rare pressings. Many new record releases come with codes for digital downloads, so this feature is really only necessary for those with large original collections they want to preserve.

And, on the subject of preservation, if you're about to revisit your record collection for the first time in years it's likely they'll need a proper clean to sound their best. An ultrasonic record cleaner is probably the best way to achieve this and they don't have to cost a fortune.

Turntable jargon-buster

Record decks are, perhaps, one of the most jargon-laden audio products to be found. But, here's a run-down of the most common technical terms you'll find when looking for a new turntable.

Belt drive vs direct drive

Belt-drive turntables have the motor off to one side, typically a corner, and are linked to the platter by a belt. This distance helps isolate the sound and keep record playback as clean as possible. Due to the use of a belt, belt-driven turntables take a few seconds to get up to speed – not a problem for those simply listening to records.

Belts can dry, crack, twist or snap, so they will likely need changing every so often (most users will be able to go years between changes), but the belts are inexpensive and easy to replace.

Direct-drive turntables have a motor directly underneath the platter, driving the platter while negating the need for a belt. Direct-drive motors tend to start up quickly, and allow you a more refined control over the RPM speed – hence the inclusion of pitch controls, which are not found on belt-drive decks. For these reasons, they are the drive choice for DJs.

Some users believe that the direct-drive format can increase audio interference as the motor operates so closely to the stylus and record.

Anti-skate

Anti-skate is a simple mechanism that applies an outward force to the tonearm, as they tend to 'skate', or swing, towards the centre of the platter. This feature is adjustable on many record players, such as the Cambridge Audio Alva ST turntable we reviewed recently. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance when adjusting settings like this.

Anti-skate is needed to give a good channel balance to keep an equal volume from the left and right channels, lessen distortion, and lessen stylus and record wear. It in effect works for your all-around benefit.

Tracking force

Tracking force is the amount of weight your cartridge sits on a record when it’s playing; basically, how hard the arm presses down into the record. You want to make sure that the ideal weight is selected to ensure good-quality playback and to minimise wear on the record.

Different cartridges have different optimum weights. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance at all times when setting up your record player to ensure correct use.

Pitch control

This refers to the controls over the turntable speed in RPM. Typically, records are cut and pressed to play at either 33, 45 or 78 RPM. Some users will like to fine-tune this to get the best out of their setup. This is a feature found on direct-drive turntables – it’s popular with DJs as they can match song tempos with greater accuracy, a method known as beatmatching.

Phono preamps

A phono preamp, or phono stage, converts weak electronic signals into stronger signals that are suitable for speakers, and therefore, your listening. Some turntables and amps have a preamp built into them, others don't. If you have a preamp in both, you should only use one – or you could risk damaging your amp. If you want to know more about this, see our guide to whether your record deck needs a preamp.

Hydraulic-lift tonearm control

A hydraulic lift control, or queuing bar, is a bar (often rubberised) that allows you to place the tonearm above a record and gently lower the cartridge into contact with the record by switching a lever. This is a great feature, as not only does it help when trying to accurately select a new song, but it also lessens the risk of needle dropping, scratching or bouncing – all of which can seriously damage a record.

FAQs

What is the best first time record player?

Although you can find cheap and cheerful turntables under the £100 mark, we wouldn't recommend them on several counts. Firstly, a half-decent stylus is an essential part of any deck and even basic ones from reputable brands will cost over £40. So, when you factor in the tonearm, mechanics, motors and overall design and engineering, you can see why a sub-£100 turntable isn't often a good idea.

We've recommended several decks above that fit both the ease of use, price and quality considerations that every budding vinyl fan should be looking for.

When was the record player invented?

The great-grandfather of the record player as we know it today is the phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison in 1877, which recorded and played back sound from a soft metal drum. Ten years later, in 1887, the phonograph was developed into the gramophone by Emile Berliner and played back recorded sound from a rubberised disk. Fast-forward through the next century and a bit, which was full of revisions and refinements of this basic turntable concept, and you end up pretty much where we are today.

What kind of speakers are best for turntables?

That all depends on the turntable. The majority of record players do not come with internal speakers, and this isn’t a bad thing. External speakers are larger, will deliver a much fuller audio profile and are capable of achieving higher volumes.

Active speakers have a power amplifier built-in, and just need the main power source to work. Passive speakers need an external power amplifier to operate. You need an amplifier for passive speakers, you don't for active speakers. They both have their benefits, but it all comes down to personal choice. Purists tend to prefer passive speakers, but active speakers are much simpler and more affordable to set up. But, if you're sharing a flat or just want to listen without outside distractions, some of the best headphones can often work with your amp or active speaker for quality listening.

Chris Duffill is a Senior Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video production and photography.

He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, and TVs. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches), DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he’ll write about it.

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