The Product Analyst: What is the Best Turntable/Record Player Under 100? (2021)

51 Turntables Tested

700+ Hours of Research

3.5k+ Reviews Examined

Unbiased Reviews

Willie Greer
September 16, 2021

If you were wondering if it’s possible to find the most budget turntables that are worth the price, wonder no longer. However, it’s only possible if you know exactly what to look for, or you will end up with money wasted, even if it’s just around 100. Our team has scoured the market and found the best turntables under 100 to help you out.

Best Functions

Victrola 4-in-1
Nostalgic Record Player

Editor's Choice

Wockoder
Record Player

Best Value For Money

Byron Statics
Vinyl Record Player

Reviews of the Top Turntables Under 100

Wockoder Record Player

The Wockoder Record Player will send you on your vinyl listening journey with style, on what seems to be a vintage turntable complete with modern features. The Bluetooth will allow you to stream music from these record players from your external devices that are compatible.

Rather than having external speakers, the Wockoder record player has in-built speakers that makes it an all-in-one design. There are 3 speeds to choose from, which makes this turntable able to play different vinyl records with the best sound quality.

There is a removable stop button and an auto stop switch that will stop playing the records when the player reaches the end.

Pros

Cons

Victrola 4-in-1 Nostalgic Bluetooth Record Player

If a vintage appearance is what you like, then the Victrola 4-in-1 Nostalgic Bluetooth Record Players are excellent choices. This one has a very unique exterior with a control panel on the front and the record player’s own speakers built in.

The unit is a 3-speed turntable and FM radio in one. The Bluetooth device has an old-school style rotary to almost transport you back in time while still embedding modern tech.

It’s a little heavier and larger than some other models as it’s not meant to be portable, but it’s meant to be a more stationary fixture in your entertainment setup you can connect to other components using the aux input.

Pros

Cons

Byron Statics Record Player

Going in the other direction, our audio team thought readers may want something that’s very small and portable, like the Byron Statics Record Player. It’s one of the most affordable record players on our list and the audio quality is still excellent. Don’t let the small size fool you, aside from playing records with decent sound, the turntable also has its own speakers built in.

It’s amazing that Byron Statics manages to pack protection circuitry within the small profile of this turntable. Sudden surges and outages will not affect the device. The turntable can play records at three speeds and you can connect external speakers via the RCA jacks.

Pros

Cons

DIGITNOW Vinyl Turntable Record Player

Sometimes a simpler design is the way to go, and the Digitnow record player can play your vinyl collection just as well as more advanced devices. It’s an all-in-one with Bluetooth and onboard stereo speakers that are ready to play vinyl the way it was meant to.

You can also choose to connect the turntable to separate speakers to enjoy more expansive sound via the RCA line out. Connecting the turntable to your CD player to play CDs is also possible with the aux port.

One feature our experts loved about the Digitnow player is its ability to convert vinyl tracks to digital files thanks to the onboard USB port.

Pros

Cons

Udreamer Vinyl Record Player

This particular model from Udreamer is a belt-driven turntable that minimizes vibrations and features a spring base for shock absorption. You will only be provided with the best sound quality from this record player with Bluetooth, RCA, and USB.

Although there are onboard speakers, you can choose to connect to your own via RCA cables. The unit looks as retro as vintage turntables can get, but it is in no way as limited.

The Udreamer vinyl record player can do your favorite vinyl records justice and keep them protected with the plastic dust covering.

Pros

Cons

DANFI Record Player

Not everyone likes a vintage record player, which is why our engineers thought it was necessary to include one that is a tad more modern. The Danfi record player has a sleeker design in all black with a digital control panel and built-in front-facing speakers.

As the best turntable under 100 model, this unit can also play 3 speeds, has Bluetooth wireless connection, and an auto-stop feature. It’s the perfect device for a more modern look complete with features such as converting record vinyl to a digital format.

The belt drive turntable also has a dust covering to keep the device free from dust to not impact the performance.

Pros

Cons

SeeYing Record Player

The SeeYing record player rounds out our list for the best turntables under 100. It’s a belt-driven unit with an FM stereo indicator on the front as well as control knobs for the volume and tuning.

The modern design features Bluetooth and 3 playback speeds all decent turntables should have. You can listen to the radio in style or choose to play your vinyl collection with the built-in stereo speakers.

There is also an RCA output just in case you want to listen with more advanced speakers for a bigger sound.

Pros

Cons

Turntables Under 100 Buyer’s Guide

Don’t accept poor quality just because you opted for a cheap record player. Even cheap turntables need to adhere to a certain standard. They may not have the most features packed into them, but affordable options should meet the requirements below.

Design and Style

You may be surprised to learn that the best turntables under 100 have all-in-one designs. More specifically, they have speakers built in and feature wireless connections. The type you choose depends on the rest of your system. Are you looking for a single record player that will integrate into a fully assembled system? Or are you just a casual listener who needs an all-inclusive design?

A way to tell is to think about whether or not you intend on using separate speakers. Our engineers will be honest and say that built-in audio speakers may not be full-range speakers or provide the best and most expansive sound. This is entirely understandable since in-built speakers can only be so big.

If you value loud and encompassing sound, then we would highly recommend looking for a record player that can connect to outside speakers.

If you value ease and convenience, then you may be the type of person to want a turntable with the speakers already included. Ones with speakers may cost a bit more, but the difference shouldn’t be staggering.

Next comes the style of your record players. As you have seen on our list of record players under 100, they can vary greatly in appearance. You can find ones that pay homage to the vintage players of old, and ones that overtly showcase their modern features. Which type do you like?

The appearance is completely subjective, so go for one you like and one that complements your interior. There are plenty of options with different finishes and colors to choose from.

Size and Components

Record players are all around the same size, but heavier ones are, of course, more stationary, but you also have suitcase options that are easily carried and transported around. The size and weight only matter if you plan on taking your record players under 100 on-the-go with you.

If you intend to move the unit around, then our experts humbly suggest picking suitcase options. They are the ones that come in more vibrant colors and are already in a briefcase-like carrying case that opens up for operation in seconds.

Think about the components of the record player as well. From the cartridge to the needle and other features like a spring base and vibration absorbing feet. Don’t lower your standards just because the unit comes at a lower price tag. You can still demand the best in the cost range without being unrealistic.

Our team suggests looking for protection circuitry, a sturdy dust covering that’s preferably hinged, a strong aluminum, iron or steel platter, diamond stylus if possible and a moving magnet cartridge.

Motor

Most units come with a DC motor [1], but what type of technology drives the platter on your record player? There are two main types of turntables, ones that spin with a belt drive and others with a direct drive.

To put it simply, our audio engineers say the direct drive models are faster, since the motor is directly below the platter and has direct contact. This way, it gains speed much faster and is much more precise and consistent.

Belt drive turntables see the motor offset to the side and it drives a belt that spins the platter. Belt drives take just a bit longer to reach full speeds and they are slightly less accurate. There is less speed control with belt drives and the belt itself is subject to wear and tear. Although the belts are cheap to replace, it is something you have to factor in.

Preamp

If you intend on connecting your turntable to external audio devices, especially speakers, then you need a preamp. Some of the best turntables under 100 have preamps built in, but others do not. Just because you don’t own a standalone preamp and your turntable doesn’t come with one, it doesn’t always mean you need one.

Let’s say you plan to connect your preamp to a pair of studio speakers. If your speakers have a preamp built in, then our experts say you can forgo purchasing one. A preamp, or phono stage, is commonly found in modern units.

The role of the preamp is to amplify the audio signal from your turntables to a louder one so it can be properly produced by your audio system. Do you really need one? Our audio professionals say you do if you want higher quality audio, but the problem is solved if your turntable or other components already have one built in.

Connectivity

There are wired and wireless connections even in units that are under 100. Bluetooth is the most common wireless connection, and it allows you to connect your record player to media devices such as your phone, PC, and tablet. Doing so will allow you to play digital files from an old-school turntable.

Then there are the wired aux and RCA connections that allow you to hook up your turntable to separate speakers and media components. Most of the options our team has included have a combination of all these connection options.

There is one more that is not featured on all devices, and that is USB ports. USB ports can allow the turntable to play your files via thumb drives or to connect to your computer. It can even help you convert vinyl to digital formats. There are so many features even a budget turntable can offer.

Value for Money

We are already talking about the most budget choices out there, but as you may have noticed, there are ones on our list closer to the 100 mark, but also ones that barely scrape 50. Is going for the cheapest unit really the best move? Does it give you good value for your money?

The answer really depends on what you’re looking for. Yes, you can totally find the best and most satisfying unit for under 50, if you’re not super picky with the sound and don’t require fancier features such as an adjustable pitch control. For that price, you may not get a fully automatic system that returns the tonearm each time or a built-in phono stage.

None of that matters if those features are not what you need. In order to decide if a unit is the best for your money, our audio professionals suggest looking at your setup to determine what you need, what you want, and what you can get for your budget.

FAQ

Are turntables under 100 ideal for beginners?

The answer depends on what you want and need. In fact, more often than not, beginners could want a fully automatic system, which can cost a bit more. In general, units under 100 have basic capabilities, and if that’s what you want as a beginner, then yes, they are ideal.

Are cheap record players worth the purchase?

Affordable record players can be worth the money if it addresses all your needs and meets your expectations. Remember, the definition of cheap will also vary from person to person. There are those who are satisfied with their budget record players while others, such as DJs, may want advanced features.

Are budget turntables good for your record?

If they are well built and have the right features, cheaper turntables will do your precious vinyl no harm. Just because the turntables are at a lower price, it doesn’t mean they will damage your records. Just make sure the stylus, platter, and other parts are made with quality materials.

Our Top Pick For a Turntable Under 100:
Wockoder Record Player

The Wockoder record player is our audio experts’ top choice for the top turntable under 100. It has onboard speakers, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a beautiful retro throwback design. Even for a budget option, there are 3 speeds to choose from so the Wockoder turntable can play all records in your collection.

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What is the Best Turntable/Record Player Under 100? (2021)