The Product Analyst: What is the Best Turntable/Record Player Under 300? (2021)

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750+ Hours of Research

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Willie Greer
September 16, 2021

Turntables are needed to really get the most of vinyl and to enjoy music the way musicians intended, but will a more budget player work? It could, only if you find the right one. If not, your turntable will only be capable of the basics. Our media experts have carefully picked out the best turntables under 300 to avoid this and get your money’s worth.

Top Quality

Audio-Technica
AT-LP120XBT

Editor's Choice

Crosley
C62B-WA

Best Value For Money

LP&No.1
LPSC-008

Reviews of the Top Turntables Under 300

Crosley C62B-WA

The Crosley C62B-WA belt drive turntable has built-in Bluetooth and comes with external speakers as an all-in-one package. The turntable is properly weighted and pre-mounted with a moving magnet cartridge and anti-skate control.

The luxurious yet affordable turntable has its own amplifier built in at the base and switchable preamp. The RCA output lets you connect the speakers that come with the package or your existing system for reliable sound quality.

There are 2 adjustable speeds and the heavy steel platter makes sure to protect your precious vinyl record but still remain durable.

Pros

Cons

Audio Technica AT-LP120XBT

The Audio Technica AT-LP120 is priced higher than other turntables, but our audio team says it’s a reasonable price for what you’re getting. We tried the wired and wireless models, but decided that the wireless unit is the one worth your money.

It’s a fully manual turntable with selectable RPM speeds to give users more control. The sound quality is amazing with the variable control for the pitch. The build is reliable as the Audio Technica turntable is made with high-quality components. The S-shaped tonearm is with a hydraulically damped lift control and the stroboscopic platter has a speed indicator.

Pros

Cons

LP&No.1 LPSC-008

Not all cheap turntables are made of poor quality. The LP&No.1 LPSC-008 is a great example of what a low price can get. The LPSC-008 comes in many colors so you can find a decent turntable to match your interiors.

Not only that, but it’s the best turntable under 300 for versatility. It is a 3-speed belt-drive unit complete with dual external speakers. The Bluetooth connectivity brings a level of convenience that allows users to connect their turntables to media devices wirelessly.

The diamond elliptical-tipped stylus and stable drive system will make sure to absorb all the vibrations and noise so the speakers can produce clear audio quality.

Pros

Cons

ANGELS HORN Turntable

The iron platter on the Angels Horn turntable was manufactured to distribute uniform weight in order to deliver consistent and reliable speed and stability. There are two speeds to choose from and there is a built-in phono preamp that can connect to an amp. There are also both phono and line outputs onboard that can use the turntable with or without a built-in phono equalizer.

You can adjust the counterweight to make sure it doesn’t skate, which in turn gives you better control over the cartridge.

The fully manual belt-drive unit comes with RCA output cables, a 45 RPM adapter, and a removable hinged dust cover.

Pros

Cons

Fluance RT81

The Fluance RT81 turntable under 300 comes with an Audio Technica cartridge and built-in preamp. The modern features deliver high-quality and clear sound for your vinyl records. The belt-driven system comes in 3 different colors with an adjustable counterweight.

The aluminum tonearm and aluminum platter will ensure superior tracking to make sure the belt-driven turntable produces every detail the way expensive turntables can. The solid engineering includes isolation feet and a rubber slip mat to protect your records and reduce vibrations.

Record players can be reasonably priced and do exactly what you expect them to.

Pros

Cons

Turntables Under 300 Buyer’s Guide

Below are some of the features our audio engineers say are important to look for whether you are picking professional units or budget turntables.

Design and Size

A turntable itself doesn’t play anything, you will need a system of other components in order to enjoy quality sound. There are simple turntables for consumers who have an amp, speakers, and anything else they wish to connect. This type of design is for users who want to enjoy pure analog sound. Our audio engineers included a few of these on the list.

Then there are the turntables that are an entire package. Some can have a built-in phono preamp as well as external speakers. These types are great for those who do not have separate units, but keep in mind that they are larger and will take up more space.

What your best turntable under 300 includes will affect the price, so it’s important to also have a budget outlined. If you’re looking for the most budget turntable, there is a chance that you won’t get a lot of the parts already incorporated but that’s not the case if you go for our team’s budget turntable choice.

If you don’t have a lot of space, a tip our sonic experts have for your audiophile turntable with speakers is to pick one that has lower bookshelf speakers. These speakers can offer more placement flexibility and you can even stack them to save more space.

Motor

There are two main types of motor drive systems in the best turntables under 300. You can find direct and belt drives, but what’s the difference? A belt drive system does exactly as the name suggests and uses a belt to power to rotate the platter. The motor in this type of system is typically located to one side.

The belt drive systems power up the quality turntable quickly, spinning up to the right speeds within a few seconds, but the cue function and the stylus might not be able to keep up.

Belt drives will wear out more quickly, which requires replacements more often than the other kind. Luckily, the belt replacement won’t be too costly.

The direct drive turntables sees the motor directly underneath the platter, because it drives the rotation directly. The speeds are even faster than belt drives and when you turn off the unit, the platter will keep spinning without obstruction.

Direct drives are the best turntables preferred by professionals, especially DJs, for the accurate pitch right from the start, the freedom to spin the record without risking damage when the system is off, and the speed control.

Direct drives are typically more adjustable and come with variable speed features, which also makes mixing and adjusting speeds easier. Our engineers say direct drives are a little bit of an overkill for average everyday listeners who don’t need to adjust speeds and mix audio.

Cartridge

Even for the best turntable under 300, which is considered a very affordable price, your unit should come with a cartridge readily fitted. The role of the cartridge is to track the grooves. You can imagine the impact of the component that has a direct hand in how the turntable reads the record.

The two types of cartridges are moving magnet and moving coil. The difference between them is what they use to induce the current. The moving magnet uses the magnet, while the magnet part in the moving coil cartridge is fixed, so the coil does the job.

Without getting into physics [1], our experts simply say that moving magnets are great for those on a budget and they produce consistent performance.

Upgradability

The upgradability of the turntables under 300 will depend on the extra features. If you have an all-in-one unit like the ones we mentioned above, then it’s less likely you will be able to upgrade the unit. It doesn’t matter if you have an entry-level turntable or a pro-grade option, a combined package makes it nearly impossible for you to replace one component with another to upgrade the system.

If you want a more upgradable unit, our team recommends purchasing ones that do not come with a preamp built in or speakers connected.

You should also look at the cartridge and stylus. Are they easy to replace just in case you want to look for more high-end ones down the line?

Setup

The setup has to do with the connections, which we will get into in a bit. The positioning and support for your system will also have a direct effect on the audio. Our audio team says to never place your unit or any of its accessories on slanted or uneven surfaces.

Not only will you risk the system tipping over, but the vibrations will be unimaginable without proper support. Once you have found the perfect place for your turntables, you’ll be happy to learn that most units have a simple plug-and-play design.

Make sure you give the documentation a good readthrough to understand how to make the most of the sound produced. Features your system could come with include a speed sensor system, phono stage, and more.

Vibration Absorption

The most basic form of support for vibration absorption within your turntable is rubber feet. These little stubs elevate your unit and help keep it level. There are also more professional supports including a completely suspended design, which is not as dependent on the surface.

For our audio engineers, it’s important to balance support with isolation for the best vibration absorption.

The other determining factor for vibration absorption is the build. The materials used to craft your record player such as a dual-layered chassis, will denote durability as well as stability.

MDF wood is common, and it’s more lightweight and sturdy. You will also find units made from recycled plastic. The platter, which is the part that holds the record, also needs to be expertly made for consistency. We recommend iron or a die-cast aluminum platter.

Connectivity Options

There are a few common connectivity options on a wired or wireless turntable under 300. It doesn’t matter if you have a fully automatic turntable or one that’s partly or completely manual, you will be able to find Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, or RCA connection.

A USB port gives users maximum versatility. You will be able to connect the USB output to a device such as your computer to rip vinyl and create digital files. Many units come with the RCA and USB cable needed for connection. Bluetooth connection is convenient simply because most units support it and you won’t be constrained by wires.

Our Top Pick For a Turntable Under 300:
Crosley C62B-WA

Our team members have picked the Crosley C62B-WA as the best option under 300. It’s affordable and is an all-in-one unit for those who want a complete plug-and-play system. The belt-driven motor has 2 variable speeds to accommodate different records and there are dual external speakers, built-in Bluetooth, and vibration control that contribute to an efficient and high-performing unit.

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What is the Best Turntable/Record Player Under 300? (2021)