Our pick
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo is easy to set up, has fantastic build quality, and is the best-sounding turntable we’ve tested.
The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo offered the best sound of all the turntables we’ve tested, pairing tight, precise bass with a wide soundstage and great sonic detail in the midrange and treble. It is easy to set up, thanks to an included pictorial guide that shows you everything you need to do. The build quality is superb, and the included Sumiko Rainier Phono Cartridge sounds great. (Check out our Terminology section to learn about the different terms used throughout this guide.) The speed is accurate, and switching between 33 rpm and 45 rpm is just a simple flip of a switch. The only thing it doesn’t have is a built-in phono preamp to properly process the signal coming off the cartridge, so you’ll need to pair this turntable with an external phono preamp or an audio receiver that includes one (all the picks in our best multichannel AV receiver and best stereo receiver guides do).
Budget pick
U-Turn Orbit Basic
The U-Turn Orbit Basic offers good sound quality at an affordable price, but it lacks some of the features that make a turntable easier to use.
If you’re willing to sacrifice some convenient features—like easy speed switching, auto stop, and a cue lever to raise and lower the tonearm—the U-Turn Orbit Basic offers good sound quality at a great price. The Orbit Basic turntable takes almost no time to set up, plus it’s highly customizable: You can order it with a built-in phono preamp, choose a different color, and upgrade the cartridge, as well as add a cue lever later on. It’s a simple design that works well.
Also great
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
The AT-LP120XUSB offers very good sound quality and includes a USB output so you can digitize your vinyl collection.
If you want to digitize your record collection for listening when you’re not at your turntable, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB has a USB output to make that process simple. This turntable is easy to set up, offers very good sound quality, and has an integrated phono preamp so you don’t need to worry about connecting an external one. But the look is decidedly DJ-focused and heavy on plastic, which might not appeal to everyone.
Also great
Angels Horn H019
The H019’s well-built turntable and decent-sounding built-in speakers elevate it far above most all-in-one record players.
All-in-one record players (which combine the record player, speakers, and amplification in one box) have a well-earned reputation for bad sound, but the Angels Horn H019 sounded much clearer and fuller than most. With its wood-finish top, metal platter, and sturdy, adjustable tonearm, it looks and feels like a good-quality turntable. The H019 includes an Audio-Technica AT-3600L moving-magnet phono cartridge and has both Bluetooth and an analog audio input to play music from phones or other audio sources. This system does require a small amount of setup, but the procedure is clearly explained in the manual.
