The 7 best budget turntables to buy under $200, $300, and $500

The ever-expanding market of high-fidelity audio allows music enthusiasts of all levels and budgets to find the perfect gear that can meet their expectations without overstretching their finances. This is especially true when it comes to turntables.

Nowadays, whether you want to get started in the world of hi-fi or expand your existing audio system, options abound, and often you can get great quality turntables worth more than their price tag would suggest.

In this article, I’m celebrating the best budget turntables that offer great value for money, focusing on those costing less than $500. As it’d be unfair to compare a $500 turntable with one that costs $200, the list will start with the most affordable options, going up to the more expensive items, so you can focus on the turntables that are within your budget.

About the author

I am an audio engineer, audiophile, and vinyl enthusiast who’s been immersed in music for decades. When testing audio gear, I’m interested in clarity and neutrality, first and foremost, but I also want the sound to be enjoyable and engaging. When I use my hi-fi equipment for deep-listening sessions, I pay attention to the quality of frequency response across the spectrum, and when it comes to turntables, it’s crucial they can reproduce every style and genre smoothly and transparently.

How I chose the turntables for this list?

For this list, I chose turntables within the $200-500 range that deliver great sound quality for the asking price.

Although, as a rule of thumb, the more you spend, the better sound you get, there are situations when you can create an excellent audio system without spending a fortune, so the options below should give you a clear overview of the turntables you can opt for if you want to build your first audio system or upgrade an existing one.

If you’re a seasoned audiophile, you might want to avoid the more affordable turntables and jump to the more expensive recommendations, which offer better sound quality, customization options, and more functionalities to maximize the potential of your audio system.

These are the best budget turntables to buy:

1. Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
2. Sony PS-LX310BT
3. Denon DP-300F
4. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
5. U-Turn Audio Orbit Special
6. Fluance RT85
7. Rega Planar 1

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X 4.5

The best under $200

• Operation: Fully-automatic
• Drive type: Belt
• Speeds, RPM: 33, 45
• Phono preamp: Yes, inbuilt
• Bluetooth: No
• USB: No

A go-to turntable for the audiophile on a budget, the AT-LP60X is a no-fuss item that’ll satisfy the needs of beginners. A fully automated turntable with a good-quality belt-drive system and built-in Dual Magnet phono cartridge, the AT-LP60X offers a smooth performance that’ll enhance the quality of your collection.

The sound coming out of an AT-LP60X is quite transparent and detailed, standing the test of time with a soundstage that’ll meet your expectations as your music taste becomes more refined.

Being so easy to use and highly versatile, this is a great budget turntable you can keep for years and build your sound system on. For the price, the AT-LP60X provides excellent sound, however, if you can invest more, the options below offer a richer and more immersive sound texture.

Read the full AT-LP60X turntable review to find out more.

Buy Audio-Technica AT-LP60X at: AmazonB&H

Sony PS-LX310BT 4.0

The best under $300

• Operation: Fully-automatic
• Drive type: Belt
• Speeds, RPM: 33, 45
• Phono preamp: Yes, inbuilt
• Bluetooth: Yes
• USB: Yes

Slightly more expensive than the AT-LP60X, the Sony PS-LX310BT is a brilliant turntable with excellent built quality, a captivating sound, a fully automatic system, and a built-in phono stage. Together with its Bluetooth functionality, these features make it a remarkable option for the beginner music enthusiast, and not only.

When it comes to sound, while the imaging might not be as accurate as the one provided by high-end turntables, it’s surprisingly good for the price, with a rich texture that works well across genres and an entertaining sound that’ll enhance the quality of your record collection.

If you’re looking for the best turntable under $300, the Sony PS-LX310BT is definitely one of the best candidates.

Buy Sony PS-LX310BT at: AmazonCrutchfield

Denon DP-300F 4.0

The best around $400

• Operation: Fully-automatic
• Drive type: Belt
• Speeds, RPM: 33, 45
• Phono preamp: Yes, inbuilt
• Bluetooth: No
• USB: No

With a fully-automated system and exceptional built quality, the Denon DP-300F stands out as one of the most appealing options for novice audiophiles.

Featuring a belt-drive system, the DP-300F comes with an integrated phono preamplifier, streamlining the connection process to your audio setup. The Denon DP-300F incorporates an anti-vibration system, along with a premium tonearm with adjustable counterweight and anti-skating control, and a moving magnet cartridge that ensures a solid performance.

The sound is warm and immersive, but I feel it lacks the precision other models within this price range offer. However, if a galvanizing sound is more important to you than transparency, the DP-300F is an excellent budget option.

Buy Denon DP-300F at: AmazonCrutchfield

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB 4.5

Great features on a budget

• Operation: Manual
• Drive type: Direct
• Speeds, RPM: 33, 45, 78
• Phono preamp: Yes, inbuilt
• Bluetooth: No
• USB: Yes

Aside from a great sound, the AT-LP120XUSB also comes packed with features that’ll please music enthusiasts of all levels. First of all, it features a USB output that allows you to digitize your records: a fantastic option for both audiophiles and DJs looking to store their tracks digitally.

The turntable’s direct-drive motor ensures seamless belt-free reproduction, further enhancing the accuracy of Audio-Technica’s gear is renowned for. Furthermore, the built-in preamp and the cutting-edge anti-skating mechanism ensure a straightforward and solid performance, even for novice vinyl enthusiasts.

When it comes to sound, the imaging is rich and immersive, enhancing transients and subtle nuances I was surprised to hear with such an affordable turntable. All in all, the AT-LP120XUSB is a fantastic solution not only for beginners but also for veterans looking for an engaging and detailed sound.

Buy Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB at: AmazonCrutchfield

U-Turn Audio Orbit Special 4.5

The best under $500

• Operation: Manual
• Drive type: Belt-drive
• Speeds, RPM: 33, 45
• Phono preamp: No
• Bluetooth: No
• USB: No

The elegant, belt-driven U-Turn Orbit Special is a beauty to look at, with a solid hardwood plinth that’s not only visually stunning but also enhances the sonic qualities of this phenomenal turntable.

From the acrylic platter to the renowned Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, everything about the Orbit Special makes it stand out, both visually and in terms of performance.

The sound reproduced by the Orbit Special is warm and timeless, with a unique coloration that you can further enhance with a good-quality preamp and bookshelf speakers. The soundstage is detailed and enveloping, with a beautifully-polished articulation that I found impressive for this price range.

Buy U-Turn Orbit Special at: Amazon

Fluance RT85 4.5

One of my personal favorites

• Operation: Manual
• Drive type: Belt-drive
• Speeds, RPM: 33, 45
• Phono preamp: No
• Bluetooth: No
• USB: No

The Fluance RT85 is a turntable that exudes class and timelessness straight out of the box. With its solid wood plinth and vibration isolation feet, you can rest assured you’ll get a noise-free reproduction from this high-quality turntable.

The RT85 offers a warm sound that can bring to life records with an immersive soundstage, and while purists might be looking for a more transparent reproduction, this turntable can create the pure analogue vibe most music listeners will appreciate.

Despite not having a built-in phono preamp or any Bluetooth or USB functionalities, the Fluance RT85 is easy to use and highly compatible, making it an excellent budget turntable for audiophiles of all levels.

Buy Fluance RT85 at: Amazon

Rega Planar 1 5.0

Upgrade pick

• Operation: Manual
• Drive type: Belt-drive
• Speeds, RPM: 33, 45
• Phono preamp: No
• Bluetooth: No
• USB: No

Here’s a brand that needs no introduction. Rega’s entry-level turntable comes with a timeless design, build quality made to last, and an enveloping sound that’s as engaging as it is precise. I can hardly find any faults in such a work of art, and at this price, expecting more would be an exaggeration.

The Rega Planar 1 comes with an intuitive belt-drive design, accompanied by the renowned Carbon MM cartridge and a high-mass platter that ensure absolute stability during reproduction.

Aside from the stunning aesthetic, the Planar 1 offers an incredible sound that might impress even the most seasoned audiophiles. The music is rich, spacious, and vibrant, all in the name of the utmost accuracy.

Of all the options on this list, there’s no other turntable that impressed me as much as the Planar 1 in terms of sound. However, there are some caveats: it comes without a built-in phono stage, Bluetooth, or USB functionalities, making it a more demanding piece of gear than the more straightforward, entry-level turntables.

Buy Rega Planar 1 at: AmazonTurntable Lab

Final thoughts

There you have it, my list of the best budget turntables to buy under $200, under $300, under $400, and under $500 in 2024.

I hope this guide will help you choose your next turntable with confidence! Please let me know in the comments below if you think I forgot to mention some crucial turntables worth checking out. Happy listening!