We are reader-supported. Links on our site may earn us a commission. More about us

The 7 best phono cartridges to upgrade your record player

Replacing a phono cartridge is the quickest, least invasive, and (often) cheapest way to upgrade your sound system.

So before you replace your turntable, speakers, or preamp, check out our list of the best phono cartridges that can revolutionize your listening experience.

Quick recommendations

To me, the Grado Prestige Gold3 offers the best quality-price ratio, with a rich and detailed soundstage and effective groove noise reduction technology that makes it perfect for old record collections.

Plus, it adds an extra layer of warmth and articulation to the music that it’s hard not to love.

For those with limited budgets or using cheap audio systems, the Audio-Technica AT-VM95E can be an interesting upgrade that will cost you just $70.

I find the level of detail and accuracy of this affordable MM cartridge quite surprising for the price, so do give it a try if your budget is less than $100.

Finally, if you’re looking for an MC cartridge, I’d recommend you check out the Pro-Ject Pick-it DS2: a rich and powerful performer that brings to life all the nuances and energy of a record.

Not overpriced, easy to install, and packed with technological enhancements, the DS2 can work well for both first-timers and more seasoned listeners.

Contents

Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.

Why you should trust me

Marco Sebastiano Alessi, writer at Higher Hz

I’m a music producer and audio engineer who’s been working in the field for more than a decade.

Over the years, my passion for music has developed into a full-time profession, running workshops on deep listening, music production, and the benefits of experiencing music in the most accurate way possible.

My research on the topic led me to test and appreciate the value of phono cartridges across price ranges. There’s no better way to enhance and fully understand the potential of an audio system than trying different cartridges to find the one that truly makes it shine.

How I chose my top picks

I’m a big fan of getting the best value for money, regardless of a reader’s budget. So even if you’re planning to get a cartridge that costs thousands of dollars, I’ll make sure you get one that punches above its weight.

Then of course there’s sound quality. I find all the cartridges below to be phenomenal in terms of sound representation and detailed imaging.

In particular, I paid attention to the transparency, accuracy, and depth of the soundstage, and I can guarantee none of the cartridges below will disappoint in these fields.

Finally, versatility is just as crucial. I chose cartridges that notoriously work well with as many audio systems as possible, whether MM or MC, and are easy to install and use.

Here are my top picks for the best phono cartridges:

Best overall: Grado Prestige Gold3

  • Type: Moving iron (MI)
  • Output: 4 mV
  • Channel separation: 25 dB
  • Tracking force: 1.6 – 1.9 g
  • Frequency response: 10 Hz – 55 kHz
  • Tested price: $260
Grado Prestige Gold3
Prestige Gold3 phono cartridge | Image: Grado Labs

If you’re looking for the best value for money, look no further than the Prestige Gold3. For less than $300, you can get a rich and warm sound you won’t get bored of easily.

The Gold3 comes with an elliptical stylus and four-piece OTL cantilever, the combination of which offers a pleasant and mellow soundstage. The term “timeless” comes to mind when testing this phono cartridge, because it enhances the analog feel of every audio system, without sacrificing on quality.

What’s also astounding of this mid-range cartridge is its ability to mitigate groove noise efficiently, even with clearly worn-out records, so if you have plenty of old records, this is another reason to buy it.

All in all, I’d recommend the Prestige Gold3 to anyone who doesn’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a new cartridge, but especially to those with a vintage record collection, or those into genres that don’t require extreme brightness or agility.

That said, this is the cartridge that comes to my mind when I think of an all-in-one solution for an audio system upgrade.

What I like

  • Warm and rich sound.
  • High-quality groove noise reduction.
  • Great for jazz, classical, and vocal music.

What I don’t like

  • Not ideal for high-energy genres like metal or EDM.
See current price at: Amazon

Best budget: Audio-Technica AT-VM95E

  • Type: Moving magnet (MM)
  • Output: 4 mV
  • Channel separation: 20 dB
  • Tracking force: 1.8 – 2.2 g
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 22 kHz
  • Tested price: $65
Audio-Technica AT-VM95E
AT-VM95E phono cartridge | Image: Audio-Technica

Despite the price, the Audio-Technica AT-VM95E offers a surprisingly accurate and enjoyable listening experience, and I recommend you check it out, especially if you have an entry-level audio system. You really can’t spend any less than this!

Of course, we’re still talking about a cheap cartridge, and once you compare it to better models, differences are evident. The sound image offered by the AT-VM95E is relatively flat, with a cardboardy sound that becomes evident especially in midrange-rich songs.

Articulated music, be it classical, jazz, or experimental electronica, has a shadow of the depth and emotional impact that it should have, but for occasional listeners and cheap audio systems, this cartridge can be an improvement in the way you experience music.

What I like

  • Cheapest (decent) phono cartridge.
  • Vivid soundstage.
  • Good level of detail.

What I don’t like

  • High-end is too crunchy at times.
  • Midrange is overly enhanced.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Best under $200: Sumiko Rainier

  • Type: Moving magnet (MM)
  • Output: 5 mV
  • Channel separation: 25 dB
  • Tracking force: 1.8 – 2.2 g
  • Frequency response: 12 Hz – 25 kHz
  • Tested price: $150
Sumiko Rainier
Sumiko Rainier phono cartridge | Image: Sumiko

I see the Sumiko Rainier as an excellent option for those ready to upgrade their phono cartridge for the first time. It’s easy to install, versatile, and offers a detailed reproduction that makes it perfect if your budget is under $200.

With a 5 mV output and an elliptical stylus, the Rainier offers a rich sonic experience, with a perfect combination of dynamism and power that makes it ideal for most genres, but especially those that require a good dose of agility, punchiness, and power.

The only reason why the Rainier is not my personal favorite is that it tends to be a bit “choosy:” when paired with an affordable audio system, its sonic abilities seem to downgrade excessively, leaving you with the feeling you invested more than you gained from it.

That said, if you own a mid-range audio system, the Sumiko Rainier can be a superb upgrade to your sound system.

What I like

  • Immersive soundstage.
  • Agile and powerful.

What I don’t like

  • Needs a good-quality turntable to shine.
See current price at: Amazon

Best under $500: Ortofon 2M Bronze

  • Type: Moving magnet (MM)
  • Output: 5 mV
  • Channel separation: 26 dB
  • Tracking force: 1.4 – 1.7 g
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Tested price: $420
Ortofon 2M Bronze
Ortofon 2M Bronze phono cartridge | Image: Ortofon

With exceptionally clear imaging, the Ortofon 2M Bronze is for those who value transparency and neutrality above all else. Plus, it’s extremely easy to install, which makes it a good option for first-timers who are ready to spend $400 + to upgrade their cartridge.

The 2M Bronze provides clarity but sacrifices none of the music’s dynamics. It’s responsive and brilliant, making cymbals and drums sound lively and well-defined even in the most articulated jazz pieces.

Vocals sound natural, though they lack a certain level of warmth that would make them more engaging. As for the soundstage, it offers a three-dimensional image that makes music extremely organic and vivid.

A member of a truly superb series of cartridges, the Ortofon 2M Bronze offers an enriching listening experience, enhancing the intricacies of every recording. However, those looking for a warm analog feel can find better options elsewhere.

What I like

  • Detailed and transparent.
  • Immersive soundstage.
  • Easy to mount.

What I don’t like

  • Stay away from it if you’re looking for warmth.
See current price at: Amazon

Best MC cartridge: Pro-Ject Pick-it DS2

  • Type: Moving coil (MC)
  • Output: 0.5 mV
  • Channel separation: 25 dB
  • Tracking force: 2.0 – 2.5 g
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 24 kHz
  • Tested price: $600
Pro-Ject Pick-it DS2
Pick-it DS2 phono cartridge | Image: Pro-Ject

For many years, Pro-Ject turntables came with excellent Ortofon cartridges, so when the own-brand Pro-Ject Pick-it DS2 was released, I approached it with high expectations, but also the suspect that the company might have made a money-saving move.

It turned out that Pick-it DS2 is an exceptional MC cartridge, reasonably priced for the musicality and level of detail it offers.

As you would expect from any Pro-Ject product, the tech featured in the Pick-it DS2 is top-notch. The laser-shaped synthetic polymer body is designed to minimize resonance, and has a bonded threaded metal top plate with three raised sections that increase stability between the headshell and the cartridge.

Sound-wise, the DS2 is a powerful performer. It delivers a punchy and galvanizing soundstage, rich and full of details. It works magnificently when reproducing exciting music, as it enhances the records’ energy.

Its agility and deep bass make it perfect for all sorts of genres, but if you’re into more “calming” music, I’d suggest you look at the other cartridges on this list.

Easy to use, with a full and engaging sonic signature, the DS2 is an MC cartridge that offers a lot to both newcomers and seasoned audiophiles. The high cost, when compared to the average MM cartridges, is fully justified.

What I like

  • Engaging sound.
  • Modern tech to minimize vibrations.
  • Perfect for EDM, or any dynamic genre.

What I don’t like

  • It can be too “exciting” at times.
  • Quite hard to find in stock.

Best under $1000: Nagaoka MP-300

  • Type: Moving magnet (MM)
  • Output: 3 mV
  • Channel separation: 25 dB
  • Tracking force: 1.3 – 1.8 g
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 25 kHz
  • Tested price: $780
Nagaoka MP-300
Nagaoka MP-300 phono cartridge | Image: Nagaoka

If there’s a perfect balance between analog warmth and analytical transparency, the MP-300 reached it. The wide soundstage, as well as the refined and enveloping presentation make it a serious contender for the best MM cartridge out there.

It comes with a boron cantilever which is rare at this price range, adding a level of sophistication and articulation to the high frequencies.

By not being overly analytical, the MP-300 offers a pleasing listening experience, bringing to life the subtle ambiance and woody warmth of real instruments.

If the budget allows it, getting the Nagaoka MP-300 might well be the decision that’ll take your audio system to the next level.

What I like

  • Exceptional detail and transient response.
  • Perfectly combines warmth and clarity.
  • Wide soundstage.

What I don’t like

  • Pricey (but worth it).
See current price at: Amazon

Best high-end: Lyra Atlas Lambda SL

  • Type: Moving coil (MC)
  • Output: 0.25 mV
  • Channel separation: 35 dB
  • Tracking force: 1.6 – 1.7 g
  • Frequency response: 10 Hz – 50 kHz
  • Tested price: $14,300
Lyra Atlas Lambda SL
Atlas Lambda SL phono cartridge | Image: Lyra

If you can spend over 10k on a cartridge, then my recommendation is the Atlas Lambda SL. Just bear in mind it has a super-low output (0.25 mV), which makes it a cartridge for audiophiles with high-gain phono stages.

That said, the listening experience with the Atlas Lambda SL is nothing short of illuminating. The level of detail and finesse provided is extraordinary, and so is the soundstage and physical separation of the instruments.

Whichever record you play, the Atlas Lambda SL makes it seem like you’re listening to it for the first time, with a harmonic richness and accuracy that’s seldom less than astounding.

As the price suggests, this is not a cartridge for newbies. You’ll need an equally-performing audio system to make the most of the Lyra Atlas Lambda SL, and the time and patience to set it up to perfection.

But if you do have the necessary gear and budget, the Atlas Lambda SL has a perfect score in anything that counts: coherence, definition, imaging, purity, dynamics, and agility. I could easily see this as a lifetime investment, as it’s hard to upgrade from here.

What I like

  • Perfect dynamics and transient response.
  • Precise soundstage and instrument placement.
  • Rich tonal fidelity.

What I don’t like

  • It costs as much as my car.
See current price at: Music Direct

Honorable mentions

  • Audio-Technica VM540ML/H. Extremely detailed and with a touch of warmth, the VM540ML/H is a beloved cartridge for all the right reasons: it’s under $300, it’s easy to install and compatible with most turntables. At this price point, competition is tough, but the VM540ML/H remains a valid choice.
  • Goldring E3. The E3 is another great MM cartridge that won’t cost you much yet will deliver an exquisite soundstage. The E3 sounds expressive yet controlled, with enough agility and punch to compete with more blazoned models. I enjoyed it, but also found it a bit flat in terms of instrument placement and articulation.

Final thoughts

I hope this guide will help you choose the perfect cartridge for your budget and requirements.

Remember there’s a lot of trial and error involved when upgrading a phono cartridge, so do take your time researching information online, but also fine-tuning your sound system to accommodate the sonic characteristics of your new cartridge.

Good luck!

Share
Discussions