12 Best Turntables (2024), Tested and Reviewed

Top selling vinyl The point is not sound. It’s a physical experience: shiny, fragile records; Write liner notes large; Covers that you want to frame and hang on your wall. And the way the stylus moves across the curved surface, reproduces the music of your favorite artists as if by magic.

Maybe you’ve always been interested in building a record player setup to listen to LPs and 45s, but you don’t know where to start. Maybe you’re like Wired editor Julian Chocatto, who owned a record but no turntable to play it. Maybe you’re just looking for an upgrade. No problem: there are many great record players out there, and most will connect easily to any audio system you already have. I’ve tested dozens, and these are the best turntables out there right now — from utilitarian, budget-friendly classics to more luxurious options for those looking for audiophile-grade sound.

Check out our other audio guides, including the best speakers, the best computer speakers, and the best sound bars.

Updated November 2024: We’ve added Technics SL-1300G and Fluance RT81+.

Power up with unlimited access Wired. Get best-in-class reporting that’s simply too important to ignore. $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe today.