The 30 best record player brands
Victrola, Crosley and Denon lead our ranking of 30 record player brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Record Player brands, ranked
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1
Victrola
Victrola sells retro-styled suitcase and console record players, many with built-in speakers and Bluetooth.
Website: victrola.com |Brands like Victrola
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Crosley
Crosley makes retro-styled portable and console record players, many with built-in speakers and USB or Bluetooth.
Website: crosley.com |Brands like Crosley
Popularity 8.5/10
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3
Denon
Denon makes belt-drive turntables, including its DP series, aimed at home hi-fi listeners.
Website: denon.com |Brands like Denon
Popularity 4.5/10
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4
ION
ION Audio sells USB and Bluetooth turntables and all-in-one record players for converting and playing vinyl.
Website: ionaudio.com |Brands like ION
Popularity 3.6/10
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5
DENVER
Denver sells budget turntables and record players, mostly for casual home listening.
Website: denver-electronics.com |Brands like DENVER
Popularity 3.3/10
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6
Steepletone
Steepletone makes budget suitcase and portable record players, including Bluetooth and USB models.
Website: steepletonerecordplayer.com |Brands like Steepletone
Popularity 3.1/10
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7
Lenoxx Electronics
Lenoxx sells portable and retro-style record players, mainly for casual home listening.
Website: lenoxx.com.au |Brands like Lenoxx Electronics
Popularity 3.1/10
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8
TEAC
TEAC makes turntables, including its TN series, for home hi-fi and vinyl playback.
Website: teac.jp |Brands like TEAC
Popularity 2.9/10
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9
Jensen
Jensen sells retro-styled suitcase and portable record players with built-in speakers.
Website: jensentools.com |Brands like Jensen
Popularity 2.7/10
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10
Technics
Technics makes the SL-1200 direct-drive turntable line, widely used for home hi-fi and DJing.
Website: technics.com |Brands like Technics
Popularity 2.5/10
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11
Sony
Sony sells belt-drive turntables, such as its PS-LX series, with some models offering Bluetooth output.
Website: sony.com |Brands like Sony
Popularity 2.1/10
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12
Thomson
Thomson sells budget turntables and record players, often with Bluetooth or USB connectivity.
Website: thomson-av-accessories.eu |Brands like Thomson
Popularity 2.0/10
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13
Fluance
Fluance makes belt-drive turntables and record player systems aimed at home hi-fi listeners.
Website: fluance.com |Brands like Fluance
Popularity 2.0/10
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14
ELECTROHOME
Electrohome is one of the world's oldest electronic music labels. They have a proud heritage and produce more extraordinary innovative technologies for their clients. Electrohome has produced the finest record player stereo systems, alarm clock radios, and karaoke systems, which...
Website: electrohome.com |Brands like ELECTROHOME
Popularity 2.0/10
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15
Trexonic
Trexonic sells wooden-cased turntables and record players, many with Bluetooth and built-in speakers.
Website: trexonic.com |Brands like Trexonic
Popularity 1.8/10
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16
Aiwa
Aiwa is a business with a long history in audio. The same enthusiasm and dedication to producing a beautiful sound that their founder had when he first began this adventure still drives them. Excellent sounding speakers, headphones, and other wireless...
Website: aiwa.co |Brands like Aiwa
Popularity 1.7/10
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17
BOYTONE
Boytone sells Bluetooth turntables and retro-style record players with built-in speakers.
Website: boytone.com |Brands like BOYTONE
Popularity 1.7/10
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18
Pro-Ject
Pro-Ject makes belt-drive turntables in a range of sizes and prices for home hi-fi.
Website: project-audio.com |Brands like Pro-Ject
Popularity 1.7/10
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19
Onkyo
Onkyo Corporation is a leading producer of great-end home entertainment devices and technologies, including surround sound systems and AV receivers. To bring listeners closer to the artist's original sound, experts created the company's innovative audio technologies through a passion for...
Website: intl.onkyo.com |Brands like Onkyo
Popularity 1.3/10
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20
1byone
1byone sells budget turntables and record players, many with USB or Bluetooth connectivity.
Website: 1byonewal.com |Brands like 1byone
Popularity 1.3/10
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21
mbeat
Mbeat is a website entirely focused on linking innovation and creativity by bringing the best products in terms of design and quality that can enrich the daily experience; the items provided encompass the diversity of USB mountable (5 ports and...
Website: mbeat.com.au |Brands like mbeat
Popularity 1.3/10
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22
Dansette Revolver
Dansette makes retro-styled record players, including the Revolver line with a built-in changer and speakers.
Website: dansetterevolver.co.uk |Brands like Dansette Revolver
Popularity 1.3/10
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23
Fisher
Fisher Scientific Company, Inc. is a global provider of goods and services for molecular biology, genomics, biotechnology research, and the diagnostics business, which supports clinical laboratories. Fisher Scientific also provides a wide range of laboratory equipment, tools, instruments, and consumables...
Website: fishersci.com |Brands like Fisher
Popularity 1.2/10
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24
Magnavox
Magnavox sells retro-styled record players and turntables, including Bluetooth models with built-in speakers.
Website: magnavox.com |Brands like Magnavox
Popularity 1.1/10
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25
Sound Lab
Sound lab is a significant creator of a high-quality, child- and adult-safe headphones. Their most recent innovation is the popular studio-grade Bluetooth headset. Puropro hybrid headphones from them have active noise cancellation and a built-in mic to protect your ears...
Website: purosound.com |Brands like Sound Lab
Popularity 1.1/10
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26
Ferguson
Ferguson is a full-service value-added distributor of construction goods and supplies. They offer dependable solutions for every project lifecycle stage, from design to completion. Ferguson, the North American leader in building goods, can help you personalize your home, improve your...
Website: ferguson.com |Brands like Ferguson
Popularity 1.1/10
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27
Micro Seiki
Micro Seiki is a Japanese brand known for precision turntables and tonearms aimed at audiophiles.
Website: micro-seiki.nl |Brands like Micro Seiki
Popularity 1.1/10
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28
SANYO
Sanyo is a leading Japanese electronics company known for its modern and high-tech TVs. They are one of the world's top television brands, and their TVs can be found in many households worldwide. They offer a great viewing experience and...
Website: sanyo-av.com |Brands like SANYO
Popularity 1.0/10
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29
Goodmans
Goodmans sells record players and turntables, including retro-styled models with built-in speakers.
Website: goodmans.co.uk |Brands like Goodmans
Popularity 1.0/10
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30
Lenco
Lenco makes belt-drive turntables and record players, including suitcase and Bluetooth models.
Website: lenco.com |Brands like Lenco
Popularity 1.0/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victrola | victrola.com | /victrola | victrolaplayers | – | – |
| Crosley | crosley.com | – | – | – | – |
| Denon | denon.com | /Denon | denonofficial | @DenonAmerica | – |
| ION | ionaudio.com | /IONaudio | ionaudio | @IONaudio | ionAudio |
| DENVER | denver-electronics.com | – | – | – | – |
| Steepletone | steepletonerecordplayer.com | /HiFiMusicSystems | homehifimusicsystems | – | – |
| Lenoxx Electronics | lenoxx.com.au | /lenoxxelectronics | lenoxxelectronics | @LenoxxAustralia | UC7ZnXHveRFoD8a7TLt2GzTg |
| TEAC | teac.jp | /teacconsumer | teac_global | @TEAC_jp | TEACJP |
| Jensen | jensentools.com | – | – | – | – |
| Technics | technics.com | /technics.global | technics_global | @technics | TechnicsOfficial |
Record Player Buying Guide
For music lovers looking to experience the classic sound of vinyl, purchasing a record player is an essential decision. Record players are not only a statement item for music aficionados but also offer higher sound quality than digital music formats. Record players vary in price, performance, and features, making it important to research before buying. This guide aims to help you understand the key features and aspects to consider when purchasing a record player.
Types of Record Players
When searching for a record player, there are two main types to consider:
- Belt-Drive: This type of record player is highly preferred by audiophiles because of its smooth and quiet operation. Belt-drive record players feature a rubber belt that transfers power from the motor to the turntable. The belt absorbs motor vibration, which could otherwise interfere with the quality of playback. Belt-drive record players are also affordable and suitable for entry-level buyers.
- Direct-Drive: Direct-drive record players utilize a motor that directly connects to the turntable. This type of record player offers higher torque, which is why they are commonly preferred by DJs playing in clubs or for scratching. Direct-drive turntables are also more durable but can produce unwanted interference from the motor.
Turntable Components
When shopping for a record player, it's essential to pay attention to the turntable components. These components can significantly impact sound quality, performance, and durability. Here are the main turntable components to consider:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Platter | The platter is the rotating platform on which records are played. Turntables usually come in two platter materials: aluminum or acrylic. Aluminum platters are more common, affordable, and lighter but can create noise. Acrylic platters, on the other hand, are quieter and denser, resulting in better sound quality but come at a higher price. |
| Tonearm | The tonearm holds the cartridge that reads the vinyl record. The tonearm should have adjustable counterweight and anti-skate features that allow for precision adjustments of the stylus' tracking force. A good tonearm reduces distortion and enhances sound quality. Some high-end turntables feature a carbon-fiber tonearm for better rigidity and less resonance. |
| Cartridge | The cartridge is a device that reads the grooves on the vinyl record and transmits the music to the amplifier. Cartridges come in either moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) configurations. MM cartridges offer excellent sound quality, are easy to replace and maintain, and are ideal for entry-level buyers. MC cartridges, on the other hand, deliver the highest sound quality but are costly and harder to replace. |
| Motor | The motor in a record player drives the platter to turn at a consistent speed. A high-quality motor will spin the record at the exact speed without fluctuation, resulting in better sound quality. Belt-drive motors are quieter but may require replacement after a while. Direct-drive motors offer higher torque and are more durable than belt-drive motors. |
| Isolation | Isolation is the process of separating components in the turntable to minimize vibration interference. Good isolation reduces resonance and noise, resulting in improved sound quality. High-end turntables feature isolation feet or suspensions that isolate the turntable components from the turntable's base and external vibration sources. |
Features to Consider
When buying a record player, certain features can either improve or reduce your listening experience. Here are some features to consider when making your purchase decision:
- Built-in Speakers: Entry-level record players have built-in speakers that save users the need to purchase external speakers. While these speakers are convenient, they often produce low-quality sound and cannot be upgraded.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Some record players feature Bluetooth connectivity that allows the user to connect to external speakers, headphones, or wireless devices seamlessly. This feature is convenient but can impact playback quality and introduce lag.
- USB Output: Some turntables feature a USB port for easy connectivity to a PC or Mac to digitize vinyl collections. This feature is ideal for users who want to convert their vinyl collections into digital formats without purchasing additional software or hardware.
- Automatic vs. Manual: Record players can feature either an automatic or manual operation system. An automatic record player picks up and returns the tonearm automatically after the record finishes playing. On the other hand, a manual record player requires the user to pick up and return the tonearm manually. Automatic record players are convenient but are often more expensive and may reduce sound quality.
- Playback Speed: Record players can play records at 33 1/3, 45, or 78 RPM. Choose a turntable that is compatible with your record collection.
Brands to Consider
There are several record player brands in the market, and choosing the right one can impact your listening experience. Here are some of the top brands in the market:
- Audio-Technica: Audio-Technica is a renowned brand in the audio industry, making high-quality turntables for over 50 years.
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems: Pro-Ject is known for its high-end, minimalist turntables that offer excellent sound quality and durability.
- Rega Research: Rega Research is a British manufacturer that makes high-end turntables known for their exceptional sound quality.
- Denon: Denon is a Japanese audio company that makes record players featuring innovative designs and high-end technologies.
- Crosley: Crosley is a top turntable brand that makes affordable, stylish, and beginner-friendly record players that are perfect for entry-level buyers.
Conclusion
A record player is a must-have item for music lovers who want to experience the classic sound of vinyl. When purchasing a turntable, select one that suits your preferences, budget, and vinyl collection. Pay attention to the turntable components, features, and brands to ensure that you buy a durable, high-performance record player that delivers excellent sound quality. Happy vinyl listening!
