Top 10 - Best Record Player Under $100 of 2019 - Reviews - Videos

Top 10 Best Record Player Under $100 of 2024

Hey guys, welcome to Blue Buzz Music!

You must’ve seen a billion other reviews of best record players under $100 already – why is mine different? Well, unlike most, I don’t just copy the content and add a couple cents of my own. I try to do the most here to help you pick the best product.

Of course, we all have different taste in products – some care about the looks, others about sound quality, and the third just want to find the best bang for the buck. Well, for under $100, you can’t cheap out too much – you are already saving a ton of money by sacrificing a tiny bit of quality.

While there are tons of products on the market, I’ve picked the 10 that will suit every record player lover who can’t afford a $5k piece of equipment – we all have to start somewhere, right?

Let me assure you – you’ll find the turntable that fits your needs and is within your budget.

We’ll get to the rundown in just a second!

This article should be a gem for vinyl lovers and audiophiles. For the price, you can’t go wrong with any products. While they aren’t as great as record players you’ll find going around for $100s of dollars, they are a fantastic choice for beginners!

Long ago, record players were the only way people played music – expensive, delicate, and lacking features (which was still impressive at the time). These days, the record players are a lot more functional – often they’ll feature a complex setup with turntables, speakers, processors, and more!

The speed at which the record players spin the vinyl usually varies between 33, 45, and 78 RPM – with some using all 3 settings!

All vinyl arrives in a scope of speed, from 33 and 45 to 78 RPM, with a needle getting sound sign from the outside of the vinyl at each speed. As you can see, the fundamentals haven’t changed a whole lot.

Stereo recipients and preamps are also frequently added since they help direct the sound through associated speakers. With vinyl, you are probably looking for the best sound quality, which implies you’ll have to spend a fortune. Alternatively, after more in-depth research, you can find a record player for under $100 – which is as good as it gets! Of course, there are nicer turntables at a higher price, but at least here you  don’t have to max out your credit card.

My rundown of the top 10 best record players under $100 will only take you a few minutes to read – and it can save you quite a bit of money and hassle!

Here are my top 5 personal picks. The rest of the list is just down below!

Most Affordable
Numark PT01 Touring | Portable Suitcase Turntable with USB Connectivity for Conversion, Retro Styling, Onboard Stereo Speakers & Built in Rechargeable Battery - Three-Speed (33 1/3, 45 and 78rpm),4.49 x 10.00 x 13.50,BLACK
Most Popular
Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black, Hi-Fi, 2 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital
Top Pick
Jensen JTA-222 3-Speed Turntable, case
Most Durable
Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center with Built-in Speakers - 3-Speed Turntable, CD & Cassette Player, AM/FM Radio | Wireless Music Streaming | Grey | wood
Most Features
GOODNEW Vinyl Record Player Turntable, Built in Speakers, Support Headphone & RCA Output and AUX (3.5mm) Input Jack (Record Player-FBA)
Numark PT01 Touring | Portable Suitcase Turntable with USB Connectivity for Conversion, Retro Styling, Onboard Stereo Speakers & Built in Rechargeable Battery - Three-Speed (33 1/3, 45 and 78rpm),4.49 x 10.00 x 13.50,BLACK
Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black, Hi-Fi, 2 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital
Jensen JTA-222 3-Speed Turntable, case
Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center with Built-in Speakers - 3-Speed Turntable, CD & Cassette Player, AM/FM Radio | Wireless Music Streaming | Grey | wood
GOODNEW Vinyl Record Player Turntable, Built in Speakers, Support Headphone & RCA Output and AUX (3.5mm) Input Jack (Record Player-FBA)
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Most Affordable
Numark PT01 Touring | Portable Suitcase Turntable with USB Connectivity for Conversion, Retro Styling, Onboard Stereo Speakers & Built in Rechargeable Battery - Three-Speed (33 1/3, 45 and 78rpm),4.49 x 10.00 x 13.50,BLACK
Numark PT01 Touring | Portable Suitcase Turntable with USB Connectivity for Conversion, Retro Styling, Onboard Stereo Speakers & Built in Rechargeable Battery - Three-Speed (33 1/3, 45 and 78rpm),4.49 x 10.00 x 13.50,BLACK
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Most Popular
Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black, Hi-Fi, 2 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital
Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black, Hi-Fi, 2 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital
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Top Pick
Jensen JTA-222 3-Speed Turntable, case
Jensen JTA-222 3-Speed Turntable, case
Most Durable
Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center with Built-in Speakers - 3-Speed Turntable, CD & Cassette Player, AM/FM Radio | Wireless Music Streaming | Grey | wood
Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center with Built-in Speakers - 3-Speed Turntable, CD & Cassette Player, AM/FM Radio | Wireless Music Streaming | Grey | wood
Most Features
GOODNEW Vinyl Record Player Turntable, Built in Speakers, Support Headphone & RCA Output and AUX (3.5mm) Input Jack (Record Player-FBA)
GOODNEW Vinyl Record Player Turntable, Built in Speakers, Support Headphone & RCA Output and AUX (3.5mm) Input Jack (Record Player-FBA)
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Alright, let’s begin.

1) Audio-Technica AT-LP60

AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP60 review

That’s one of the best and most popular turntables beginners pick – you’ll won’t break a bank and will end up with a decent reWOCKODER PORTABLE record player reviewcord player that won’t break on you in a month.

While Audio-Technica is famous for its condenser and dynamic microphones, studio headphones, and other music-related gadgets, you shouldn’t be surprised to see it on the list of best budget record players either – the company is one of the biggest tech giants in the world after all.

While it belongs to a rather basic type of turntables, you’ll be impressed how good of a bang for a buck this bad boy actually is.

LP60 lets you play 2 types of records – 33 and 45 RPM. Similar to an audio interface, it comes with a built-in amp – which is an excellent add-on on the top of the product. It’s also an automatic record player – all you have to do is press a button. The second that’s done, the tonearm cues up the first tracks – the record is on! Once the track is over, the tonearm goes back to its default position. Can it get more simple than that? I don’t think so!

If you are looking for a record player under $100 that will be of the decent sound and built quality – you can’t go wrong with LP60. The only drawback I can think of is a lack of future upgrade (look at turntables under $200 for devices to upgrade). The turntable comes as an all-in-one package, and you can’t customize it. In my opinion, it’s still a fantastic player that will keep you entertained for months to come until you decide to upgrade.

2) ION Audio Max LP

ION AUDIO MAX LP review

If you haven’t been an audiophile or hardly ever looked into record players, you probably haven’t heard much of ION Audio. Look, they don’t make a ton of equipment for music studios or DJ setups, which are a ton more popular, but they still make quality stuff – look at Max LP, for example.

The record player may look basic, but it has a lot of built-in features that you’ll find appealing. First of all, the audio quality is fantastic – you’ll hardly ever find a similar sound in the same price range. To put it simply, the audio device overdelivers when it comes to performance.

It comes with an RCA output and built-in speakers, which means you shouldn’t worry about getting a pair. Moreover, it can play all types of records 33, 45, and 78 RPM. Lastly, the built quality promises the device to last longer – the platter and belt drive system are designed to withstand a lot of stress and can be replaced if necessary.

It’s a USB turntable, so you can record vinyl to CD flawlessly. While some believe this degrades the quality of a budget record player, others praise it. Therefore, it’s for you to decide. Personally, I believe that it’s a nice feature to have considering this particular turntable under $100 is a bargain, especially if some of your vinyls need a backup copy.

3) 1byone Portable Turntable

1BYONE turntable review

1byone is that one brand that doesn’t limit itself to one industry. While they do make turntables and record players, they also develop antennas, smart scales, alarms, etc. Personally, I prefer when a developer focuses on one type of products (for example, MIDI keyboards). Otherwise, I end up feeling like they focus on their other lines more due to more demand and neglect the products I am interested in (think LG).

Luckily with these guys, their cheap turntable is one of the best deals I’ve found on the market. The product is incredibly affordable and good-quality. It also looks charming in blue, which I couldn’t help but notice.  The wooden polish will add another great touch to your record shelf. Alright, let’s look at the features.

First of all, it plays 33, 45, and 78 RPM speeds – which is technically all of them. Moreover, it comes with an RCA output to connect speakers to and a headphones jack. If you are the only vinyl enthusiast in the family, your parents will thank the developers for adding the jack output. It also comes with built-in speakers for those who want to take their record player outside to a park or something.

The portable turntable is a briefcase-style, which makes it very portable and slick-looking. It comes in two colors – the dull black and my favourite light-blue. Pick your poison!

4) Numark PT-01

NUMARK PT01 review

Numark is a good brand with years and years of history to speak for itself. It’s more than well-known in the DJ industry – they make turntables, mixers, DJ headphones, and more! Are they any good at making record players? You bet! The line of turntables start from under $100 and goes into $100s – their products will suit every budget and taste.

Anyways, let’s speak of PT01 – one of the Numark budget line products that will cost you less than $100 (check out the turntables under $500 for more professional options). First of all, it’s incredibly classy and looking a lot more expensive. You can that aesthetics are in place, unlike a lot of other cheap record players. It’s small yet powerful. Some compromises were made, but PT01 still offers fantastic built and sound quality for the price.

With the ability to play 33, 45, and 78 RPM records and convert your old vinyl to MP3 to always have a backup in case of emergency, it stands high among its competitors. A single charge of Numark record player (it works off a rechargeable battery) can last up to 4 hours which means you can take it to any event outside of your house without any issues. Lastly, it comes with an aux output, so you can listen to your vinyl in peace with your headphones in.

To sum up, you can’t go wrong with this bad boy. Of course, you can’t expect it to sound the same way a $1000 turntable will, but you are getting a great deal here. Comparing to other models on the list, Numark is one of my top budget picks.

5) Musitrend Bluetooth Record Player

MUSITREND BLUETOOTH RECORD PLAYER review

Musitrend released this device a few years ago. It isn’t the cheapest record player on the list, but it’s packed with a ton of features. The one that highlights this particular turntable is the ability to connect to it via Bluetooth. I know that most audiophiles are here for the sound, not the lack of cables and cords laying around, but you’ll get used to how convenient the record player is very fast.

Once again, the aesthetics are on point – the two colors show a nice contrast without being too flashy. Let’s talk about specs now – the looks are indeed important, but there is so much more to it. First of all, the Bluetooth support. You can easily connect your phone to it (with all the instructions attached) and even use your voice to control the device.

It also plays all 3 speeds, can convert vinyl to mp3 and CD. You can connect the record player to either a pair of speakers or studio monitors via an RCA cable or to your headphones. That’s definitely an all-in-one package here.

6) GoodNew Vinyl Turntable

GOODNEW VINYL TURNTABLE review

When it comes to price and quality, it’s hard to match the GoodNew record player – it’s one of the most popular of its kind after all. It’s a briefcase style device that comes with a whole bunch of features. The aesthetic is on-point – both the leather case and the inside of it look clean, neat, and professional. It will fit any studio design seamlessly.

You may be wondering – what about the features? Clearly, that’s what is actually important – you don’t want a device to all-of-a-sudden break in a month or sound like somebody is scratching a blackboard. Luckily, you won’t encounter such issues with the GoodNew turntable here.

The number of input sources it supports is indeed impressive. You can connect to the budget record player via Bluetooth, use a USB, or even insert an SD card. A small display on the right side will show you the mode you are using and the track time – nothing insane but a couple of sweet perks that you’ll find very handy!

The battery is rechargeable and holds the charge for a few hours, which means you can take it outside of your room for once and take it on a road trip. Lastly, the turntable comes with speakers! While it may be nicer to connect a pair of your favourite studio monitors, the sound coming from speakers is decent for the price. Moreover, you can always use an RCA cable if you aren’t satisfied – it’s the convenience that counts.

Overall, you are getting a ton of features and a quality product for a price of 2 gym memberships (in Canada, at least) – you’ll be happy with the purchase.

7) Jensen JTA-222

JENSEN JTA-222 review

Alright, this record player looks like an old school radio from your grandpa’s garage, but isn’t it the beauty of it? Even though it looks vintage, it’s features are far from it. Also, you get it for almost half of your budget (assuming it’s $100). Don’t let the fact that you’ve never heard of Jensen throw you off – it has fantastic reviews from customers.

You can’t carry this record player around like a briefcase – it’s more of a stay-at-home type. Coming in a polished wooden case, you’ll catch a deco vibe as soon as you open the box. It even comes with a radio AM/FM receiver – your grandpa would’ve been so proud of you! While it lacks the Bluetooth feature, you end up saving some money.

The turntable plays 3 speeds, so you should be good to play any record you have in your collection. If you want to feel more artistic, you can even adjust the needle if the record doesn’t sound the way you want it to.

Jensen record player comes with a built-in speaker system and an RCA output if you’d rather connect it to a higher quality audio device. If you have a nice record player stand, it will look great on the top shelf!

To sum up, Jensen JTA-222 is a simple budget turntable that lets you play around and tweak things up to your liking. It’s also one of the best-priced record players on the market.

8) Jorlai Record Player

JORLAI RECORD PLAYER review

Well, another suitcase-style budget turntable here. Let me tell you – it’s a great product that is worth considering. Of course, I’ll tell you why first. To begin, let’s look at the design. The device doesn’t look flashy or high-tech. Instead, all you see are the moderate colors and quality materials. I personally loved that about the record player, that can be a great addition to your record player stand.

Aesthetics are important, but what most people care about are functionality and sound quality. I absolutely agree, but can’t help with my love for pretty things. With Jorlai you get the convenient Bluetooth connect, an aux cord input, and the ability to connect the cheap record player to either your headphones or studio monitors via RCA cable.

Some users love USB and SD card support, which this particular turntable lacks. The lack of them also saves space inside the already miniature device for a bigger amp and sturdier construction, so it’s not so bad after all. You can ever connect the player to your PC, so why worry about having mp3 tracks on your SD when you can steam millions of them off the web?

It comes with built-in speakers and a rechargeable battery that can hold the charge for hours hooray to taking it outdoors on a sunny day. A lot of people should also be excited about the belt drive turntable. I personally never felt an urge to have one on a record player, but there are sure reasons why having one is a big perk.

Want a portable record player that doesn’t sacrifice quality? You’ve found one – Jorlai record player is your go to!

9) Victrola Bluetooth Turntable

VICTROLA BLUETOOTH TURNTABLE review

First of all, let’s give Victrola prompts for being one of the few record player companies that have been around for over a century. With products for every pocket, I wasn’t surprised when I saw a budget record player that fits our budget requirements on the list. It’s definitely a catch, and you’ll see why in just a second.

I hope you’ve noticed by now how I care about the looks as much as the technical aspects of the product – it can either be a centerpiece or something you hide in the dark corner of your room. If you are looking for something vintage and old-school – you’ve got a jackpot. It’s not your modern briefcase style turntables – it’s something else.

The look of it will surely attract attention. Is it a weird looking radio or a box with postcards that you’ve been writing for 365 days (here is a “The Notebook” reference)? The wooden finish with metal panel with all the control buttons and switches in the front, it’s been well-crafted to please the vinyl enthusiasts.

Let’s talk about specs and features now. Of course, this budget Bluetooth turntables plays in 3 speeds like most of the other record players under $100 on the list. It plays CDs, can be paired with Bluetooth devices and has a built-in radio. The real old school feature is the support for cassettes – I remember my grandpa having a lot of those in his 1991 Audi.

If you are nostalgic about the “good old days” or simply have a ton of old vinyl, CDs, and cassettes – you’ll love this cheap record player.

10) Wockoder Portable Bluetooth 3-Speed Turntable

WOCKODER PORTABLE record player review

While Wockoder isn’t the world-famous record player, it’s a great choice for beginners who can’t afford a more expensive option. Despite little press and not being as well-known as Yamaha, you’ll get a high-quality product for a fraction of a cost.

Speaking of aesthetics, you must’ve noticed the odd look of the suitcase. It looks more like a cabinet drawer in an antique house from a couple of centuries ago. Well, that’s the catch – these days you have to stand out from the crowd in one way or another to get the buyer’s attention. And you know what, it did catch my attention. Polished wooden body with brass elements – you don’t see that often these days.

You can’t expect the best material quality at this price point, but it’s still decent. Moreover, it may look old-school on the outside, but the specs are very much modern. You can use an SD card or a USB drive to play tracks you’ve downloaded (legally I hope). Moreover, the record player features Bluetooth connectivity to make your life even easier.

Coming with built-in speakers, you don’t need to own a pair to play the music – the developers took care of that. And the sound isn’t bad at all – way better than average at this price point. Moreover, the entire construction is quite sturdy – with robust switches and a needle mechanism build of high-quality materials.

For the price, this budget record player offers great performance. If taken care of properly, it will last you a very long time!

Things To Consider When Getting An Affordable Record Player

Just like every other product in the music industry, you’ll have to look at a few things before making a purchase. It’ll be an honor to share my knowledge with you.

Turntable Size and Speed

Just imagine this: you’ve bought your favourite album on vinyl, ordered a record player, and just can’t wait to listen to it. And boom – your turntable under $100 doesn’t play at the right speed. Perhaps, I’d be disappointed. Of course, other features are important as well, but that’s the very fundamental that you shouldn’t overlook.

Your best bet is getting a 3-speed record player that can play 33 ⅓, 45, and 78 RPM tracks, so you don’t have to worry about that when picking your favourite vinyl at a local store. Also, check whether the device can be upgraded and parts of it replaced. If not, you’ll end up saving some money but will lose more in the long run.

Speakers Quality

Expecting the best quality speakers from a turntable under $100 isn’t the right mindset to have. To cut the costs, developers of budget products oftentimes overlook the speaker quality. If you are looking for the best sound possible, it’s best to buy a pair of studio monitors and connect your record player to them.

Bluetooth Connection

As you know, most portable speakers out there feature a Bluetooth function, even the ones you’ll find for $20 or less. These days it’s not an innovation but almost an expectation from the public. The list features a few turntables with Bluetooth function enabled. If you can to cut the number of cables around your room to a minimum, consider investing in one with a Bluetooth connectivity function.

Media Sources

If you only want to play vinyl, you shouldn’t worry about this. However, isn’t it better to be able to use other media sources such as SD cards, USB sticks, cassettes, and radio? Vinyl is expensive even if you find a bargain, so spreading your costs doesn’t sound like that big of an issue, does it?

Recording Conversion

Being able to convert vinyl to mp3 isn’t for everybody, but it’s a handy feature that’s gotten popular in the past few years. Of course, vinyl delivers the best possible sound, but you are better off safe than sorry. Recording your precious collection onto a USB drive (or hard drive) by converting them to mp3 will keep your records safe in case one happens to scratch or snap in two. Once again, I suggest you to stay on the safe side.

Conclusion

And that’s it. By now you must’ve found a record player that suits your needs and the size of your wallet. While there are indeed more on the market, the 10 above should do the job as they feature everything you may need in a turntable under $100. Definitely take your time and consider at least a couple products and give each a consideration. Use my simple buyer’s guide to cross off what you don’t need in your device and what you do.

Alright, you should be good to go now!

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API