Best Record Players Under $300

A turntable is an old-school way of playing music, but the love for vinyl is making a major comeback. Typically, turntables aren’t cheap machines produced in bulk, but lucky for audiophiles, today’s market offers quality record players for a reasonable price.

So, if you are looking for the best turntable under $300, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll take a deep dive into models that I carefully selected and tested before writing this article. Expect in-depth reviews of each record player, plus I’ll share some insight on choosing the right device for individual needs. Interested? Then, let’s get started!

Our pick

Fluance RT82

Best turntable under $300

Record Player with Ortofon OM 10 Cartridge, Speed Control Motor, Solid Wood Plinth, Vibration Isolation Feet. Read the full review

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Record players under 300 comparison table

What did I pay attention to when picking turntables under $300?

There are a number of factors that you should take into account when shopping for the best turntables under $300. This way, you’ll ensure you get a high-quality product that meets all your needs.

When I tested record players for this review, I paid special attention to the following features and specs:

Plinth and platter material

Understanding plinth and platter materials is crucial as they are integral in influencing sound quality. It’s essential to have impeccable engineering to manage and mitigate vibrations effectively. Typically, the best record players under $300 are distinguished by robust and dense aluminum plinths coupled with weighted platters, ensuring sound is produced with minimal resonance. A well-crafted platter and plinth design can even obviate the requirement for a platter mat, reflecting a harmonious balance between innovative design and optimal functionality in sound production.

Well-designed tonearm

A tonearm is responsible for half of the sound quality you get when listening to records. A good tonearm must be made of materials that don’t resonate, it also should feature an adjustable counterweight so that the weight of the cartridge and tonearm doesn’t rest on the record. With a cheap plastic tonearm, your records may begin to sound deteriorated after just 10 plays.

Almost all turntables I’m reviewing here have aluminum tonearms – they effectively reduce vibrations and are lightweight enough to protect the needle and vinyl.

Phono cartridge

A phono cartridge is a crucial element responsible for converting vibrations into electrical impulses that can be amplified to produce music. Therefore, the quality of the cartridge significantly impacts the quality of the sound.

Models at the lower end of the price spectrum often feature non-removable cartridges, complicating replacement processes. In contrast, higher-end turntables offer removable cartridges, providing users with the flexibility to select cartridges that align with their preferences and budget constraints.

Phono preamp

The phono preamplifier plays a key role, magnifying the modest output of a turntable to match the capabilities of a standard stereo amplifier. Even though this component is integral to many vinyl players, some top-tier models opt to forgo a built-in preamp. This absence, surprisingly, can be an advantage. A turntable without a built-in phono stage allows aficionados to select a separate device that aligns with their preferences, ensuring the audio system sounds better than many off-the-shelf options. On a personal note, my go-to is the Rega – Fono Mini A2D preamp, a harmonious partner for turntables, significantly enhancing sound quality.

How I tested record players under $300

Being an audiophile, I seriously take the sound quality! I enjoy the “old school” format for a few years now and have used tens of different turntables. Honestly, vinyl is unbeatable for me! It provides a more natural feel and sounds much better than compressed digital representations.

Before writing this review, I’ve compared and tested some of the top vinyl players under $300 the market has to offer so that you can choose the right model for your home without ruining your family budget.

I used the following equipment to test the quality of the sound:

• Stereo receiver – Yamaha R-N303
• Phono preamplifier – Emotiva XPS-1
• Speaker wire – AudioQuest Type-9
• Bookshelf stereo speakers:
  • Klipsch RP-600M
  • Edifier R1280T
  • KEF Q350
• Floor standing stereo speakers:
  • Polk Audio TSi500
  • Klipsch RP-8000F
  • Fluance Signature HiFi 3-Way

While testing, I was listening to my favorite recordings. Here’s my list:

• Bon Iver – Bon Iver [2011]
• Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring [2017]
• Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon [1973]
• John Williams – Jurassic Park [1993]
• Dvorak – Symphony No.9 [2016]
• Daft Punk – Random Access Memories [2013]
• Radiohead – In Rainbows [2007]

Now, let’s see the result of my work – a list of the top turntables under $300.

Best Turntables Under $300 Reviews

Fluance RT82 – best overall

Fluance brand has a solid reputation in manufacturing turntables, and RT82 is no exception. This player is a totally value-focused model. It delivers premium sound quality due to the S-shaped tonearm and Ortofon OM10 elliptical cartridge – actually, I guess it would be difficult to beat this type of cartridge. In all honesty, with RT82, I heard sounds that I couldn’t hear when played through cheaper cartridges.

The next thing I really appreciate is the isolated motor, which helps to eliminate undesirable vibrations and noises, while the speed control system keeps the platter velocity constant. Furthermore, the RT82 features a manual operation type similar to models on the more expensive side. Another thing I love about this turntable is its sturdy wood plinth with a metal platter and customizable damping feet – it looks not only beautiful but also prevents undesirable vibrations.

Naturally, I compared RT82 with its sibling RT81 and concluded that they are pretty similar, but the former lacks a phono preamp – it leaves room for future improvements.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK – for DJ with direct drive

AT-LP 120XUSB-BK was engineered with music fans and DJs in mind. It’s a totally new-generation model compared to its big brother LP120USB. I’m sure DJs will appreciate a quality direct-drive motor, a few upgraded features, and refreshed design of the AT-LP 120XUSB-BK model. This manual turntable plays 78 RPM records, the speed is 33-⅓, 45. It’s equipped with a USB that allows easy connection to the computer and converting analog recordings into digital files.

AT-LP 120 can boast an S-shaped tonearm with a customizable tracking weight, universal headshell, and high-performance phono cartridge. By the way, the Audio-Technica brand has been the market leader in phono cartridge engineering for over 50 years.

Speaking about the sound quality – when I listened to the 30-year-old record – Foolish Beat – and I swear, it sounded like it was pressed yesterday!

House of Marley Stir It Up Wireless – eco-friendly

House of Marley’s Stir It Up Wireless Turntable brings all the class and quality to you without breaking the bank. With this amazing product, you can enjoy vinyl recordings up to 45 rpm – perfect for that get-together with friends or romantic date night.

This innovative record player features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream music from your favorite devices without having to deal with messy wires! I checked the wireless function – it works up to 33 feet away. It was a pure joy to listen to my records at almost any spot in my apartment!

A built-in preamp also gives you the option to use RCA cables to connect the turntable directly into powered speakers, which makes upgrading your sound system incredibly simple. Want to digitize your vinyl collection? No problem! The USB port gives you such an opportunity!

The device itself is made from recycled wood and has a built-in handle for easy portability. In addition, it comes with everything you need to get started: an Ortofon OM5E cartridge and needle, RCA cables, and a 45 adapter.

Fluance RT81- best under $250

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Fluance RT81 is the best turntable under $250! I’m totally impressed with the specs and features of this device, considering its price!

The RT81 replaces the RT80 – the former now boasts heavier construction, improved feet and includes an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge fitted to its lightweight headshell. The heavy-duty motor has been improved too – it’s now good for more torque and higher RPM accuracy (33 and 45 for the RT81).

Fluance RT81 sounds great – clear and precise; there are no speed issues, just warm analog sound. In fact, the sound quality even surpasses my more expensive stereo setup (a Pro-Ject Debut III with Ortofon OM10 needle and acrylic platter). The guitar licks on Dazed & Confused particularly pleased me. I listened to both sides of this album and it seemed like I was hearing it for the first time.

Denon DP-300F – best full automatic

Denon has been around since 1910. In the 1930s, the company began manufacturing its own turntables and designing tonearms and earned a healthy reputation. The DP-300F became one of their top turntables where the price meets performance.

Denon DP-300F is a fully automatic belt-driven turntable that can play 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm records. The table comes with an integrated tonearm that features an adjustable counterweight, height adjustment, anti-skating control, and multiple connection terminals. Unfortunately, there’s no “plinth,” the body is plastic, but the turntable doesn’t produce any discernible noise during playback.

It works exactly as promised, and I really enjoyed the pure delight of vinyl while testing. MP3’s definitely can’t offer all those crisp highs, thunderous rumbling lows, and a warm mid-range!

Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

Audio Technica is one of the premier turntable manufacturers! And we’ve already discussed one of their manual turntables – AT-LP 120XUSB-BK – which is perfect for DJs. But if you’re totally new to vinyl and want a fully automatic turntable, then you should take a closer look at AT-LP60XBT.

The table’s DC servo-controlled motor and 300 watts of power mean your tunes will be blasted out with force. As an added bonus, the platter’s high mass die-cast aluminum construction dramatically reduces the chances of resonance and vibrations. Next, the totally automatic nature of the system makes it ideal for first-time users – this hottie is super easy to operate.

The AT-LP60XBT provides excellent sound quality, but what I really love about it is the ultimate convenience of Bluetooth wireless technology, which allows you to simply hook it up to Bluetooth-enabled monitors and other gadgets. Alternatively, you may connect the TT to a wired stereo setup and powered speakers with the provided dual RCA output connection. Furthermore, this table supports the aptX codec for improved sound quality.

Of course, the entry-level model isn’t going to give audiophile-level quality, but it does deliver a better audio experience than many other models in the same price segment.

Buyers guide

What to expect from a record player under $300

Determining the difference between a $200 and a $300 model isn’t always straightforward. With that stated, there is a distinction to be made, and it is significant. A good $300 turntable will have better components and, in general, superior materials. We’re talking about solid construction here. Many people reduce turntables to their most basic components, ignoring the framework or isolation between the platter and its surface.

While less expensive models may perform well in this aspect, a quality mid-range vinyl player will provide the most significant improvement in design and components. Vinyl players under $300 are usually pretty good when it comes to features and fundamental performance. You’ll see that good cartridges and stylus options are being used. Most of these machines feature well-designed tonearms with many adjustment options, and most importantly, these devices sound pretty good.

The upgrade pathways accessible with mid-range turntables are one of the finest reasons to purchase one of them. Most likely you’ll be able to replace a variety of components, considerably boosting your turntable’s overall performance. Those who enjoy customizing their vinyl players may enjoy this price segment.

To summarize, the performance of the vinyl players under $300 is pretty close to what more expensive models have to offer. Besides, all machines I’ve listed above are of great value for entry-level vinyl lovers as well as for more critical ears. You won’t grow out of these turntables for a long time!

Hopefully, you’ll find the right player for your home here! If you have any suggestions or would like to add your favorite turntable to my list, leave a comment below!

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