The Best Turntables for Beginners

What to consider when buying:

- Budget: turntables vary in price from under $100 to over $1000
- Automatic vs. Manual: manual turntables require a bit more experience, but offer more control over the music
- Belt drive vs. Direct drive: belt driven turntables are quieter and better for home listening, while direct drive is better for DJs
- Cartridge and stylus options: ensure the turntable has options to upgrade the cartridge and stylus
- Additional features: some turntables offer built-in preamps, Bluetooth connectivity, or USB output for digitizing vinyl records

Winner: Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

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- Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon (over 9,000 ratings), 4.8 out of 5 on Walmart (over 800 ratings), 4.8 out of 5 on BestBuy (over 300 ratings)
- Price: $179
- Specs: Bluetooth connectivity, fully automatic, belt drive, built-in phono preamp, compatible with a range of cartridges and stylus upgrades
- Why it's recommended: The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT offers a great balance of quality and price for beginners. The automatic operation makes it easy to use, while the Bluetooth connectivity allows for wireless listening. The built-in preamp also eliminates the need for an external preamp.
- Perfect for: beginners who want a reliable and versatile turntable at a reasonable price.

Runner-up: Fluance RT81 Elite

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- Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon (over 900 ratings), 4.8 out of 5 on BH Photo (over 200 ratings)
- Price: $249
- Specs: belt drive, manual operation, Audio-Technica AT95E cartridge, built-in phono preamp, adjustable counterweight and anti-skating
- Why it's recommended: The Fluance RT81 Elite offers high quality sound and design for a reasonable price. The manual operation allows for greater control over the music, while the adjustable counterweight and anti-skating ensures proper tracking of the record.
- Perfect for: beginners who want a higher quality listening experience and are willing to spend a bit more money.

Also great: U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus

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- Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon (over 800 ratings), 4.8 out of 5 on BH Photo (over 400 ratings)
- Price: $309
- Specs: belt drive, manual operation, Ortofon OM5E cartridge, adjustable counterweight and anti-skating
- Why it's recommended: The U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus offers audiophile quality sound and design at a reasonable price. The manual operation allows for greater control over the music, while the Ortofon OM5E cartridge is a high-performance upgrade from the Audio-Technica cartridges found on other turntables.
- Perfect for: beginners who want the highest quality listening experience and are willing to spend a bit more money. It's also a great option for those who want the ability to upgrade and customize their turntable over time.