Best Turntables Under $1000 Reviewed

How Turntables Work

Turntables Under $1000 Compared

Turntable Drive System Types

There are two different kinds of turntables; belt drive and direct drive. And the argument over which one is better has been going on for more than half a century.

Benefits of Expensive Turntables

So why, when you can play music right from your smartphone, should you invest in a turntable under $1,000? There are many benefits to owning a real record player. Here are the top three:

Choosing a High-Quality Turntable

There are many things that you’ll want to take into consideration when purchasing a turntable. To make the process easy, we’ve developed a list for you.

Usage

The primary consideration for buying a turntable is knowing how you will use it, and where you will keep it. For example, turntables used to DJing are much more compatible to travel than home turntable setups. You will also want to consider how often you plan to use your turntable so that you can make sure you get a product that is up to the task.  

Turntable Type

As discussed above, there are belt drive turntables and direct drive turntables. There are also manual and automatic systems. If you’re planning to DJ, you will likely want a direct drive turntable. Home listeners who don’t mind moving the stylus manually will often enjoy a manual system.

Cartridge Type

Each turntable will work with a cartridge; either moving magnet or moving coil. 

The two are very similar, but moving coil cartridges tend to last longer. For this reason, they are usually also more expensive.

Tonearm

Phono Preamp

A phono preamplifier (or preamp) is a device that allows you to connect your turntable to your home speaker system or other devices. Some turntables have a phono preamp built-in, while others need to be purchased separately and installed externally. 

Sound Quality, Playback Speed

When listening to vinyl, the sound quality is of utmost importance. You will want to consider whether your turntable needs to be connected to external speakers or has built-in speakers.

You'll also want to consider the signal-to-noise ratio or decibels (dB) function — generally, the higher that dB, the higher the function of your product. Additionally, vinyl records are made to play at one of three playback speeds: 33 1/3, 45 or 78 RPM. Make sure the turntable is compatible with your existing music.

Size & Weight

Most home turntable setups are considerably heavier than the portable types that DJs carry along with them. In general, though, because they are made for playing vinyl records, turntables will be larger and broader than most modern music players. Make sure that you have a stable, flat surface that is big enough to accommodate your turntable.

Storage & Portability

Not all turntables are meant to be moved around. Some systems like to be placed on a shelf and kept put with their dust cover when not in use. If you have other plans for your turntable (like DJing parties or taking it on the road), make sure to check the reviews regarding how portable (or not) the particular product you're looking at is.

Quality, Design & Style

Extra Features

Beyond the extras like built-in phono preamp, today’s turntables often come with accessories for the modern-day techy. Look for additional features like grounding, headphone sockets, a USB port, RCA, a built-in light, Bluetooth capabilities, and platter upgrades.

Price & Warranty

Turntables aren’t necessarily expensive. You can get an average turntable for under $100 if you’re new to the game or just want to relive some vinyl memories. Our guide here aims to focus on the $500-$1,000 range for turntables. I would call this middle-range pricing for serious audiophiles.

You’ll also want to make sure your new turntable comes with a reliable warranty so that you can make exchanges or returns as you get started.  

1. Audio-Technica AT-LP7

2. Pro-Ject – Debut Carbon Esprit SB

If you’re looking for a turntable that comes with everything you need to get started, look no further than the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit. With its carbon tube straight tonearm and pre-installed cartridge by Ortofon, you can get to the listening with minimal hassle.

3. Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500

4. Pioneer DJ

5. Rega Planar 2

The Planar 2 has undergone some serious revamping in the last couple of years, and Rega wants everyone to know that it isn’t the same turntable from yesteryear. 

We couldn't agree more. All you need to do is balance the tonearm on this turntable, and you're ready to listen. There is a new automatic bias setting, so you no longer need to fiddle with the cartridge to get it just right. However, those looking to use a cartridge other than the pre-installed carbon MM cartridge might find this feature frustrating because it will be harder to get just right.

The Planar 2 has a beautiful high-gloss finish on the plinth, which is available in black, white and red. The turntable has built-in feet that will significantly reduce the vibrations from any platform you set it upon.  Perhaps the most striking feature, though, is the 10 mm “float glass” platter, that will make this turntable the centerpiece of any room even when it’s not on.

6. THORENS TD 170-1B

7. Electrohome Winston

The best vintage turntable under $1,000 has to go to the Electrohome Winston, both for style and for high-quality playback. It would make the perfect gift for any nostalgic music listener, as this 3-in-1 set is not only a turntable but also a CD player and AM/FM radio.

It has the old school turning dials, and also a 3.5 mm auxiliary input so you can play any music device from your tablet, iPhone, Android, or smartphone. The dials even have a warm backlit glow so that you can see them clearly in dimmer lighting. If you’re listening alone, there is a headphone jack that will allow you to hear everything as crisp as ever without disturbing anyone else.

The thing that makes this vintage-style turntable stand out above the rest is that fact that the casing is made from real wood and doesn't skip any of the old school details. The Electrohome Winston doesn't come with a built-in phono preamp, but we find that most of the charm of this old-fashioned turntable is playing it solely through its built-in speakers.

The one complaint that we heard about this product is that radio stations are harder to tune with this manual dial. For those of us who are old enough to remember, this is also just part of the fun and memories.

8. Stanton ST.150 MKII

9. Denon DJ VL12 PRIME

For the professional disc jockey, the best turntable setup under $1,000 has to come from Denon, and we’ve chosen the Denon DJ VL12 Prime to take the title. Ideal for parties or the dim lighting of nightclubs, this turntable can be customized with RBC lighting under the rim – choose from 11 different colors!

Its heavy-duty all-metal construction makes the Denon DJ VL12 the perfect traveling turntable for the DJ on the go, with some people saying that the S-shaped tonearm is made strong enough to survive the apocalypse. You can do all the scratching you want, and the tonearm will hold up just fine.

All the above said you don't have to be a DJ to enjoy all the quality features of this high-fidelity turntable. 

Compared to the more expensive Technics SL-1200GR direct drive turntable, this deck is as solidly constructed and sounds great. I highly recommend any vinyl enthusiast to give this turntable a try.” Pair it with your favorite cartridge to play with your home entertainment center and set the mood with neon lighting.

See this turntable in action in this video:

Essential Turntable Accessories

How to Set Up a Turntable

Unlike today's digital push-play-and-go devices, turntables take a little work to set up. Each turntable will be slightly different, but here are the general steps you will follow to get up and running.

Operating a Turntable

In addition to playing music, some turntables today have other features, including the ability to digitize your vinyl records via a USB drive.  

Maintenance & Care Tips

The most critical step in maintaining your turntable system is to protect it from dust. Always use the dust cover when your turntable is not in use.

Additionally, we recommend cleaning your stylus after every use with a stylus cleaner or carbon fiber brush. A high-quality stylus should last about 3,000 hours of use, so make sure to keep that in mind as well.

For more tips on how to keep your turntable in like-new condition, check out this helpful video:

Hooking Up the Turntable to your System

Turntable: Common Issues & Fixes

The most common troubleshooting issues we see with turntables is that they are not functioning properly because they weren’t cleaned properly. It really is essential that you clean your turntable after each use, provide regular maintenance, and keep your dust cover on at all times when not in use.

Another common issue that comes up is replacing the needle. The stylus on a record player can only last so long, and it’s so unfortunate that a lot of folks often put away their record player altogether, when changing the needle is a relatively simple task. You’ll want to make sure that you purchase a new needle that is compatible with your player and cartridge, but the steps to changing it out are relatively simple.

Understanding Turntable Terminologies

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What can I expect from a turntable that is in the $500-$1000 price range?

For the price range we’re reviewing today ($500-$1000) you can expect a high-quality turntable for optimal home listening or amateur DJ use. You don’t have to spend a ton of money for quality listening, and we find that this budget is middle-of-the-road when it comes to the price of turntables. That's why we've dedicated the time to find the absolute best products within this range for your shopping convenience.

What causes static noise in turntables?

Static electricity happens when dust and debris build up on records, and the reason you hear a static noise (or cracking and pops) is because this static electricity builds its own electrical charge and creates an obstruction for the stylus as it traces the grooves of a record. If the problem continues after you’ve cleaned your record and stylus, then it may be a sign that your cartridge/stylus need replacing.

How exactly do I set the tracking weight adjustment?

Balancing a tonearm seems like a daunting task, but it's relatively simple and straightforward. Each turntable is slightly different, but the operation is nearly identical. You will need to know the correct tracking force for your cartridge (found in your user manual or online – usually between 1 and 2 grams). Then you can follow these simple steps from Pro-Ject Audio.

Does vinyl sound better?

While the question is entirely subjective, many people seem to think that vinyl does, in fact, sound better and that this information can be backed up by science. Vinyl indeed provides a better picture of what the artist actually sounded like when singing or playing the music live, because there are just too many slight variations in our digitalized music.

Where is the best place to buy replacement accessories for turntables?

I always point customers looking for replacement parts to Amazon, because not only do they have the most comprehensive selection available, but they also are more likely to carry components that have been discontinued by the manufacturer.

What is the most popular brand of turntables on the market for this price range?

You really can't go wrong with any of the brands that we've looked at in this review, but for the best turntables under $1,000, I am especially partial to Audio-Technica, Yamaha, and Pro-Ject turntables. You're investing a sizeable amount of cash on a turntable, and each of these brands has a product and warranty that they stand behind.

Conclusion

We're excited that you're in the market for a turntable because we genuinely enjoy the vinyl experience and know that you will, too. There are a lot of great options for a quality turntable under $1,000, but I'm quite partial to the Audio-Technica LP7 for its easy-to-use functionality and top performance.