Over the years, getting a great turntable in this price range has become a challenge.
There are so many options out there, and not all of them are worth your hard-earned cash.
In addition, the cost of everything these days, just keeps going up – pushing turntables that were once available for well under the $500 price mark out of reach to many on a budget.
The good news is, it is still possible to get a great turntable in this price bracket. Here are five turntables I personally recommend – all of which I have fully reviewed on this website and on my YouTube channel in detail.
Audio Technica LP60
Price: $149 (£149)
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy setup and use for beginners | A little plasticy & lightweight |
| Better sound quality on a budget than the suitcase record player alternatives | Tonearm is quite basic |
| Built-in phono, Bluetooth & USB available |
The first model I’m going to recommend is the Audio Technica LP60. And while it’s far from perfect, it makes my list as it’s a better start to the vinyl hobby than an all-in-one suitcase-style record player, such as those manufactured by Crosley and Victrola.
There are, in fact, three models. All of which are fully automatic, meaning the arm will move automatically to the start of the record, play through the side, and then automatically return to the armrest.
There’s the LP60X (which has a built-in phono preamp, which will get you started and sounds just fine, but you can also bypass it and upgrade it later).
The LP60XBT also has a built-in phono preamp for plug-and-play connectivity to your amplifier or powered speakers but has the additional convenience of Bluetooth connectivity for those who prefer wireless hookup.
The LP60USB also has Bluetooth connectivity but also adds a USB connection, which is handy for anyone wanting to create digital copies of their records on a budget.
The automatic operation of the LP60 works for 12-inch or 7-inch records, so if you’re playing any 10-inch discs, you’ll need to cue up the stylus manually – a minor inconvenience.
I will say, while the LP60 doesn’t feel badly built, it does have a very plasticy feel to it, which makes some elements feel cheap.
The tonearm is also very basic and may struggle to track some records as well as some of Audio Technica’s more expensive automatic turntable alternatives (such as the LP3, for example). It’s far from an “audiophile” product, but it makes this list as it’s an infinitely better start to the vinyl hobby than a Crosley Cruiser.
Pro-Ject E1
Price: $349 (£249)
| Pros | Cons |
| Great sound at this price point | A solid platter would be preferable |
| Handy speed switching | Very light-weight |
| Super easy setup | |
| Optional built-In phono & Bluetooth Models available. |
The Pro-Ject E1 might seem like a significant increase in price, but for those who can stretch a little further, it really is worth the upgrades it affords you compared with the LP60.
The E1 gets you into a turntable that keeps things simple and focuses more on getting the core playback function spot on at an affordable price.
The tonearm is far more capable than the LP60, but still requires no user setup. The tracking force and anti-skating is pre-set at the factory, making it perfect for beginners or those simply seeking a fuss-free setup.
The build quality feels a step up from the LP60 with more of a focus on core mechanics such as bearings and the tonearm that will track far better delivering improved stability and audio quality.
Focusing on the playback mechanics is admirable if you want the best sound quality from the vinyl format, but it comes at a cost at this price:
The cost here is that it feels a little basic in some areas. The plinth and platter are extremely light, making the whole deck very easy to move while operating. This minor inconvenience aside, the E1 does deliver an extremely capable sonic performance at a very attractive price.
If you’re on a budget and want to prioritise audio performance over bells and whistles, this could be the route for you.
The E1 comes as a base model without the phono stage, but also two other versions either with the phono stage alone or the addition of Bluetooth connectivity.
Fluance RT81+
Price: $299 (£299)
| Pros | Cons |
| Built-in phono stage | Purists may prefer tonearms on alternatives from Rega & Pro-Ject |
| Outstanding solid build quality on a budget | |
| Great sounding phono cartridge with easy upgrade path |
Pro-Ject prices, however, are less competitive in the US, which brings me on to my next pick – the Fluance RT81+
The Fluance range offer exceptional value for money thanks, in part, to their direct-to-consumer business model.
For just $300, you’re presented with many features often reserved for more expensive options, such as adjustable isolation feet, a large solid MDF plinth, and even a handy auto stop function to help preserve stylus life.
The platter is also much more substantial than some others at this price being made from dampened aluminium with an anti-resonant acrylic platter mat on top.
A tonearm with detachable headshell is pre-fitted with an Audio Technica VM95E cartridge – which can easily be upgraded to a higher-end stylus as part of the VM95 ecosystem. Or, if you prefer, you can change the cartridge entirely, which is a process made far easier thanks to the detachable headshell.
There is, however, a different ethos when it comes to Fluance turntable designs compared with brands like Pro-Ject or Rega:
With Fluance, you get a healthy balance of build quality, great sound, and aesthetics. With brands like Pro-Ject & Rega, the emphasis is much more on those core playback mechanics.
You can see this quite clearly in how the Fluance tonearms have a small amount of “play” at the bearing, which can present a resonance point that may colour the sound. It all comes down to picking priorities and balancing experience and aesthetics with a great sound to a price.
Fluance RT85
Price: $499 (£434)
| Pros | Cons |
| Feels higher-end than the price-tag suggests | Purists may prefer tonearms on alternatives from Rega & Pro-Ject |
| Superb anti-resonant acrylic platter | |
| Best sounding cartridge of the models on this list | |
| Low wow & flutter |
The next one on my list takes us to the top of the Fluance range (and our budget).
The Fluance RT85 (priced at $499) adds several improvements over the RT81+.
The motor is now an isolated servo-controlled motor with a speed-regulating optical sensor. It offers the lowest wow and flutter of all the models mentioned so far with a figure of just 0.07%.
The platter is also solid acrylic, adding superb mass and anti resonance characteristics. There’s no need for a platter mat here: just place the record directly on the acrylic surface.
Fluance’s flagship turntable is also available with either an Ortofon 2M Blue or a Nagaoka MP110 cartridge, which both hold up as by-far the best sounding cartridges of any pre-fitted option on this list.
The Ortofon 2M Blue is undoubtedly the more dynamic performer or the two options, with the MP110 pleasing those who prefer a warmer, more laid back sonic profile.
When all is said and done, for most people, the RT85 arguably offers the best overall value on this list.
Rega Planar 1
Price: $499 (£329)
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy setup | Molded phono cable output |
| Confident & precise timing – a highly engaging listen | |
| Great detail and dynamics at this price |
If we’re looking at the tonearm alone, this last one is arguably the most sophisticated model with what Rega call it’s “ultra-low friction bearing”. It’s silky smooth to maneuver, which is exactly how an ideal tonearm should behave.
The aim of a good tonearm should be, ultimately, to essentially get out of the way – allowing the stylus to track the grooves with as little inertia as possible. Translation: low friction bearings are exactly what the HiFi doctor ordered!
So from a pure tonearm perspective, the Rega Planar 1 wins this list.
However: at this price, the pre-fitted Rega Carbon cartridge (which is based on the Audio Technica AT3600L with a conical stylus by the way) does feel a little basic compared to the competition.
That said, the cartridge suits the tonearm rather well and delivers a solid enough performance. You could consider a cartridge upgrade to something like the Audio Technica VM95E to improve performance.
As mentioned earlier, brands like Rega & Pro-Ject will invariably prioritize core mechanics over anything else, so which one is right for you may depend on the ideology you subscribe to.
Both the balanced approach of Fluance and the purist angle of Rega have their individual merits.
Planar 1 turntables are notoriously well-made with many lasting decades before requiring any major attention.
The molded phono cables will put off some, but at the end of the day all turntables in this price bracket have a trade-off somewhere in the design.
Conclusion: Which Model is Right for You?
So what should you consider:
1: Firstly, budget. There really is no point getting yourself into financial debt in pursuit of a better turntable. Set a budget; you can always sell a turntable on to someone earlier in their journey than you in a few years time and make an upgrade at this point.
All of the models on this list will make a great starting point. Admittedly, the the LP60 will probably have the shortest life on your tabletop before you’ll feel the itch to upgrade, but whatever your budget – stick to it and enjoy the hobby.
2: How Serious Do You Think This Hobby Might Be for You?
If you’re only considering buying a few records for occasional play, this may influence your budget.
On the other hand, if you think this may be a long term interest for you, it’s probably worth saving up for one of the more expensive models on this list. Doing so may actually save you money in the long run by delaying the need to upgrade.
3: What Features are Important to You Personally?
The last thing you need to weigh up are what features are important to you?
Are you more of a purist that values simplicity and attention to detail when it comes the main mechanics of tracking and playing records? In this case, you may prefer Rega or Pro-Ject’s approach.
Or, are you more of a lifestyle driven person who wants a balance between sound and features such as built-in phono preamps, Bluetooth connectivity, or even automatic playback? If this sounds like you, then the Fluance options might be more up your street.
