Vinyl’s biggest selling point isn’t the sound. It’s the physical experience: shiny, delicate records; liner notes writ large; covers you want to frame and hang on your wall; and the way the stylus spins across the jagged surface, reproducing your favorite artists’ music as if by magic.
Maybe you’ve always been interested in building a record player setup for listening to LPs and 45s, but you don’t know where to start. Maybe you’re like WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu, who owned a record but no turntable to play it on. Maybe you’re just looking for an upgrade. No problem: There are many great record players out there, and most will easily connect to whatever audio system you already own. I’ve tested dozens, and these are the best turntables right now—from utilitarian, budget-friendly classics to more luxe options for those seeking audiophile-grade sound.
Check out our other audio guides, including the Best Speakers, Best Computer Speakers, and Best Soundbars.
Updated November 2024: We’ve added the Technics SL-1300G and Fluance RT81+.
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