The 6 Best Turntables/Record Players Under $200

Are you looking for the best turntables under $200? The market for turntables has grown once again as more and more people go back to vinyl for their listening pleasure. In this article, we’re looking at the best options which fit within a 200 dollar budget.

As there’s such a competitive market, there are a lot of companies trying to outdo one another and give better value. This means that $200 is a decent budget for a record player. You don’t have to part with a huge amount of cash for a good set of features and audio quality.

Here are the best turntables/record players under $200:

1. Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT
2. 1byone 471NA-0010
3. Numark PT01 USB
4. Victrola Navigator VTA-600B
5. Fluance RT80
6. TEAC TN-300

1. Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is a very simple but reliable turntable. It’s the sort of model you might see used by a DJ on either side of a mixer. However, it doesn’t have to be used like this and the turntable can just as easily be used to spin vinyl at home.

It’s well-built, but doesn’t have all of the consumer audio features some of the other turntables on this list can boast.

Image credit: Audio-Technica Check Price on Amazon

Bluetooth connectivity to easily connect to speakers for listening wirelessly. Not all turntables with Bluetooth output are reliable. Fairly impressive audio fidelity. Sturdy build quality and good components including an Integral Dual Moving Magnet cartridge and diamond stylus. Functions at 2 speeds. Sleek design. Available in multiple different designs if you’d rather go for a different option to suit your decor. No Bluetooth input, just output. Needs to be hooked up to speakers in order to function as none are inbuilt.

If you are looking for an option with a lot of consumer features such as Bluetooth inputs then this might not be for you, but for reliability and sound quality it is hard to argue with the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT.

2. 1byone 471NA-0010

The 1byone wireless turntable is the only option we’ve listed as one of the best $200 turntables which comes with speakers included, but not inbuilt.

Often, the speakers are either a part of the actual turntable itself, or they need to be bought separately and connected either wirelessly or the ‘old fashioned’ way.

Though 1byone isn’t as big a brand as some of the others included on this list, this hi-fi record player system is versatile and there is a lot to like about it. It can replace a lot of other audio devices in your home.

Image credit: 1byone Check Price on Amazon

Made from solid iron which is designed to be stable and avoid any unwanted vibration or flutter. An adjustable counterweight lets you ensure smooth movement of the stylus and no skipping along the track. Bluetooth input means you can connect devices such as iPod and phones. Turn you vinyl into digital files with the USB output. Create MP3 files of your records with ease. Assembly is a little bit tricky and the instructions could be better. Connection isn’t the most reliable to Bluetooth devices. Speakers are decent, but not ultra hi-fi.

If you’re happy with good quality from the speakers and don’t mind putting some time in to ensure you’ve set up your turntable correctly then the 1byone wireless turntable hi-fi system is an option. You don’t need to worry about finding speakers separately to install with your turntable.

3. Numark PT01 USB

Well, we promised to provide turntables for a variety of different needs. A lot of people out there are looking for turntables that can turn records into digital files. This can be useful for archiving old recordings, turning your music collection into a digital collection or even for music production needs.

‘Sampling’ is the art of taking small chunks of music from old tracks and repurposing them. This turntable is made by audio tech giants Numark, so we’d say it’s made with producers in mind.

While the Numark PT01 USB has some very cool features, it’s not really built to be the center of a home audio setup. Instead, it is made for ripping vinyl and turning it into files you can use. Keep this in mind when deciding if this could be the top-rated turntable for your needs.

Image credit: Numark Check Price on Amazon

Has a small inbuilt speaker and the option to output to speakers or headphones. Totally portable. Comes with a USB connection and cable that can allow you to connect to your computer. Converts three speeds – 45s, 78s and 12-inch LP records. Can be powered by 6 D batteries if needed. Not the most reliable and stable turntable for listening back to records. Inbuilt speaker is pretty tinny and poor quality.

This is not really built for listening to music at home. If you are looking for something you can listen to when out and about or you want to be able to rip vinyl to your laptop ready for beat-making or just archiving, it’s hard to fault the Numark PT01 USB.

4. Victrola Navigator VTA-600B

Not to be outdone by a 6-in-1 model, Victrola has created an 8-in-1 record player featuring radio, CD and a host of other listening options. It has inbuilt speakers and like a lot of other Victrola models it’s aimed at the consumer electronics market rather than audiophiles.

This product is something of a full-blown entertainment unit. While it doesn’t have the quality of components of the Sony or Audio-Technica options above, it does offer some very fun extra features.

Image credit: Victrola Check Price on Amazon

Works at three different speeds. Includes Bluetooth connectivity, a USB player to play from a memory stick, even a cassette player. AUX in for connecting other devices through a cable. Has built-in speakers, but also a headphone output and RCA output to connect other speakers. Choose from multiple wood finishes. Comes with a remote control, you don’t even have to get up to change settings on this turntable. The speakers aren’t the best. This is to be expected with what is a relatively affordable model of turntable. Buttons and controls feel a little bit cheap and flimsy. Again, this is not unexpected at this price point.

This is one of the most popular $200 turntables among people who want loads of features and the ability to play music from pretty much any format imaginable. There’s even a cassette player.

The audio fidelity could be higher, and the frequency response of the inbuilt speakers is lacking a little, but for most home audio enthusiasts it is a decent enough sound. If you do want to upgrade, the RCA output allows you to do so. Just make sure you know what are the best speakers for your record player.

5. Fluance RT80

Lots of the turntables on this list try to outdo each other with fancy features and connectivity. The Fluance RT80 keeps it simple. What this turntable offers is an excellent build quality and brilliant components which means a great level of audio fidelity. For the audiophile on a budget, we recommend this as the top choice under $200.

Image credit: Fluance Check Price on Amazon

High-quality AT91 stylus by Audio-Technica. This gives just 2 grams of tracking force and has a conical stylus to use it with which gives virtually no noise or distortion. Made with premium components for a quality sound. No cheap parts to degrade the audio. Includes quality Texas Instruments preamp which provides clarity to the speakers. Gold plated outputs also increase signal quality and help with high-fidelity audio. Excellent quality plinth stays sturdy and avoids unwanted vibrations during playback. Counter-weighted for adjustable levels, too. No Bluetooth capabilities as either inputs or outputs. No USB capabilities. You can’t rip audio from vinyl and turn it into an MP3, for instance.

If you’re not too worried about connectivity, and you don’t want your turntable to also be a vessel for your phone or to connect to wireless speakers, this could be your best option for getting clear sound on a budget. You’ll struggle to find a better made record player under $200 than the RT80 from Fluance.

6. TEAC TN-300

This is another relatively simple design of turntable. One thing we really like about it is the excellent inbuilt preamp which can give a clearer sound when you plug in speakers. You don’t need to buy a separate preamp and you might even choose to use passive speakers with the turntable and not have to worry about the amplification.

A lot of people swear by the TEAC audio tech. They have excellent build quality.

Image credit: TEAC Check Price on Amazon

Belt-drive operation which works at two speeds. USB out to easily rip your vinyl records to your computer. Built-in EQ. Audio-Technica AT95E cartridge, known for being an excellent cartridge on a budget. Gold plated connectors are resistant to rusting. Preamp is decent, but not amazing quality. Only a 90-day warranty when a lot of the products have one or two years. No Bluetooth capabilities.

If you want a turntable that you can simply and easily plug in some passive speakers, it is worth considering the TEAC TN-300 analog turntable. It’s well made, with a solid plinth and decent features.

Conclusion

Buying a record player isn’t easy. You need to decide whether you want a modern option or the best vintage turntable under $200. You should consider whether you want features like Bluetooth, whether you need to be portable and even whether you need inbuilt speakers.

We’ve got the best record players under $200 in a variety of categories and designs listed in this article to help you to make the right decision, but you need to consider your own unique needs before making any purchase.

While we recommend all of the turntables on this list in certain scenarios, audiophiles and purists who just want the very best sound quality will find the Fluance RT80 record player very agreeable. The high build quality is a huge plus point. If you need decent fidelity but also USB ripping and Bluetooth, consider a model like the Sony PS-LX310BT turntable.