Thereâs something special about putting a record on.Â
Opting for vinyl makes for a unique and retro music experience that brings generations together. Passing down your favorite records to your kids or inheriting your parentsâ beloved albums can help us feel closer to the ones we love. Plus, a record player (and some top-notch vinyl) make a great gift for the holidays.
When shopping for your first turntable or for the budding vinyl collector in your life, finding the best record player (thatâs also beginner-friendly) can be daunting. Skip the endless review scrolling or Reddit thread scouring â weâve done the work for you.Â
We tested record players from Sonos, Victrola, and Fluance to find entry-level turntables that are simple to set up and easy to use. Beyond ease of use, our top picks deliver on sound quality and an enjoyable overall listening experience.
What to Expect
- Setup is usually manual and may require a little googling. However, all testers were able to set up their turntables in about 10 minutes.
- Speakers may need to be purchased separately, or you may need special cable connectors.
- Our editors enjoyed connecting with their parents and other music lovers throughout testing so you may find a new commonality with another generation.
Whether youâre exploring a new passion for vinyl or nurturing it for someone special, weâve handpicked the top three beginner-friendly turntables to kickstart the journey.
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Features a built-in speaker for an all-in-one vinyl experience right out of the box
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Includes Bluetooth streaming and is also a cassette and CD player, making it the most versatile option we tested
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Mid-century modern aesthetic comes with two options for set-up: standalone or tabletop
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While the built-in speakers are great, for the highest quality listening experience, youâll want to add external speakersÂ
The Century Signature Record Player from Victrola wins best overall for its seamless setup, beginner-friendly features, and versatility. Beyond that, we really dig the retro look and design of this player.
The mid-century modern aesthetic feels trendy and yet still timeless. The version we tested includes two leg options for customizable setup: 18 inches for a freestanding option or 3 inches for a tabletop display.Â
This is the perfect one-stop shop for any vinyl newbie: This player has everything you need to get started, even built-in speakers. It was ready to go out of the box without any hassle or extra equipment needed.
What Sets Victrola Apart
What sets this record player apart from Fluance RT81+ and the Sonos Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB Turntable is its versatility â it not only plays records but also plays cassettes, CDs, and pairs with Bluetooth devices so you can stream music from your favorite platforms. Plus, it can stream vinyl to external speakers or headphones for added flexibility.
While the built-in speakers werenât as high quality as other Bluetooth options, they offer solid performance for a beginner setup. With its 4-in-1 functionality and convenient features, this record player is a great investment.
Editors Say
âBeing able to put on my dadâs original records from 50 years ago was probably my favorite part. Sharing that with him was so special and something Iâll always remember. Like, listening to a record my dad blared in his room when he was 14? So cool. Next up: Digging into my grandfatherâs vinyl collection.â â Kayla Kitts, shopping editor
Speakers: Built-In | Operational Mode: Semi-automatic | Bluetooth Capabilities: Yes
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Simple, intuitive set-up with helpful instructions
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Clear, higher quality sound thanks to diamond-tipped needle
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Super sleek, minimalist design that puts the record on display
The Fluance RT81+ is our next-best pick for a beginner-friendly record player. It was our previous Best Overall and has stood the test of time, delivering high-quality performance over the years. Thanks to the provided step-by-step guide and tiny level (to make sure your turntable is level), the set-up was quick and smooth.
We enjoyed how simple this turntable is to use, thanks to the semi-automatic operation. After selecting the playback speed, a lever automatically lifts and lowers the tonearm, so all you need to do is position it. (No need to worry about dropping the needle incorrectly and damaging the vinyl.) The diamond-stipped stylus made for clearer and more detailed audio, though we found its sensitivity also highlighted some damage on our older records.Â
No speakers were included with this record player, so we recommend the corresponding Fluance speakers unless you already own a wired pair. It doesnât have any Bluetooth capabilities, so youâll need traditional speakers to enjoy this turntable.
Editors Say
âThere is something mood-boosting about blasting a record. My Apple AirPods cannot transport me to another place the way a record can. Shania Twainâs Come on Over was my go-to record during testing. I got the 25th-anniversary version, and itâs red, so it just looks and sounds amazing on this turntable.â â Erin Johnson, associate shopping director
Speakers: Not Included | Operational Mode: Semi-Automatic | Bluetooth Capabilities: None
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Speakers are sold separately and will require an adapter
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No Bluetooth capability, though a Bluetooth version of this turntable exists
Have a little more to spend? The Sono Pro-Ject T1 is our pick for an entry-level mid-range turntable. The setup was quick and straightforward: Unlike the Fluance RT81+, the tonearm and counterweight are pre-set in the factory, so itâs ready to use straight out of the box.Â
This turntable elevated our listening experience: It felt like hearing our favorite albums for the first time, and they sounded so much richer than before. Its minimalist design is chic and space-saving, perfect for small apartments.
Keep in mind, youâll need additional speakers and an appropriate adaptor to enjoy this record player. (We learned the hard way that Sonos has its own adaptor for its speakers.) This is our priciest player we recommend, but if it fits your budget â especially if youâre using other Sonos products â itâs a great choice.
Editors Say
âEvery album I put on sounded super-rich. For this test, I listened to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (one of my favorite albums!). I also listened to Taylor Swiftâs Red, Sweet Baby James, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. No matter the genre, this record player sounded great!â â Genevieve Cepeda, shopping writer
Speakers: None | Operational Mode: Manual | Bluetooth Capabilities: None
Add to Cart
While youâre adding a new record player to your cart, throw these albums in to get your listening started. These were our editorsâ go-to records during testing.
Our Editorsâ Go-To Records
What to Know About Record Players
Manual, Automatic, or Semi-Automatic
Manual record players offer the most control and tactile experience of listening to vinyl. For many, that is part of the appeal. However, if youâre new to vinyl and wary of scratching your records, a fully automatic player might appeal to you.
Automatic record players are the easiest to use but are also usually more expensive than other options. A semi-automatic record player like the Fluance RT81+ is a nice alternative that allows for hands-on operation but takes some of the guesswork and anxiety out of the vinyl listening experience.
Included Speakers
Deciding if you want a record player with speakers or without will depend on your priorities. Some say for the highest-quality listening experience, youâll want to invest in good external speakers.Â
For starters and to keep costs down, we recommend a player like the Victrola Century Signature Record Player, that has built-in speakers so you can get listening right away.
Built-In Pre-Amp or External
A built-in pre-amp is definitely the simplest way to go. The Sonos Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB Turntable comes with a built-in pre-amp, which allows you to plug your turntable directly into external speakers.Â
However, you can find better quality in external pre-amps for a more hi-fi sound. An external pre-amp takes up more space and youâll need to find one compatible with your record player.
Behind the ScenesÂ
To find the best record players for beginners, we researched turntables from reputable brands and gathered insights from predominantly vinyl novices. (Two of our three testers had never used a record player before.) Each turntable was evaluated, from unboxing to listening, across several key areas to determine our top picks.
- Set-up: Our testers assessed how quickly and easily each turntable was assembled. We reviewed the clarity of instructions and whether any additional tools or equipment were required. They all took around 10 minutes to set up, with the Fluance turntable taking the longest due to tonearm balancing.
- Ease of use: For each player, we evaluated how easy and intuitive it was to use. This covered everything from adjusting playback speeds to starting and stopping the record.
- Sound Quality: We compared the audio fidelity and listening experience of our favorite music on each record player to other digital formats, like streaming platforms. We highlighted standout qualities, such as the richness and depth of the sound.
- Features: We reviewed additional elements that added to the experience of using each record player like Bluetooth capabilities, autostop, and a built-in preamp. We also considered how these features influenced ease of use and overall functionality.
Considering all these factors, the Victrola Century Signature Record Player excelled in every category, earning it our top choice for the best overall record player for beginners.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
L.A. Hubilla is a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE specializing in lifestyle, home, and beauty content. She regularly tests products for multiple digital outlets including InStyle, Byrdie, and Travel + Leisure.
For this article, she evaluated insights from the PEOPLE Tested team and editor picks. She researched the technical aspects consumers should consider when shopping for a record player or turntable and drew from her own experience of owning and using a record player for 6 years.
Meet Our Testers
- Kayla Kitts is a shopping editor for PEOPLE with more than a decade of experience writing and editing home and lifestyle content, including four years as a product tester. She tested the Victrola record player and enjoyed filling her living room with the sounds of her dadâs old vinyl collection.
- Erin Johnson is the associate shopping director at PEOPLE with over 9 years of experience in media. She grew up listening to records with her parents and has previously tested Crosley and Electrohome record players. She has been using her Fluance record player for about a year and loves it.
- Genevieve Cepeda is a staff shopping writer for PEOPLE with a passion for finding the best deals. She tested the Sonos record player and spent time at her local record shop talking to experts there about how to get the best sound out of her turntable.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?Â
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we donât stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which weâve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval â because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust â every day, every purchase.
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