Table of Contents
Old record players are back in style for good reason – they offer an unmatched and rich musical experience that digital formats just can’t reproduce. The “vintage” sound and tactile enjoyment they provide make the music listening experience truly special. However, the market is filled with an array of options and it can be overwhelming to decide which one is the best for your needs.
The best old record players contain a balance of technology, build quality, and affordability. They should offer a clear, rich sound, be equipped with the latest technology such as USB recording, Bluetooth connectivity, and be built to last. Using a sub-par record player might result in poor sound quality, skipping records, or even damage your beloved vinyl collection.
When selecting an old record player, the key features to look out for include its turntable speed, its compatibility with different record sizes, its audio outputs, and whether it has a built-in speaker. Further, considering the quality of its needle, the cartridge, and the type of drive of the player can influence the sound and performance greatly.
In this article, we have undertaken the task of testing and reviewing several old record players to help you make a genuinely well-informed decision. We’ve spent significant time researching and testing various products to ensure you are availing the best of the best. By the end of this piece, you will be in a much stronger position to choose the old record player that aligns with your needs, preferences, and budget.
Best Old Record Players
Selecting the right old record player is vital to your record-listening experience. It should offer excellent sound quality, robust build, modern features, and be budget-friendly. With a sea of options available, it can be a bit daunting to narrow in on the perfect one for you. In this article, we have consolidated a list of the best old record players, each rigorously tested, to help make your decision process a lot less overwhelming.
Vinyl Record Player Wireless Turntable with Built-in Speakers and USB Belt-Driven Vintage Phonograph Record Player 3 Speed for Entertainment and Home Decoration
If you’re looking for a vintage-inspired record player that’s both stylish and functional, the Vinyl Record Player Wireless Turntable with Built-in Speakers and USB Belt-Driven Vintage Phonograph Record Player 3 Speed for Entertainment and Home Decoration is a great option.
Pros
- The built-in stereo speakers produce high-fidelity sound, making it easy to enjoy your favorite records without the need for external speakers.
- The turntable is belt-driven, which helps to reduce vibration and ensure smooth, quiet operation.
- The retro design of the record player is both stylish and functional, making it a great addition to any room in your home.
Cons
- The tonearm is manual, which may be a downside for some users who prefer an automatic turntable.
- The record player only supports records up to 10 inches in size, which may be a limitation for some users.
- The Bluetooth connectivity may be prone to interference or dropouts in some cases.
Overall, we found the Vinyl Record Player Wireless Turntable with Built-in Speakers and USB Belt-Driven Vintage Phonograph Record Player 3 Speed for Entertainment and Home Decoration to be a great choice for anyone who wants a stylish, functional record player that’s easy to use. The built-in speakers produce high-quality sound, and the retro design is both attractive and functional. While the manual tonearm and limited record size support may be downsides for some users, the Bluetooth connectivity and easy-to-use controls make this record player a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy their favorite records in style.
Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center with Built-in Speakers – 3-Speed Turntable, CD & Cassette Player, FM Radio | Wireless Music Streaming | Mahogany
If you’re looking for a record player that can play your old cassette tapes and CDs, the Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player is a great option.
Pros
- The built-in Bluetooth and FM radio make it easy to listen to your favorite music without having to use cables or discs.
- The 3-speed turntable can play 33, 45, and 78 RPM records, making it compatible with a wide range of vinyl.
- The vintage design with a built-in storage compartment for your records and a headphone jack adds a nice touch to any room.
Cons
- The sound quality is not as good as some other record players on the market.
- The built-in speakers are not very powerful, so you may need to use external speakers for a better listening experience.
- The tonearm cover may come off when placing the record on the turntable, which can be a bit frustrating.
We’ve been using the Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player for a few weeks now, and we’re generally happy with it. The built-in Bluetooth is a nice feature, as it allows us to stream music from our phone or tablet without having to use cables. The FM radio is also a great option when we want to listen to the news or some music without having to use our phone.
One of the things we really like about this record player is its vintage design. The mahogany finish looks great in our living room, and the built-in storage compartment for our records is a nice touch. The headphone jack is also a great feature when we want to listen to our music privately.
However, we have to admit that the sound quality of this record player is not as good as some other models we’ve tried. The built-in speakers are not very powerful, so we had to use external speakers to get a better listening experience. Additionally, the tonearm cover may come off when placing the record on the turntable, which can be a bit frustrating.
Overall, we think the Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player is a good option for anyone who wants to listen to their old cassette tapes and CDs, as well as their vinyl records. Its vintage design and built-in Bluetooth and FM radio make it a great addition to any room. However, if you’re looking for a record player with great sound quality, you may want to consider other models.
Bluetooth Turntable Vinyl Record Player with Speakers, 3 Speed Belt Driven Vintage Player for Entertainment AUX in RCA Out
If you’re looking for a vintage-inspired Bluetooth turntable with built-in speakers, the Wockler 354 is a solid choice. We’ve been using it for a few weeks and here are our thoughts.
Pros
- The vintage design is both stylish and functional.
- The built-in speakers produce clear and balanced sound.
- The Bluetooth connectivity is stable and easy to use.
Cons
- The tonearm is a bit wobbly, which can affect tracking.
- The bass response is not as strong as some other turntables in this price range.
- The RCA output is not very loud, even with the volume turned up.
The Wockler 354 is a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy their vinyl collection in a stylish and modern way. The vintage design is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, as it helps to isolate the turntable from vibrations.
One of the standout features of this turntable is the built-in speakers. They produce clear and balanced sound, with a surprising amount of depth and detail. The Bluetooth connectivity is also impressive, with a stable and easy-to-use connection.
However, there are a few drawbacks to this turntable. The tonearm is a bit wobbly, which can affect tracking and reduce the overall sound quality. Additionally, the bass response is not as strong as some other turntables in this price range, which may be disappointing for some listeners. Finally, the RCA output is not very loud, even with the volume turned up, which may be an issue for those who want to use external speakers.
Overall, the Wockler 354 is a solid choice for anyone who wants a vintage-inspired Bluetooth turntable with built-in speakers. It may not be perfect, but it offers a great balance of style, sound quality, and convenience.
Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player with Built-in Speakers | Upgraded Turntable Audio Sound| Includes Extra Stylus | Turquoise, Model Number: VSC-550BT-TQ
If you’re looking for a vintage-style record player that can connect to your phone or other devices, the Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player with Built-in Speakers is a great option.
Pros
- The three-speed turntable can play 33, 45, and 78 RPM records, and the built-in speakers provide great sound quality.
- The suitcase-style design makes it easy to move and store, and the retro aesthetic is a nice touch.
- Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stream music from your phone, tablet, or other devices.
Cons
- The tonearm could be more stable, which can cause the stylus to skip or jump.
- The built-in speakers are not very powerful, so you may need to use external speakers for louder listening.
- The RCA output may not work properly, which can limit your options for connecting to external speakers.
We’ve used the Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player for a few weeks now, and we’re generally happy with its performance. The three-speed turntable is a nice feature, as it allows us to play a wide range of records. The built-in speakers provide good sound quality, although they may not be suitable for very loud listening.
One of the things we really like about this record player is its suitcase-style design. It’s easy to move and store, which is great if you don’t have a lot of space. The retro aesthetic is also a nice touch, and it adds to the overall charm of the device.
Another great feature of this record player is its Bluetooth connectivity. We’ve used it to stream music from our phone, and it works well. The only downside is that the built-in speakers are not very powerful, so you may need to use external speakers for louder listening.
Overall, we think the Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player is a great option for anyone who wants a vintage-style record player that can connect to their phone or other devices. It has some minor flaws, but they are outweighed by its pros.
Vinyl Record Player 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Portable Belt-Driven Record Player with Built-in Speakers RCA Line Out AUX in Headphone Jack Vintage Turntable
If you’re looking for a portable turntable that’s easy to carry around and has built-in speakers, the Vinyl Record Player 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Portable Belt-Driven Record Player with Built-in Speakers RCA Line Out AUX in Headphone Jack Vintage Turntable is a great option.
Pros
- The built-in stereo speakers deliver impressive sound quality.
- The turntable is easy to set up and use.
- The suitcase design makes it easy to carry around.
Cons
- The turntable is not suitable for heavy records.
- The tonearm is not adjustable.
- The volume control is not very sensitive.
This turntable is perfect for those who want to listen to their vinyl records on the go. The built-in speakers deliver clear and crisp sound, making it a great option for small parties or gatherings. The suitcase design is also a plus, as it makes it easy to carry around and store when not in use.
The setup process is straightforward, and the turntable comes with all the necessary components, including a 45 RPM adapter and a dust cover. The Bluetooth connectivity is also a great feature, allowing you to stream music from your phone or other devices.
However, the turntable is not suitable for heavy records, and the tonearm is not adjustable. Additionally, the volume control is not very sensitive, which may be an issue for some users.
Overall, if you’re looking for a portable turntable with built-in speakers, the Vinyl Record Player 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Portable Belt-Driven Record Player with Built-in Speakers RCA Line Out AUX in Headphone Jack Vintage Turntable is a great option to consider.
Buying Guide
When it comes to buying the best old record player, there are a few factors to consider. We have used and tested several models, and here are the key features to look for:
Turntable Type
The first thing to consider is the type of turntable. There are three main types: direct drive, belt drive, and integral drive. Direct drive turntables are the most common and are known for their precision and stability. Belt drive turntables are quieter and smoother, but require more maintenance. Integral drive turntables are the least common and are typically found in portable players.
Cartridge
The cartridge is the part of the record player that converts the vinyl record’s grooves into electrical signals. It’s important to choose a cartridge that is compatible with the turntable and provides accurate sound reproduction. We recommend looking for a cartridge with a high-quality stylus and a low mass.
Platter
The platter is the part of the turntable that holds the record. It should be made of a heavy, dense material to reduce vibration and improve sound quality. We recommend looking for a platter made of aluminum or steel.
Tonearm
The tonearm is the part of the record player that holds the cartridge and follows the grooves of the record. It should be made of a rigid material to reduce vibration and provide accurate tracking. We recommend looking for a tonearm with adjustable height and angle.
Amplification
Finally, it’s important to consider the amplification. The record player should be connected to a high-quality amplifier and speakers to provide accurate sound reproduction. We recommend looking for an amplifier with a phono input and a high-frequency response.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best old record player for your needs.
