For many music enthusiasts, nothing can ever compare to the sound quality, or nostalgia, of a vinyl record. The problem, however, is that most record players are too large and cumbersome, as well as expensive, for anyone but professionals to own and utilize. But that doesn’t have to be the case. All you have to do is pick the best portable record player, and you too can listen to all your records without taking up a ton of space or spending a ton of money.
We’ve spent many hours and reviewed hundreds of customer reviews and available information on portable record players to bring you the best products. Check out our review of the best portable record players (turntables), where you’ll find everything you need to know to choose the perfect player for your preferences. By the way, if you prefer more modern tools, you can use a portable MP3 player.
This item has the best price and quality:
The list of the other excellent portable record players (turntables) with a comparison of the main characteristics:
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Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Portable Suitcase Record Player
The marriage between modernity and vintage devices is still one of the most fascinating phenomena you can lay your eyes on. With the Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable with Speakers, you get to see it in full flow.
This excellent turntable takes on the innovation of modern-day technology to present you with a sound system. It can play music from your Bluetooth-enabled device while also letting you play records from all your favorite artists.
Capable of running at three speeds (33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM), you can now listen to all your favorite albums just how you want with complete control and contentment. That’s not all. The Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable doesn’t need any cords for you to enjoy your music.
Thus, you can move around with complete freedom while listening to your favorite song blaring over the speakers. If you insist on a cord, then this device makes provision for that too with the addition of a 3.5mm Aux-in. This lets you play from your phone or other devices without the need for Bluetooth.
Moreover, you also have access to a volume knob that enables you to control how much output the device emits, and with a robust design, it is a beautiful design to look at. On top of this, it comes in a nice portable box that you can carry around with you on your trips or to your friend’s place.
Additionally, the box is sturdy enough to take a few bumps meaning that you have a loyal device that will last you for quite some time with very little problems coming from it. So, if you are on the lookout for an impressive mix of the old and new, then you should consider getting the Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable. You may also like some of these classy cellos from our list, so check them out.
Crosley CR8017A-WB
There is something about washed blue that screams ‘vintage’ and makes it the go-to color for anyone looking to capture the essence of the time.
Washed blue cars, clothes, and houses are all examples of things you would look at that could evoke nostalgia for the ‘good old times.’
The Crosley CR8017A-WB Voyager Vintage Portable Turntable seeks to bring back that feeling with its lovely record player. The washed blue color of the player lends itself well to the classic aesthetic of items of that age.
In addition to this, when closed, the player looks like an old radio, which further adds to the feeling of nostalgia. How about under the hood? Well, the Crosley CR8017A-WB Voyager Vintage Portable Turntable sure packs some features that make it incredibly attractive to any buyer.
For starters, it runs at three different speeds, which imbues the buyer with the power of choice. The player does an admirable job of playing all your old records with all the history and stories that come with it. Beyond that, the Crosley CR8017A-WB Voyager Vintage Portable Turntable also features a Bluetooth attribute.
It allows you to wirelessly listen to your music from your Bluetooth-enabled device with no hassles. You can stream music from Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, or any other streaming service you use with the help of this device, and the quality is impeccable.
On top of that, you can also conveniently plug the Voyager turntable into your stereo system with the aid of the RCA outputs that go with the device. So, dare to be different, unabashedly show your love for the classic tunes, and be the pioneer amongst your friends with this fantastic device.
Victrola 50’s Retro
50s America was a land dominated by economic growth, expansion, and cultural revolution. On the backdrop of the devastating World war, America really grew in this period.
Thus, it is quite understandable that items from this era are treated with reverence. The Victrola 50’s Retro 3-Speed Bluetooth Turntable was not created in the 50s. But with its brightly colored red exterior and vintage radio design, you could be forgiven for thinking it was.
As mentioned earlier, it was not made in the 50s, but it has absolutely no problems playing records from that era.
It adds to its vintage look with the addition of an AM/FM radio complete with a backlit tuner that lays into the 50s theme splendidly. In addition to this, it also has several modern features that prevent the device from feeling out-of-touch.
A Bluetooth function ensures that even with a vintage-looking device, you don’t need to be out of touch with all the modern classics available on streaming services everywhere. What’s more, the Bluetooth range is so impressive that it can play music from a distance of about 33 feet. It means that you can move about the house with your Bluetooth device without worrying about interrupting the music.
Furthermore, it also comes with an in-built CD player that is capable of playing your music CDs. This affords you the option of listening to music in just about every way you can conceive. With all the many features that this incredible device provides us with, this product should be on the shopping list of every music fan.
Crosley CR8009A-SEA
We’ve already spoken about one Crosley product on this list and what the Crosley CR8009A-SEA Discovery Vintage Bluetooth 3-Speed Belt-Driven Suitcase Turntable shows us is a company that has a knack for creating vintage items.
This amazing portable player is compact and easy to carry about, meaning your music can follow you wherever you go. It also has several features, including a three-speed play that lets you control how you listen to your music.
Being a lover of all things vintage shouldn’t mean you can’t keep up with the times.
The Crosley Suitcase Turntable helps out in this regard with a competent Bluetooth feature. With this feature, you can listen to music from your Bluetooth enabled device and all streaming services.
If you are to be the provider of music at your house party, the RCA outputs enable you to connect the device to your existing stereo system to amplify the sound. With this feature, you can share your love for vintage music with your friends and family. If you would rather listen privately, a headphone jack is available to allow you to do so.
Portable Record Player dl Turntable for Vinyl Records
D&L Sound is a Chinese company that specializes in manufacturing gramophones.
Based in Shenzen, this company abides by the international standard in every aspect of their operation, including design, research and development, product manufacturing, inspection, and packing process.
It has been approved by BSCI (European Business Social Compliance Initiative.
This turntable comes with a portable suitcase design made of wood with PU leather wrapping. It is also equipped with a handle for easy handling.
The wood material is of premium quality, crafted from solid audio-grade or MDF wood. It reduces vibrations and ensures the stylus to provide the optimal music signal. The vibration is also dampened by the presence of sound isolation feet, the aluminum platter, and the rubber slip mat.
This portable record player is compatible with all PCs so you can transform the audio from the records into MP3 format. It also has a built-in switchable phono preamp with RCA output cables to connect the turntable to other audio systems and speakers. It is user friendly as the operation is fully automatic. It can also be adjusted to play records in three speeds, 33-1/3, 45, and 78 RPM.
As this turntable uses the belt drive design, the platter is isolated from the motor vibrations. Thus, there is increased clarity and high-quality reproductions of the audio. The built-in stereo speakers also allow you to play your music loudly and clearly.
Paired with the active 2-way stereo system, listening to records will feel convenient in any environment. Some customers have reported the need to connect this turntable to an auxiliary speaker so the sound can fill the room.
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Crosley CR6249A-TA
Wonderful music should be kept forever. This is what Crosley believes and it is the foundation of them making the Keepsake Portable USB Record Player.
This three-speed turntable will bring you back to all those old memories with its unique vintage-inspired suitcase, complete with full-range speakers and USB port. This is truly an audio device for the next generation of audio lovers.
The Keepsake comes in two colors, black and tan. As usual with Crosley, the design is superb. It features a vintage leather enveloping a sturdy built suitcase.
The measurement of this product is 17.3 inches long by 13 inches wide by 8 inches tall. This dimension may provide strength and endurance for this portable record player but some may consider it way too bulky. Moreover, this item weighs 16 pounds, nearly triple the standard average weight of other portable record players.
This record player can play records sized 7, 10, and 12 inches in 33-1/3, 45, and 78 RPM. It can convert vinyl to MP3 format thanks to the presence of a USB port. You can also connect it to other devices and sound system via the RCA output and headphone jack. The 3.5 mm aux input enables you to play music from another source.
A dedicated amp and dynamic full-range stereo speakers are featured in this portable record player. But, many reviews stated that the sound reproduction lacks clarity and detail, and the sound seems to be limited to only the mid-range. On a positive note, it does not sound tinny and the integrated speakers are actually loud enough to be heard across the room without you having to hook it up to an outside speaker.
Numark PT01USB
Another three-speed record player, the PT01 has the added advantage of running off a battery. It needs six D batteries, which don’t come included with the turntable. You also get an AC power adaptor, so you can conserve the batteries until you take it out with you.
Beyond that, it’s a simple package. The turntable is a small block with a platter and stylus. It does come with a lid, which you unclip whenever you want to play your records.
It also has a speaker built into the top of the record player. You can’t expect too much quality due to its size, but portability is the main selling point here.
I also like the USB port, which allows you to connect other devices to the record player. You can also use this to convert your vinyl records into a digital format.
Unfortunately, it has a sapphire-tipped stylus, rather than a diamond one. As a result, the needle wears out faster, which means more money spent on replacements.
Jensen JTA-230
A more modern-looking record player, the JTA-230 offers three speeds and has its speakers built into the sides. This may seem like a small thing, but it means there are fewer limitations on the speakers. As a result, they put out a higher quality sound.
I like how it has both an aux and an RCA port. The former allows you to connect other devices to the turntable, though you’ll need an aux cable. The RCA port lets you plug your own speakers into the turntable.
It also has a USB port, so you can convert your records into a digital format. The record player comes with the software you need for this too.
There is a strange issue with the built-in speakers though. Plugging headphones or external speakers into the turntable doesn’t deactivate the inbuilt speakers. As a result, you get a doubled sound.
The needle is also a touch on the sensitive side. While this usually won’t be an issue, it does mean that the player skips when playing records with fairly small scratches.
Record Player Musitrend 3-Speed
The light blue suitcase design also means it folds up when not in use. A handle allows easy carrying, plus folding it protects the base, platter, and stylus from dust.
You have a choice of playing records at 78rpm, 45rpm, and 33rpm, so you can use it for albums and singles. The turntable also has two small speakers built into the front.
They’re a little tinny though, so the vinyl purist may want to use their own speakers.
It also has an aux port and RCA output, so playing music from another device shouldn’t be a problem. It also has a port that you can use to connect it to your PC. With the included software, you can use this feature to turn your records into digital files for use on more modern devices.
The instructions keep things simple, as you can essentially plug and play with this record player. It also comes with a 12-month warranty, which protects you in case something goes wrong. You also need to plug it in to play it.
JORLAI Vinyl Record Player
This follows the suitcase design of some of the other record players on my list. Wrapped in PU leather, it has a wooden base that folds in on itself.
This protects the player’s internal components from dust, while also making it easy to carry around.
It plays at all three speeds and comes with a 45rpm adapter. You also get aux and RCA ports, so you can plug external speakers in or play music from other devices.
The PC port also allows you to convert records into a digital format, with a choice of WAV and MP3 files.
The great thing about this turntable is that it comes with a rechargeable lithium battery. When fully charged, the battery powers the turntable for about two hours. This is fine for occasional play, but it does mean you can’t play records all day using the battery alone. On the plus side, the battery kicks in the event of a power cut.
It has two speakers built into the front. The sound quality is a little tinny though. You also receive a 12-month warranty on your purchase.
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Crosley Cruiser Portable 3-Speed Turntable
The biggest advantage that the Cruiser Deluxe has over the competition is the inclusion of Bluetooth. This allows you to stream music directly from a mobile device without the need for any wires.
Having said that, you’re not out of options if your device doesn’t have Bluetooth. The record player also has aux and RCA ports, so you can connect with wires if you need to. You will need to buy the cables separately though.
I also like how it comes in several colors, including blue, black, and red. There are even variants with Disney designs, which means the turntable makes a great present for kids.
The turntable plays all three speeds, plus there’s a pitch control knob for more minor adjustments. It also has a pair of small speakers built into the front. They’re a touch on the weak side though, so you may want to get external speakers if you plan on holding parties.
I will note that the lid is a little cumbersome. You have to prop it back over 90 degrees, else it will rub against the record and cause some delay.
FAQ for portable record players (turntables) buyers:
Do portable turntables ruin records?
Turntables work by amplifying the vibrations made by the stylus (needle) as it rides the groove on the vinyl record. When speakers are built into the record player you get terrible sound quality, skipping, and damage to your records as the stylus bounces up and down in the groove.
What should I look for when buying a record player?
The quality of the sound of a record player is determined by the choice of the needle (the stylus), the power (wattage) of the speakers, and the audio components used. Record players with greater power often also have a larger body. This is reflected in the Auna Record players and the Soundmaster record players.
Do record players sound better?
Vinyl sounds better than MP3s ever could. Most of the music is broadcast in some lossy format, where details are missed, and the overall quality is reduced. There’s another, far superior reason why vinyl is better than lossy digital formats.
Do modern vinyl records sound better?
Some artists still have vinyl albums pressed from analog masters, but ultimately the quality of the mastering equipment and the skill of the audio engineer outweighs the differences between digital and analog. Vinyl produced today can sound just as good, or even better, than albums produced in the 1960s or ’70s.
Is it bad to leave records on the turntable?
Any extended time outside the sleeve — be it left on the platter, or worse still, on a side table — will subject the record to dust and significantly increase the risk of damaging the surface. Come on, you know this one really — just put the record back, it only takes a few seconds.
Is CD better than vinyl?
From a technical standpoint, digital CD audio quality is clearly superior to vinyl. CDs have a better signal-to-noise ratio (i.e. there is less interference from hissing, turntable rumble, etc.), better stereo channel separation, and have no variation in playback speed.