Want to get into vinyl? 3 great beginner turntable systems to get you started

There are lots of reasons to love vinyl records. There's the sound of a good quality LP, of course. But there's also the joy of crate digging, which is when you rifle through the racks in the hope of finding a lost classic, an obscure curio or an absolute bargain. 

There's the joy of getting a brand new repressing of an old favorite, its heavy-duty vinyl enabling you to hear it like it's the first time all over again. 

There's the art of a good cover and the seductiveness of an interesting sleeve, and the anticipation between lowering the needle (hopefully onto one of the best turntables TechRadar recommends) and the music beginning. 

And with independent and small-label artists, there's also the knowledge that some money is actually going to the artist rather than to some shareholders somewhere, so it's good for your conscience too.

In other words, vinyl is brilliant. So how do you get started?

While getting into vinyl is a little more complicated than getting into streaming, it's not very complicated: all you need is a turntable, an amplifier and some speakers – and sometimes you can get all of those things in a single device. There are plenty of really good, really affordable and really straightforward turntables that are absolutely perfect for vinyl beginners and returning music lovers alike.

We test all kinds of turntables here at Techradar, ranging from super-cheap models to ones that cost more than you would spend on a car. And that means we know what turntables come with the least messing around and deliver the most musical bang for your bucks. 

Whether you're buying your very first turntable or coming back to vinyl after years of digital downloads and streaming, the following three turntables come highly recommended.

Buy now, enjoy forever: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon

How your turntable sounds is the most important thing, we know. But there's also value to a turntable whose looks make your heart sing a little every time you see it. And that's definitely the case here, because the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon comes in a range of colors and looks great in all of them. It's a bit like having really great artwork on a really great record.

The Debut is one of Pro-Ject's most user-friendly and affordable turntables, and it sounds fantastic. As we said in our review: "The Debut Carbon Evo is a luxuriously full-bodied listen, but that’s not to say it’s in any way languid. It has plenty of the warmth and richness that’s so often held up as an unarguable vinyl virtue, but it doesn’t wallow or slur. It’s easy to listen to, but it’s not uninvolving... Like any worthwhile turntable, it’s very adept and tying everything together."

This is at the higher end of many beginners' budgets, we know. But the sound it delivers is truly amazing, and while this particular model doesn't bother with the likes of Bluetooth that's not a problem when what it does do, it does so beautifully. 

If it's a little too pricey, or if you want Bluetooth, we'd recommend checking out the same firm's newly updated E1 range: that's available without or with Bluetooth, and the non-Bluetooth version is cheaper than the Debut. 

Read our full Pro-Ject Debut Carbon review

A brilliant budget buy: Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT on a table

(Image credit: Future)

If your budget can't quite stretch to the Pro-Ject, this sub-$200 turntable (street prices are typically $149 / £179 / AU$299) is an excellent alternative: it's our current best budget buy. That's because it does a creditable job in every department, including Bluetooth streaming to wireless headphones and speakers.

The materials aren't quite as touch-me as the Pro-Ject, but it's perfectly well-made and looks pretty good; the tonearm does feel a little flimsy, though, so it's wise to be careful with that. But really we're nit-picking here: the sound you get for the money you pay is really good, and this is a superb option for a starter turntable you won't outgrow too quickly. 

Read our full Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT review

A capable all-in-one: Lenco LS-410

the lenco ls-410 record player

(Image credit: TechRadar)

We're not snobbish about all-in-ones: if you're short of space or cash or both, an all-in-one system can be a great way to dip your toes into the vinyl waters without too much effort or expense. We wouldn't recommend this as the audio source for a seriously specified hi-fi system, but for around $230/£220 you're getting a lot of kit for not too much money - including Bluetooth streaming from other audio sources such as your phone. There's 50W of power via four speakers, and as a Bluetooth speaker it's really rather good.

Inevitably, though, the low price means some corners have had to be cut. We found a few flaws compared to rival turntables: the tonearm and lifter feel insubstantial so this might not be one for clumsy folks, and the sound is decent rather than jaw-dropping. In our review we found that the platter's rotation speed varied audibly, and once we noticed it we couldn't un-notice it. It's not a bad record player by any means, but it's not up there with the very best.

If you're thinking of taking the first steps towards building a really amazing hi-fi system, we wouldn't start here. But if you're looking for a bedroom player, something for a small flat or just don't know if you're going to be bitten by the vinyl bug, this is a good affordable, transportable option.

Read our full Lenco LS-410 review

You may also like

Carrie Marshall
Contributor

Writer, broadcaster, musician and kitchen gadget obsessive Carrie Marshall has been writing about tech since 1998, contributing sage advice and odd opinions to all kinds of magazines and websites as well as writing more than a dozen books. Her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, is on sale now and her next book, about pop music, is out in 2025. She is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind.

Read more
Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT
8 things to know before buying a cheap turntable in 2025
Gadhouse Cosmos Solar turntable on a blue background
The 5 best turntables and accessories of CES 2025
The Lenco LBT-215BK at the CES 2025 trade show
I tried Lenco's gorgeous and affordable new wireless turntable, and this will be hard to beat for the money
Victrola Journey Glow at CES 2025
I tried Victrola’s new turntables, and they're seriously good value, with some smart extra features
Lenco TTA-080SI record stabilizer
Lenco launches 3 budget turntables all perfect for beginners – plus a light-up disco ball 'record stabilizer'
Victrola Wave turntable
Victrola's new turntable with Auracast and aptX might be the most future-proof deck on the planet
Latest in Turntables
A close up of the limited edition vinyl turntable wrist watch from AndoAndoAndo
This limited-edition timepiece turns the iconic Technics SL-1200 turntable into a watch, and I want one
Victrola Stream Carbon turntable playing David Bowie, with the tonearm being operated
Victrola adding Bluetooth and Roon to its Sonos-only turntables is the hi-fi equivalent of ‘I think we should see other people’
Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000C Saint Laurent Rive Droite Edition
Bang & Olufsen's latest reworked turntable is a masterpiece of retro revival, in a breathtaking wooden presentation box
Waiting For Ideas PP-1 turntable
This wild turntable plays vinyl without a tonearm, automatically detects the RPM, and is a solid lump of aluminum
The EAT C-Dur Concrete turntable on a wooden shelf
I reviewed EAT's C-Dur Concrete turntable, and you'd be amazed how delicate and detailed a slab of real concrete can be with your vinyl
Zig-Zag Turntable
Zig-Zag (yes, the rolling papers) just launched a turntable right before the Grammys to say: don't you forget about Dre
Latest in News
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock
Man using iMessage on an iPhone
Apple will finally enable encrypted RCS messages between iOS and Android, and it's about time
Jason Sudeikis' Ted Lasso pointing at someone in Ted Lasso season 2
Believe it, baby: Ted Lasso season 4 is officially in development for Apple TV+ and Jason Sudeikis will reprise his role as the titular soccer coach
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #1146)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #377)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #643)