The 7 Best Portable Record Players / Turntables for 2024 (The Complete Buyers Guide)

Long before the cassette player, the CD player, and the MP3 player, there were vinyl record players.

Most people consider a record player as something that big, bulky and can only be set up at home, however, there are a number of great options that are light, inexpensive and designed to go with you on all your adventures.

Read on as we take you through what we believe are the best portable record players to suit all needs and budget for 2024.

Key Features to Look for in Portable Record Players

Before making your decision, we recommend being familiar with the key features you need to look for in portable record players. That way, you can be sure that all your expectations will be met.

It’s important to note that no portable record player will provide you with the sound quality and performance of a dedicated Hi-Fi sound system – you are sacrificing quality for convenience, portability and a much lower cost.

Below is a list of the most important features you need to consider before buying a portable record player:

• Design aesthetics – decide whether you will go for a retro or vintage styling or go for a more modern design
• Robustness and durability of the manufacturing
• Built-in speakers or decide whether you will link the record player to your external audio sound system (this makes it essentially non-portable and defeats the purpose of a portable record player)
• Size and weight
• Belt drive or direct drive
• Extra features like Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• Do you want to convert your vinyl to MP3?

Rocks Off Magazines 7 Best Portable Record Players in 2024

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With an overwhelming number of portable record players on the market today, we’ve narrowed down your choice to what we think are the very best in this category, across all budgets.

1. Crosley CR6019D-BR Executive Portable Turntable

With its appealing vintage aesthetic, great portability and solid sound – the Crosley CR6019D0-BR Executive model is the best in the category when it comes to portable turntables and record players.

As a 3-speed portable record player, the Crosley Executive can play all of your 33 1/3, 45, and 78 vinyl, as well as enable you to stream your favourite digital music wirelessly through its dedicated Bluetooth receiver.

All of this comes through the Executive’s dynamic full-range and built-in speakers – or if you prefer to get a bit more out of it, you can easily connect full-range external stereo speakers via the RCA audio output.

Here’s a quick run-through of the Crosley Executive with Jason from Crosley:

The Executive is also equipped with easy to adjust pitch control, allowing for a personalized listening experience, and its belt drive and ceramic cartridge makes for a nice and smooth listening experience, anywhere you desire.

Furthermore, you can use the USB port to easily record and turn your vinyl records into a digital format for storage and playback, using the recommended software.

The combination of features, quality, price and portability make the Crosley Executive our pick for the best overall portable turntable you can buy!

2. Audio-Technica AT-LP60

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 turntable is not the most portable on this list but is definitely the best quality.

It boasts a nice compact body and a solid die-cast aluminium platter – generally being very well built from start to finish for its price.

It comes with a list of great features making it super versatile, easy to use and friendly to your favourite vinyl records. Some of its best additions include:

• Fully automatic and belt-driven
• Two speeds: 33-1/3 & 45 RPM
• An anti-resonance die-cast aluminum platter
• A high-quality dual magnet phono cartridge with a replaceable diamond stylus
• Switchable phono pre-amplifier for phono- or line-level output

Maybe not a true portable record player in the sense it has no built-in speakers, but if you’re looking for something light and robust that can be moved easily if needed – this is your pick. The sound quality is unmatched by anything else in this category.

3. Numark PT01USB Portable Turntable

If you are looking for a budget-friendly portable record player, then the Numark PT01USB is an excellent option. The built-in speakers deliver a clear and quality sound that can be enjoyed anywhere.

This portable record player comes with a USB port that you can use to connect to a computer and with the free EZ Vinyl Converter software, it makes it easy to convert your precious vinyl collection into a digital format. Don’t be fooled by its basic design, as it’s built tough and durable.

The built-in loudspeaker has a pitch control feature, making your listening experience more personalized. In addition to the built-in speaker, you can send your music to powered speakers via the RCA line-level outputs, and you can also enjoy private listening with your headphones via the 1/8” headphone jack.

The long battery life is especially handy for those that want to use it on the go. Its 3-speed rates allow you to enjoy a variety of vinyl record sizes. Thanks to its portable handle and hard dust cover, you will not worry about carrying it from one location to another.

4. ION Audio Vinyl Motion Portable 3-Speed Belt-Drive Suitcase

Among the most significant advantages of having a portable record player like the Ion Audio Vinyl Motion is that it has a long battery life, up to four hours.

To complement the digital age, this portable record player can quickly convert old vinyl records into digital format. This means that you can store them as MP3 files (all the important software you need to make it happen is included).

The portable record player’s convenient carrying handle and built-in speakers make it possible for you to experience your vinyl collection anywhere you want.

To top it off – it comes with a generous list of accessories such as Vinyl converting software, power adapter, audio cables, USB cable, cartridge with a pre-assembled stylus, dust cover, slipmat, 45 RPM adapter, and a quick start guide.

5. Musitrend 9-In-1 Portable Record Player

The Musitrend 9-In-1 Portable Record Player is so much more than a portable turntable – it’s a complete portable entertainment system!

With more features and options that you probably have fingers (not including thumbs here!), the Musitrend 9-in-1 gives you:

• A 3-speed vinyl player for your 33, 45 and 78 rpm discs in 7, 10 and 12-inch formats
• Turntable recorder
• AM / FM digital radio
• CD player
• Cassette player
• Bluetooth connectivity
• USB / SD playback and encoding
• 3.5mm Aux-In jack for playing music from devices and headphone jack
• LINE OUT connector for external speakers.

Packing all of this into an awesome retro design with two built-in stereo speakers, this portable powerhouse lets you take your favourite vinyl with you anywhere, as well as any and almost every other format of music you might own!

This is definitely our pick for the most versatile and feature-rich portable turntable you’ll find.

6. Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable

With the Crosley Cruiser Deluxe by your side, you can mobilize music in awesome style.

With a classic and elegant design, paired with pitch control and Bluetooth connectivity – the Cruiser Deluxe not only lets you spin your favorite vinyl records, but also allows you to stream music from your Bluetooth-enabled device wirelessly to the turntable’s dynamic full-range speakers and customize your listening experience.

Its wood construction and vinyl leatherette material make it the best looking option on this list in our opinion and if you are particular about color, this portable record player comes with over 10 options including rare colors like lime green, fuchsia, and powder blue.

Like most portable record players on the market, the Crosley Deluxe comes with the usual three-speed options as well as rear RCA outputs, Bluetooth functionality and a built-in headphone jack.

7. GOODNEW Portable Vinyl Record Player

The GOODNEW Vinyl Record Player is among the most compact record players on the market.

This record player allows you to play all of your 7”, 10”, and 12” sizes complete with the usual three-speed options.

Its fully automated operation is one of the highlights, having an automatic stop on/off switch built inside the turntable.

It comes with a strong output connection with options of an aux jack including RCA out and lines out, USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

As for the sound quality, having built-in dual stereo speakers and a diamond ruby stylus helps it hit the mark, but pairing up some external speakers will really get you bopping!

Major Components of a Portable Record Player

At first glance, a portable record player might look simple, but they are not.

To spin records at a constant speed and reproduce the data from grooves into the electrical signal, efficient, functional design is essential. B

elow are some of the major components you’ll find in a portable record player:

Turntable: The turntable refers to the part where the record sits. This part is commonly made of aluminum, plastic, or metal. However, aluminum is the most preferred due to its stability and ability to reduce vibration.

Stylus: The stylus, better known as the needle, is the part that rests on the actual record. It is the part you see running in the grooves while the record plays.

Tonearm: The tonearm is responsible for holding the needle and connecting it to the record player housing. It works together with the cartridge.

Cartridge: The cartridge translates the record’s groove that the needle is reading into actual sound. The vibrations produced by the needle riding the grooves will travel through the wires in the tonearm, ensuring that it will reach the cartridge.

Bearing: The bearing is the reason why a turntable produces a friction-free rotation. It also promotes quiet and smooth rotations.

Plinth: The plinth is also known as the base of the record player. It is responsible for holding other components necessary for playing the records. It also helps in preventing the vibration that may affect the sound quality.

Specifications of a Portable Record Player

Knowing the specifications of a portable record player will help you compare the different models. Apart from methods of connectivity and vibration dampeners, you also need to be familiar with the following specs.

Playback Speed: Most portable record players have 3-speed rates (33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM). But be aware that not all record players can play 78 RPM records properly. Due to wider grooves, the 78 RPM records will require you to use a special stylus and cartridge.

Speed Variation: This spec refers to the platter rotation accuracy on the turntable. The sound quality can be lowered when there are deviations in the record speed. That is because it can change the pitch or even deliver an audible interface while you are listening to music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the best portable record player for your needs requires time and thought to ensure that you will get the right one. To help you be more familiar with record players, consider the following frequently asked questions:

Conclusion

To get the most out of your music listening experience on the go, a portable record player can be a great option. Portable turntables are generally much cheaper than dedicated Hi-Fi or audiophile turntables, but as you expect, generally aren’t as high quality. It makes them a great starting point to ‘wet your feet and get going with vinyl.

If it’s your first time buying a portable record player, we hope this comprehensive buying guide has helped you out.

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