The best-selling vinyl point is not the sound. It’s the physical experience: shiny, delicate plates; liner notes written in large; covers that you want to frame and hang on your wall; and the way the stylus rotates over the serrated surface, reproducing the music of your favorite artists as if by magic.
Maybe you’ve always been interested in building a setup for listening to LPs and 45s, but don’t know where to start. Maybe you’re like WIRED review editor Julian Chokkattu, who owned a record but no turntable to play it up. Maybe you’re just looking for an upgrade. No problem, there are tons of great turntables to choose from, and most plug easily into any audio system you already own. I’ve tested quite a few options, and these are my current favorites – from utilitarian, budget-friendly classics to more upscale options for those looking for audiophile quality sound.
Be sure to check out our other audio guides, including the Best equipment to learn music and the Best podcast gear.
Updated July 2022: We have added the Monolith from Monoprice 600045.
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