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Willie Greer - October 7, 2021
An automatic turntable record player has its benefits, but not all of them will allow you to have a seamless play and stop experience with your vinyl collection. There are semi and fully-automatic options you can choose from, so how do you know which is best and which will be a waste of money? Our audio team is here to help you figure it out.
DP-400
- White and black
- Weighted platter
- Belt-driven design
- Built-in phono equalizer
AT-LP60X
- A full package
- Belt-drive automatic turntable
- DC servo motor
- Dual magnet cartridge
Record Player
- Portable budget option
- Many colors
- Three speeds
- Easy setup
Reviews of the Top Automatic Turntables
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
The fully-automatic Audio-Technica AT-LP60X turntable gives you great bang for your buck because it comes with near-field system monitors and a cleaning kit to maintain your belt-driven turntable.
It plays records at two speeds, 33-⅓ and 45 RPM, and has a built-in switchable phono preamp to hook up directly to your home stereo system. Aside from supreme convenience, the Audio-Technica turntable is also built with a myriad of features for unparalleled sound quality such as a built-in preamp with a DC servo-controlled motor.
The dual magnet cartridge has a replaceable diamond stylus, which will give you more precision and prolong the life of your turntable.
What We Like
- DC servo belt drive turntable
- Dual magnet cartridge
- Replaceable diamond stylus
- Fully-automatic turntable
- Excellent music quality
- Transparent dust cover
- Built-in phono preamp
- Sleek design
- Combo package
What We Don't Like
- Only 2 speeds
- Not a removable dust cover
Denon DP-400
While it’s on the pricier side, the Denon DP-400 is built with high-quality components and looks very high-end. It comes in two colors, both black and white that will match any interior.
This particular model is a partially automatic turntable, which means the tonearm will lift by itself when the record playback is finished, but it does not have completely automatic cueing.
There is, however, 3 playback speeds, to support all types of vinyl records. It has a solid build, a built-in phono pre-amp, and a very simple setup. To help stop resonance and vibrations, the platter is weighted to provide maximum stability.
What We Like
- Weighted platter
- Thick cabinet walls
- Built-in phono
- Easy setup
- Comes in two colors
- Luxurious and high-end appearance
- Trusted brand
- 3 rotation speed options
- Special S-shaped tone arm
- Semi-automatic turntables
- Analog music
What We Don't Like
- Not fully-automatic for those who want it
- Does not come with wireless speakers
Retrolife Suitcase Record Player
For an affordable price and increased portability, our audio team landed on the Retrollife Suitcase record player. You can easily close up the vinyl player and take it with you on-the-go to enjoy audio playback wherever you are.
It is again, a semi-automatic unit that has an auto stop function but the tone arm will not return on its own. The cute suitcase player has built-in speakers and comes in 4 different colors.
There are 4 available connections such as RCA line outputs that connect to external speakers and an aux-in line. It can accommodate 3 speeds and does not require any extra equipment to use.
What We Like
- 4 colors
- 4 connections
- Bluetooth speakers built in
- Supports 3 speeds and 3 record sizes
- Anti-resonance design
- Affordable turntable
- Auto-stop switch
- Quick mode switch
- Portable suitcase design
- Best automatic turntable for size
- Improved audio quality for vinyl records
- Bluetooth connectivity for digital music
What We Don't Like
- Speakers can be a little quiet
- Not totally automatic
Sony PS-LX250H
Automatic turntable reviews can be frustrating for our experts because many do not make the cut. The Sony PS-LX250H is one that does. It is a completely automatic turntable that saves you a lot of work. You can listen to your records for hours on end without having to lift a finger.
The system has a phono preamp built-in and allows you to connect to external speakers with RCA cables. It supports two speeds only, but 33-⅓ and 45 RPMs are the most common for vinyl records anyway. You can close the hinged dust cover when you’re finished with the system to protect it from dust accumulation.
What We Like
- Excellent sound quality
- Integrated amp
- Has a dust cover
- Fully-automatic
- Diamond stylus
- Belt-driven turntables
- High-quality tonearm
What We Don't Like
- Support 2 speeds
- No rubber slip mat
Automatic Turntables Buyer’s Guide
Design and Size
Belt drive or direct drive? Semi or fully automatic? The possibilities are endless. How do you make sure you are getting the best automatic turntables?
Direct drive turntables have the motor located beneath the platter to power it directly. This type reaches the designated speeds faster, but there tends to be more vibration and resonance.
Belt drive models, like most of the ones that made it on our audio engineers’ list, have motors to the side and they power a belt that then rotates the platter. This type of drive has great sound, slightly better than the direct drive alternative.
It is also your choice to go for either fully-automatic turntables or partially automatic. A fully automatic operation is the easiest. The vinyl player will do everything for you, from cueing the stylus on the record to removing and replacing the tonearm once it’s done.
Semi-automatic turntable options may only have an auto stop function or it can include lifting the tonearm, but not moving it back to its original position. There is no best automatic record player because it all depends on personal preference. An auto model is convenient and saves you time, but a partially automatic one gives you more control.
Then comes the size. You will find portable suitcase models to be smaller and lighter. For the ones that are more stationary, like the Audio-Technica turntable, you will need more space. Also, consider the placement if you require external speakers.
Our team included a portable suitcase model built for mobility with built-in speakers. There are also ones that have external speakers such as the Audio Technica option.
Sound Quality
The sound quality needs to be comparable to a stereo system – if possible. Lots of units have speakers built in, but others offer the option to connect to your home speakers or computer speakers via an RCA cable. Then there are the best automatic turntables that provide connections to wireless monitors via Bluetooth.
The more options your unit gives you, the more potential you have to enjoy crystal clear sound. While it can be convenient to have built-in speakers, these components are usually small and won’t hold a candle to larger models.
Speed/Rotations Per Minute
You will have noticed our experts stressed the playback speed for each vinyl record player. 33-⅓, 45, and 78 RPM are the three options. The first two are more common, which is why you will see some units that only offer 2 speeds. The Sony turntable features 2 speeds and is an excellent example of what our team means.
If you have vinyl record discs in your possession that play at 78 RPM, then we definitely suggest looking for vinyl players that can accommodate 3 speeds.
Stylus and Platter
The construction of the player overall and for each individual component are very telling signs of durability. Our audio engineers will start with the stylus and platter. The stylus should be made from diamond [1], and the best ones are replaceable in case it wears out.
For the platter, the part that holds the vinyl, you need to look for heavy and very solid materials. Our team’s top recommendations include a die-cast aluminum platter. A die-cast aluminum platter is strong and lightweight and great for anti-resonance properties.
Tonearm and Cartridge
Tonearms can be either straight or curved. If the tonearm is upgradable, then this section is less of a consideration. You will have more flexibility to play around with the components to find one to your liking.
As for the cartridge, our team suggests dual magnets. Again, look for upgradeable parts so you can enhance the audio from your record players.
Pre-Amplifier
Do you want a pre-amp built in? For accurate and warm sound, our team suggests looking for a unit that has a preamplifier. It will reduce the amount of time you spend looking for one that matches your broader audio system and your turntable as well. The role of the preamp is to boost the audio signal from the record players to your speakers or headphones.
Connectivity Options
Our audio engineers briefly touched on Bluetooth and RCA, but another connection that is very useful is a USB output. If your device has a USB port, you will have the possibility of digitizing your analog music. The USB port is also used to play music directly from your computer through a USB cable.
Not every device will be equipped with all of these connections, the suitcase portable player from Retrolife is an example of one that has various connectivity options for versatility.
FAQ
Which is better, manual or automatic turntables?
Automatic turntables are better for convenience. However, manual turntables give the user more control and precision over the player. Which one is best for you depends on what you prefer and your budget. In general, manual players produce better sound, but that’s not always the case.
How do you use an automatic record player?
You use an automatic record player by simply setting it up. It is usually a plug-and-play design that does not require you to lift a finger when it is connected. It will stop, lift and return the tonearm all on its own.
Our Top Pick For an Automatic Turntable:
Audio Technica AT-LP60X
Our audio experts have agreed that the best automatic turntable is the Audio Technica AT-LP60X. It provides great value for your money as it comes in a bundle complete with speakers and a care kit. It is completely automatic, convenient to use, and is one of the best vinyl players for sound. It has a low noise motor and pre-installed features such as a phono preamp.
