- Willie Greer
- September 22, 2021
Enjoying old-school vinyl records can be done on a modern machine. You can now buy vinyl records online to really enjoy the songs the way the artists intended. Real brick and mortar stores have made their inventory available online to become more accessible. Do the selections compare to in-person stores or will you have trouble finding what you want? Let’s find out.
- Large selection
- Offers less common genres
- Various-sized vinyls
- Delivery service with a rep
- Large database
- Excellent for international tastes
- Easy to navigate
- Has a wishlist
- Great classical choices
- Easy to navigate
- Has an in-person store
- Offers more than just vinyl records
Reviews of the Top Online Vinyl Record Stores
Discogs
Our audio engineers and musicians have found Discogs to be a very useful source. Not only do they sell vinyl records online, but it is a favored site for international tunes.
The vinyl enthusiast will love browsing the large record collection that ranges from vintage vinyl to slightly more modern tunes. You can create an account that saves your selections easily, unlike brick and mortar shops, and you can browse new music releases as well.
Discogs also has mobile apps available for download on the Android and Apple app stores.
What We Like
- Easy to navigate with hundreds of thousands of album choices
- Great international collection
- Has mobile versions
- Find hidden gems for all music lovers
- Never miss new releases
- Shines a light on overlooked music
What We Don't Like
- No physical store
- Customer service can take some time
Amoeba Music
Amoeba is one of the best places to buy vinyl records online, but it also has a local record store as well. Amoeba Music claims to be the largest independent record store in the country, and even the world. Its online store is a dream for all music fans. It has an easy-to-navigate website which makes it easy for all in the vinyl community to find a particular record.
Whether you are a vinyl collector or just starting with vinyl collecting, Amoeba makes it easy for you to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Not only do they have songs, they also have movies, merch, and more.
What We Like
- Easy to find records
- One of the largest online sites known for its huge selection
- Tens of thousands of songs
- Great resource to find limited editions
- Has brick and mortar shops
- CDs and vinyl
- Largest independent record store
- Great site for a music lover
What We Don't Like
- The print is a little small
- May not have international shipping at times
Presto Music
Presto is meant for vinyl lovers who appreciate classical music. There are vinyl records and sections that announce new and future releases, special offers and more. Presto isn’t all about finding rare vinyl records, but they also have sheet music, books and instruments.
Not only is the website a place for record lovers to find their favorite albums and great prices, it’s also a hub for knowledge. There is also a news section where beginners or experts alike can brush up on their vinyl knowledge.
Everything is easy to navigate on the site, and there is even a wishlist available.
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What We Like
- Specializes in classical records
- Well laid-out site
- Offers sheet music and instruments
- Wishlist available
- Large collection
- Latest music news
- New and future releases section
What We Don't Like
- No cassette tapes
- No rare and vintage vinyl records section
DustyGroove
Our pro musicians love how DustyGroove clearly lays out all the genres they offer so you can browse through more records in less time. They have tons of sales where you can purchase rare albums or records for less and even a section that specializes in used records.
DustyGroove is one of the best places to buy vinyl records online that offers much more.
Dusty Groove is also a great place for those who are thinking about selling parts of their own collection. Get money for rare LPs, old records and limited edition albums that are just gathering dust in your home.
What We Like
- Offers supplies, books, coffee and more
- Great selling platform
- Easy to navigate website
- Has a shop in Chicago
- Lots of discounts
- New titles added daily
What We Don't Like
- Smaller print
- Not a lot of shop locations
Online Vinyl Record Stores Guide
Genres and Selections Offered
In order to be a successful shop both online and in-person, the establishment needs to have various genres [1] from hip hop to classical that caters to every listener. Our audio experts say the selections offered are also an indicator for success.
We look for sites that offer vintage vinyl records, rare album selections, original pressing and even discount and used sections where consumers can buy items for less.
Search and Payment Options
It doesn’t matter how many artists you feature or album genres a site has if it’s difficult to navigate. Our team members looked for sites that have an intuitive layout and ones that even have every genre and selection clearly labeled.
The best place to buy vinyl records will also have various payment options available regardless of your location. Whether you are in San Francisco or New Orleans or even in a different country, credit cards and third-party payment sites should be offered.
Pricing
The prices are also a big consideration, and while they shouldn’t vary by much, it does differ from site to site. Our team members looked for ones that offer the widest selections of common and vintage records at the best prices.
There are often discounts for those looking to purchase a whole collection rather than just one record.
Online Shopping vs In-Store Shopping
A lot of the record shops have online shops and in-person stores. What is the difference and does it really affect user experience? Our team members think it does.
Browsing and touching tangible records in a store with the opportunity to listen to some samples is really what record shopping is about. While there is no debate that shopping in a store has its perks, virtual shopping provides unmatched convenience.
Our audio team made sure to include some options that have in-store shopping as well.
Why You Should Start Collecting Vinyl Records
There are numerous reasons why collecting vinyl records is beneficial, but our team will touch on a few of the main ones.
Having real records at your fingertips by curating your own vinyl collection will really add to your appreciation of the songs. Not only that, but you will have a version of your favorite songs in higher quality than ever before – the way musicians intended.
The vintage album artwork is another factor that garners a ton of appreciation and finding rare gems brings a new definition of fun.
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FAQ
Is Amazon a good place to buy vinyl records?
Yes, Amazon is a great place to buy vinyl records, especially when there aren’t in-person shops around you. It also saves you time if you already have an Amazon account than to sign up for a new one on a records site and familiarize yourself with the system.
Is Discogs reliable?
Yes, Discogs is reliable and one of the best places to source international songs. The community is large and it’s easy to double-check the reputation of a seller. It’s a place where anyone can become a seller and make good use of records they no longer enjoy and buy new ones they are searching for.
Our Top Pick For an Online Vinyl Record Store:
Discogs
Our experts like Discogs as the best place to buy vinyl records online. It’s a platform where sellers and buyers can purchase records, and an excellent place for rare and vintage finds. It’s a very international community and it is easy to vet sellers based on reviews to make sure your purchases are safe.
To get the best out of your turntables, we have these guides for you: