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Willie Greer - September 16, 2021
The two to three hundred range seems like a decent price tag for the best budget turntable, but will going under 200 be scraping the bottom of the barrel? Truth be told, it can be, but only if you don’t know which ones to buy, which is why our expert audio engineers have curated a list of the best turntables under 200.
Record Player
- Dual external speakers
- Adjustable counterweight
- Selectable speeds
- Various colors
Record Player
- Multiple colors
- 3-speed belt drive
- Dual external speakers
- Bluetooth technology
Vinyl Turntable
- One of the affordable turntables
- Built-in stereo speakers
- USB connection
- Bluetooth connectivity
Reviews of the Top Turntables Under 200
LP&No.1 Vinyl Record Player
The LP&No.1 vinyl record player is everything you’re looking for in an all-in-one package that delivers exceptional sonic quality. The 3-speed belt-driven turntable is also complete with an auto-stop setting that will halt playing at the end of the record.
The system comes with two external speakers that will add to the placement and setup versatility. They can be placed on either side of the turntable, stacked on top of each other, or used as a support stand.
The vintage design hides modern features such as Bluetooth connectivity that plays digital files.
What We Like
- 3-speed belt-driven motor
- Bluetooth built in
- 2 speakers
- Auto-stop setting
- Many colors
- Superior sound quality
- Ceramic cartridge with a diamond stylus
- Vintage design with modern features
What We Don't Like
- Requires more space to set up
- Not a direct drive motor, which is preferred by some
Vinyl Music On Record Player
You can choose to pay close to the 200 limit for solid build quality and decent sound, which the Vinyl Music On record player is fully capable of providing. There are also various colors to choose from and 2 selectable speeds for maximum precision.
There are also powerful external speakers that will enhance your placement options, which is a definite plus for vinyl enthusiasts. The counterweight on this second best turntable under 200 can be adjusted to avoid skipping.
The beautiful and sleek design comes with a detachable dust cover to protect the high-quality materials within the turntable.
What We Like
- Dust cover
- Adjustable counterweight
- Great audio quality
- 2 external speakers
- Natural wood design in multiple colors
- Auto stop and on/off
- RCA jack
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Moving magnet cartridge
- Felt mat
What We Don't Like
- Better as an entry-level turntable
- May need a subwoofer for better bass
DIGITNOW Vinyl Turntable
If you’re wondering about extremely budget turntables, then wonder no more. Our experts have reviewed the unit from DIGITNOW that has impressed us. Your vinyl records will get the tribute they deserve with this all-in-one record player.
Instead of having dual external speakers, DIGITNOW has them built right into the chassis. There are Bluetooth and AUX inputs along with RCA to connect with an RCA output cable for even louder sound from your speakers.
The unit comes in one luxurious design complete with dust cover and is easy to set up featuring 3 selectable speeds.
What We Like
- 2 built-in speakers
- Multiple connections
- USB port
- Bluetooth capability
- 3 selectable speeds
- Removable hinged dust protector
- Convert vinyl to MP3 easily
- Very cheap turntable
What We Don't Like
- Not a professional unit
- No built-in phono preamp
Crosley C200A-BK
The Crosley C200A-BK is a direct drive turntable with a high-torque motor capable of 2 speeds. The unit is fully manual that gives users more control but can come at the cost of convenience for those who want to set it and leave it.
The balanced S-shaped tonearm comes with a hydraulically damped lift control and built-in switchable phono preamp along with anti-skate features. The die-cast aluminum platter also has a felt slip mat to play records safely without scratching them at different playback speeds.
The C200A-BK comes with an Audio Technica cartridge that can be adjusted to any preference.
(To get to know Crosley more, you can see how we pitted Crosley brand against Victrola here)
What We Like
- Built-in phono preamp
- Audio Technica cartridge
- Direct drive unit
- Variably weighted S-shaped tonearm
- Three speeds
- Die-cast aluminum platter
- Hydraulic lift control on the tone arm
- Anti-skate design
- Height adjustment for the tone arm
What We Don't Like
- No speakers
- Fully manual unit may not be preferred by some
ANGELS HORN Turntable
The Angels Horn turntable has 2 speeds and a built-in preamp and line output. The fully manual belt-drive system comes with an iron platter designed for speed consistency and support. The anti-skipping weight is a desired feature on the Angels Horn turntable that prevents scratches while maintaining sound clarity that is free of noise and distortion.
The turntable comes in 3 different colors each under 200 so you can definitely find one that blends in seamlessly with your interiors. There is a built-in phono preamp present as well as a line output that doesn’t require a phono equalizer.
(For a full package, you can also check top-tier turntable packages listed here)
What We Like
- 2-speed variable
- Built-in phono preamp
- Beautiful wood finish
- Comes with all the necessary cables
- 3 colors
- Solid iron platter
- Anti-skating weight
What We Don't Like
- No automatic shutoff
- Dust covering won’t stay open
Turntables Under 200 Buyer’s Guide
A turntable record player is more than just the components, it’s also the features and compatibility. In order to help our readers find the best turntable under 200 for their needs, our audio engineers have broken down the most important features to help showcase your vinyl collection.
Design and Size
First, let’s talk about design and size. The design of your everyday or DJ turntables will impact the size of the unit. There are ones that are all-in-one solutions with built-in phono preamps, speakers and more, while others are just a single turntable that requires you to have external speakers and amps.
As you can imagine the ones that come with all the components are larger and sometimes more expensive. If you already have the other accessories, then you will only require the turntable itself for analog music.
If you need the all-in-one system, you have to make sure you have room for it. Turntable record players could come with a whole sound system that includes two bookshelf speakers. The speakers alone already require some shelf space, so the trick is to find ones that are easily maneuverable.
Our team says the ones that can be stacked offer excellent versatility. Not only can they be used to elevate your turntable record players, but they can also be mounted in some cases to save space.
Another way to save space and to enjoy sound from your turntables without additional hookups is to find ones with speakers built right in. These speakers will be smaller, so keep in mind that the audio may not be as loud, but you still get all the features in one unit without taking up unnecessary space.
The style of your deck is also important. For those who appreciate music and the greatness of vinyl know that the appearance says a lot about the listener. A great budget turntable can look good and luxurious as well with real solid wood finishes that match flawlessly with interiors.
Speed Options
You will often see speed adjustment options on the product details, but what exactly do they do? It’s no secret that even the best turntables under 200 are more limited in functions compared to full-on professional decks. However, speed adjustments are one of the more common ones, and a capability that is featured on most of our sonic professionals’ choices.
The 2 basic variable speeds are 33-⅓ and 45 RPM [1]. There is also a third 78 RPM option, but that is not as regularly seen in mid-range to budget units. 78 RPM records are not as often seen anyway, so 78 RPM is not as important as the previous two. But if you have records that need to be played at 78 RPM, our top and surprisingly most budget choices can accommodate your needs.
If you have variable speeds on your chosen turntable, check to see if there is an automatic speed switch. This will be more common on a fully automatic turntable. Fully automatic turntables will also have a tone arm that moves back when the track starts and stops. You can find fully automatic belt drive and direct drive models.
Speaking of speed and accuracy, you may want to look for a pitch control fader on your unit. Pitch control will help keep the audio as precise as possible.
Motor
There are belt drive motors and direct drive options as well. The biggest difference is belt-driven motors power the unit with a replaceable belt and the motor is located to the side. Since direct drives rotate the platter directly, the motor is located directly beneath the platter.
Direct drive motors have higher torque and faster speeds. These types of turntables are also less affected by the weight of the stylus and the cartridge. The speed performance is a big reason why direct drives are favored by DJs, but it is precisely due to the speed that makes this type of motor more susceptible to vibrations.
However, with a rubber damping mat, a solid aluminum platter, and sturdy support, audiophiles can hopefully tamper the unwanted distortions.
Belt drive motors are not as vulnerable to system vibrations because the motor is offset and the rubber belt helps to dampen them. In contrast to the direct-drive turntables, the speed is less consistent and you are susceptible to slipping and the usual wear and tear of the belt.
As for the motor choice our experts recommend a DC servo controlled motor.
Preamp
Does your unit have a preamp built-in? If it does, it is most likely one of those all-in-one options we presented above. Having one already in your system could save you money if you don’t already have one.
Even for the budget price of under 200, there are plenty of units out there that have a preamp. You could see amplification from a built-in phono sage as well, which can also help you out with upgrades down the line. However, you have to be sure to find a deck that can work around its own amp, which most can.
Having a preamp built in is so helpful because it can save you time and all it requires is for you to connect your speakers to the system, unless you already have those built in as well.
Upgradability
For those opting for all-in-one systems, you should be aware that upgradability down the line is more difficult, as with most complete audio systems. Just like with a powered speaker system, it’s more difficult to customize your setup because the components are integrated.
A single turntable that hooks up to all external units will make upgrading significantly easier in the future. You can choose to switch out the speakers, turntable or amp at any time and just connect the new component into your system to start enjoying music again.
That’s not to say you should just choose a turntable unit without anything built in solely for this flexibility. If you are an everyday casual listener and want a great starting point unit, then our sound engineers say all-in-one units are perfect and very adept at what they do.
Aside from the units, there are also small accessories within each turntable you hope can be upgraded as well. The replaceable diamond stylus is open for swapping, and you can consider switching the cartridge to a dual magnet phono cartridge if needed.
Connectivity Options
The top turntables under 200 will give you plenty of functions and connectivity options for compatibility. RCA and Bluetooth are common wired and wireless connections. If you want to connect your turntables to your PC, you may need a USB output. USB connections are crucial to converting analog files to digital formats.
A headphone jack is also very important if you want to mix sounds and listen to your record collection in peace.
(Got your own vintage turntable? Well, learn how your turntables work in this page)
Our Top Pick For a Turntable Under 200:
LP&No.1 Bluetooth Vinyl Turntable
The LP&No.1 vinyl player is our team’s top pick for the best turntable under 200. The unit has a straight tone arm ready to read record grooves at 3 variable RPM speeds. The belt drive turntable has an auto-stop setting and is an all-in-one system that comes with two powerful external speakers and Bluetooth connection at a great price.
If you are looking for more turntable products, you can also refer to the list below:
