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Willie Greer - September 13, 2021
You don’t have to shell out a ton of money to hear music the way musicians intended, but you have to pick the right turntable record player to do so. Otherwise, hearing high quality music is even further from your reach. Our audio team is here with the best turntables under 500 to help you pick.
- Wireless model
- Direct drive
- Selectable RPM speeds
- Stroboscopic platter
LPSC-00080N
- 3-speed belt drive
- With Bluetooth
- Vinyl player and speakers
- Diamond-tipped stylus
Record Player
- Very affordable price
- Built-in stereo speakers
- Bluetooth
- Belt drive shock absorbing
Reviews of the Top Turntables Under 500
LP&No.1 LPSC-00080N
Do you crave that silky and high fidelity sound that can only be achieved with vinyl? You can get vintage sound quality with a touch of modern technology with this LP&No.1 turntable. It’s a 3-speed belt drive design that has a diamond-tipped stylus that plays various RPMs.
The modern turntable set also comes with built-in stereo speakers and an auto-stop setting to prevent the device from halting at the end of the record.
The amazing LP&No.1 LPSC-00080N Turntable also has the ability to transform into Bluetooth speakers. When not in use, just cover the turntable under 500 with its protective covering.
What We Like
- 3-speed control
- Built-in stereo speakers for better music listening
- Best audiophile turntable with diamond stylus
- Vintage look for music lovers
- Auto-stop setting
- Bluetooth connection
- Comes with protective covering
- Luxurious solid wood appearance
What We Don't Like
- Plastic tonearm
- More recommended as a starter turntable
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK
Is a higher premium price always better? In this case, this Audio-Technica direct drive turntable proves to be so. You can choose from both wired and wireless technology on the Audio Technica models and they come with selectable settings.
You can choose between 33, 45 or 78 RPM speeds and set the adjustable dynamic anti-skate control. The build of the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK Turntable is amazing with a stroboscopic platter, an S-shaped tonearm, and dual magnet phono cartridge.
You also get everything you need to set it up including RCA cables, an AC adapter, felt mat and dust cover.
What We Like
- Fully manual operation
- Direct drive motor assembly
- Anti-skate control
- Variable pitch control and quartz speed lock
- Stroboscopic platter
- Speed indicator
- Selectable RPM speeds
- Wired or wireless models available
- Great sound from a high quality turntable
- Excellent build quality
- Built-in preamp
What We Don't Like
- More expensive than other turntables
- Not a fully automatic turntable
Udreamer Store Vinyl Record Player
If you like a vintage look, the Udreamer Store unit is the best turntable under 500 for the money. Out of all the affordable audiophile turntables, our sound engineers found this one to be the best value as it has built-in stereo speakers and Bluetooth technology.
There is also a USB port for you to easily connect the record players to the media device or you can choose to use RCA to hook up your speakers.
The Udreamer Store turntable supports 3 speeds and 3 vinyl sizes so every vinyl enthusiast can enjoy premium analog sound.
(For a whole turntable package, you can also consider top-tier turntable packages we picked here)
What We Like
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in stereo speakers
- Supports 3 speeds and 3 vinyl sizes
- Belt drive
- Shock absorption
- Interesting turntable with a vintage look
- Built-in phono stage
- 2 colors
- Great value
What We Don't Like
- Recommended as an entry level turntable
- USB connection is only for thumb drives
Danfi Audio DF Record Player
Our audio team enjoys all-in-one designs, and the Danfi Audio DF Record Player turntable is one that accommodates an audiophile’s needs. It’s a 3-speed design that can handle 3 different sizes of vinyls. There are also built-in speakers and an extra replacement needle for future use.
There is Bluetooth technology available so you can pair your phones to these fantastic turntables to enjoy high-fidelity audio. The turntable is capable of incredible sound and it comes with a removable dust cover that you can put back on after use.
For those that want a more modern design, the Danfi Audio unit is an excellent starter turntable for budding audiophiles.
What We Like
- All-in-one design
- Modern design
- Bluetooth technology
- 3 speeds
- Supports 3 sizes of vinyl
- Built-in speakers
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- RCA and USB connections
- Easily portable
What We Don't Like
- Needs some weight on the needle arm
- Speakers are not stereo
1 BY ONE Belt Drive Turntable
The beautifully designed belt drive turntable from 1 by ONE has Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a built-in phono preamp, and an adjustable tonearm counterweight. You will get a seamless playback with a well-balanced stylus.
You can even connect this turntable to your PC via the USB output to enjoy high-quality audio from your computer. Even if you don’t have a phono equalizer this turntable can solve the issue with its built-in preamp. It has phono and line outputs as well for easy connection.
The build is also what makes this one of the best turntables under 500. The 1 By One Belt Drive Vinyl Record Player has an aluminum die-cast platter and polished stainless steel spindle.
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What We Like
- Aluminum die-cast platter
- Polished stainless steel spindle
- DC motor
- Anti-skating weight
- Adjustable counterweight
- Built-in phono preamp
- Bluetooth wireless connectivity
- Can connect to your PC
What We Don't Like
- No semi-auto stop
- The tonearm doesn’t live and return
Turntables Under 500 Buyer’s Guide
Our team of audio experts don’t just include any device on our best turntables under 500 list. We make sure to include high-quality turntables by taking into account the build and features. Even the extra accessories included impacted our decision. We have included a quick buyer’s checklist for readers to understand what’s important to look for.
Size and Design
Do you just want a turntable or do you want one that comes with built-in speakers and the whole package? We ask this because the amount of space and the design features will impact the size of the turntable you choose.
For those who just want a turntable alone, these designs tend to be smaller and lightweight since they do not have the added speakers. Will you still be able to get the best sound possible from these models? Yes, because it will rely on the rest of your system. You can connect them to your trusty passive or powered speakers, but make sure you have an amp if necessary.
The ones with speakers built in will be larger, but our first choice, the LP&No.1 model has bookshelf speakers that are external, which helps with placement flexibility.
Speed
The speed of your turntable, or RPM, will determine which part of your vinyl collection your turntable can play without issue. Our audio team recommends 33 to 45 RPM (rotations per minute) because this way, you can play both albums or singles.
Motor
The motor is a very important part of your turntables. Don’t just go for one with the best value, because chances are it won’t last as long as one with high-quality parts. There are two main types of motors you can get – belt drive and direct drive.
Direct drive turntables are said to be very precise and consistent rotation, while the belt drives are said to reduce motor noise. Our experts substantiate these claims, but they also suggest that the type of motor you go for at the end of the day hinges on personal preference. There isn’t a definitive answer for motor choice for the best sounding turntable.
You also have a choice between manual and automated systems. A manual system requires you to physically adjust the tonearm, but it gives you more control over the sound quality but it comes at the cost of convenience. It is also the type our team recommends for those who value the authenticity of the sound.
You also have semi-manual systems where you lower the arm yourself, but the turntable can return it and turn off the motor on its own. Then there are the fully automatic systems that don’t require you to lift a finger.
(Want to know more about turntables? Here’s our page about how turntables or record player work)
Upgradability
What part of the turntable can be upgraded? The answer is the needle. There are lots of beginner units that do not allow for needle upgrades, which can be a problem down the line. You won’t be able to replace it if it gets damaged, and you also can’t exchange it for one of better quality to improve the sound.
Our team advises readers to choose a turntable that allows you to upgrade the needle just in case you want to change things up down the line.
USB and Connections
For those who want to digitize your system, you definitely need a USB [1] port or two. Having a USB port will allow you to hook up the turntable to your computer, which can rip vinyl records and turn analog files into digital. Once they’re digital, you can access these files easily on your media devices such as your phone.
Our audio team also advises readers to look for a phono stage, which is also referred to as a phono preamp. It is a collection of inputs that are RCA or mini jacks that allow users to connect a phonograph as well.
Preamp
Some turntables already have a preamp built in, so if you’re in need of a phono preamp, you can consider getting a turntable that comes with one. If the turntable you have your eye on doesn’t come with one, then you will need to connect it to a preamp externally.
The benefits of having or not having a preamp is similar to powered or passive speakers. A turntable with a preamp built in will be heavier and larger than one that doesn’t. If you opt for an external pre-amp, the upgradeability of your system down the line is possible, unlike a built-in pre-amp that cannot be replaced.
Parts and Accessories
You should also get to know the different parts of the turntable in order to make sure they are heavy duty enough to last. The parts that the best turntable under 500 comes with are added bonuses and aren’t necessary, but are nice to have nonetheless.
The platter, which is the part of the turntable where the record rests, should be durable. An acrylic platter is very common, but make sure you look for a premium-grade acrylic platter that will deliver a consistent speed.
The tonearm, which is the lever-like part of the turntable, bears the needle that reads your record grooves. You need it to be made from lightweight materials such as aluminum. A carbon fiber tonearm is growing increasingly popular and delivers high performance.
Speaking of the tonearm, our audio team suggests looking for ones that have a VTA (vertical tracking angle). It’s basically the angle of the tonearm and it gives users the ability to adjust the turntable to find the best sound.
The cartridge is one of the most important components in a turntable. It is the part attached to the tonearm that reads the record grooves and turns the energy into electrical signals. Our team recommends a rega carbon cartridge.
You should also find sturdy rubber feet under the device that are designed to absorb shock and vibrations. Your records can skip if it picks up rumbles, so 4 reliable foot stubs can greatly reduce these chances by elevating the system.
It’s also important to find a good slip mat for your turntable. The mat is placed on the turntable platter and its main purpose is to protect your record from the hard surface at high speeds. You can use traditional rubber mats, but our experts recommend cork slip mats if you’re on a budget.
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Our Top Pick For a Turntable Under 500:
LP&No.1 LPSC-00080N
Our audio engineers’ extensive review has shown that the LP&No.1 is the best turntable option under 500. It comes with a 3-speed belt drive with external speakers for outstanding sound. The device plays old-school vinyl with modern technology such as Bluetooth connectivity. The dark brown wood finish gives the LP&No.1 LPSC-00080N Turntable a very elegant and premium look without the hefty price.
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