The best turntables of 2025: Tested and reviewed by our tech experts - Related to 2025), it, tv+, experts, phone

The best turntables of 2025: Tested and reviewed by our tech experts

Table of Contents Table of Contents U-Turn Orbit Special (Gen 2) Audio-Technica AT-LP70X Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Fluance RT85N U-Turn Orbit Theory Rega Planar 3 Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP Victrola Stream Carbon Frequently Asked Questions.

I don't know if you've noticed, but being the vinyl and turntable nerd that I am, I can't stop seeing and (to my wife's chagrin) pointing out every record player I see cropping up in seemingly every TV show or movie I've watched over the last little while. They're everywhere — from Mr. Milchick rewarding Helly R. with a dance party from a Thorens-like deck in Severance to Agatha All Along trashing a perfectly good TEAC TN-280BT — it's official: turntables are cool again, and you should get one.

Whether you're rediscovering the satisfying ritual of putting on a record, are new to the world of vinyl, or you're already neck-deep in LPs, having a decent turntable or record player is essential. But there are so many to choose from that it can get confusing. Many come ready to go out of the box, with built-in phono preamps for easy connection to powered speakers or receivers and integrated amplifiers, and a range of functions that make them easy to get the hang of. If you're curious and want to dip your toes in slowly, one of our favorite entry-level turntables is the Audio-Technica AT-LP70X, a budget-priced basic deck that looks great, too.

But if you've already taken a few spins around the vinyl world and are looking to upgrade or get into something a little more advanced, like one with a enhanced phono cartridge, external phono preamps, higher-quality tonearms, and anti-resonant components that can make for a beautifully clear and sonic experience, we've checked out a bunch and also put them on our list of the best turntables.

The best turntable we can recommend right now is the U-Turn Audio Orbit Special (Gen 2), which has been given a nice little refresh and upgrade since it launched in 2012. Its top-notch Ortofon cartridge and solid acrylic platter help ensure dynamic and clear sound, while its updated speed select switch make it a breeze to use. We also still love the stalwart Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo, so check that out, too.

But we've got several other turntables on our list to help you decide, and once you do, why not check out our roundup of the best turntable accessories, too. Let's go.

U-Turn Orbit Special (Gen 2) Review Pros Excellent sound.

Seven finishes Cons No auto stop feature.

Specification: Motor Belt drive Built-in preamp Yes, optional Wi-Fi No Cartridge Ortofon 2M Red, upgradable.

The original U-Turn Orbit Special was a really good turntable. I bought one in 2018, and it was one of my daily-use decks for years — it had an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, a solid acrylic platter, and no-nonsense, simple belt-driven operation. But in 2023, U-Turn gave its entire Orbit lineup an upgrade, and when I got my hands on the Gen 2 Special for review, all my gripes had been obliterated, landing it at the top of my list of favorite turntables.

The Gen 2 Orbit Special is still as reliable as ever, but the Woburn, Massachusetts enterprise has made some key upgrades that make it a no-brainer for a mid-range turntable. Chief among them is a redesigned, quieter motor and a new tonearm that's now a single pice of molded magnesium that reduces resonance and vibration transfer when compared to the first gen's aluminum version. Additionally, the acrylic platter now has a machined groove around its edge to keep the belt in place (the old model used to fall off constantly), and there's now an automatic speed selection dial — no more manual belt switching!

Assembly and setup is still simple (takes about 10 minutes out of the box), and while I would have liked to see the numbered counterweight dial like on U-Turn's premium Orbit Theory make its way to the Special, adjusting it is still easy. However, I'd still recommend using a force scale gauge for simplicity.

Once it's up and running, though, the U-Turn Orbit Special is a dream to use and punches above its weight when it comes to sound, which, thanks to the 2M Red, is crystal clear, balanced across the frequency range, and has depth and height favorable to all kinds of music. If you want to improve things even more, the Ortofon cartridge can be upgraded to the more premium 2M Blue, and you can get the turntable with or without a built-in phono preamp.

The second-gen Special is available in black, white, red, blue, and green, as well as in real oak or walnut finishes for an extra $170, but damn they look sharp.

U-Turn Orbit Special (Gen 2) Best turntable overall.

Audio-Technica AT-LP70X Review Pros Great-sounding turntable.

Easy to set up and use Cons Made of plastic.

Specification: Motor Belt drive Built-in preamp Yes Wi-Fi Available Cartridge Audio-Technica AT-VM95C, upgradable stylus Operation Fully automatic.

Many a vinyl beginner has turned to Audio-Technica for their first turntables because the well-established business (they also make world-class headphones and microphones) produces reliable, easy to use, and affordable turntables for pretty much every level and budget.

At one time, the AT-LP60X sat in this sport as my pick for the best budget turntable, and to be clear, I still recommend it as another fantastic beginner turntable at just $150. But last year, Audio-Technica introduced the AT-LP70X, a slight evolution of the LP60X, and even though it's slightly more expensive, it replaced my pick mainly for a few key reasons, but one main one.

First, the LP70X keeps all the great bones of the LP60X — easy automatic operation with push-button start and stop, built-in switchable phono preamp for multiple connection options no matter what your sound system is (powered speakers or full amp and speaker combos), and even a Bluetooth-capable model should you want it.

For $200, the AT-LP70X offers great value and excellent performance, and could now potentially be the only turntable you'll ever need, even if you graduate from beginner vinyl nerd status.

Audio-Technica AT-LP70X Best budget turntable.

Available in nine finishes Cons Phono preamp is extra.

Specification: Motor Belt drive Built-in preamp No Wi-Fi No Cartridge Sumiko Rainier, upgradable.

If you're just starting your turntable hunting you've likely already come across the Pro-Ject brand (heck, we mention two of them in our intro). The stalwart firm is up there with Rega as a standout in the industry, its decorated Debut Carbon lineup has helped keep it there for more than a decade. Its latest version, the Debut Carbon Evo, doesn't falter either, proving that you don't need to spend a grand or more for high-end elements.

Pro-Ject's best-selling turntable model got a few key upgrades in this latest version that have put it over the top, including a redesigned motor with improved suspension, new height-adjustable sound-dampening aluminum feet, and a heavier [website], steel platter with a thermoplastic dampening ring that Pro-Ject says reduces wow and flutter (tiny distortions that can be caused by vibrations and other factors). While I haven't thoroughly reviewed this model myself, I've spent some time with it and can vouch for at least some of the sound quality and usability functions that have garnered the many positive reviews it's gotten over the years.

The best upgrade, though, is the addition of a new three-speed selector switch that has been discretely mounted on the underside of the plinth. Previously, you'd have to remove the platter to physically move the rubber belt underneath to switch between 33 and 45 RMP records. The new switch is a godsend, and also offers 78 RPM as well.

You also get the Evo's single-piece carbon fiber tonearm, which looks cool and contributes to the turntable's rich, balanced, and quiet sound, but not quite as much as its excellent, re-mounted Sumiko Rainier moving magnet (MM) cartridge, which is punchy, balanced, and full-bodied (like a good beer, I guess). Outside the [website], the Evo comes with the also-great Ortofon 2M Red installed, but, if you're at the stage where you're experimenting with cartridges, you can easily swap them; it's not hard.

The only obvious thing that the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo doesn't come with is a built-in phono preamp, so you will have to get one (unless you have one already). I really like the Schiit Mani 2 phono preamp, I have two of them and they sound great. You might think is a deal breaker, but I would argue that if you're looking to up your entry-level game with a Carbon Evo, a good external phono preamp will be improved than most built-ins if you can stomach the extra few hundred dollars.

The Debut Carbon Evo comes with a semi-balanced RCA cable and is available in nine colors and finishes.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo The best mid-range turntable.

Fluance RT85N Turntable Review Pros Full sound that stays true to the source.

Automatic stop feature Cons No built-in phono preamp.

Specification: Motor Belt drive Built-in preamp Yes Wi-Fi No Cartridge Nagaoka MP-110, upgradable.

The midrange Fluance RT85N blew us away when I reviewed it last year for its more than reasonable $500 price, superb Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge, quality components, and rock-solid build, which, in my opinion, puts it neck-and-neck with the Pro-Ject Debut Evo as an even more affordable option that will do the job just as well.

The star of the RT85N is Nagaoka MP-110, which on its own is a $150 cartridge, but its sound is well regarded as being balanced, and forgiving of a wide range of music styles (it really likes older vinyl, too), with excellent separation between the lows, mids, and high frequencies. In my review, I mentioned of the MP-110 that "vocals sound natural across the board, while the highs stay sharp and clean with a marked reduction in sibilance when compared to cheaper cartridges." All that and, if you wanted to, you could easily switch out the MP-110 for another cartridge of your choosing, making the RT85N upgradeable and future-proof.

Helping that Nagaoka cartridge do its thing is all the anti-resonance happening in the RT85N. The thing is a beast at [website] pounds, much of that accounted for in its solid MDF plinth. A [website] (16mm) thick, high-density clear acrylic platter also helps dampen vibrations, along with its aluminum S-shaped tonearm, and adjustable rubber isolation feet, making the RT85N "one of the quietest, most stable turntables I’ve tested," my review says.

There's no Bluetooth or USB connectivity here, and like the Debut Evo, the RT85N does not have a built-in preamp, but they tend to not sound great anyway, so if you're moving up from a budget or entry-level deck, you're probably superior off exploring the word of phono preamps now anyway. The RT85N also has a handy auto-stop feature for those who like to putter around the house while listening to records — it automatically stops at the end of the record, which also saves wear and tear on the stylus.

Setting up the RTN85 is pretty easy, too. Everything you need is in the box, and the instructions are clear. Setup should only take you about 10 or 15 minutes, but in case you're expecting to plug it in and go, there is a higher level of precision required with turntables compared to cheaper decks — it's not a bad thing for you to learn how to attach a headshell and balance a tonearm, and the sweet sounds you'll get will make it all worth it.

Fluance RT85N Best capabilities-for-price turntable More.

U-Turn Orbit Theory review: nothing theoretical about this stellar turntable Review Pros Ortofon 2M Blue or Bronze cartridge.

Fantastic sound for price Cons Only two finish options.

Specification: Motor Belt drive Built-in preamp Yes, optional Wi-Fi No Cartridge Ortofon 2M Blue or Bronze, upgradeable.

As a long-time owner and fan of the original U-Turn Orbit Custom, when I finally got my hands on the Woburn, Massachusetts business's first foray into the premium turntable realm, I was pretty excited. I've always liked U-Turn's scrappy spirit and that it offers high-quality turntables that are a little different than the big players for a reasonable price. The Orbit Theory is easily U-Turn's best turntable yet, and a fantastic next step for vinyl enthusiasts ready to jump up out of the mid-range.

The rethought Orbit Theory is a strikingly beautiful, hardwood-based turntable that comes in walnut and a new black Ebonized Oak finish. But it's not just easy on the eyes. Building off of the 10-year lineage of the Orbit brand, the upgrades are substantial, including a newly developed molded magnesium tonearm that combines the headshell, arm tube, and pivot housing in one to reduce resonance. The belt drive system is all-new as well. It's more powerful, has a new silicone belt that runs in a machined groove around the side of the platter, and it gets up to speed faster. Plus, I can confirm that it's virtually silent. And, my favorite part is that U-Turn has finally added a speed switch — no more manual belt changing between 33 and 45 RMP. A set of three anti-resonant and height-adjustable feet are also new to the Theory, further solidifying its quiet properties.

But where we start getting into the real premium territory with the Orbit Theory is with its choice of two excellent cartridges from world-class cartridge makers, Ortofon: the 2M Blue (which comes with the base-model Theory at $999) and the even more effective 2M Bronze that adds $180 to the price. Either way, you're laughing with how good these cartridges are — they consistently produce big, brilliant, and stable sound that is forgiving for all kinds of music and you can't go wrong with either. If you do go for the Bronze, you add even more opportunity to upgrade further, as the Bronze's cartridge is compatible with two of Ortofon's best styluses, the Black ($575) and Black LVB ($800), pushing you into audiophile territory, should you like.

In true U-Turn fashion, the Orbit Theory is customizable and ranges from $999 with the 2M Blue and without a built-in preamp to the top-of-the-line at $1,249 with the preamp and the 2M Bronze. Whichever way you configure it, the Orbit Theory is an excellent turntable, worthy of our Editor's Choice pick.

U-Turn Orbit Theory Best turnable around $1,000.

Bright, full, detailed sound Cons Can get expensive.

Specification: Motor Belt drive Built-in preamp No Wi-Fi No Cartridge Elys 2 MM or Ortofon 2M Blue, or no cartridge.

Many turntable nerds count the Rega Planar 3 as the pinnacle, their Holy Grail turntable; the one they'd get if they found a wad of cash in the couch cushions. And they wouldn't be wrong. The Rega name is often the first that comes to mind when you think of audiophile turntables and gear (the Planar 3, while excellent, is actually their mid-range), and the Planar 3 is arguably their most popular, for its reachable price and legendary quality.

With 40 years under its belt, the Planar 3's lightweight, anti-resonant plinth was the mold for many modern turntables that have come after (including several on this list). It's, of course, come a long way since then, having undergone several iterations and upgrades, and it's this design expertise that few can compete with. The current Planar 3 aspects the latest version of their iconic RB330 tonearm that offers amazing balance, stability, and industry-leading anti-resonance. It's a belt-driven turntable, of course, with a new 24-volt low-vibration motor that's nearly silent and that drives the Planar 3's eye-catching glass platter.

While there is no built-in preamp (turntables at this level rarely have them) and no speed selector switch, when coupled with the Rega Neo power supply, you can bypass the finicky manual belt switching and get precise 33 or 45 RMP speed control with a button push.

The Planar 3 comes in a few different configurations, including on its own without a cartridge that runs around $1,125, with Rega's own outstanding Elys 2 MM cartridge ($1,395), and another with the also excellent Ortofon 2M Blue ($1,364). You can, of course, upgrade to a multitude of other cartridges out there, too. The turntable is as quiet as it gets, sounds gorgeous, and looks it too. Rega also does a good job at making the Planar 3 customizable with upgradeable parts, such as belts, platters, and more. The Rega Planar 3 is available in three glossy finishes: black, white, and red.

Instant speed, pitch control Cons No built-in preamp.

Specification: Motor Direct drive Built-in preamp No Wi-Fi No Cartridge AT-XP3 DJ cartridge, upgradable.

All the turntables on our list, so far, have been belt-drive turntables, which are best for most people because of their simple operation and the fact that they tend to be quieter because the motors that spin are usually off to the side and do not directly contact the platter.

Direct drive turntables, however, are a different beast, as their motors usually sit directly under the platter and often drive them, er, directly. While there is much debate over which is superior, DJs favor direct drive decks because they can get up to speed almost instantly, can spin records in both directions without damaging the motor, and often have tempo control sliders for mixing.

One of, if not the best DJ turntables ever made, is arguably the Technics SL-1200, but they are hard to come by and even the new versions of them can get expensive. Enter Audio-Technica, whose SL-1200-inspired LP140XP direct-drive turntable is tailor-made for DJs, but at a way more manageable $500 price.

Similar to Audio-Technica's massively popular AT-LP120, the LP140XP is a beast of a 22-pound turntable that is stable as hell with four sure-footed adjustable feet and a die-cast aluminum platter that is damped underneath with a dense, felt-like material for anti-resonance. Where the LP140XP differs from its LP120 cousin is that it does not come with a built-in phono preamp (most DJs will have some form of amplification anyway), and it trades out the standard workhorse AT-VM95E cartridge for the hotter, more DJ-friendly AT-XP3 cartridge instead. The headshell comes pre-mounted, so all you have to do is balance the tonearm with the included instructions and you'll be spinning in no time. A-T's solid anti-skate mechanism is here, too, to keep the stylus tracking in the groove properly.

Speaking of spinning, the DJ controls include a pitch-control slider, pitch lock, forward/reverse buttons, and the classic pop-up platter strobe light. It doesn't have Bluetooth or USB connectivity (for that look to the LP120XBT-USB), but the AT-LP140XP will spin at 33, 45, and 78 RPM, and is an easy-to-use, straightforward DJ's dream.

Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP Best turntable for DJs.

Victrola Stream Carbon Review Pros Sound is excellent.

Specification: Motor Belt drive Built-in preamp Yes Wi-Fi Yes, Works with Sonos certified Cartridge Ortofon 2M Red, upgradable.

Sonos makes some of the finest network music streaming speakers and audio products out there. And whether you've already invested your hard-earned cash into one or two Sonos speakers or a whole-home Sonos setup, it makes sense that if you're going to start getting in to vinyl that you might want to utilize those speakers, if you can, instead of shelling out for a whole new sound system.

There are several ways to integrate a turntable with a Sonos system, but Victrola is one of the first companies to come forth with a "Works with Sonos" certified turntable that can connect directly to any Sonos speaker or system without the use of another Sonos connectivity product like the Port, Amp, or one of Sonos' line-in speakers like the Era lineup. And it's dead simple for pretty much anyone.

The Victrola Stream Carbon (there's also a slightly cheaper version, the Stream Onyx) is a modern-looking, solidly built turntable (it weighs a stable 13 pounds) with some high-end components, such as its Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, dense MDF plinth, cast aluminum platter, and anti-resonant carbon fiber tonearm. It has a built-in analog-to-digital converter that translates the analog signal from your records into a 24-bit/48kHz digital signal that sounds sweet when streamed out over your Sonos system.

Setup is easy with the bare-bones, but functional Victrola Stream app, and once the turntable is connected, all the rest is done via the easy-to-use Sonos app. Simply choose the speakers or groups of speakers you want your record to play on. The Stream Carbon can also be played through a traditional analog setup, like a receiver and set of passive speakers.

Victrola Stream Carbon Best for Sonos integration More.

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Table of Contents Table of Contents Asus makes other phones? All the power Can the camera compete? The Ultra to get?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may be the Ultra phone everyone’s talking about today, but there is another Ultra phone about to demand your attention. It’s the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra, and I’ve had a close look to see if it’s the Ultra that should get your money.

Asus is best known in the mobile space for its ROG gaming smartphones, and while they aren’t for everyone, they are clearly aimed at a specific type of person and are really good at what they do. The Zenfone series has lost its way since Asus decided to forget about making compact flagship phones, and go in completely the opposite direction. What’s the latest version like?

The Zenfone 12 Ultra is similarly sized to the ROG Phone 9 Pro and has a [website] AMOLED screen with a 1-120Hz refresh rate, which can also max out at 144Hz when playing certain games. It’s colorful and the quad-curve design means it attractively and comfortably blends into the aluminum frame. The corners are neatly but not dramatically curved, and at 220 grams it’s not obscenely heavy either.

It’s a very simple design though, particularly in the boring Ebony Black color I’ve been trying out. There is a much more attractive Sage Green model and a subtle Sakura White (which looks quite pink) to choose from, and if you prefer your phones with some flair, one of those will be the more effective choice. The camera module is a bit of an eyesore. It’s not that it’s ugly, and it’s more effective looking than the Zenfone 11 Ultra, but it extends too far out from the back of the phone. If it was flush, or almost flush, it would be far less offensive.

The Zenfone 12 Ultra is just about the same size and weight as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it’s definitely more comfortable to hold, mostly because of the curved sides and it being slightly less wide. It’s no less generally durable either, with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, plus Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 over the screen. No, it’s not quite as good looking, but it’s more incognito.

You aren’t losing much when it comes to power either. It has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and up to 16GB of RAM. Remember, the Galaxy S25 Ultra only manages 12GB of RAM. Asus does software well too, with a choice of its own custom interface or a stock Android look. It’s the same deal as the ROG Phone 9 Pro, just without the extensive gaming aspects like its X Mode and Armory Crate.

What about the cameras? The main is a 50-megapixel Sony Lytia 700 with 2x lossless zoom and the firm’s six-axis gimbal, joined by a 32MP telephoto camera for 3x optical zoom shots, and a 13MP wide-angle camera. On the front is a 32MP RGBW selfie camera. This is the same as you get on the ROG Phone 9 Pro, where it had some problems. I’ve taken a selection of photos, and also compared it to the Galaxy S25 Ultra to see if it can hold its own, to understand if the Zenfone’s software has fixed the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s issues.

The Zenfone 12 Ultra’s camera has its own unique style. It’s not awful, but it’s certainly not a natural or realistic look. See the clouds in several of the wide-angle example photos for evidence, as they appear otherworldly, almost as if they’ve been added in after the photo was taken. There are times when the main camera takes photos with a lovely tone and balance, and other times where everything just looks off. The 3x zoom isn’t bad, but it can introduce noise.

Unfortunately, even after only a few photos it’s clear Zenfone 12 Ultra’s camera can’t keep up with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera. What else is there? The Zenfone 12 Ultra has a 5,500mAh battery with wired and wireless charging, plus stereo speakers with plenty of codec support including AptX Adaptive. Like Samsung, Asus is talking up the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s AI capabilities, which range from the usual translation and summary tools, to more interesting functions like AI-powered subject tracking when shooting video. There’s also Asus’s take on Google’s Magic Eraser called Magic Fill, and an audio eraser tool called AI Voice Clarity, which removes unwanted sound from the background of your videos.

Although it does have a feature you can’t find on the S25 Ultra, a [website] headphone jack, and both share the Ultra name, it’s probably unfair to compare the two. The Zenfone 12 Ultra will cost 1,099 euros, which is a little less than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus in the same currency, making it the true alternative.

On the subject of price and availability, Asus will launch the Zenfone 12 Ultra in Europe, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with Japan following in a few months time. The firm has not decided if it’s going to launch the phone in the [website] or the [website] yet. The GalaxyS25 Ultra is an excellent phone, and although the Zenfone 12 Ultra is the more comfortable phone to hold for a long time, plus it has basically the same processor inside, it’s not really capable (or arguably, even designed) to take it on. Even leaving the camera aside, the screen isn’t as bright and easy to see outside, and lacks the fantastic anti-reflective coating too.

Perhaps most egregious of all is it’s lack of true identity, as unlike the ROG Phone series, nothing about it says Asus. It’s a shame, as the hardware is solid and the software is great. Asus hasn’t made final plans about a wider global release, but whatever happens, your current Samsung-based Ultra and Plus phone plans are probably safe.

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