Somehow, the turntable has made a comeback and if you hang out with audiophiles, they’ve more or less convinced you to buy one. If not, their enthusiasm for Bluetooth turntables has sent you diving into turntable research, and you’ve looked for anything you can find about this old-fashioned piece of equipment. After all, few audio equipment manufacturers have managed to perfectly combine analogue and modern technology to produce a state-of-the-art turntable with a wireless connection. What’s more, the best Bluetooth turntable lets you enjoy the crystal-clear sound of a record player from any smart device.

We’ve made it easy for you to understand everything there is to know about turntables by putting together comprehensive details about turntables, how to choose one, what features are important in a turntable and why. Learn why things like spin speed, Bluetooth capability, drive type and components such as platter, tone arm, counterweight and stand that affect the sound quality of a turntable are important.

We have to admit that we had a lot of fun researching Bluetooth turntables. We met real music lovers, audiophiles and music teachers who breathe, talk and live music. Spending weeks that didn’t feel long enough with these groups of people made us realise how little we knew about music. But we’re glad we did, because we came away much better informed. And now we bring that information to you. You’ll find all the details, including a comparison chart, detailed reviews of each product, and a buying guide to help you find the best Bluetooth turntable for your desired sound experience.

Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT-BK

For more than 50 years, Audio-Technica has been providing us with high-quality, easy-to-use, reliable and truly affordable turntables. This particular model is not only Bluetooth-enabled; it’s also a great option for beginners because of its reasonable price and features such as auto start. Besides, if you’re just starting to explore the wonderful world of vinyl, you’ll probably want to read our review of the best record players for beginners.

The AT-LP60XBT-BK is a belt-driven turntable with Bluetooth capability. This simply means that the platter is not directly connected to the motor but to an elastic belt which is then connected to the motor. In this model, the type of drive is a plus because it eliminates noise vibrations, which means that the signals you receive are clean, without any interference.

The AT-LP60XBT-BK combines digital and analogue aspects to give you a dual-technology experience, which you’ll love if you like to savour the nostalgic and fulfilling feeling of operating a turntable manually. You can use Bluetooth technology to connect the turntable to other devices and operate it, but you also have the option of operating the turntable manually.

This turntable plays 331/3 and 45 RPM records, which means you can play almost any record, including maxi-singles and EPs.

Its platter is made of die-cast aluminium, a material that is not only strong enough to last the lifetime of the turntable, but also has anti-resonance properties; it will not transmit vibrations that could affect the sound quality.

The turntable comes with a built-in preamplifier, a switchable phono with RCA cables that can be connected to various audio systems, so you don’t need to invest in an extra preamp.

1byone belt-driven turntable

The next model is the 1byone Belt Drive Turntable. This is an excellent option from the 1byone brand. This is an entry-level turntable that comes with the best warranty of any of the options we have reviewed so far in this roundup. There are several features that make this one of the best options you can find right now.

Although this model has a simple design and appearance, it has an intricate tone arm and a very durable construction that will give you great performance for five years.

It comes with a beautifully finished rectangular base. Part of the design includes a removable dust cover and a powerful motor that powers the machine.

The platter is made of a solid material and the unit certainly looks more expensive than its real value. Every turntable needs a cartridge, and the cartridge in this model is mounted on the complex tone arm.

In terms of performance, you would be hard pressed to find a turntable as good as this model. In use, the sound quality it produces is outstanding and one of the best for the price. The resolution, bass and other audio qualities are also very impressive.

All in all, it’s a wonderful option that will serve you well for many years. The small complaint we have with this option is that the suspension can be a bit tricky to adjust. Other than that, this is a beautiful turntable that will give you incredible sound over the years.

 

ION Audio PRO500BT Belt-driven record player

The next model is the 1byone Belt Drive Turntable. This is an excellent option from the 1byone brand. This is an entry-level turntable that comes with the best warranty of any of the options we have reviewed so far in this roundup. There are several features that make this one of the best options you can find right now.

Although this model has a simple design and appearance, it has an intricate tone arm and a very durable construction that will give you great performance for five years.

It comes with a beautifully finished rectangular base. Part of the design includes a removable dust cover and a powerful motor that powers the machine.

The platter is made of a solid material and the unit certainly looks more expensive than its real value. Every turntable needs a cartridge, and the cartridge in this model is mounted on the complex tone arm.

In terms of performance, you would be hard pressed to find a turntable as good as this model. In use, the sound quality it produces is outstanding and one of the best for the price. The resolution, bass and other audio qualities are also very impressive.

All in all, it’s a wonderful option that will serve you well for many years. The small complaint we have with this option is that the suspension can be a bit tricky to adjust. Other than that, this is a beautiful turntable that will give you incredible sound over the years.

 

HOFEINZ Vintage turntable in natural wood

Built to play all 3 record speeds: 33, 45 and 78 rpm, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone with a diverse collection of records at different speeds.

The HOFEINZ VS1102 has a real classic vintage look in natural wood with a modern twist. It will fit in perfectly with your contemporary and traditional home décor.

Most musicians and audiophiles prefer classic turntables, not only for the high quality audio sounds of vinyl, but also for their analog operation. This unit will give you the feel of the 60’s with its automatic and manual tone arm mechanism.

In addition, it has built-in two-way speakers that deliver the clearest and most balanced sound possible. You won’t even need to connect to external speakers, unless you want club-like sound. It’s powerful enough and well equipped if you want to listen to your records.

It has Bluetooth technology, so you can connect your music to any smart device to listen to your records. In addition, it has a recording function that allows you to record your vinyl hits to Mp3 via USB. You don’t need any software or a computer for this, just plug it in and record.

You can also enjoy endless Mp3 playback on the deck if you wish.

Victrola Nostalgic Aviator 8-in-1 Bluetooth Turntable

The Victrola Nostalgic Aviator Wood 8-in-1 is a belt-driven turntable and entertainment centre, as the name suggests. It is a multi-functional vintage turntable with radio, CD player, cassette player and recording capability, which perfectly combines old and new audio technologies. You can record any music on CD, cassette or vinyl directly to USB, in MP3 format, and you don’t need to connect to the computer to record.

It also has an auxiliary input and a 3.5mm cable, which you can use to listen to music from any non-Bluetooth device. Admittedly, the sound isn’t as good as you’d expect from restrictive built-in speakers, but it’s far better than most turntables of this calibre. If you want the power and punch of external speakers, you can connect them via cable to the headphone socket. Bluetooth is only supported as an input function, so you won’t be able to connect to Bluetooth speakers.

The radio function supports both AM and FM bands, and for full radio effect you have a rotary tuner to manipulate the dial the old fashioned way. It comes with a remote control, and with it you can operate the turntable remotely. The Bluetooth range is 33 feet, so you can enjoy the music in another room with little interruption.

Its somewhat retro design and natural-looking construction make it a great addition to any room. There is also a wide choice of colours, with white and brown being the best choices.

ION Audio Air LP

ION has a reputation for always being at the forefront of USB turntable technology. The ION Audio Air LP shows exactly why. Combining a very modern look with a rather neat, space-age design, this turntable is a very interesting device. With it, you can effortlessly connect your Bluetooth speakers in order to transmit the sound produced by your audio sources or your connected records as an auxiliary.

And you can be sure that nothing will interfere with your experience with this player. That’s because it has a quiet belt drive system that, combined with the automatic shut-off, makes operation convenient and effortless. Even if you unexpectedly fall asleep while listening, the platter will stop spinning once the end of the disc is reached. For maximum durability and longevity, the unit also features a heavy-duty diamond ceramic cartridge. In addition, it delivers a high output signal, ideal for direct connection to speakers and amplifiers.

Of course, you can also pair the unit with your smartphone and listen in private with headphones. It’s also capable of full USB transfer, and there’s also an RCA output, so you can connect your stereo system. In terms of overall connectivity, this record player is impressive, even allowing you to connect to your PC or Mac. Overall, if you like the idea of a Bluetooth turntable, this is a good choice. Our gripe? Well, the Bluetooth takes forever to connect.

Victrola 50’s Retro 3-Speed Bluetooth Turntable

Victrola is one of those brands that have been around for over a century and you know for a fact that their products will not disappoint. But we didn’t want to take any chances and had to try out the retro 50s 3-speed Bluetooth turntable to experience it for ourselves. There’s a lot to like about this model, but let’s start with the design.

It’s crafted in an iconic retro design that makes you think of 60s music as soon as you see it. From the shape of the box to the chrome metal details on the front, it really does look like a classic music system. In black it looks great, but it was the red option that made us want to own it.

Moving on to the more practical side of things now, the Vitrola 50s is a 3-speed turntable and can play all types of records: 33-1/3, 45 and 78 rpm. If your record collection is a mixture of all three speeds, you’ll be happy to play them all from one unit.

The Vitrola 50s is more than a vinyl record player. It is also a CD player, radio and MP3 recorder. It can play both AM and FM radio, function as a regular CD player and play music wirelessly via Bluetooth. To turn your vinyl records into MP3s, the turntable uses USB encoding and recording software. Simply connect the deck to your computer via USB and use the recording software supplied with the deck to record the music. The software is PC and Mac compatible.

Pro-Ject VT-E BT Wireless Turntable

Variable speed, belt drive and a preamplifier are just some of the features that distinguish this model from many others on the market. The main attraction for us, and we are sure for many others, is that it is a vertical turntable. As such, it stands out from the rest and is the best vertical turntable on this list.

The Pro-ject brand is known for the high quality of its equipment, and this one is certainly no exception. When it comes to the most important factors that make a turntable a great option, you can rest assured that this unit meets most requirements.

The design is impressive and the black finish looks great wherever you place it. In addition to the beautiful finish, this turntable is made from high quality materials. For example, the platter is made of acrylic and the cartridge is an Ortofon OM cartridge, which is one of the best at this price level. Also, the belt drive system is one of the best in the brand.

Apart from the design, the performance is impressive. Although it is considered an entry-level option, you get powerful performance. Details are fast and accurate.

There are a few things that make this not the best option on our list. First of all, it is not very easy to install. The manual is not easy to decipher. Also, the calibration of the counterweight is not the best we have encountered.

Why buy a Bluetooth turntable?

Of the many modern turntables you will encounter, one of the most popular is the Bluetooth turntable. There are many factors that make this deck desirable, not least of which is the ability to connect to wireless devices. Given a choice between a wireless device and one that uses a wired/cable connection, most people would opt for the wireless device. The neat, minimalist look, with no criss-crossing cables, is a definite attraction.

Plus, you can connect it to any smart device, provided it’s Bluetooth-enabled. And what smart device isn’t? This shows the greater versatility of use you get with this deck compared to non-Bluetooth decks. You can store your music anywhere – in iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android phone, tablet and any other portable device, and pair that device with the deck to get crisp, clear music when you need it.

Features to consider before buying a Bluetooth player

A Bluetooth player, no matter how basic, cannot be bought for £10. You’ll need to spend at least £100 to buy one, and possibly much more. You want to make the most of your money by making a good purchase, and you do so by considering the important features, as outlined below.

Speed of rotation

There are generally three speeds of rotation: 33-1/3 (often simply called 33), 45 and 78 rpm. The rotational speed represents the level at which the turntable is running at maximum performance. The first records developed, around 1925, operated optimally at 78 rpm and were large in size compared to later versions. Despite this, they could only offer a playback time of 3 to 4 minutes. This was because the faster the disc spun, the less information it could hold. They were also fragile and susceptible to damage. Later, a smaller version, the 33 rpm record, known as the LP, was developed. It had a higher playback capacity than the 78-rpm record and was also more durable. The 45 rpm record was the last to be invented. It had a similar playback capacity to the 78 rpm record, but was smaller and more durable.

Before vinyl records could be improved, advances were made in radio, and then cassette and CD players were invented. This marked the end of vinyl records as the latter music formats became more popular, as they could hold more music information than vinyl records. Nevertheless, vinyl records continued to be used, especially by record companies.

When looking to buy a record player for your records, check that it is compatible with the speed of the records. Some record players only support two speeds, while others support all three speeds.

Bluetooth capability

Although the Bluetooth experience is generally the same on all devices, the Bluetooth range supported by the turntable determines how far you can connect to the turntable. If the range is 30 feet, it means you can get a connection, provided the Bluetooth device you are using to connect to the deck is within 30 feet of the deck.

Again, newer versions of Bluetooth can have faster data transfer speeds than older versions. So, in the case of two decks with two versions of Bluetooth, it may be that the connection is faster in the deck that has a newer Bluetooth version.

When evaluating the Bluetooth capability, also check whether the deck supports only Bluetooth input or whether it has Bluetooth input and output capabilities.

When both Bluetooth input and output capabilities are supported, it means that you can play music from your Bluetooth devices and listen to the turntable’s music on Bluetooth speakers of any type.

Type: direct or belt drive

Turntables are generally of two types: direct drive and belt drive. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each will help you make a choice that is appropriate to the type of experience you want from the turntable.

In both cases, the record sits on a component called a platter. It is this component that rotates as the record is played. The difference between the two types is the location of the motor in relation to the platter.

In direct drive turntables, the platter is in direct contact with the motor. As a result, the platter benefits from a more constant playback speed. Direct-drive turntables also have higher torque, which results in less sound distortion. It is also possible to spin the platter backwards, like a DJ, to achieve scratchy sound effects.

In belt-driven decks, the platter is attached to an elastic belt, which is in turn attached to the motor. These turntables have less torque and, therefore, less accurate speeds. However, because the platter is isolated from the motor, the motor noise reaches the tone arm very little. As a result, these decks have better sound quality.

Stylus and platter

The stylus, also known as the pin, is the conical diamond-tipped element that rests on the disc and moves up and down between the grooves of the disc. It is mounted in the cartridge and is completely removable. To allow mobility, the stylus is connected to the tone arm.

The platter is the platform on which the disc rests during playback. In addition to holding the disc in place, it also maintains the playback speed and acts as a damper against noise, especially motor vibrations, preventing these noises from reaching the stylus or tone arm and distorting the sound quality.

The platter should be firm and rigid. Choose a platter with a good weight, as the heavier it is, the better it insulates the stylus from noise.

Also, when the platter is dense, it offers better consistency in playback speed. The platter is usually made of acrylic, metal or MDF. Simply weigh the advantages of each material against the others and choose the one that you feel offers the best sound experience.

Tonearm

The tone arm is connected to the stylus and is responsible for producing the sound in the turntable. It is the component that balances and moves the stylus across the groove as required. When the stylus contacts the grooves of the record, it transmits vibrations through the wires inside the tone arm and onto the cartridge coils, where they are transformed into electrical signals.

Pre-amplifier

The preamplifier, also known as a phono stage, phono preamplifier or simply preamp, is a type of amplifier specifically designed to amplify the signals from record players. It is usually available as a built-in component in record players or as a stand-alone unit for use with record players. You won’t find it in modern audio receivers, however, as these are not designed for record player signals.

If your record player does not have a built-in preamplifier, you will need to look for a special record player amplifier.

Additional features

Useful extra features include the following:

Non-slip weight to hold stylus and tone arm in place

Quality stand that can effectively isolate vibrations

Robust counterweight to balance the weight of the tone arm and regulate the weight on the stylus at all times.

It may be important to consider the materials used for some of these key components, for example, carbon fibre for the tone arm and acrylic for the platter, as some materials are significantly better than others.

Our verdict

Choosing the best turntable for your needs may not be that easy, but with a comprehensive guide like this one, you have a good idea of what to look out for and which models to pay attention to. It’s hard to pick a winner, but we prefer the ION Audio Air LP. It’s well balanced with good proportions of all the different features that matter. The Victrola 50’s is our best Bluetooth turntable on a budget. This one offers all the basic features you want in a turntable without emptying your pocket. Because there’s nothing wrong with indulging once in a while, especially if you’ve been using a basic turntable for a while, the Sony PS-LX310BT is a fantastic upgrade, except for its high cost. If you don’t want to spend £1,000 on a turntable just yet, go for the HOFEINZ Vintage Turntable. Its sound quality is as close as you can get to a high-end model.