Top 10: The Best Record Players 2017 on a budget



So you’ve finally decide to delve into the glorious world of the record player. Maybe you feel the urge to dust off your old vinyl record collection, or perhaps you are new to this and want to see what all the fuss is about. Well in this comprehensive Top 10 list of the best record players of 2017 you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy, and if not you will certainly have a good idea of what is available at the moment.

Compiling this list we are focusing on low end modern and portable record players. Taking into consideration value for money, the quality of the build, the clarity of the audio and the number of multi functions the player may provide. So lets get started…

# 10 ION Max LP

KEY FEATURES

All-in-one turntable with built in speakers.

Connect to computer via USB & convert records into digital audio.

Aux input to play music from alternative sources as well as convert cassette tapes into digital Audio.

Standard RCA outputs allow you to connect to optional home stereo speakers.

VERDICT

This is a great all-in-one modern record player. Surprisingly in at number 10 on our list of the best record players 2017. It looks beautiful and slick and comes in a natural wood color or black. It works well with old and new vinyl and there is no problem when plugging in a phone or mp3 player through the aux input. The only downside, which is perfectly understandable, is the audio quality through the in-built speakers. The volume is decent but the sound is quite tinny with no lower bass frequencies. However I personally feel this is ideal when listening to old classic records, some jazz or blues for instance. When plugging into a home stereo or using headphones the sound quality is great.

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# 9 1byone

KEY FEATURES

Front facing built-in speakers.

Close and carry suitcase style for easy transportation.

RCA outputs and headphone line in/out so you can listen through headphones/home stereo

VERDICT

Another very stylish looking record player. The quirky suitcase style is very cool and is a popular trend for record players at these days. It comes in either turquoise or black with a nice PU leather exterior looking and feeling nice and slick. The build is very good, doesn’t look or feel cheap and the player does its job. Down sides are that the internal speakers once again provide a low audio quality with no lower frequencies. However you can plug it into your own home speakers and i will sound great. The suitcase style is ideal for storage and transportation and looks very retro and cool.

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# 8 Crosley Musician/CR704C-PA

KEY FEATURES

Dynamic in-built stereo speakers.

Programmable CD player.

Cassette deck.

AM/FM radio.

Belt driven turntable.

Aux input for phone/mp3 player connection.

VERDIT

Well this is quite the multi-functioning little gem for the price ($93 at time of writing). It is actually quite incredible the amount of things this little bad boy can accomplish and all in one quirky vintage looking box. The main question is “can something that provides so much functionality at such a low price actually be any good?”. The answer… yes and no. For all you audiophiles out there the speakers just wont cut it, and there is no option to plug into your own home stereo system. For everyone else who doesn’t care about hearing every tiny frequency range then this is perfectly adequate, and in fact for what it is, does actually provide a decent rich sound. This multi-retro vintage box is certainly worth the very little money it costs, and a place in our top 10 best record players 2017.

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# 7 Electrohome Signature



KEY FEATURES

Four speakers for high fidelity audio performance.

Plays vinyl records, CDs, AM/FM radio, aux input for phone/mp3 insertion.

Hard wood cabinet with a vintage deep walnut finish.

Record vinyl through USB.

VERDICT

Much like the ‘Crosley Musician’ in at number 8, this all-in-one multi function cabinet offers heaps for its cost (£199 at time of writing). It is double the price of the Crosley and it seems like this extra bit of dollar is noticeable in the solid wood build and the quality of sound. Sturdy and strong with 4 speakers providing a very decent audio experience. Again it wont provide the same clarity and stereo depth as a decent home stereo system but it certainly does a good job. All in all a great purchase.

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# 6 Jensen JTA-220

KEY FEATURES

AM/FM radio.

Able to connect to home stereo speakers

In-built speakers.

Stereo headphone input.

VERDICT

So here we’ve thrown in a cheap and cheerful little record player. Coming in at only $36 (at time of writing) you cant really go wrong. The internal speakers are not the best but more than sufficient for listening to your favorite record over dinner or listening to the radio whilst making breakfast. You can also connect it to your home stereo with decent effect. Not the most high end piece of equipment but at the seriously cheap end of the budget, its a nice little piece of gear.

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# 5 Jensen JTA-222

KEY FEATURES

AM/FM radio.

Able to connect to home stereo speakers

In-built speakers.

Stereo headphone input.

VERDICT

In at number five on our list of the best record players 2017, very much like it’s predecessor, the Jensen JTA-222 is a decent piece of kit for it’s very reasonable price. Another one not suitable for all you audiophiles out there. This is better suited to those of you who aren’t fussy about having the perfectly immersive audio experience and just want something simple and easy that just does its job. This is that.

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# 4 Electrohome Archer



KEY FEATURES

Built-in stereo speakers.

Close and carry suitcase style for easy transportation.

Aux input to play music from any phone/device.

Stereo headphone input.

VERDICT

With the Elctrohome Archer we have another retro suitcase style record player. It comes in both saddle brown and black. It looks seriously suave and the build is of decent quality. Again it is reasonably priced therefore you cant expect the most high end of builds. This product looks great and works very efficiently, the in-built speakers are good for particular low-key situations but don’t expect to throw a house party using them as your main source of sound.

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# 3 Electrohome Wellington

KEY FEATURES

All-in-one record player housed in a vintage mahogany finished cabinet.

Plays vinyl, CDs, AM/FM radio with illuminated dialing, aux input to connect phone/mp3/other devices.

Rich and warm built-in speakers with wooden cabinet for optimal sound.

USB for recording vinyl onto your home computer.

VERDICT

Another all-in-one with multi-retro functionality. This is one to go head to head with the ‘Crosley Musician’. Almost identical other than the lack of a cassette tape player (alas). The build is good and we’ve had no issues although sometimes when manufacturers try to cram in so much functionality at such a cheap cost, certain things may go wrong. Researching what others have said a few have complained about the needle skipping with newer records. However like us, the majority have had no problem and think its a great buy.

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# 2 Crosley Cruiser Deluxe

KEY FEATURES

Built-in Bluetooth allows wireless streaming directly to the Crosleys Cruisers dynamic speakers.

Adjustable pitch control

Full range in-built stereo speakers

Portable and practical suitcase style.

VERDICT

Crosley have taken over the portable record player market like a storm, and its clear to see why. The retro suitcase style record player has become so popular of late, many say it’s a gimmick but we say otherwise. First and foremost it is ridiculously practical to pack up and transport. The fact that you can easily close it and take it over to a friends house is quite frankly awesome. It’s not jam packed with all kinds of random digital features, although it is Bluetooth ready which can be useful if you have it connected to decent speakers and you are using it as your main source of playing music. Again like all the rest, the in-built speakers are not great and they’re never going to be for that price and that size. This is certainly one of the best record players out there and it also comes in a wide variety of colors, a great buy at a very reasonable price.

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# 1 Jensen JTA-230

KEY FEATURES

In-built stereo speakers.

USB port for converting vinyl records into digital formats.

Aux to connect your phone/other devices.

Pitch control (record speed) and tone control.

Power Indicator, Auto Stop Switch, Dust Cover.

VERDICT

For our number one spot, the best record player 2017, we’ve gone for the best standard, no frills, does what it says on the tin, budget modern vinyl record player. Coming in at the low end, a measly $44 (at the time of writing), the Jensen JTA-230 does its job and it does it well. We feel here that more often than not, less is more and if you want a record player… BUY A RECORD PLAYER! who needs all these extra functions that inevitably lead to the cheapening of the final product or something not working properly and breaking. The Jensen JTA-230 is a simple, affordable and excellent purchase for those just wanting to kick back and lay the needle to wax.

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There you have it. Our top 10 list of the best record players 2017. If you’re interested in purchasing any of the above, the majority are on Amazon.

We hope this was useful and stay tuned for more record related content 🙂

Check out our Best Albums to Own on Vinyl list here.