
For our tests, we hook each turntable up to our home systems and spin an eclectic variety of genres, and albums from classic to modern, to really put the gear through its paces. We listen to music around the clock - it's part of our job - so we know how albums are meant to sound. For us, we’re all about how the turntable sounds. We’re music fans first and foremost here at Louder so, while we are certainly interested in the spec sheet of any record player we test, we’re less focused on the nitty gritty detail of a deck that will deliver marginal gains. Take them for what they are quick, easy ways to enjoy your vinyl records.
CROSLEY RECORD PLAYER PORTABLE
If pristine audio was your goal you arguably wouldn’t be looking at portable players. That said, there is still joy to be had from the lo-fi stylings of vinyl audio quality. Being realistic, you’re not going to be getting elite audiophile levels of sound from any of these systems so you may need to adjust your expectations slightly. Vinyl buffs will know the importance of cartridges, stylus’ and drive systems. If you want proper Bluetooth experience, we’d recommend reading our guide to the best Bluetooth turntables. Most will also offer Bluetooth functionality but be aware that this can sometimes be a one-way street, meaning they’ll play music back from your phone but won’t allow you to send your vinyl sound to an external Bluetooth speaker.

Instead, check if the players have outputs for connecting external speakers or headphones. We certainly wouldn’t trust them with anything where you want to hear a bass line, for example. Can I connect a portable turntable to speakers?Įach of the systems I've highlighted offer speakers built into the unit itself but, realistically, they’re not the best sounding. Thankfully, while we freely admit there are some pretty garish models on offer, there are also some which retain an element of class and understated style.

You’ll know which look will suit you best so it’s worth shopping around.

There are plenty of variations on the theme, from players designed to look like they’ve been removed from a 1930’s time capsule, to more retro 70s-styled models.
