For us, reliable means a turntable that's a fantastic all-rounder and good value for money. With that in mind, you can't go wrong with the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo that sits at the top of our list of the best turntables, with an expansive, detailed sound and impressive specs. The What Hi-Fi?team has more than 100 years of collective experience in reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics – and that includes plenty of record players. We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of expert reviewers do all our in-house testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency across all products.We always ensure we spend plenty of time with each turntable, setting them up correctly, trying them with different partnering electronics, in different positions and playing various records and music genres. Audio-Technica’s original AT-LP5turntable was a winner. Launched in 2016, its combination of solid engineering, useful features and fine sound was enough to make it one of our go-to recommendations for anyone wanting a sensibly priced, fuss-free record player with the added bonus of a USB output. It depends what you're comparing it to. But yes, vinyl sounds better than lossy and compressed MP3 files. Vinyl also tends to sound better than CDs because records are an end-to-end analog format. During our testing we found that one small but notable difference between the Marantz and the Clearaudio turntables is the ability to play 78 rpm records. While most people will never come across 78s, it’s nice to know that the Clearaudio Concept is capable of playing them if you decide to explore older records. The Concept also has a handy speed dial on the plinth, so you don’t have to swap the belt position manually.

With its seamless blend of retro aesthetics and contemporary functionality, the Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player offers a high-quality audio experience. The turntable sits on sound isolating feet that prevent vibration, ensuring optimal sound performance. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in every aspect of the product.

The Victrola 50’s Retro Bluetooth Record Player is a versatile multimedia center that offers a range of features for music lovers. It can be used as a traditional record player, allowing you to play and enjoy your vinyl collection. Additionally, it can convert your vinyl records into MP3 format, making it easy to listen to your favorite music on modern devices.

Belt-driven turntables are going to be a lot quieter and offer higher fidelity than their direct drive brethren, as direct drive turntables have a motor that is directly connected to the platter. However, there are some great direct drive turntables out there, so don’t write them off just yet. This might be the best in the list for high-performing audio and specs, but it isn’t the prettiest or most elegant model. This turntable is designed to look like a turntable, albeit a nicely constructed and finished one. A hefty, smoothly finished chassis is topped by a tactile aluminium plinth.Also worth considering is this: do you want to rip your vinyl to your digital library? If so, look for a turntable with a USB output and reliable software to get the job done. Overall, there is a portable suitcase record player with built-in speakers to suit the needs and preferences of every music lover. Whether you prioritize sound quality, durability, convenience, or a retro aesthetic, these products offer a variety of features and benefits to enhance your listening experience. Once you have chosen, it's also crucial you set up your turntable correctly. While some record players are relatively "plug and play", many require a little more time and effort to hear at their best. Want to know more? Read our complete guide to choosing the right turntable. How we test record players

Finding the best record player for you can seem confusing, but there are some key details you need to consider when choosing your next turntable. The TechPlay ODC35BT RED record player is a versatile and stylish piece of audio equipment that is perfect for music enthusiasts who want to enjoy their vinyl collection with a modern twist. Its primary use is to play vinyl records at three different speeds – 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM, allowing users to enjoy their favorite albums in their original format.The rebirth of Technics has spawned another fantastic turntable. While we love the high-end SL-1000R model (so much so that we use it as part of our reference testing system), the SL-1500C is much more affordable, and it's also one of the best record players we've heard at around a grand that includes a built-in phono stage.