Portable record players are an excellent way to bring the classic vinyl sound to almost every location. You will appreciate the perfection every time you use one in a brilliant setting. Many music enthusiasts swear by the true sound of vinyl records but cannot afford the costly turntables and stereo equipment it takes to play them. This is where the best portable record players come in.
They allow people to listen to their vinyl without the high cost. It is important to find the very best portable record players possible for this endeavor, but what makes it one of the best. A lot goes into using a portable record player. You have to know the speeds you want, whether it can run off batteries or be plugged in and a variety of other things before choosing a portable record player.
Product FAQ
1. What Makes the Best Portable Record Player?
The best portable record player is made the best by its features. Each portable record player has slightly different features and components. When you are considering purchasing a player, you have to consider which features you have to have and those that you can live without. Everyone’s needs are slightly different. Some of the best record players work wonderfully for private and commercial use.
2. What Are Standard Features on a Portable Record Player?
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It is extremely important to have the features that you want when you are purchasing a portable player. Fortunately, many features are relatively standard across the record player industry. Some of the standard features on portable record players are: variable play speeds such as 33, 45, and 78
- RCA line in and out
- Bluetooth input
- Auto-stop functions
- FM Radio
- Multiple output formats
Each of these features makes the portable player efficient and easy to use in a variety of settings.
3. What Are Portable Record Players Used For?
Portable record players are useful for both private and commercial practices. Many are great for DJ’s and other musicians as well as just listening to classic vinyl sound at the park or recreation center. You can take them just about anywhere. They are a low-cost alternative to the traditional costly turntable stereo setups. Many of the best portable players have multiple options for sound conversion and recording as well as multiple ways to listen to your precious vinyl records.
4. What Are the Differences Between a Standard Record Player and a Portable Record Player?
Image by Free-Photos from PixabayThe major difference between standard record players and portable record players is the ease at which they are moved. The best portable record player is one that has a case built in to prevent damage during transport and a rechargeable battery. Standard record players are bulky and can become damaged easily when transported. Portable record players are also considerably more durable. One of the trade-offs is a traditional record player has better sound due to high-quality bulky speaker attachments.
5. What Should I Look for in a Portable Record Player?
There are a few aspects you will want to look at in the best portable record player for you to be sure that you get the features that you want most.
Table
The table is one of the most important parts of a record player. In portable record players, it becomes even more important. You should look for a player that has a belt-driven, rubber balanced, or floated table. Each of these styles of tables is specifically designed to reduce vibration. Reducing vibrations makes your music sound better and helps to keep your records safe when you move the player or the player gets bumped. The table consists of a motor, a bearing, and the platter, itself. Each of these components needs to be stable and sturdy. Without a doubt, the table is one of the most important parts of any record player but becomes even more important in portable record players where stability is an issue.
The Arm
Image by aselajay from PixabayThe arm is another important component. The arm of a record player contains the stylus which is what actually translates the grooves of the record into sound. Without a sturdy arm and functioning stylus, the record player is useless. A portable record player must have a heavier duty arm and a properly fitting stylus to produce the high-quality sound that you are used to. Many record player companies sell styluses, and many arms themselves are replaceable in case of breakage.
The Casing
The casing of a record player is the last main component. The casing is where everything is housed. In portable record players, the casing has to be considerably more durable. Most of the record players on this best portable record player list are suitcase-style record players. This means that the case not only completely covers the mechanism of the player, it also has a closing and sometimes locking lid. This lid and case protect the player while you are moving it. Most of the cases on portable record players are also stylized or come in different colors, depending on the manufacturer.
6. What Specifications Are Good for a Portable Record Player?
Some of the specifications that you will absolutely need are standard on most record players. The record player should be variable speed so that it can play 33, 45, and 78 speeds. There are not many recordings that are not included in these speeds. It should also have multiple size playback options. Records come in different sizes. These sizes are 7 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches. A good signal-to-noise ratio is also extremely important. Signal to noise is the amount of background noise or white noise that you will get from playing a vinyl record.
How We Reviewed to Find the Best Portable Record Player
We reviewed portable record players based on ease of use, consumer comments, owners reviews, cost, durability, and overall portability. Each record player was individually examined in order to ensure the highest quality standards were being maintained. It is important to note that each of the following record players has different features and types of amenities along with some standardized features. We also looked at specifications such as vibration dampening and signal-to-noise ratios to make certain that we were recommending only the best, most versatile, portable record players.
Overall Price Range of the Best Portable Record Players
The overall price range of the best portable record players and comparable models is approximately $20.00 all the way up to $150.00. Cost does not mean a better record player, but the higher-priced record players may have more features than the lower-priced ones. Most of the portable record players on this list fall between $40.00 and $90.00.
What We Reviewed
- Audio-Technica ATLP60USB LP to USB Digital Belt Drive Turntable
- 1byone Suit case Style Turntable
- Crosley CR6019D-BR Executive Portable USB Turntable
- Turntable Record Player Classic Suitcase Portable Record Player
- Turntable for Vinyl Records Portable Record Player
- Vinyl Stereo White Record Player
- Vinyl Record Player JORLAI Turntable
- Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable
- Musitrend Bluetooth Record Player Portable Suitcase Turntable
- Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable
- it.innovative technology Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable
- 1byone Belt Driven 3 Speed Portable Stereo Turntable with Built in Speakers
Audio-Technica ATLP60USB LP to USB Digital Belt Drive Turntable
Features
The Audio-Technica ATLP60 is one of the belt-driven turntables. It features a sleek futuristic design and complete dust protection. It uses a diamond stylus and has many other features. Unlike some of the others on this list, this particular automatic record player only has two speeds and no speakers. It is more like the standalone record players that are for home use only. It does have a durable case and a dust cover. It does also convert vinyl to digital recordings. It has a built-in amplifier with RCA jacks so you can connect your speakers and listen to your classic records. It also has an anti-resonance, die-cast, aluminum platter to give you the most vibration protection of any of the other portable record players on this list.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
1byone Suit case Style Turntable
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Features
The Suitcase Style Turntable by 1byone is one of the more versatile portable record players on this list. It has a lightweight and compact design that makes it very portable, and it really can go anywhere you need to be. It has the standard 33, 45, and 78 selective speeds. It can also convert from vinyl to digital or Mp3 formats so you can get the perfect vinyl sound on your digital music player.
It comes in a faux leather case that feels remarkably real. Because it is manufactured by 1byone, it is covered under the 1byone warranty. This record player uses an AUX or RCA jack to connect to speakers and other devices. It makes the best record player list because of its versatility, durability, and stylish design.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Crosley CR6019D-BR Executive Portable USB Turntable
Features
The Crosley CR6019D-BR Executive Portable USB turntable is both stylish and functional. The case looks like a high-end suitcase when closed but opens into a truly powerful player. It has all of the features that you need. The variable speed control adjusts through 33, 45, and 78-speed records. It can play 7 inch, 10 inch, and 12-inch records with ease. It also has adjustable pitch control, a Bluetooth receiver to play music from your Bluetooth enabled device, full-spectrum, built-in, high-quality speakers and is USB enabled for easy plug in. It also has an RCA and Aux jacks.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Turntable Record Player Classic Suitcase Portable Record Player
Features
The Turntable Record Player Classic Suitcase Portable Record Player is no slouch in the turntable department. It has a classic stylish case that comes in a textured hue. It has USB and SD play function and has USB capabilities. It is extremely lightweight and easy to transport with the standard close and go outer casing. Like most portable record players, it supports 33, 45, and 78 speeds and multiple size records such as 7 inch, 10 inch, and 12-inch records.
There is also built-in RCA and 3.5 mm jacks to make listening a breeze. It is said to be more durable than some of the other players, but, aside from the actual table itself, it does not have any major vibration reduction which is its one flaw.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Turntable for Vinyl Records Portable Record Player
Features
Termed a suitcase phonograph, the turntable for vinyl records portable record player follows the classic design of both antique suitcases and old-style phonographs for a truly unique look. It has a classic look, wooden cabinet that provides a lightweight design and all of the dust protection you could want. Like all of the D and L turntables on the market, this turntable offers full PC support with PC encoding so you can convert your favorite vinyl records to Mp3 audio files.
So, you can capture the perfect vinyl sound in a smaller more convenient format. It is also one of the few portable players that also has a manual lever for easier and simpler operation. The mechanisms have a phono preamplifier and a hookup for RCA cables so you can connect your standard speakers quickly and easily for the best sound possible. It comes with a 45 RPM adaptor and can play at 33, 45, and 78 RPM speeds.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Vinyl Stereo White Record Player
Features
The Vinyl Stereo White Record Player is one of the least complex record players on this list. It manages to be simple to operate with all of the rich features many of the others have. It has the standard three playing speeds, 33, 45, and 78. On top of the three speeds, it can handle multiple sizes of records as well. It plays seven, ten, and twelve-inch records with ease. It can also do vinyl to digital conversions like more expensive and complex models. It supports PC Recording, AUX input, RCA output, and has a headphone jack; This all comes with support for external speakers so all of your records sound the best that they possibly can.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Vinyl Record Player JORLAI Turntable
Features
The Vinyl JORLAI turntable record player is one of the smallest on the best portable record player list. Unfortunately, you have to be very careful with the compact portable record players as the records will overlap the sides while playing. This player has Bluetooth capability, dynamic, full-range speakers, 3 speeds including 33, 45, and 78-speed capabilities, a 3.5 mm jack, an RCA jack to hook up external speakers, and vinyl to mp3 recording capabilities. One of the other bonuses that come with this tiny portable player is its powerful, rechargeable battery so you can cut the cord. It also comes with a 12-month warranty from JORLAI.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable
Features
Victrola is a long-standing name in record players. As a matter of fact, some of the very first record players were made by Victrola. They are known for their high quality and innovation. The Victrola Vintage 3-speed suitcase turntable is no exception. It features a wide range of options for even the pickiest of music enthusiasts. It comes with all of the standard options such as 33, 45, and 78-speed playback and multiple output jacks including 3.5 mm and RCA jacks. One of the best features of the Victrola Vintage is its ability to play music from your USB or Bluetooth enabled device. Unfortunately, this particular model does not have a battery.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Musitrend Bluetooth Record Player Portable Suitcase Turntable
Features
The Musitrend Bluetooth record player is a feature-rich turntable. It has adaptive plug and play technology and a variety of surprising capabilities. The standard features are 33, 45, and 78-speed playback, built-in stereo speakers, and a variety of output choices. Some of the main output options are an RCA jack, a headphone jack, and an aux jack for playing your phone and stereo.
It even has a rechargeable battery which makes this a truly and completely portable player. The ability to record Mp3 from vinyl is an added bonus that is not included in many of the players on the market today. The Mustrend Record Player Suitcase has two flaws which do not limit the performance of the device much. Its finish is relatively fragile, and it lacks some much-needed bass.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable
Features
The Crosley Cruiser Delux is a three-speed turntable with Bluetooth and a convenient durable carry case. It comes with the standard three speeds, 33, 45, and 78, along with the adaptor for 45 RPM vinyl. It has all of the audio output options like an RCA jack, Bluetooth, and a standard headphone jack. You can take this compact, lightweight, portable player just about anywhere you would like and still maintain a stylish appearance.
To top it all off, the Crosley Cruiser Deluxe comes in multiple colors. This player has one thing that many others do not, a pitch control to adjust for the perfect sound. The only disappointing things about this player is that it is not USB capable nor does it have a loud speaker volume.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
it.innovative technology Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable
Features
The in.innovative technology Vintage 3-speed, Bluetooth suitcase turntable is a marvel in portable sound. It is designed to look like a vintage-style record player but with all of the modern functionality. It contains built-in Bluetooth capability, 33, 45, and 78-speed capabilities, built-in speakers as well as a 3.5 mm for perfect listening from any non-Bluetooth device.
To top it all off, this player contains an RCA jack. You can not beat the Victrola Vintage for portability, playability, and versatility. All of this comes in a convenient hard carry case. This feature-rich player’s Bluetooth has a range of approximately 33 feet so you can play music directly from your phone or another Bluetooth device.
Victrola is a long-trusted name in audio technology, and the quality of this player shows the companies experience in combining everything you need in one portable device. The drawbacks of this device are that the Bluetooth does not work for Bluetooth speakers and may have some vibration to the playback.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
1byone Belt Driven 3 Speed Portable Stereo Turntable with Built-in Speakers
Features
The 1byone belt driven, 3-speed, portable stereo turntable with built-in speakers is an excellent player for its price. It is designed for being portable and easy to carry. It is lightweight and durable, so you can take it literally anywhere. The belt gives you a clear, vibration-free sound and clarity. The speakers are built-in so you do not have to worry about carrying a portable speaker set with you. The three speeds are the standard 33, 45, and 78 record player speeds.
There are very few vinyl records that this handy device will not play. One of the only downsides to this player is that it does not play with the cover closed. You will need to find a way to protect your records from dust and debris without leaving the cover closed. It also has RCA output, mp3 playability, mobile phone playback, and has a standard headphone jack.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
The Verdict
As you can see, this is quite an extensive list we have put together for portable record players. Any of the players on this list could suit your needs, depending on your own personal preferences. The best portable record player is one that suits your needs. When choosing a portable record player, you need to consider what you are going to use it for and whether it has the features you need. We have compiled a list of the most feature-full and versatile record players on the market today. These are based on functionality, features, and user comments about each device.
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