5 Best Record Players Under $200 of 2021 – Reviews with Comparisons
With the rise of vinyl coming back into popularity, you may be thinking about dragging out your record collection, but you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for a new record player. We understand that and want to share with you a few of the best record players under $200 that we highly recommend.
Record Players under $200 Reviews
Victrola 8-in-1 Record Player
There is something cool about mixing vintage with modern. It is a delicate balance, but there are many record players, including this model from Victrola, that do it very well. The sleek-looking wooden case houses eight different ways to listen to your music.
Review
Not only can you listen to the hiss and pop of vinyl, but you can stream music, listen to CDs and cassettes, and tune into your favorite radio station. We love the versatility, and of all the things about this player, that is by far why we love this model the most.
However, even with the reputation of this brand and the incredible design features, there are some things we are not so fond of. There is no RCA connection, which means you are stuck using the built-in speakers. This isn’t bad, but they are not as good as the soundbar. Also, the arm is light, and there is a tendency for it to skip if you’re not careful.
Pros
- Comes with 1 GB of storage space
- Capable of playing CDs and cassette tapes
- Sound balance is very impressive
- Crafted with a built-in FM radio
Cons
- Arm of the turntable is lightweight and may skip some
- Lacks RCA cable jack for connection to external speakers
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ANGELS HORN Vintage Turntable
If you still want a model that is a combination of vintage and modern, then this 1980s inspired turntable will be a good choice for you. We think the graphic on the turntable and the cool aesthetic will elevate the cool quotient for most. However, where novice audiophiles may get the most from this player is in the features.
Review
This Angels Horn turntable is easy to set up, and the balancing takes no time at all. For us, the built-in preamp is where the money’s at. Not every record player has this, and it definitely gives the sound quality a boost. Plus, you can listen to music from your digital devices, too.
The digital aspect is nice and includes Bluetooth capability. Unfortunately, this is one of the areas we are a little disappointed with. Once you get it connected, it is great, but the process of doing that is a little frustrating. Also, why is the USB cord so short!?
Pros
- Set up and balancing the unit is simple and fast
- Outfitted with an internal preamp that improves the volume and sound capabilities
- USB cord is included to allow for the transferal of music to a digital platform
- Saves you money with an energy conservation feature
Cons
- Bluetooth connectivity can be a little sensitive and difficult to set up
- Some have found the USB cord is a bit on the short side
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SeeYing Record Player
Simple designs are not bad, but it is nice to have a fancy aesthetic. For those who just want a record player that plays your music and has a few extra tech features to expand the usability, try this model from SeeYing. It is a lightweight, compact model that can be set up anywhere with ease.
Review
Surprisingly, though, as simple as it looks, it does have a couple of epic features. When it comes to music, you can save up to 20 presets so that you can choose folders to play music from. It can also be attached to your current soundbar for even better sound projection.
Now, despite the cool features, including Bluetooth, there are some issues that we just couldn’t live with ourselves if we didn’t make you aware of. The Bluetooth will take you a little time to hook up. Also, if you are looking for an instruction manual to help reduce the set-up time, you may be very disappointed. The instructions are not well written.
Pros
- Capable of storing 20 presets for easy retrieval
- Lightweight and compact unit for improved housing possibilities
- Fitted with an RCA jack for the ability to hook up to an external sound system
- Comes with a counterbalance for the turntable arm
Cons
- Many found the instructions were poorly written
- Takes a little time for the Bluetooth to connect
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Victrola Pro Series Record Player
Sticking with simple designs, we want to discuss another Victrola record player. It is a two-speed model that has a lot of great qualities. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it is designed with some special features. We love the strobe effect that lights up the logo. It doesn’t affect the performance, but it gets a big thumbs up when it comes to coolness.
Review
The record player is fitted with an Audio-Technica stylus, which means it’s durable. On top of all that, the player comes with a dust cover to help with protection, and it is also crafted with a skip control system. All of this means you can feel secure in your records staying scratch-free.
Now, that doesn’t mean that there are no aspects of this model that we could stand to live without. The biggest issue for us is the fact that it can only play two speeds. Other than that, the tonearm takes a bit of time to adjust.
Pros
- Uses an Audio-Technica stylus for improved performance
- Fun light up and strobe effect for a unique aesthetic
- Comes with a removable, durable dust cover
- Designed with a skip control system
Cons
- Adjusting the tonearm is a little time consuming
- Only capable of playing two speeds
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DANFI AUDIO DF Bluetooth Turntable
When we were trying to decide what record players we wanted to tell you about, it was challenging. There were a lot to choose from, after all. This Danfi Audio unit is a modern design and is fitted with a high sensitivity cartridge and premium built-in speakers.
Review
We love the compact design and the fact that you can transfer and play music in other ways than just through your vinyl collection. For the price, you would imagine a lot less, though, and that is by far our favorite feature about this record player.
However, the unit is crafted with plastic, and that might mean that it is easy to break and damage. Also, though it offers good quality sound, it does have a little of that old vintage static sound. This may not be a bad thing, though, depending on what your preference is.
Pros
- Can transfer and play music via USB and TF card
- Price versus value is better than many of its competitors
- Has a modern style and look in a condensed frame
- Learning curve is not that bad
Cons
- Crafted with plastic, which can affect the durability
- Sound is not as crisp and clean as other models
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Final Thoughts
If you ask us, the record players we just looked at are some of the best you can invest in. They all offer good sound and some awesome features, so we hope this helped you out a bit!
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