Best Record Players for Home Listening: DJ City Australia’s Top Picks (2026)
A quick note on this guide: DJ City sells the products discussed below. We checked current product information, manufacturer documentation and independent specialist reviews before putting the shortlist together. We haven’t lab-tested these turntables side by side, and prices and stock can change.
If you’re looking for the best record player for your home, start by thinking about the way you actually want to use it. Maybe you want to press a button and get a record playing, or maybe you’re happy to set up a cartridge and build a proper hi-fi system around it.
TL;DR? For an easy first turntable, we’d point you towards the Audio-Technica LP60X because it’s simple to work with. The LP3XBT and Reloop TURN2 give you more room to adjust and upgrade things later, while the Audizio RP337W is worth checking out if you need the speakers included too.
The best record players: quick picks
- Best for most beginners: Audio-Technica LP60X
- Best automatic step-up: Audio-Technica LP3XBT
- Best manual hi-fi starting point: Reloop TURN2
- Best record player with speakers: Audizio RP337W
- Best premium direct-drive pick: Reloop TURN5
Looking for a cheaper Bluetooth option? Have a look at the Audio-Technica LP60XBT. It takes the beginner-friendly LP60X platform, adds Bluetooth output and still gives you a normal wired connection when you need it.
Best record players at a glance
Swipe sideways to compare all columns.
| Model | Best for | Operation | Drive | Phono preamp | Speakers / Bluetooth | Speeds | What else you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica LP60X | Your first vinyl setup | Fully automatic | Belt | Built in, switchable | Speakers sold separately / No Bluetooth | 33⅓, 45 RPM | Powered speakers, or an amp and passive speakers |
| Audio-Technica LP3XBT | Easy use with room to upgrade | Fully automatic | Belt | Built in, switchable | Speakers sold separately / Bluetooth output | 33⅓, 45 RPM | Speakers or Bluetooth headphones |
| Reloop TURN2 | Building a manual hi-fi setup | Manual | Belt | No | Speakers sold separately / No Bluetooth | 33⅓, 45 RPM | Phono stage plus speakers and amplification |
| Audizio RP337W | Getting everything in one package | Manual with auto-stop | Belt | Integrated system | Wireless speakers included | 33⅓, 45, 78 RPM | Nothing essential beyond records |
| Reloop TURN5 | A premium direct-drive setup | Manual | Direct | No | Speakers sold separately / No Bluetooth | 33⅓, 45, 78 RPM | Phono stage plus speakers and amplification |
Stock note: We checked these models against DJ City’s listings on 18 August 2026. Follow the product links for today’s price and availability.
The best record players for home listening
1. Best for most beginners: Audio-Technica LP60X
If you just want to put on a record and enjoy it, the LP60X is a good first option. Press start and it moves the tonearm into place for you, then returns it when the side finishes, so there’s very little fuss. The switchable phono preamp also means you can run it straight into powered speakers or a normal line input.
Audio-Technica lists two-speed playback, an aluminium platter and a replaceable stylus. You don’t get much control over the cartridge or tonearm setup, so the LP3XBT, TURN2 and TURN5 give you more to work with if you catch the upgrade bug later. A TechRadar test of the Bluetooth version, which shares the same basic turntable platform, praised its value and convenient setup. The review also found the materials and sound were about what you’d expect at this price.
Why it stands out
- Start, stop and tonearm return are fully automatic, which is handy when you’re new to vinyl.
- The built-in phono preamp makes your first setup much easier.
- You can replace the stylus, and Audio-Technica offers an elliptical upgrade for the LP60X family.
Keep in mind
- This model is wired. If you want Bluetooth output, the LP60XBT is the version to check.
- The cartridge is integrated and the setup is largely fixed, so your upgrade options are fairly limited.
- You’ll need to add speakers to complete the system.
2. Best automatic step-up: Audio-Technica LP3XBT
If you like the easy, push-button side of the LP60X but want a turntable you can grow into, the LP3XBT is the more interesting option. You get an adjustable counterweight, a removable universal headshell and an AT-VM95C cartridge, with replacement styli available across Audio-Technica’s VM95 range.
The current Audio-Technica specification also lists a switchable phono preamp and Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support. In practical terms, you can connect it to a wired hi-fi in your main room, then use compatible Bluetooth speakers or headphones when that suits you better.
Why it stands out
- You still get easy automatic operation, along with an adjustable tonearm and removable headshell.
- Wired and Bluetooth outputs give you a few sensible ways to fit it into your home.
- The VM95 cartridge family gives you a straightforward stylus-upgrade path.
Keep in mind
- It costs a fair bit more than the LP60X, so make sure you’ll actually use the extra adjustment or Bluetooth.
- Bluetooth is handy around the house, although a wired connection gives you the cleanest signal and avoids delay.
- You’ll still need speakers or compatible Bluetooth headphones.
3. Best manual hi-fi starting point: Reloop TURN2
The TURN2 is where things start to feel more like a traditional hi-fi setup. You cue the records yourself and get proper control over the counterweight and anti-skating, while the removable headshell makes future cartridge changes easier. Reloop has also fitted an Ortofon OM10 cartridge from the start, which is a solid inclusion at this level.
A detailed SoundStage! Access review found the TURN2 competitive among entry-level manual decks. Just remember that it sends a phono-level signal through its RCA output. Your amplifier will need a PHONO input, or you’ll need to add a separate phono preamp to the shopping list.
Why it stands out
- You get an Ortofon OM10 elliptical cartridge straight out of the box.
- The adjustable counterweight, anti-skating and removable headshell give you plenty to work with.
- Detachable RCA connections make it easy to replace or change the cable.
Keep in mind
- You’ll need to cue the stylus and return the tonearm yourself.
- Depending on what you already own, you may need a phono stage, amplifier and speakers.
- It plays 33⅓ and 45 RPM records. If you collect 78s, this isn’t your deck.
4. Best record player with speakers: Audizio RP337W
If you want the whole lot in one box, the RP337W is the obvious one to look at here. You get the turntable, amplification and two rechargeable wireless speakers together, so there’s no need to work out which phono stage or amp matches which speaker. The speakers can also play music from a compatible phone or tablet.
Our recommendation here comes from Audizio’s documented package and connections. We couldn’t find a proper independent listening comparison for this exact model, so we’d still like to add a DJ City staff note once the system has been heard in person. If you already know you’ll want to swap cartridges, amplifiers or speakers later, you’ll have more freedom with a separates-based system.
Why it stands out
- You get the turntable, amplification and two wireless speakers in one package.
- It covers 33⅓, 45 and 78 RPM records and includes auto-stop.
- The wireless speakers give you more freedom with placement around the room.
Keep in mind
- The all-in-one design gives you fewer options when you decide to upgrade individual components.
- Check the correct stylus requirement before you play older 78 RPM shellac records.
5. Best premium direct-drive pick: Reloop TURN5
The TURN5 makes sense once you’re ready to spend more on a serious home setup and you like the solid, immediate feel of direct drive. Its quartz-controlled motor starts quickly and holds speed accurately, and Reloop has paired it with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, adjustable anti-skating and vertical tracking angle, a removable headshell and a heavy metal chassis.
Hi-Fi Choice liked the TURN5 for its detailed sound, build and value, and Hi-Fi News put it through a review and lab assessment too. One extra cost to keep in mind is the phono preamp, because you’ll need one somewhere in your setup.
Why it stands out
- Quartz-controlled direct drive, a damped platter and a substantial chassis help keep playback stable.
- You get an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and plenty of tonearm adjustment for a serious separates system.
- It supports 33⅓, 45 and 78 RPM, provided you use the correct cartridge and stylus for the record.
Keep in mind
- You’ll need a phono stage and suitable amplification.
- It’s fully manual and considerably heavier than the beginner models.
- There’s no pitch fader. If you plan to mix or scratch, have a look at a purpose-built DJ turntable.
Compare the featured record players
Current pricing and stock are loaded directly from DJ City’s catalogue.
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Free Shipping$279Audio Technica LP60X Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable – Black
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Free Shipping$1249Reloop TURN5 Direct Drive HiFi Turntable
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Free Shipping$499Reloop TURN2 Analogue HiFi Turntable – Black
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Free ShippingOriginal price was: $259.$196Current price is: $196.Audizio RP337W Record Player with Wireless Speakers – Wood
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Free Shipping$599Audio Technica LP3XBT Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable
How we chose these record players
We started with models currently listed by DJ City, then looked for a clear reason you might choose each one. That meant checking the controls, drive system, cartridge and stylus options, phono-stage requirements, speakers, Bluetooth, supported speeds and how much work it takes to get the whole setup running.
We checked product details against current DJ City pages and manufacturer documentation, then cross-checked the broader advice with coverage from What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar, SoundStage!, Hi-Fi Choice, Hi-Fi News and Audio Advice. We also read through the questions that keep coming up in turntable communities, especially around cheap all-in-one players, speaker matching, phono preamps and what you can upgrade later.
Where the guide has limits: We don’t yet have DJ City listening notes comparing all five models in the same room and system. Until those notes are available, the recommendations are based on documented features, setup requirements and independent specialist coverage.
What should you look for in a record player?
Plan the complete system
Before you spend the whole budget on the turntable, work out what else has to come home with it. You may still need speakers, amplification and a phono stage, and those costs can add up pretty quickly. Some turntables include the phono stage and some packages include almost everything, so check the box contents and connections first.
Automatic or manual operation
With a fully automatic model, you press a button and let the turntable position and return the tonearm for you. That’s pretty handy for your first setup, especially if the turntable is shared around the house and you’d rather keep fingers away from the cantilever. It’s also nice on those nights when you just want to put on a record and relax.
A manual deck asks you to pick up and cue the stylus yourself, but usually gives you more control over the tonearm, cartridge and setup.
Belt drive or direct drive
A belt-drive turntable uses a belt to spin the platter, with the motor positioned away from it. A direct-drive model places the motor under the platter, giving you quick startup and accurate speed control. You’ll find good home-listening turntables using both systems, so take the whole design into account, including the isolation, platter, tonearm and cartridge.
Cartridge, stylus and upgradeability
The stylus sits in the groove and the cartridge turns that movement into an electrical signal. When you’re comparing models, check whether you can replace the stylus, change the cartridge and adjust tracking force or anti-skating. A fixed setup is easier when you’re getting started, while an adjustable one gives you room to experiment once you know what you want from the system.
Built-in phono preamp
This is an easy detail to miss when you’re putting your first setup together. A turntable cartridge produces a very quiet signal, and a phono preamp, also called a phono stage, boosts and equalises it before it reaches a normal amplifier or powered speaker input. If you see a PHONO/LINE switch on the turntable, there’s usually a switchable preamp built in. A PHONO-only output means your amplifier needs a PHONO input, or you’ll need a separate phono preamp.
Check which way the Bluetooth signal travels
- Bluetooth output sends your records to compatible wireless speakers or headphones.
- Bluetooth input lets you play music from your phone through the record player’s speakers.
Check the direction before you buy because product pages can make this easy to miss. Bluetooth is handy when you want flexible speaker placement, while a wired connection gives you a direct signal path and saves you dealing with pairing or delay.
Record speeds
Most of the albums you’ll come across play at 33⅓ RPM, while singles commonly use 45 RPM. Older shellac records may need 78 RPM and a suitable stylus, so check both the speed and stylus before you put one on. A 78 RPM button by itself doesn’t confirm that the supplied stylus is right for shellac.
Stable placement and isolation
Give your turntable a rigid, level surface where footsteps and speaker vibration won’t shake it. If you’ve got bass-heavy speakers, put them on their own stands or furniture where you can. A few minutes spent getting the placement right can make a bigger difference than another feature on the spec sheet. The Audio Advice beginner turntable guide has a useful visual explanation of phono stages, tonearms, cartridges and isolation.
What else do you need with a record player?
Powered-speaker setup
If you want to keep things simple, pair a turntable with a built-in phono preamp with a set of powered speakers. The amplifier is already inside the speakers, so you’ll usually just need the correct audio cable to join everything together.
Traditional hi-fi setup
For a traditional hi-fi system, your turntable feeds a phono stage and an integrated amplifier or receiver drives the passive speakers. The phono stage can live inside the turntable or amplifier, or you can add it as a separate component.
- Audio cable: Many home turntables use stereo RCA cables. Check whether yours is fixed, supplied in the box or needs to be purchased separately.
- Phono preamp: You’ll need one when your turntable and amplifier both lack a built-in phono stage.
- Speakers and amplification: You can skip these as separate purchases when you choose a complete package such as the Audizio RP337W.
- Cleaning supplies: A decent record brush, stylus brush and suitable record-cleaning products will help keep dust away from your grooves and stylus.
- Replacement stylus: Find the correct replacement stylus for your cartridge before the original wears out, then you won’t be scrambling for one later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best record player for a beginner?
We’d start you with the Audio-Technica LP60X if simple automatic operation and an easy speaker connection matter most. If your budget stretches further and you want Bluetooth, an adjustable counterweight and a clearer cartridge-upgrade path, the LP3XBT gives you more room to grow.
Do I need speakers with a record player?
Usually, yes. Most turntables are source components, so you’ll connect yours to powered speakers or to an amplifier driving passive speakers. A complete package such as the Audizio RP337W already includes a pair, which saves you putting the system together piece by piece.
Do I need a phono preamp?
You need a phono stage somewhere in the signal chain, although it may already be built into your turntable or amplifier. The LP60X and LP3XBT have switchable phono preamps. With the Reloop TURN2 and TURN5, you’ll need an external stage or an amplifier with a PHONO input.
What is the difference between a turntable and a record player?
You’ll hear the terms used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, a turntable is the source component that spins your record and produces a phono signal, while “record player” can also describe a complete unit with amplification and speakers. Manufacturers and retailers aren’t always consistent with the wording, so check what actually comes in the box.
Is a belt-drive or direct-drive turntable better?
You can get a great home-listening turntable with either drive type. Belt drive is common in hi-fi and helps isolate the platter from the motor, while direct drive gives you quick startup and precise speed control. Look at the complete deck, including its platter, tonearm, cartridge and isolation, then choose the one that suits how you’ll use it.
Is Bluetooth good for vinyl?
Bluetooth is genuinely useful when you need flexible speaker placement or already own wireless headphones. A wired connection avoids Bluetooth compression and usually makes more sense when you’ve built the rest of your system around sound quality. Realistically, though, a Bluetooth turntable can be the right call if the convenience means you’ll play your records more often.
How much should I spend on a record player?
Work out the cost of the complete system first. If you already own powered speakers, an affordable automatic turntable may be all you need. A manual hi-fi deck can become a much bigger purchase once you add a phono stage, amplifier and speakers, so spend your money on the features and upgrade options you’ll actually use.
Can a new record player play old records?
It depends on the speed and what the record is made from. Most new turntables cover 33⅓ and 45 RPM vinyl, while older 78 RPM shellac records need a deck with 78 RPM support and usually a suitable 78 stylus. Check the stylus before you play one because the standard microgroove stylus supplied with a turntable may be the wrong fit.
Can I DJ with these record players?
These picks are mainly for listening at home. If you want to mix or scratch, look for a purpose-built direct-drive turntable with pitch control, suitable torque and a DJ cartridge. DJ City’s Vinyl DJing 101 guide will take you through the gear and basics.
Find the right record player at DJ City
If you’re still working out whether you need automatic operation, a phono preamp or a complete speaker package, have a chat with the DJ City team or drop into one of our Australian stores. We can help you match the turntable to the gear you already own and make sure you’ve got the right connections.
Sources and further reading
DJ City guides
- DJ City: Turntable Buying Guide
- DJ City: How to Record Vinyl to Your Computer
- DJ City: Essential Gear for Turntable DJs
- DJ City: Vinyl DJing 101
- DJ City: DJ Controllers vs Turntables vs CDJs
Independent expert research
- What Hi-Fi?: Best turntables 2026: top record players tested by expert reviewers
- TechRadar: The best turntables for all budgets
- Audio Advice: Beginner turntable guide: setup, phono stages and cartridges
- SoundStage! Access: Reloop TURN2 review
- Hi-Fi Choice: Reloop TURN5 review
