Vinyl continues to re-emerge as a valid music format. Turntables are, unsurprisingly, selling at rates not seen for decades. Yet, it isn’t just the younger generation snapping them up. Older generations are buying turntables of all sorts, with the nostalgic seeking retro record players.

These vintage record players come in many shapes and sizes. Some are transportable, like the suitcase designs from the 50s and 60s. Gramophones or radios from a bygone age inspire others. Whatever your home decor, there is a wide enough range of retro record players to fit any interior design.

Here are the best retro record players available right now.

The quirky gramophone design of the LuguLake Vintage Record Player is enough to make it the perfect gift for a nostalgic grandparent or any lover of vintage-themed products. However, it not only adds character to a home or room with an old-fashioned style. It is ideal for any vintage-style hotel lobby, restaurant, or café, too.

Yet, there is much more to this vinyl player than its appealing design alone. The sound quality is better than most retro record players with built-in speakers—the wooden base houses dual 20W full-range stereo speakers and a subwoofer. Furthermore, the flower-shaped copper-plated horn holds a 10W tweeter. This audio system provides an immersive sound that is all too often missing from vintage record players.

You can also stream to it via Bluetooth or listen to your favorite stations on the FM radio. There is a digital panel on the front, but this display blends in quite nicely and doesn’t take away from its vintage look. Finally, if you feel too relaxed when listening to your old Pink Floyd records, you won’t need to get up from the couch thanks to the included remote control.

Key Features
  • Sturdy wooden base
  • Bluetooth and USB inputs
  • Remote control
Specifications
  • Brand: LuguLake
  • Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
  • Drive: Belt
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45
  • Connections: USB, AUX
Pros
  • Beautiful and elegant design
  • Easy and fast set-up
  • Good stereo sound
Cons
  • Ruby stylus
  • No 78RPM support
  • No RCA outputs
Buy This Product
LuguLake Vintage Vinyl Record Player

With generations of experience, if any company knows how to build quality record players, it’s Victrola. The Victrola 8-In-1 Record Player and Multimedia Center disguise its contemporary features with a look straight out of the roaring twenties. The authentic-wood design comes in a range of colors, including black or white, so you can find one for any color scheme.

You can enjoy the rich and warm tones only vinyl provides via the quality stereo speakers. However, if you feel the need to enhance the audio further, you can connect to external speakers via the RCA outputs.

It has a sturdy build but isn’t very lightweight, so transporting it from room to room can be cumbersome. But, as a multimedia center, it not only plays vinyl. It also has a CD player, an AM/FM radio, and a cassette player (which has all the features a cassette player should have). You also have the luxury of recording your vinyl to MP3 so that you won't wear your records out with excessive playing.

Key Features
  • Nostalgic 1920s radio design
  • Remote control
  • Bluetooth streaming from smart devices
  • Vinyl to MP3 recordings
Specifications
  • Brand: Victrola
  • Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
  • Drive: Belt
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45, 78
  • Connections: USB, AUX, RCA
Pros
  • Plays multiple formats
  • Stylish and nostalgic look
  • Good audio
Cons
  • A little bulky
Buy This Product
Victrola 8-in-1 Record Player

Another style popularized by Victrola is the portable suitcase style. This look was prevalent in the 1950s and 60s and will make an excellent gift for nostalgic parents or grandparents. However, it is such a trendy-looking turntable that anyone can’t help but love it. With an affordable price to boot, it's a great all-around purchase.

There are numerous designs and colors for this model. Some have features that push the price up a bit, so keep an eye on that when selecting your desired design. It is easy to pack up, and with a weight of just three pounds, you can take it anywhere, too. You could even take it with you on vacation. However, ensure you protect the tonearm and take it as carry-on luggage, whatever your transport mode.

As with many turntables with built-in speakers, low frequencies suffer in the audio output. You can solve this by connecting to external speakers via the RCA or Bluetooth outputs. In fact, the Bluetooth output is an especially attractive feature in this price range.

The simple layout features three dials: one for the volume, another to select the source, and one to turn it on and off. In this price range, it’s difficult to expect much more, and these simple features help keep it lightweight. However, the platter is a little insubstantial, and it would be best if you bought a separate mat to protect your vinyl, as one is not included.

Key Features
  • Cue lever
  • Bluetooth input and output
  • RCA outputs
Specifications
  • Brand: Victrola
  • Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
  • Drive: Belt
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45, 78
  • Connections: AUX, RCA
Pros
  • Numerous colors and designs to choose from
  • Simple design
  • Easily transportable
  • Decent buit-in speakers
Cons
  • No platter mat included
  • Flimsy platter
Buy This Product
Victrola Vintage Suitcase Turntable

Victrola does love a retro record player. This one has an eye-catching 1950s design that screams movie drive-in and adds an abundance of character to the right room.

It’s another design from Victrola that not only features a turntable but also sports a CD player and an AM/FM radio. Sadly, you can’t play any old cassettes you might have on this one, but you can record your vinyl collection to MP3. It includes the necessary software and USB cable for this purpose. So, if you want to preserve your vinyl and shield them from overplaying, this is the way to go.

It’s available in several colors, including red, black, blue, and an eye-catching teal. It’s pretty lightweight for its size, and the sturdy build also makes it easy to transport. However, the sound is standard, and there is no equalizer, which is unsurprising at this price. RCA outputs are also missing, so you will need to connect external speakers via the headphone jack.

Key Features
  • CD player and AM/FM radio
  • Vinyl to MP3 recorder
  • Blue LED display
  • Bluetooth input
Specifications
  • Brand: Victrola
  • Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
  • Drive: Belt
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45, 78
  • Connections: USB, AUX
Pros
  • Nice choice of colors
  • Lightweight and easy to transport
  • Chic 50s design
Cons
  • No RCA output
Buy This Product
Victrola 50s Retro Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center

The Electrohome Kingston 7-In-1 Vintage Record Player has a classic look and a real-wood finish. It is a vintage design, but not so heavily influenced that it needs to be in the right setting. This sound system will look good in any room, and the color options, black, cherry, and walnut are all classy and modest.

The sturdy turntable emits the warm and cherished sounds that vinyl is famous for producing. The two 2-inch, 10-Watt, and two 3.5-inch, 30-Watt speakers are loud enough to fill any small to medium-sized room. However, connecting to external speakers is possible if you need a more prominent sound. The graphic equalizer is one feature that distinguishes this audio system from its competitors. It only has bass and treble adjusters, but it’s a feature that lovers of retro record players often crave.

Additionally, this machine has a CD player and an AM/FM radio. With Bluetooth input, you can also stream from any smart device, while the obligatory vinyl to MP3 recorder features, too.

Key Features
  • Remote control
  • CD player and AM/FM radio
  • RCA output
  • Graphic equalizer
Specifications
  • Brand: Electrohome
  • Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
  • Drive: Belt
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45, 78
  • Connections: USB, AUX, RCA
Pros
  • Choice of three classy colors
  • Good audio quality
  • Easy vinyl-to-MP3 recording
Cons
  • No cassette player
Buy This Product
Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 Record Player

Another good option for a portable suitcase record player is this one from DIGITNOW. Several differences exist between this one and the more popular Victrola Vintage Turntable. To start, this one is lighter, which makes it more transportable. But, you could argue this means it is less sturdy and durable.

However, some key features set it apart. The vinyl to MP3 recording feature is one you wouldn’t usually find in a budget-priced suitcase turntable. This DIGITNOW turntable has that and an AM/FM radio that permits recordings to MP3 files, too. The addition of an SD card slot and a USB port are also unlikely to be found on other suitcase record players.

Sound-wise, the audio quality is as you expect in this price range, with low frequencies again the victim. But, when listening at home, you can connect to more powerful speakers via the RCA outputs.

Key Features
  • Bluetooth input
  • RCA output
  • Vinyl and radio to MP3 recorder
  • USB and SD card slot
Specifications
  • Brand: DIGITNOW
  • Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
  • Drive: Belt
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45, 78
  • Connections: USB, AUX, RCA
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Easily transportable
  • Stylish design
Cons
  • Average sound quality
  • Limited color options
Buy This Product
Digitnow Suitcase Record Player

House of Marley has won plaudits for its dedication to eco-friendly products. The Stir It Up Turntable is one of many they manufacture, consisting of sustainable materials. The primary material in the build is bamboo plinth, which farmers can frequently harvest without damage to any ecosystem. The aluminum platter is recyclable, and the fabric covering the base only contains sustainable materials. The dust cover also consists of this environmentally-friendly fabric.

In terms of a retro design, this turntable has a neutral yet stylish look with the feel of a record player from the 1970s or 80s. It will look great in any room you decide to place it, and the build quality is sturdy.

But how does it sound? In short, it sounds great. The Audio Technica cartridge is excellent and, together with the built-in preamp, delivers first-rate sound. Even the bass is deep, crucial given that reggae legend Bob Marley is the inspiration behind the company. There are no built-in speakers on this record player. Instead, you can connect using the included RCA cable and hook up to an amp or external speakers.

Key Features
  • Anti-skating control
  • ATN3600L stylus
  • Audio-Technica cartridge
  • Auto start/stop
  • Vinyl to MP3 recorder
Specifications
  • Brand: House of Marley
  • Built-in Pre-amp: Yes
  • Drive: Belt
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Speeds (RPM): 33 1/3, 45
  • Connections: RCA, USB
Pros
  • Built from sustainable materials
  • Neutral, eye-catching design
  • Quality sound
Cons
  • Some audio distortion at loud volumes
Buy This Product
House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable

FAQ

Q: Is CD Better Quality Than Vinyl?

In short, yes. There is much less interference and better channel separation.

However, from a subjective point of view, some audiophiles will argue that vinyl offers a more natural and warm sound. It really does come down to personal preference.

Q: Why Do People Still Buy Vinyl?

Whatever your stance on audio quality, the culture of listening to records undoubtedly gives it the upper hand over other formats. You cannot beat flicking through your vinyl collection and then admiring the artwork or lyrics on your chosen album.

Placing the needle on the record and hearing the initial snaps and crackles as you anticipate warm, enriching sounds are also things that beat simply clicking on a digital file.

On top of all that, you listen to the tracks in the order the artist intended.