One of the biggest misconceptions about turntables, in general, is that you have to spend a lot if you want to enjoy listening to records. This is simply not true. Today we are going to show you some of Best Turntables Under $100, which are considered the best options on the market to start with. If you trade with one of these, you get a good balance between price and performance, so you get to know the tricks of using this technology. But before that, let’s talk about what to expect from the best turntables under $100.
Things To Know About The Best Turntables Under $100
Turntables found in this price range will be the simplest you can get. By basic, we mean fully integrated components and very little room for upgrades. For someone who is just busy with the hobby, that is exactly what you want. As you gain more experience and learn about turntables, you will discover why $500 models cost as much as they do. Control is virtually everything that vinyl and turntables are concerned, but more controls mean a higher price tag. The only real disadvantage to affordable record players is that you can not upgrade components. An average turntable is a fairly complex machine that is only as good as the core components.
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However, this level of integration is the price we have to pay in order to gain access to affordable turntables. Most importantly, $100 can easily provide you with a good amount of audio quality. There will be some limitations, but the core performance will still be there, contrary to what some people think. Starting out on one of the best turntables under 100 dollars is highly recommended to anyone who does not know this hobby yet and is looking to learn how this stuff works.
1byone Belt-Drive
When it comes to entry-level turntables, you usually do not expect to receive a lot of features apart from the simple fact that the device will play records for you. Someone has completely twisted this trend and with great features such as vinyl-to-mp3 recordings, 1byone Belt-Drive has a lot to offer that you might not find anywhere else. We found that the bass response was a bit lacking during playback, and although this is fairly normal in this price range, it is worth bearing in mind that you will not get much power on the low side if you choose 1 of the offer from someone. Other than that, this is one of the best turntables under $100 for the novice consumer.
Pros:
- A very compact, portable, and lightweight design.
- Puts out a good amount of volume for its size.
- Vinyl to MP3 recording is a really useful feature to have.
Cons:
- Not much in the way of bass response.
Jensen JTA-230 3 Speed
Jensen has done a great job packing a whole range of functions that you would not normally find in a turntable of this price range. This has raised the bar for turntables at entry level to improve their game in terms of supply. Although the original audio is not great, it is easy to expand by connecting your own speakers. It may be disappointing for some who are fans of the plug-and-play element of low-end turntables that speakers are pretty much needed if you want to get a good listening experience from them. But overall, these are one of the best turntables under 100 dollars.
Pros:
- An extremely compact design that is easy to transport.
- Several color variations on offer.
- Lots of features you wouldn’t normally find at this price point.
Cons:
- Native audio is lacking but can be extended through RCA output.
Audio-Technica LP60
The LP60 is a beautifully designed record player for the daily music lover and a new buyer who is looking for quality at a low cost. It offers great value, great looks and is both easy to set up and use. However, if you are looking for something creative to deal with, there are many better options to consider in this price range. The fact that you can not adjust the tone arm will disable some people who want more control over their playback experience. Similarly, there is a general lack of additional functions which, again, can be enough to sell off some potential consumers of this model and go to something more flashy. But if sound quality is your biggest concern, this is a fantastic and safe choice for one of the best turntables under $100.
Pros:
- A reliable and trusted brand name at a fantastic price.
- As simplistic and easy to use as turntables will get.
- An aluminum platter is a welcome upgrade for a budget device.
Cons:
- Non-adjustable tonearm will be a deal breaker for some.
- It’s not the most feature-packed turntable out there.
Victrola Vintage 3-Speed
With the Vintage 3-Speed, Victrola has succeeded in creating a perfect entry-level product for someone who values both performance and aesthetics. The device itself is quite something to see, and with the huge variety of color combinations on offer, you will surely find something that meets your high standards. The sound quality is good, although the bass is missing. The portability of this device cannot be overestimated, and the design of the case is rarely as well realized as in the Vintage 3-Speed. Victrola has done well to put a lot of tech into a small, lightweight package, and this is welcome news for anyone who plans to travel a lot with his turntable. Overall, this is a strong option in our list of best turntables under 100 dollars.
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Pros:
- A great looking, customizable design with many color options.
- Lots of options when it comes to portability.
- Sound quality is decent for the price.
Cons:
- Bass response is lacking for the most part.
Numark Pt-01 Touring
The Numark PT01 Touring is stylish and compact, with many functions and connections, and is a unique and one of the best turntables under $100. But it is far from perfect. What you gain in portability and features that you lose in sound quality and build. There is still much to do about this turntable, but it is probably not for everyone. It is a shame that there is no USB power supplied to charge the battery, but the fact that you can charge the device for up to four hours is still a pretty nice feature. Buying a USB power box will not put a huge amount back into the big picture of things.
Pros:
- Stylish with a unique design that’s hard not to like.
- Packed full of features that are hard to come by at this price.
- USB charging and 4-hour battery life for on-the-go use.
Cons:
- There’s no USB power brick included for charging the battery.
- It’s not the best build and doesn’t have great sound quality.
Crosley CR6019D-BR Executive
Beautiful design and a good set of functions. As portable turntables go, you will have a hard time finding a nicer appearance than the Executive for this price. If you need exceptional sound quality, it might be better to look elsewhere, but for the casual listener after a good turntable, this will work fine. As you would expect from the delicious form factor, most of the time and thought of this device has gone in to make it look good. There are certainly more resources spent on the appearance that there are made to ensure that it sounds as good as possible, and even at entry level, other turntables achieve their listening experience in a remarkable way. Overall, this is one of the best turntables under 100 dollars.
Pros:
- One of the best looking portable turntables I’ve seen.
- Fully featured with plenty of connectivity options for the casual user.
- A bargain, you get a lot for your money here.
Cons:
- You sadly have to sacrifice great sound for a great design.
Crosley CR6019A-BR
Crosley CR6019A-BR is one of the most popular affordable and one of the best turntables under $100 on the market. It is simple and rich in functions at the same time. The type of performance you can expect is mediocre, but there is not much more than we could expect for this price range. If you just want something to play from time to time, this is a decent solution. This is a very good looking turntable, like most of what Crosley radiates, and a lot of attention has been paid to ensure that it looks good and is optimally portable. These are both welcome functions and are supplemented with a sound quality that is good enough for this affordable price range. A very good option for the newbie turntable.
Pros:
- Pretty portable thanks to its suitcase design.
- Solid versatility in terms of onboard features and options.
- More than acceptable performance for beginners and casual users.
Cons:
- Complete lack of upgrade paths of any kind.
Boytone BT-17DJB
Boytone BT-17DJB is a jack-of-all-trades, there is no other way to say it. The level of performance it offers is at the same level as most of its competitors, but it is much more versatile than most. One of the many disadvantages of owning one of these is that it does not really look like a record player. While many manufacturers prefer to use portability and a compact form factor when it comes to the entry level of turntables, Boytone seems to have done the opposite. This is an extensive device that takes up a lot of space and has a certain weight. The advantage is that it is robust and lasts for a long time, but the disadvantage is that it does not move well. Still, this is one of the best turntables under $100 to buy right now.
Pros:
- Extended versatility with lots of features and options.
- Decent enough performance across the board.
- Fairly solid build quality.
Cons:
- A tad bit too bulky for our taste.
Conclusion
Getting on with the best turntables under $100 will change the way you enjoy your music. The sound you get will be more organic and natural sounding compared to just about every digital format that there is. Of course, it is not as simple as simply pressing a play button, but good things are always worth it. Models that we have shown you above are by far the Best Turntables Under $100. We strongly advise you not to fall for the super cheap, as they can easily lead to disappointment.
