With so many models of turntables available today, it’s easy enough to get lost when trying to choose the best turntable according to your needs. If you already have a basic one and are looking to upgrade it, it’s a little easier. Those who have a $ 100turntable can go even higher or go straight to the middle segment. This is good for many reasons. That’s what we’re talking about today, the guide to buying the Best Turntables Under $300. But before that, let’s look at some of the best turntables under $300 that you can buy now.
House of Marley Stir It Up
House of Marley is not a name traditionally associated with the turntable, but all that could change with the introduction of the Stir It Up model. The best-looking device we have found, the eco-conscious design ethic is the cherry on the cake of a product that combines beautiful looks with just fantastic audio. We would have liked to stand in the way of additional features that include many turntables in this particular price range, but the sheer quality of this turntable alongside the astonishing aesthetic and ethical tendencies more than makes up for this little complaint. It is one of the best turntables under $300 for anyone looking for a turntable that looks the way it sounds.
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Pros:
- The best looking turntable we’ve found, bar none.
- Environmentally conscious materials and building processes.
- Audio quality is rich, warm, and accurate throughout.
Cons:
- A little light on extra features, but this isn’t a deal breaker.
Stanton T92
If you need a turntable that you can trust as a gigantic DJ, the affordable T92 from Stanton is very good for you. With more than 22lbs it is pretty heavy to travel around, but in general, it is sustainable, it looks good and you can become creative with the functions. An all-around great performer! The aesthetics are very consistent with the kind of professional equipment you would expect to find in this price range: it is simple, understated, but has just the right amount of flair to let you know that it means business. It is extremely competitively priced for the amount of use you can get in a professional environment and a must for a gigging DJ who is looking for the best turntables under 300 dollars.
Pros:
- Strong and built to last long nights of nightclub gigging.
- A creative performance tool that won’t let you down.
- A very competitive price for what you’re getting.
Cons:
- It’s a little on the heavy side, coming in at 22.4lbs.
Pro-Ject Debut III
Pro-Ject is a big name in the world of turntables, and the Debut III is a good proof of why that is the case. A beautiful minimalistic design that is able to produce an accurate, dynamic and above all realistic listening experience that is much more expensive than that of even larger brands. A very strong choice. We can see that the Debut III is quite a divided offer, given his relentless dedication to minimalism and cutting all the possible fat that you sometimes find bundled with turntables in this price range. Although this approach does wonders visually, some may be turned off by the lack of additional extras that other models will bring with them at this price. Still, this is one of the best turntables under $300.
Pros:
- It’s divisive in its minimalism, but we love the simple design.
- The audio quality is great; the listening experience is very accurate.
Cons:
- Lacking in extra features to bulk out the offering.
- Not a lot of component customization or extension options.
Fluance RT81
Fluance has done an excellent job with the RT81. It is a fantastic looking product with a first-class feel in walnut and a sturdy, luxurious build quality that makes it feel like a more expensive turntable than it is. Although the light reflects additional functions, the audio quality manages to deliver a wide range of genres. A very solid choice. A small blow that we have is with the function automatic shutdown, which in theory sounds great, but actually works very bizarre and lets you in a position that you have to manually remove the tonearm or else the record must turn around until the end of time (or the turntable breaks, whichever comes first). Apart from that, it performs well across the board and is one of the best turntables under $300.
Pros:
- The walnut finish is a really nice touch.
- High build quality throughout the device.
- Listening experience ticks all the boxes.
Cons:
- Auto-off feature is a little lacking.
Audio-Technica At-LP120
On paper, the Audio-Technica LP120 looks great, and if you’re looking for a quality turntable at a reasonable price, you might have found it. If you plan to be more creative with your vinyl, the LP120 has its limitations but is packed with modern features and a nice build, it’s hard to criticize this turntable. If we had to find something to complain about, it would probably be the disguised compliment that the build quality is so good that traveling with this turntable is a pretty challenging performance. It is heavy, robust and has a large volume, which means you do not want to move it much. No big deal, but that doesn’t stop it to make it to our list of best turntables under 300 dollars.
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Pros:
- Braided cable minimizes the risk of damage.
- Stylish design and a plethora of color themes.
- Solid wood construction offers good aesthetics.
Cons:
- Not much durable as others
Pioneer PL-30-K
Pioneer offers a simple and beautifully made turntable with the PL-30-K. They wanted to create a sustainable, modern and all-around high-quality product and deliver them. Although not suitable for the executive DJ, this is the turntable of music lovers is one of the best turntables under $300 for those who do not need flashy lights or features they will never use. It is simple, stylish and – for the price – great value. Our main complaint comes in the form of a missing USB port. It may not seem so important (and, let’s face it, it probably will not be the end of the world), but it’s something that we’re likely to find in this price range, so leaving it out is a bit disappointing. It is the kind of function that you probably will not use often, but that it is still fun to have.
Pros:
- Super attractive minimalist style.
- Built to perform, with fantastic specs.
- A great price for such a well-built product.
Cons:
- Lack of a USB port – one should be included at this price.
Denon DP300F
Denon DP300F is a fully automatic turntable that offers a lot of flexibility. Directly from the packaging, it delivers great performance across the board. If you have a stand-alone amplifier, you can probably squeeze something more out of this thing. For the money, it is currently one of the best performings on the market. The build quality of the DP300F is decent, but it is worth pointing out that the base is made entirely of plastic and not as robust as we would like for this price. The advantage of this is of course that it will travel well and weigh much less than comparable models, but the disadvantage is that it will easily scratch and not last as long as others. Overall though, this is one of the best turntables under $300.
Pros:
- Great fully automatic functionality.
- Lots of upgrade paths can significantly improve performance.
- A tone that exceeds expectations right out of the box.
Cons:
- The base is decent but made of plastics.
Things To Know Best Turntables Under $300
Trying to figure out your budget for a record player’s purchase can be tricky if you are not sure what you are looking for. In the same way, defining the difference between a model of $200 and $300 is not always easy. With that said, there is a difference and it is important. The best turntables under $300 offer better components, but also better materials in general. We are talking about good old build quality. Many people reduce the record players to their most important components, without taking into account the chassis or the insulation between the turntable and the surface on which it sits.
While slightly cheaper models will perform well in this respect, a solid mid-turntable on which you will see the greatest improvement in materials and construction. One of the by-products of this is also the more attractive aesthetic. That is, however, the last thing you want to use to rank record players. When it comes to functions and key performance, mid-range turntables are often pretty sturdy than not. You will see that both decent cartridges and stylus choices are used. Many of these models have well-designed tone arms with plenty of room for adjustment.
One of the absolute best reasons to get a mid-range turntable is the available upgrade paths. Chances are that you can replace a whole series of components, significantly improving the overall performance of your turntable. Those who want to change their stuff will generally love this segment.
For the most part, you could say that a $300 turntable is a ticket for great performance in the most essential way. These will not bring all the cool bells and whistles that we can see in more expensive turntables, but you will find that the performance comes pretty close to what they have to offer. Of course, we have to be realistic and understand that each turntable is different in different ways. It is not for nothing that some top players cost as much as they do. The point we are trying to make is that a $300 turntable will give you the best value for money, on average. You can always go higher and better, but the increase in price and performance will not be linear from this point.
Final Words
At the end of the day, the best turntables under 300 dollars are decent options to go for. Models found in this segment offer a significant upgrade to cheaper turntables. At the same time, you get access to decent performances that you will not grow out of. Models that we have shown above are by far the best you can get for this type of money. We have done our best to select only turntables that have proven their value so that you have confidence in your choice. Needless to say that these bring you the listening experience you deserve.
