Best Turntables Under £200 UK (2025)
Top-rated turntables under £200 for UK buyers. Compare Audio-Technica, Sony, and Denon models with honest reviews and buying advice.
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Take Our QuizYou don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy vinyl. Under £200 gets you a turntable that sounds good, treats your records well, and will last for years. Here's what to look for and what to avoid.
**The Sweet Spot: Audio-Technica AT-LP60X**
At around £120, the AT-LP60X consistently ranks as the top budget recommendation. It's fully automatic, has a built-in phono preamp, and produces sound that surprises people expecting tinny playback from a budget deck.
What you get: reliable belt-drive motor, decent cartridge (replaceable stylus), automatic operation, built-in preamp for easy setup. What you don't get: manual operation, cartridge upgrades, or audiophile-grade components.
The AT-LP60X is perfect for casual listening. Put on a record, press play, enjoy. When the side finishes, the arm returns automatically. It won't wow hi-fi enthusiasts, but it will let you enjoy your record collection without fuss.
Bluetooth Option: Sony PS-LX310BT
Around £180 gets you the Sony PS-LX310BT with Bluetooth output. Connect to wireless speakers or headphones without cables crossing your room. The sound quality matches the AT-LP60X through wired connections, with the convenience of wireless when you want it.
Bluetooth does compress the audio signal slightly. Purists will notice. Most listeners won't, or won't mind. The flexibility often outweighs the minor quality trade-off.
What You Sacrifice at This Price
Budget turntables have limitations. The cartridges are basic and typically not upgradable. Build quality uses more plastic than metal. The tonearms are fixed, so alignment isn't adjustable. Speed accuracy may drift slightly over time.
These trade-offs are acceptable. You still get proper belt-drive mechanisms, counterbalanced tonearms (on better models), and sound quality that most people find enjoyable.
What You Still Get
A turntable under £200 still delivers the vinyl experience. The ritual of pulling a record from its sleeve, placing it on the platter, and dropping the needle. The warm, physical connection to music that streaming lacks. And sound quality that, paired with decent speakers, fills a room nicely.
Records won't be damaged by quality budget turntables. The tracking force is within safe limits. Stylus wear is normal. Your collection is safe.
Avoid the £50-80 Trap
Cheap suitcase players and novelty turntables cause problems. Heavy tracking force (often 5+ grams versus the safe 2-3 grams) wears grooves faster. Ceramic cartridges lack the compliance of magnetic ones. Built-in speakers cause feedback and vibration.
A £50 "vintage-style" player will cost you more in damaged records than the £70 you saved versus a proper turntable. Don't do it.
Complete Setup on a Budget
Pair your turntable with Edifier R1280T speakers (around £90) for a complete system under £220. Both have built-in amplification, so no separate amp needed. Connect with a standard RCA cable and you're playing records.
For the Sony with Bluetooth, any powered Bluetooth speaker works. The flexibility is useful if you already own wireless speakers.
Making the Choice
If you want simplicity and value, the AT-LP60X at £120 is hard to beat. If Bluetooth matters, spend the extra £60 on the Sony. Both treat your records well and sound good enough that you'll forget you're listening to budget gear.
Prices approximate at time of writing. Take our quiz to see which turntable matches your specific needs and budget.
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Start the QuizFrequently Asked Questions
Can you get a good turntable for under £200?
Absolutely. Models like the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X (£120), Sony PS-LX310BT (£180), and Audio-Technica AT-LPW30TK (£190) deliver excellent sound quality for the price. The key is choosing from reputable brands that use quality components rather than cheap all-in-one systems.
What is the best budget turntable in the UK?
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X consistently ranks as the best budget option at around £120. It features fully automatic operation, built-in preamp, and reliable belt-drive mechanism. For £70 more, the AT-LPW30TK adds better build quality and anti-resonance construction.
Should I buy a turntable with built-in speakers?
Avoid turntables with built-in speakers if sound quality matters to you. The speakers are invariably poor quality and placing them on the same unit as the turntable causes vibration issues. Instead, spend your budget on a proper turntable and connect it to bookshelf speakers or powered monitors.
Is the Audio-Technica LP60 good enough for beginners?
Yes, the AT-LP60X (the updated version) is perfect for beginners. It is fully automatic, requires no setup or calibration, sounds surprisingly good, and costs just £120. It is an excellent way to start collecting vinyl without the complexity of higher-end turntables.
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