Crosley vs Audio-Technica UK 2026 | £90 vs £120 Compared

Crosley turntables are everywhere. They're cheap, they look retro, and they play records. So why do vinyl enthusiasts tell you to avoid them?

Because they damage your records. And the Audio-Technica alternative costs only £30-50 more.

The Short Answer

Buy the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X. It protects your records, sounds better, and will last years longer. Crosley turntables wear out your vinyl with every play. *(Price when reviewed: ~£120 | Check price)*

If you already own a Crosley, don't panic. The damage is gradual. But consider upgrading before your favourite records are permanently degraded.

Why Crosley Damages Records

Three problems make most Crosley turntables harmful to vinyl:

1. Excessive Tracking Force

The stylus (needle) presses into the record groove. Proper turntables use 1.5-2.5 grams of force. Most Crosley models use 5-7 grams - sometimes more.

This extra pressure wears the groove walls faster. Over hundreds of plays, you'll hear increasing noise, distortion, and loss of detail. The damage is permanent.

2. Ceramic Cartridges

Quality turntables use magnetic cartridges that glide through grooves. Crosley uses cheap ceramic cartridges that drag through them. More friction means more wear.

3. Non-Adjustable Tonearms

Proper turntables let you adjust tracking force and anti-skate. Crosley tonearms are fixed - you can't reduce the pressure even if you wanted to.

The Audio-Technica Difference

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X fixes all three problems:

Proper Tracking Force: 3.5g with its AT3600L cartridge - designed to work together without damaging vinyl.

Magnetic Cartridge: Diamond stylus on a magnetic cartridge. Gentler on grooves, better sound quality.

Belt-Drive Motor: Isolates motor vibration from the platter. Cleaner sound, less wear.

Built-in Preamp: Connect directly to powered speakers or amplifiers.

Head-to-Head Comparison

The £30-50 difference protects a record collection worth hundreds or thousands.

But Crosley Sounds Fine to Me

It might, at first. The problems with Crosley aren't immediately obvious:

- New records hide early wear - Built-in speakers mask distortion - You don't notice what you've never heard

Play the same record on an AT-LP60X with decent speakers. You'll hear detail, clarity, and dynamics that Crosley hides.

More importantly, your records won't be slowly grinding away.

What If I Already Own a Crosley?

Don't throw out your records. Damage happens gradually. A few dozen plays on a Crosley won't ruin a record.

Upgrade when you can. The sooner you switch to a proper turntable, the more life your collection retains.

Don't buy more records until you upgrade. Every new record you play on a Crosley starts its wear journey immediately.

Keep the Crosley for decoration. Some people use them as display pieces or for playing charity shop records they don't care about.

Audio-Technica Options

**Budget: AT-LP60X**

Fully automatic, built-in preamp, belt-drive. The minimum we recommend for protecting vinyl. Perfect for beginners. *(Price when reviewed: ~£120 | Check price)*

**With Bluetooth: AT-LP60XBT**

Same turntable with wireless streaming. Pair with Bluetooth speakers for a cable-free setup. *(Price when reviewed: ~£150 | Check price)*

**Upgrade Path: AT-LP120X**

Direct-drive, adjustable counterweight, removable headshell for cartridge upgrades. For those who want to grow into the hobby. *(Price when reviewed: ~£270 | Check price)*

Other Brands to Avoid

Crosley isn't alone. These brands use similar harmful designs:

- Victrola (most models) - Jensen - 1byone (suitcase models) - Any "suitcase" turntable under £80

The pattern: built-in speakers, ceramic cartridges, non-adjustable tonearms.

The Bottom Line

Crosley turntables are designed to be cheap. They achieve that by using components that damage vinyl.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X costs about £30-50 more than most Crosleys. That difference buys:

- Records that last decades instead of degrading - Noticeably better sound quality - A turntable that works properly for years

Your record collection is worth more than £30.

Need Help Choosing?

Take our quiz. Tell us your budget and priorities, and we'll recommend the right turntable for your situation. No judgement if you're upgrading from a Crosley - everyone starts somewhere.

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