Vinyl is back and it’s back in a big way. For the first time, record sales overtook digital downloads in December 2016, with physical record sales hitting £2.4m in the run up to Christmas. Despite nearly going the way of the dinosaurs a decade ago, vinyl has staged a remarkable comeback: sales have seen an increase for the past eight consecutive years now, and that rise is only set to continue into 2017.
What was once the domain of avid collectors, DJs and try-hard hipsters is now well and truly back in the mainstream. So whether you grew up spinning albums and have an extensive collection, or you’re just discovering the joy that records can provide, you’re going to want a decent turntable. And if you want to get to enjoy those records while you’re on the move, then it’s about time you splashed out on one of the new breed of USB turntables, which let you record your vinyl to digital files which you can enjoy anywhere.
In this list you’ll find our pick of the best USB turntables you can buy, and we’ll run you through the key questions you need to answer before splashing out. If you’re not sure where to start, then read on, and if you just want the best budget and mid–range options, you’ll find our favourites below.
Best USB turntables: Editor’s Picks
Whether you’re new to vinyl or have been buying records for decades, Audio-Technica’s LP5 has something for everyone. Blending great build quality, ease-of-use and a superb-sounding AT95Ex cartridge, it’s an all-rounder that’s worthy of any record collection.
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far, for under £150 you’ll be able to get your hands on Sony’s PS-LX300USB and the LP-60 from Audio-Technica. Both are great gateways into the world of turntables that won’t break the bank.
How to buy the best turntable for you
What is a USB turntable?
USB turntables take a standard record player and bolt on an integrated soundcard (and phono stage, which we’ll explain a little later) which connects to your PC via USB. This allows you to convert your physical record collections into digital ones without resorting to a spaghetti heap of audio cables on your desk. Simply connect the USB cable, hit record in the supplied software, then drop the needle on the record. Voila! Your fusty old vinyl records are transformed into digital audio files which you can download onto all your devices. So you get to listen to the crackly charm of a physical record wherever you are, but also save yourself from carrying a large, heavy pile of vinyl everywhere you go – you’ll be pleased to find that digital files are substantially lighter than vinyl records.
Can I just buy any old record player and use that instead?
If you’ve never bought a turntable before, then it’s worth mentioning that you can’t dust off a standard turntable and connect it directly to a hi-fi or PC. Standard hi-fi turntables require a separate phono stage, or pre-amp, which amplifies the incredibly quiet audio signals transmitted through the record player’s needle. Many hi-fi and home cinema amplifiers have phono stages built-in, providing dedicated inputs for record players which are usually marked ‘Phono’, but you can also pick up standalone phono stages for as little as £20.
USB turntables have an internal phono preamplifier as standard, however. This means that you can plug them into your computer via USB and create digital recordings of your vinyl collection with a minimum of hassle. That’s not all, however. If you want to play your record collection without needing a hefty stack of hi-fi separates, you can usually connect a USB turntable’s audio outputs to any speaker which has a suitable analogue input. That means you can buy a compact USB turntable and partner it with any portable Bluetooth speaker or PC speakers for a compact, convenient little vinyl rig.
So how do you record your records?
Once the USB cable is attached to your laptop or desktop, you can just hit the record button in the supplied recording software to capture the audio, set the needle on the record, and wait until the record has finished playing. Then you can use the software to trim off the silence at the beginning and end of each side, and split the recordings into individual tracks. The Audio-Technica turntables on this list come with the freely available Audacity audio recording software, while the Sony comes with its own audio editing software, Sony Sound Forge, but even if the turntable you buy doesn’t come bundled with any recording software you can download Audacity instead – it’s a powerful, if slightly fiddly recording package.
Do I need an automatic tonearm?
Other features that may sway your decision are whether the turntable has a manual or automatic tonearm. An automatic tonearm moves the arm and places the needle on the record for you. If you’re wary of scratching your records, or have particularly shaky hands, then automatic may be best – the needles on record player cartridges are delicate things, so it’s easy to damage them by dropping them on the platter, or too roughly. In truth, though, automatic tonearms are just as prone to the occasional mistake, as all records are slightly different in size and shape – and if you regularly play 7in singles you’ll probably want to stick to manually dropping the needle onto the record.
Can I play my grandparents' old 78rpm records?
Probably not. Firstly, you need a special needle for 78rpm records, and secondly you need a record player which will spin its platter at that speed. Not many do these days. Most record players allow you to play both 33rpm and 45rpm records, and if you have a lot of both types in your collection it’s worth making sure that the turntable has a button to change the speed. Some turntables, and often quite expensive models, require you to remove the platter and move the rubber belt onto a different pulley, which is a hassle.
The best USB turntables to buy
Audio-Technica LP-5: The best overall USB turntables
Price when reviewed: £329
Audio-Technica have been around since the early 1960s and have earned a reputation for building some legendary cartridges and needles – not to mention a few classic turntables. The LP5 is our favourite USB compatible turntable, and it’s easy to see why. The manual J-shape tonearm offers plenty of adjustability, and while the bundled AT95Ex cartridge sounds good, it’s easy to upgrade by slotting in a needle from Audio Technica’s pricier cartridges. A button on the body let’s you easily switch between 33 ⅓ and 45 RPM speeds, whilst the heavy rubber mat and anti-vibration base does a great job of ensuring that only the music comes through loud and clear. One nice feature is that you can toggle the built-in phono stage on and off, so you can upgrade to a better-sounding external phono stage in the future. Factor in the easy set up process, upgradability and great sound straight out of the box, and the Audio Technica LP5 is perfect for both first-time and veteran turntable users.
Key Specs - Size (WxDxH): 45cm x 35.2 cm x 15cm; Weight: 10.5kg; Speeds: 33.3, 45RPM; Drive Type: Direct; Tone Arm Type: Manual; Software Included: Yes (Audacity)
Sony PS-LX300USB Turntable: The best USB turntable for under £150
Price when reviewed: £115
If the idea of manually placing the needle on your records is a bit too daunting, then you should try this fully automatic model from Sony. Just place your record on the mat, and one press of the start button will see the tonearm do all the work. You can’t upgrade the diamond stylus, but sound quality is good and the supplied software makes it possible to remove noise and crackle from the most elderly of records. Complete novices may struggle to get their head around the supplied audio recording software, Sony’s Sound Forge, but with a little perseverance it’s possible to get brilliant sounding results. If you’re looking for a no-frills record player at a keen price, this is a solid option.
Key Specs - Size (WxDxH): 42cm x 36cm x 9.5cm; Weight: 3.3kg; Speeds: 33.3, 45RPM; Drive Type: Belt; Tone Arm Type: Automatic; Software Included: Yes (Sony Sound Forge)
Pro-Ject Audio Systems Elemental Phono USB Hi-Fi Turntable: The best for under £250
Price when reviewed: £229
Back in 2015 we gave this turntable the full five stars, and two years on, our love for it hasn’t changed. Pro-Ject may not have the same history as the other big names on this list, but amongst audiophiles they certainly have the same reputation. For beginners, this Elemental USB Turntable is perfect. There’s no tricky tasks like adjusting counterweights and attaching cartridges - just remove it from the box, attach the belt, detach the lock on the tonearm and you’re good to go. Sound quality is top notch, and it’s possible to improve it even further by upgrading the Ortofon OM 5E cartridge with a superior stylus (you can upgrade to any of the OM styli in the range), or by replacing the cartridge completely. The stripped back design means there’s no dust cover, so be sure to keep on top of cleaning, and there’s no software included, so you’ll need to download Audacity if you want to digitise any of your records. If you want a turntable that’s easy to set up and looks great though, this Elemental model is perfect.
Key Specs - Size (WxDxH): 52.8cm x 38.4cm x 17.2cm; Weight: 2.8kg; Speeds: 33.3, 45RPM; Drive Type: Belt; Tone Arm Type: Manual; Software Included: No
Audio-Technica LP-60: The best for under £100
Price when reviewed: £99
This is another fantastic model from Audio-Technica, and although doesn’t feature quite as many extras as the LP-5 above, it more than holds its own considering the price. For under £100 you get an easy-to-set-up machine that sounds superb. Once it’s unboxed you just have to manually fit the platter for the records to sit on, and that’s it. The tonearm is automatic to reduce the chance of stylus damage caused by inexperienced users, and the switch on the front of the base makes it easy to flick between 33 ⅓ and 45 RPM records. The diamond stylus is replaceable too, although you can’t upgrade to a better quality cartridge or stylus as you can on Audio Technica’s LP5. The LP60 comes bundled with Audacity which makes light work of digitising your record collection. The only downside? The LP60’s construction isn’t up to the standards of the more expensive turntables here, but for this kind of money that’s to be expected.
Key Specs - Size (WxDxH): 36cm x 35cm x 9cm; Weight: 3kg; Speeds: 33.3, 45RPM; Drive Type: Belt; Tone Arm Type: Automatic; Software Included: Yes (Audacity)
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon USB Turntable: The best for under £400
Price when reviewed: £399
If you’ve got slightly more wiggle room in your budget, and you don’t mind paying a premium for improved sound quality, then the Debut Carbon from Pro-Ject is one slick, stylish turntable. You even get to choose from seven different high-gloss colours. The Carbon refers to the tonearm which is made from super-stiff carbon, and purpose-built to eke every subtlety from your vinyl records. This partners with Ortofon’s very respectable 2M Red cartridge, which is a cut above the OM-series cartridges on Pro-Ject’s cheaper decks. The result is increased detail, and the ability to squeeze out punch and dynamics in everything from classical works to dense electronica. You can upgrade to the 2M Blue (£135), 2M Bronze (£295) or 2M Black (£375) styli, too. The looks and build quality are a cut above most of the other turntables here, but there’s one minor niggle: you’ll have to manually take off the platter and move the belt by hand if you want to switch between 33rpm and 45rpm records.
Key Specs - Size (WxDxH): 41.5cm x 32cm x 11.8cm; Weight: 6kg; Speeds: 33.3, 45RPM; Drive Type: Belt; Tone Arm Type: Manual; Software Included: No