We’re living in an age where we witnessed a lot of change in the audio media. We’ve seen audio devices live through their peak years and we’ve seen audio devices fall tragically. However there is one particular one that is making a major comeback and it’s a rising trend all around the Globe. We’re talking turntables and today we’ll show you the best turntable under 200. Turntables are making a major comeback and audiophiles everywhere love them. Vinyl is a rising trend and we often see music bands release their new albums in a vinyl version as well. The main reason behind this is simply because it produces a unique genuine sound and delivers quality audio to the listener. Plus you can’t disagree that it looks so amazingly cool! Furthermore they add to the décor of the room.
There are many turntable manufacturers in today’s market, so you need to know what’s best for you. It’s always smart to do a little research before deciding to make a purchase. Turntables can differ from one to another in many ways, including quality, brand, manufacturer, and of course price. Speaking of price, it doesn’t necessarily mean that price means quality. There are some cases where you can get more for less of your money.
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The reason behind this mostly comes down to finding a good quality manufacturer that’s new and is trying to make a name for itself on the market. Therefore the manufacturer needs to offer a better price in order to overcome competition. In these cases you’ll often find the same features and qualities or sometimes better than more established and pricier turntable manufacturers. Stay tuned and find out what’s the best turntable under 200 for you!
1. Fluance RT80
Features
- Two speeds (33 1/3 and 45 RPM)
- Built-in phono preamp
- Aluminum platter
- Auto-stop feature
- Felt turntable mat
- Static balanced S-shaped tonearm
- Audio-Technica cartridge
Verdict
This is probably one of the best, if not THE best turntable you can get at this price range. It combines simplicity, sound quality and desirable features. The exterior design is very stylish, including a walnut or glossy black finish, giving it a classy, retro vibe. It’ll fit right in with your home décor. The Fluance RT80 features a very handy automatic platter, which starts to spin as soon as the tonearm is raised and it won’t stop until the tonearm is back in its starting position and the record is finished. In addition, this turntable has a replaceable Audio-Technica cartridge (including the needle), which will allow you fine tracking. With its many handy features and a top quality preamp the Fluance RT80 is the perfect turntable you’ll find in this price range, for both new and more experienced vinyl enthusiasts.
- Great design
- Automatic
- Replaceable cartridge
- Quality preamp
- Excellent value for money
- The instructions for the setup could be confusing if you aren’t familiar with the record player jargon
2. Crosley C100A
Features
- Diamond stylus needle
- Belt driven turntable
- Two speed player (45 and 33 1/3 RPM Records)
- Adjustable tone arm weight
- Adjustable pitch control
- RCA phono output
- Auxiliary output
Verdict
The Crosley C100A is a turntable that has exemplary features which will allow you to listen and enjoy your audio albums. On top of that, it has a very cheap price tag, it can’t get any better than this! With its design it might not be eye-catching to DJ’s, since it is characterized with vintage aesthetics and a tonearm in the shape of S. However it will surely satisfy the need for those of you home listeners. With features like the built-in phono preamps and it’s adjustable strobe pitch control, this turntable is worth every penny. It will surely give you a bang without having to add any accessories to it. Furthermore, it also includes a transparent dust cover, which makes sure this turntable stays clean while you aren’t using it and in addition give you the option to observe the tonearm and needle whilst enjoying your favorite records.
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- RCA output connects with powered speakers
- Turntable can play 33 and 45 RPM records
- Pitch controller lets you adjust record speed
- Does not have independent speakers
3. Pioneer PL-990
Features
- Two speeds (33 1/3 and 45 RPM)
- Precision DC motor
- Low-mass straight tone arm
- Phono equalizer included
- Belt-driven platter
- Universal-type cartridge connector
Verdict
The Pioneer PL-990 is an old-school turntable when it comes to design, it gives of that cool retro 70’s vibe. The small buttons on the frond and the black case exterior ensure this. The front buttons add to its simplicity, making this an excellent buy for new vinyl enthusiasts. It is very easy to use with simple buttons such as stop, play, tonearm raiser switch and of course speed adjustment. It is sad to point out that the cartridge can’t be upgraded, but it offers smashing quality for that price, furthermore, it includes built-in preamps, which pair great with most sound systems.
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- Dust cover
- Built-in phono equalizer
- Good cartridge and monitor
-
No headphones jack
4. House of Marley Turntable
Features
- Two speeds (33 and 45 RPM)
- Belt driven motor
- Aluminum alloy platter
- Bamboo plinth
- USB port allows converting music to digital format
- Replaceable Audio-Technica cartridge included
- Dust cover
Verdict
The House of Marley is a unique turntable. The design is one thing about this turntable that stands out, I mean, c’mon, it’s made out of bamboo! In addition to that, the House of Marley is a very user-friendly and easy to use turntable, perfect for new vinyl users. To help with that experience, it includes a an USB, RCA and power cables that are very easy to access and assemble right out of the box. Furthermore, it also includes a headphone jack, giving you the option to use the turntables very own built in preamp. Allowing you to enjoy every audio experience and fit your needs. However it lacks pitch control so it’s clear to say that it’s not the DJ’s favorite. Another great feature that will come in handy for new vinyl users is that the table’s monitor will start to spin only if the needle is lifted over the platter’s edge and will not stop until the needle has reached the record’s end.
- Very easy to use
- Great design
- Includes headphone jack and USB
- Great for new vinyl enthusiasts
- Lacks pitch control
- Not for DJs
5. Music Hall USB-1
Features
- Belt Drive
- Aluminum die-cast platter
- Two-speed player (33 1/3 and 45RPM)
- S-shaped tonearm including a detachable head shell
- MP3 encoder gives you the option to transfer songs to a music player or a computer
- Adjustable pitch control
- Built in pre-amp
Verdict
This turntable is really an exception from many of its contenders in this price range. While many turntables in this price range often have noisy automatic drive systems, that is not the case with the Music Hall USB-1. This is a very versatile turntable, the set up is very straight forward, anti-skating, pitch and tracking. Furthermore the turntable speed is also adjustable, allowing you to enjoy clean and clear sound from your audio records. In addition, this model includes an Audio-Technica cartridge and also offers space for an additional cartridge. It is also very user friendly, the USB port and the included software allow you to records songs to your computer or music player.
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- Solid construction
- Adjustable pre-amp
- Easy to use speed adjustment
- Short wires
- Only has two speeds
6. Gemini TT1100-USB
Features
- USB port allows connection to a computer
- Manual belt drive
- ABS enclosure base
- Includes audacity recording software
Verdict
The Gemini TT-1100 optimizes its belt driven platter thus giving you a clear sound free from unnecessary vibrations that often mess with the sound. With its advanced manual adjustment options, it provides you with the ability to enjoy extra quality sound from all of your favorite music records. Another great feature about this turntable is that it includes a reverse motor, giving you the option to play records backwards. This model may be more suited for recording artists or DJ’s, because of its added pitch control switch and its dual stop and start switches feature. However that doesn’t mean that it is only designed for that target group. It is very user-friendly and easy to use. Furthermore, it includes a USB port, giving you the option to record your favorite audio records into digital files.
- Excellent sound
- Easy to use
- Professional features
- Consistent
- Versatile
- Weight for arm took time
- Instructions are vague
7. TEAC TN100
Features
- Belt drive turntable
- Three speed player (33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM)
- MM type phono amplifier and equalizer
- Automatic tonearm
Verdict
There aren’t many turntables on the market in this price range that offer the same features as the TEAC TN1000. Some of which include an entirely automatic tonearm, which will adjust and adapt completely on its own, once you place it above your record. In addition, the output from the system is switchable, meaning you can switch between line out and phono out, which gives you all sorts of options. For example you can than add a preamp and a phono equalizer and pair them with receivers or monitors for a better audio experience. Word of advice, if you really want to get the most out of this turntable, please make sure you invest in some fine quality speakers.
- Very well-designed wood cabinet
- Very affordable
- Automatic tonearm
- Doesn’t come with conversion software
8. Stanton T62
Features
- Straight tone arm
- Two playback speeds
- Stanton 300 cartridge pre-mounted on head shell
- Two stop and start switches for mixes
- Manual pitch control fader
- RCA stereo outputs
- Included cloth dust cover
Verdict
This turntable is a perfect fit for DJs, because of its amazing features like the straight tone arm and the direct-drive motor. The direct-drive motor is better at enduring wear and tear than the belt drive one, however it might be a good idea to get a quality preamp so that you can get the best possible sound when hooked with another speaker system. On the other hand, the straight tone arm will enable you easier tracking and when you combine these two together you get an exemplary turntable that is best suited for artists and DJs rather than plain home listeners. Without a doubt, one of the greatest turntables in this price range.
- User-friendly direct drive turntable for DJs of every skill levels
- Amazing sound quality
- High-quality, very durable materials
- Affordable price
- Specialized turntable for DJs
- Great choice for DJs, but not the best choice for home listeners
- Headphone jack not included
- No USB port or USB connectivity
- Only plays vinyl (no CDs, MP3s,radio or cassettes)
9. Sony PSLX300-USB
Features
- Two speeds (33 1/3 and 45 RPM)
- S-shaped tonearm
- Built-in phono preamp
- Fully automatic
- Static balance tonearm
- Belt drive motor
- USB audio output
Verdict
The Sony PSLX300 USB is a great and affordable turntable for new turntable enthusiasts. It features a fully automatic cue, which can come in handy if you are one of those who don’t trust adjusting the tonearm on your very own. The rubber mat and the heavy platter will ensure that vibrations are eliminated from the belt driven motor. In addition, the Sony cartridge and the firm tonearm allow you decent tracking for an affordable price.
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- Great for new turntable users
- Fully automatic
- Affordable price
- No headphone jack
10. Audio Technica AT-LP60 USB
Features
- Two Speeds (33 1/3 and 45 RPM)
- Anti-resonance aluminum platter
- Fully automatic belt-driven motor
- USB port for converting records to audio files
- Built-in phono preamp
- Integral dual magnet phono cartridge with replaceable diamond stylus
Verdict
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is a bit more advanced turntable. You’ll notice that once you start to unbox it. It requires you to carefully position the platter and attach the belt. After that it’s pretty much an easier ride. Once you press the start button, you’ll notice the tonearm lower and take position. It also includes a built in preamp that allows you to plug-in directly to your system, giving you more flexibility and the option to add an additional preamp to boost the sound quality. The AT-LP60 is a great and affordable turntable. It is also worth mentioning that it can also convert records into digital files using a USB port. One of the best choices in this price range on the market.
- Built-in preamp
- Automatic
- Converts records to audio files
- Flexible
- Great value for money
- Does not include a counterweight or a removable headshell
- Pretty complex to put together
Conclusion
There you have it folks, those are our choices on the best turntable under 200. We really hope that you found this information helpful and that after reading our article you now feel like you’re more informed and prepared to tackle the world of vinyl! We can safely conclude that the turntable market is vast and there are countless of turntable manufacturers that offer different kinds of models each and every year.
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The key is to get informed and know what it is you’re looking for in a particular model. Whether that is the design, sound quality, simplicity or price, it is up to you to get informed as much as you can, so when the time comes and you want to make a purchase, you’ll be sure in your choice. That way you’ll minimize the risk and in almost each and every case, you’ll make the right choice. You’ll get the best turntable money can buy and you’ll be able to enjoy your records and optimize your audio experience at home.
And if you are looking for a good quality soundbar to compliment your home entertaining system without breaking the bank, check our article for the best soundbar under $100 on this link.
