6 of the best turntables you can buy for less than £350 – reviewed

6 of the best turntables you can buy for less than £350 – reviewed

Unpack that box labelled ‘charity shop’: vinyl is back. And after thirty years stuck in the loft, it’s got a point to prove. That point? That there’s a whole lot of life left in the physical medium yet, and the boom in turntable sales only helps to back that up. Whether you’re looking for a new turntable or buying your first, we’ve pulled together six of the best turntables available under £350 that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great sound.

REGA PLANAR 1 (£250)

With over 40 years of practice, Rega knows a thing or two about making a good turntable. And as its most affordable deck, the Planar 1 is proof you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a stellar performance. You’ll get detail in spades, stacks of energy and a level of authority and solidity we don’t expect at this price. This might be an entry-level turntable, but you might never feel the need to upgrade.

AUDIO TECHNICA AT-LP5 (£330)

There’s a lot to love about this Audio Technica. For a start, the build, look and feel of the AT-LP5 could easily pass for something double the price. Secondly, it throws a built-in phono stage and a USB output for ripping your vinyl into the deal. But most importantly, it sounds fantastic. No matter your music tastes, you’ll be treated to impressive amounts of detail, a wide, open sound stage and a beautifully balanced sound. A real all-rounder.

PRO-JECT PRIMARY (£170)

If you want hi-fi quality without the high-end price tag, the Pro-Ject Primary is an excellent place to start. There are very few bells and whistles here, but with a performance as good as this, you won’t miss them in the slightest. It delivers all the balance and insight that has become Pro-Ject’s brand signature, and manages to be both detailed and precise while still retaining plenty of drive and excitement. A hugely engaging deck that will steal hours from your day before you know it.

SONY PS-HX500 (£275)

The Sony PS-HX500 brings together the old and new of the company’s extensive audio knowhow into a single product. Not only does it sound excellent when used as a traditional deck, but it also includes the ability to make hi-res audio copies of your vinyl to play on the move. Its character is the same however you use it, with a crisp, precise sound that works particularly well with acoustic tracks. Considering it was released at £450 too, its recent price drop makes this multi-talented deck seem like a bit of a bargain.

AUDIO TECHNICA AT-LP3 (£200)

Their similar monikers aside, you’d know the AT-LP3 was the little brother to the pricier AT-LP5 just by listening to them. That’s great news for the LP3: for £130 less you’re getting the hugely likeable character of its sibling, albeit with a touch less detail, space and dynamic range. That’s to be expected at this price though, and against its competition it more than holds its own, thanks to its bold and exciting sound. There’s a decent phono stage built in too, so just add a pair of powered speakers and you’re set.

LENCO L-85 (£110)

It might not look like much, but beneath the L-85’s rather plastic-y design, there’s a very decent turntable for not much money at all. It’s a really likeable performance with a well-balanced sound that does particularly well with vocals. It’s not as detailed or rhythmic as some pricier competition but it’s hard to grumble at its abilities for the money. Its plug ‘n’ play convenience makes its perfect for turntable newbies too, plus there’s a USB output for ripping your vinyl to MP3.