10 Best Record Players with Built-in Speakers on the Market
Are you interested in jumping into the vinyl hobby, but aren’t sure which of the best record players with built in speakers you should buy? Well in today’s article, I’m going to discuss suitcase record players made by Victrola, Crosley, and more, as well as high end all in one record players you might not know exist but are worthy of your consideration.
The Best Record Players with Built in Speakers
Here are the top record players with built in speakers:
- Victrola Re-Spin
- Victrola Journey Cassette
- Andover One E
- Plus Audio The +Record Player
- Victrola Eastwood Signature
- Ion Audio Max LP
- Gramovox Floating Turntable
- Crosley Dansette Junior
- Victrola VSC-550BT
- Jensen 230R
If you’re looking for the absolute suitcase record player, the Victrola Re-Spin wins due to its powerful bass and full sound. If you’re simply looking for the best record player with speakers, regardless of price, the Andover One E and The+ Record Player by Plus Audio tie for the win due to their built in Pro-Ject turntables, connectivity options and great sound.
1) Victrola Re-Spin
Now the first record player on this list is a Victrola record player with speakers: the Victrola Re-Spin. While many people might simply look at this as another typical suitcase record player, I have a surprising reveal: this is a pretty freakin’ good record player for the money.
The first thing I liked about using this record player was the child proof-like lock that’s on the front. In short, you’re not just going to be able to grab this record player by the side and lift it up (like a typical dust cover). Instead, it stays locked until you push the middle tab to open it. I like that quite a bit, because it prevents someone (particularly a child) from opening the record player up on a whim and potentially breaking it.
The second thing I was impressed by on the Re-Spin (which sells for $99, but can be found cheaper depending on where you look), is that this record player succeeds on its advertising of having “big bass.”
Now, first things first—let’s not have unrealistic expectations here. You’re not getting room shaking bass with the Re-Spin. It’s not going to sound like a subwoofer has all of the sudden entered the room. However, upon putting on a Motown record and immediately turning up the volume, I was impressed by how full-bodied the music sounded. I also appreciated that the music filled the entire room.
Was there a slight bit of distortion when listening, especially on higher volumes? Yes, a little bit. In my eyes, that’s expected when you buy an all in one record player with speakers (especially one at this price point). You’re mostly paying for convenience, and therefore quality is going to be sacrificed a bit here and there in order to satisfy the relatively simple needs of an entry-level turntable enthusiast.
This record player also features Auto Stop, which will turn off the record player completely once the final track has finished. With the Re-Spin’s ability to function as a bluetooth record player with speakers (because you can stream music from you iPhone to your turntable via Bluetooth more, or send music from your record player to your portable speaker via Vinyl Stream mode), the Victrola Re-Spin is easily one of the best Victrola record players on the market that I’ve tested in a while.
- You May Also Enjoy: Victrola Re-Spin review
2) Victrola Journey Cassette
Now, if you’re looking for more of a vintage Victrola record player, but still want some modern day conveniences, I’d recommend going with the Victrola Journey Cassette.
This record player won’t have better soul than the Victrola Re-Spin. It just wasn’t built with the same focus and commitment to having big sound or a powerful radiator.
Still, what the Journey Cassette looks in sound it makes up for in versatility. That’s because, on the right side of this turntable is a cassette player. So whether you have a bunch of old albums on cassette, or you made a bunch of mix tapes in the 80s and 90s, this is a great feature for someone that loves cassette tapes just as much as vinyl records.
And similar to the Re-Spin, this Journey Cassette also allows for Vinyl Stream mode, as well as Bluetooth mode. This is also a 3-speed turntable, so it can play at 33 RPM, 45 RPM and 78 RPM speeds.
3) Andover One E
Now most people assume that record players with speakers are almost always going to be cheap toys, or record players full of plastic junk. But that’s not the case. What if I told you that you could find a high end record player that had built in speakers?
Well luckily you can–it’s a record player called the Andover One E. What I like about this record player is that while it does come with a premium price, it doesn’t come with a steep learning curve. In fact, this turntable is plug and play, comes with a built in Pro-Ject turntable (designed off the Debut Carbon Esprit SB) and even features bluetooth capability which allows you to stream your music wirelessly.
This beautiful package all comes housed inside a wonderful hardwood walnut frame. I really love the Andover One E for the market its targeting–it’s almost like they realized that people who love vinyl AND have a lot of money to spend might also want the same convenience afforded to those that purchase much cheaper options like the Victrola Re-Spin. Smart move.
4) The +Record Player by Plus Audio
Now The +Record Player by Plus Audio offers the same kind of look and feel of the Andover One E. Even the specs are a bit similar, as The +Record Player also features a built in Pro-Ject turntable. Between the Andover One E and The +Record Player, you’d be hard pressed to go wrong with either option.
However, from a pure aesthetics point of view, I think I favorite the The +Record Player just a bit more. It has, ever so slightly, a more “premium” look to it, and I favor the more rounded look compared to the squared off appearance of the Andover One E.
And for those that seek out vinyl to MP3 turntables, you get that here in The +Record Player, as Plus Audio has affixed this record player with a two-way USB that allow you to rip your vinyl records to your computer. So if you’re looking for one of the best all in one turntables, you probably won’t find anything much better than The +Record Player by Plus Audio.
5) Victrola Eastwood Signature
Now in my opinon, the Victrola Eastwood Signature is most ideal for someone that like the visual aesthetic The +Record Player or Andover One E, but really only has a budget of about $150.00.
If you fall into that category, and you’re not a particularly huge fan of the Victrola Re-Spin’s bright colors, then you should consider getting the Eastwood Signature. It offers some of the same features as the Re-Spin (offers 3-speed playback, bluetooth ability to stream to a wireless speaker), and I like the fact that it comes with a Audio-Technica AT-3600LA cartridge rather than a cheaper, less reliable ceramic cartridge.
The one drawback to the Eastwood Signature compared to its cheaper Victrola cousins is that it does not come with the Auto Stop feature. So if you like to fall asleep to your records playing, or easily get distracted, you might run into trouble with the Eastwood Signature since it won’t automatically turn off the motor when the record finishes playing its last track.
6) The ION Audio Max LP
Coming in at a modest $78, the Audio Max provides a budget-friendly price with a much higher end aesthetic. Its sturdy plinth boasts a natural wood finish that sits a dense one-piece base and is both pleasing to the eye and the ear by helping to minimize unwanted vibrations for a smooth sound.
The Audio Max features two small, built in stereo speakers on top of the plinth, which is good for avoiding any muffling of the sound, but also offers standard RCA outputs, so you are able to connect this record player to larger speakers if desired. Additionally, it offers an aux input, so you can play digital music from your phone or mp3 player through it, as well as a front-facing headphone output for those late-night private listening sessions.
There is only one knob for volume on the top of the plinth to keep design clean and uncluttered with a power button located in the back, along with its 12V dc power input, as well as a USB port. The USB port allows you to convert your favorite records into digital music with your computer and it even comes with EZ Vinyl Conversion Software, a nice bonus for this price range.
The Audio Max also includes a dustcover to keep your records clean and keep you from worrying whether you left one on the platter before you head to bed. It is a belt-driven turntable that is easily adjusted to play records at 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM and features a conical, diamond-tipped ceramic stylus.
Unfortunately, the cartridge is fixed to the tonearm, so no upgrading this crucial piece and if you do damage your stylus, a replacement must be ordered directly from ION. All things considered, this is a solid turntable at a budget-friendly price with great looks. Though it will leave something to be desired sound quality-wise, this is a great entry point with some options for vinyl beginners.
7) Victrola VSC-550BT
Victrola has been making turntables for over 100 years and they’ve continued to evolve their products to reach the Innovative Technology 3-Speed. At only $42, it is highly affordable featuring a suitcase design that is efficient and extremely portable.
This turntable offers more color options than almost any other with everything from tie dye to pink camo, so if customization and having a unique record player are important to you, this one is definitely worth considering. It spins at three speeds, 33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM, to accommodate your entire collection and features a handy auto-stop function so your records won’t spin endlessly until you can make it over to stop it.
It features Bluetooth capability so you can play music from your phone or other Bluetooth device without wires, but also includes an aux input if you’re old school. It is intuitive and easy to use fresh out of the box, but the sound quality is to be expected for a price so low. All in all, it is a solid beginner’s turntable to get you started, but is one that you’ll want to quickly replace if your vinyl addiction starts to spread.
8) Jensen JTA-230R
Jensen has a number of affordable turntables and their 3-speed record player is near the top of the line of their record players that include speakers. It is belt driven to provide accurate speeds at 33, 45, 78 RPM and features a retro design with wood finishing and front-facing speakers.
The headphone jack allows you to crank it up loud and listen in private while the aux input will let you play music from a phone or mp3 player. RCA outputs allow you to connect it to bigger speakers, but it will play just fine on its own straight of the box.
The antique design will look nice on the shelf or on the go, but it does not allow you to swap or upgrade the cartridge, which does limit its appeal and your ability to grow with it. All factors considered, it’s a reasonable value with nice aesthetics if the suitcase look isn’t quite your cup of tea.
9) Gramovox ‘Floating Record’ Turntable
Though this turntable is one of the most expensive within the category by a longshot, its unique design and quality blows the competition out of the water. If the $550 price doesn’t scare you away, this work of art of a turntable is sure to impress even your snootiest audiophile friends and serve as a focal point for your entire home.
You read the title right, this is a turntable that plays records vertically, with a vertical platter that holds the record in place (with the center pin and the help of a record clamp), resting against the vertical platter while spinning under a vertical tonearm.
Uh, wow. Just wow.
This allows you to see your records from across the room while listening, creating the illusion that your records are floating in mid-air, rather than having to stand directly over it, especially appealing for those pretty colored vinyl records in your collection. It comes in walnut or maple hardwood, hand-built in Chicago, to best match your furniture and features two front-facing, built-in, dynamic, full-range stereo speakers for a much larger, clearer sound than you’d expect.
It is a belt-driven turntable that operates at 33 1/3rd and 45 RPMs, which is manually adjustable, with some concentration, by slipping the silicon belt over the inner or outer groove of the middle gear. It also features standard RCA connections, so you can play this record through external speakers and a headphone jack for private listening.
It also features a unique mute button in the back if for any reason you want to quickly turn the sound off without stopping the record. It also includes a built in 15w per channel digital amplifier that is valued at $200 itself, to give you an indication of the high-quality audio signal it can produce.
Another unique feature is the rarely found dual-voltage inputs, allowing you to plug into outlets overseas, giving a new meaning to the word portable. The pre-installed cartridge is of high-quality, but you are able to replace or upgrade it at will, another valuable feature for this category of record player.
Understandably so, the high price may scare the majority of vinyl newcomers away, but if you’re certain on pursuing vinyl as a hobby, the Vertical Turntable is an amazing place to start, with the ability to grow with you over time, serve as a conversation piece you can be proud of and impress just about anyone.
Hands down, this “Floating Record” is the coolest looking turntable on this list.
With that said, if you want to go the vertical turntable route, I think the Pro-Ject VT-E series is worth a look. But, it does not have built-in speakers.
10) Crosley Dansette Junior
Crosley is the most well-known name in the world of portable record players, with several models resembling a suitcase for easy transport. We’ve discussed on this very site whether you should or shouldn’t get a Crosley record player, and the results were…a bit of a mixed bag.
With that said, their Crosley Dansette Junior model is one of the newest in their ever-evolving line and is priced at an inclusive $170. With Crosley, its usually fashion over function and while this record player does everything you need it to do, it doesn’t come with a lot of extras, but it does make up for it with its classic retro design.
Your parents will swear you dug it out of the attic or that they had one just like it, but this modern take on a classic has some new tricks up its sleeve. In the 60s, Dansette record players were among the most common for the music lover on the go and they’ve stood the test of time.
The Junior version is smaller and lighter with bigger sound and some added capability in the form of an aux input and output, so you can play digital music from it, or connect it to another aux input. It does feature front-facing, dynamic, full range stereo speakers that sound pretty good on their own, but it also includes standard RCA outputs, so you can connect to something more powerful if need be.
It plays at 33 and 45 RPM and includes a headphone jack for private listening. The two-toned color scheme resembles the mod craze of the 60s and handles make it extra portable to bring the party with you. The price is toward the higher end of the spectrum for the category, but the design is pretty cool.
- You also might enjoy reading: Ranking the Best Crosley Turntables on the Market
Downside to Record Players with Built in Speakers?
However, there are some downsides when it comes to cheaper turntables that have built-in speakers ($150.00 and under). With these setups, your ability to upgrade is limited. While some allow you to connect your turntable to external speakers, some do not, limiting you to the constricted power and quality commonly found with these record players.
Additionally, most will not allow for smaller upgrades like cartridges, which can be pricey, but also make a huge difference in sound quality to an audiophile. In fact, you’re likely going to be purchasing a record player that has a ceramic cartridge. This isn’t necessarily ideal, as a Magnetic Cartridge not only provides better fidelity, but an ability to upgrade to an even better quality cartridge as well.
On top of that, it’s important to know that a player that has built in speakers will have major key settings preset by the manufacturer. Namely, tracking force and anti-skate control. The lack of tracking force adjustment might be the bigger deal here, because that means directly is tied to how much pressure the tonearm is putting on your stylus (needle) when it’s inside the groove of your record.
If there’s too little force, the music won’t sound right. And if there is too much force, not only with the music sound muddy, but you could be damaging your stylus and potentially the groove of your record.
With that said, if you’re someone that doesn’t have a large budget for your turntable purchase, or you see yourself as more of a casual listener when it comes to vinyl records, then a turntable with built in speakers might be exactly what you’re looking for. And if so, here are a few that are worth taking a closer look at:
Best Record Player Without Built In Speakers?
So here’s a question—what if you don’t want a record player with speakers built into it…but you still want a solid beginner turntable that’s affordable? Well, here’s my favorite choice if you fall into this category.
Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBTUSB
Well, in my opinion, you really can’t go wrong with the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X (and, if you absolutely need a bluetooth record player that also has USB capability, you can get the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBTUSB). And that’s because at just $99, not only does this record player provide great value, but with the touch of a button, the motor will turn on, the tonearm will cue to the first track of the record, and the stylus will drop into the groove to begin playing your record.
And when the record ends, the tonearm will pick itself back up and return to its rest. It’s hard to beat that kind of convenience for under $100.
Sure, there are no built-in speakers here—you will need external speakers to listen to the AT-LP60XBT. But, keep in mind that this turntable does come with a built-in phono preamp. And that means that you can connect this record player directly into a receiver, integrated amplifier, or even powered speakers and you’re ready to being listening to records immediately.
And the Winner Is…
After weighing all the factors and examining the competition, the best record player with built-in speakers is the Victrola Re-Spin if you’re looking for a cheap record player that provides great sound for the money. However, if money is less of a barrier and you simply are looking for the best all in one record player available, I would recommend the Plus Audio +Record Player (with the Andover One E as an awesome consolation prize). Both of these turntables look beautiful, sound great, and have all of the modern connectivity options a music lover could hope to see.
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