Best Bluetooth turntables 2023: wireless record players for streaming vinyl

The popularity of vinyl shows no sign of abating, with more and more people (of all demographics) buying turntables. Whether it's for the first time or upgrading their existing record players, there's also been a rising need for compatibility with modern products like wireless headphones and speakers. And one feature that's proving increasingly popular for its sheer convenience is Bluetooth.

The best Bluetooth turntables deliver great vinyl sound from your deck to a pair of compatible Bluetooth speakers (such as the Sonos Era 100) or headphones (such as the Sony WH-1000XM5), making listening to records – and building your vinyl system – easier than ever. These decks also come with a phono stage built-in, so you can create a neat vinyl system that doesn't involve multiple boxes.

That doesn't mean these wireless decks are only for beginners and casual listeners, though. In this list are talented turntables ranging from affordable to more expensive, and there's even an Award-winning just-add-speakers system fully loaded with onboard amplification that makes streaming to wireless speakers and headphones dead easy.

The vinyl landscape is changing with the times constantly – Pro-Ject has even launched a wi-fi-equipped T2 W turntable now – and with our pick of the best Bluetooth record players, you can come along for the ride too. We've tested every single one of these models in our dedicated, purpose-built listening rooms, so you can be sure your beloved records are going to end up in safe hands. 

The quick list

Best budget turntable

Not only does this budget Sony leave you with little to do during set-up – just attach the belt to the platter – it does pretty much everything but shaking the vinyl from its sleeve, too.

You can pair the PS-LX310BT with up to eight Bluetooth devices and, in our tests using headphones, the connection was strong enough to walk into another room, close the door and even go outside.

Sony has given us a ‘plug and play’ fully automatic deck, included a phono stage, thrown in Bluetooth and priced it at the low end of the market. It could only score more highly for usability if it somehow took the LPs from their covers. 

What's more, it sounds ridiculously fun. More traditional decks, such as the Award-winning Rega Planar 1, can be more mature in their performance, but when you consider this fully-automatic deck's list of features, it's hard to believe it can sound this good with such a price tag.

Read the full review: Sony PS-LX310BT

Best mid-price turntable

In the AT-LPW50BTRW, Audio Technica has delivered a good-looking, enjoyable-sounding turntable that’s a dream to use. It's a step above the budget Sony deck in price, design and performance. Combining a belt drive design with a gorgeous rosewood finish and build quality that exudes quality and style, this turntable goes a step further with a built-in switchable phono stage that makes using it with active speakers or as part of your hi-fi system a doddle.

Connecting with wireless speakers or Bluetooth headphones can be a bit tricky if there are other Bluetooth devices turned on in the same room (the turntable tries to connect to those too), but once the connection is made it's steady, stable and sounds decent, too. If all you have is a Sonos speaker (such as the Era 100) to connect the AT-LPW50BTRW to, it forms a neat, compact system for your vinyl collection – we can see the appeal.

But play it through a proper hi-fi set-up, and the deck's talents are more obvious. It's smooth-sounding, has ample detail to deliver the texture of instruments and nuance to voices, and has a great sense of punch and rhythm. Alternatives like the Rega Planar 1 Plus at a similar price (which has a phono stage built in, but no Bluetooth) have the edge with a greater level of subtle expression and dynamics, better precision and attack, but there's no denying Audio Technica's easy-going approach is appealing. If your heart is set on a Bluetooth turntable, this is the best compromise of them all.

Read the full review: Audio Technica AT-LPW50BTRW

Best turntable system

The Pro-Ject Juke Box E is based on Pro-Ject’s well-regarded Primary turntable and is tricked out with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, built-in amplification (25W per channel into 8 ohms) and a Bluetooth receiver. It's an all-in-one turntable package – all you need to do is add a pair of speakers or headphones and you're good to go.

Right from the off, this is recognisably a Pro-Ject turntable. It carries the brand’s sonic signature as surely as some sports brands carry three stripes. In essence, that sonic signature is one of easy-going fidelity – the Juke Box E establishes a decently spacious soundstage and positions instruments upon it securely in their own space even as they integrate and interact together. It’s untroubled by even tricky tempos or odd rhythms, has reasonable shine and brilliance at the top end, and its midrange reproduction is detailed. 

It’s an all-in-one turntable system that demands very few compromises, given its price. It’s also an all-in-one system that we can’t easily argue against in favour of separates. The Juke Box E delivers convenience and backs it up with Award-winning sound quality. You can't really ask for more than that.

Read the full review: Pro-Ject Juke Box E

Best premium turntable

Cambridge Audio’s Alva TT V2 is the second generation to the original (and appealing) Alva TT wireless turntable, and is a relatively safe but well-thought-out evolution.

The same features that made the initial model so appealing are back for the sequel, including the direct drive design, aptX HD Bluetooth streaming to compatible headphones/speakers, electric speed change and a built-in phono stage, but there are a few tweaks added to the mix. The TT V2 sports a new tonearm with a detachable headshell, and you can now toggle the built-in phono stage and the Bluetooth module on and off. These helpful options make it easier to change the cartridge when required for an upgrade, as well as give you the option to use an outboard phono stage (or the one in your amp), should you prefer. 

While Bluetooth streaming is convenient to have, we do encounter some erratic connection issues during our testing, when paired with wireless headphones such as the Apple AirPods Max and Mark Levinson No. 5909. Those issues aside, it’s a likeable deck to use and listen to. The TT V2 isn’t a thrill machine when it comes to sound, opting instead for a smooth, full-bodied audio delivery. Similar-priced rivals will give you a better sense of rhythmic drive and dynamics, especially from more purist options like the Rega Planar 6/Ania turntable. But the rich tone, detailed sound and convincing musical cohesiveness give us plenty to like about this Cambridge Audio turntable.

Read the full review: Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2

What to look for in a Bluetooth turntable

As with any new purchase, you need to decide on your budget. We'd suggest limiting it to around a quarter of your system's cost if it's being added to an existing hi-fi set-up. With that in mind, make sure you read up on the sonic characteristics of all your components – even five-star products benefit from the right partnering.

If you're only planning on using the Bluetooth turntable with a wireless Bluetooth speaker or pair of wireless headphones, then you don't need to spend a fortune. You won't be needing any extra cables, either, and can be flexible with placing them anywhere in the room.

Once you've decided on your budget, decide on the features you require besides Bluetooth. Belt drive or direct drive motor? Does it have a phono stage built in (recommended if you're using a Bluetooth speaker only)? Manual or automatic operation? Take note of the Bluetooth codecs it supports as well – does that match with your partnering speakers and headphones? As a rule, it should support SBC as standard, but AAC is compatible with Apple kit, while aptX/aptX HD and LDAC codecs will offer high-quality streams.  Make sure you have a checklist based on your needs to help you narrow the search.

How we test Bluetooth turntables

The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years of collective experience in reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics – and that includes Bluetooth turntables. We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of expert reviewers do all our in-house testing.

We test Bluetooth turntables just as we would any normal turntable – taking the time to set them up correctly on a level surface. We ensure we spend plenty of time using and listening to each turntable, noting how easy or difficult it is to use as well as testing any extra features they have. We'll try them with different partnering electronics and various genres of music, too. With Bluetooth turntables, we also test them with some of our favourite compatible wireless speakers and Bluetooth headphones at relevant price points, to gauge how they sound when streaming vinyl.

All new turntables are tested in comparison with rival turntables at the same price (and often cheaper and more expensive alternatives, too), and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than a single reviewer, helping to ensure consistency and avoid individual subjectivity. That's why our reviews are trusted by retailers and manufacturers, as well as consumers, the world over.

From all of our reviews, we choose the top Bluetooth turntables to feature in this Best Buy. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended here, or on any other Best Buy page, you can rest assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi?-approved product.

You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.

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