It probably won't surprise you to hear that, here at What Hi-Fi?, we are big fans of turntables and records.
They were, of course, a core part of the magazine when we first launched back in 1976, and no one was more delighted than we were when the format experienced a surprise resurrection starting in the late 2000s.
Now, with physical media as a whole at greater risk than ever before, we are highlighting some of the best turntables that have passed through What Hi-Fi?’s test rooms, as well as some of our favourite records to spin.
All of the turntables below have been tried and tested by our expert reviewers, and all have earned at least four stars to earn our coveted recommendation.
We don’t review records, and of course one of the beautiful things about music is that everyone has their individual tastes and preferences. However, we have selected a couple of our go-to testing choices, old favourites and newer discoveries, covering everything from Steely Dan to Billie Eilish.
Take a look, and let us know in the comments if you have any favourite vinyl discs!
If you're a beginner, have a small budget, or both, then the Pro-Ject Primary E is a great choice. It lacks fancy features such as USB ripping, Bluetooth and automatic operation, but if you're looking for a purist design and great quality sound, then the Primary E can be yours for the cost of only a few records.
If you're considering the Primary One E, the Rega Planar 1 Plus is a very similar offering, but with the convenience of a built-in phono stage. This makes for a fuss-free plug-in-and-play setup, but also superb sound with excellent clarity and subtlety.
A 2025 Award winner, the Pro-Ject Debut Evo Pro 2 is our current mid-range pick. It's highly appealing in looks and sound, with voices and midrange in particular presented wonderfully. If you've got the budget, upgrades such as the High Power it 2 fully grounded power supply improve the sound even further.
If you've really got a budget though, you'll want to consider the Technics SL-1300G. Technics is usually known for its DJ decks, but the SL-1300G shows the audio brand can stand toe-to-toe with the hi-fi competition too, thanks to its ease of use, powerful, punchy presentation and solid build.
We first reviewed the Technics SL-1500C back in 2019, but it remains one of the best record players at its price. It's beautifully made, fuss-free in use and offers a defined, insightful and musical sound. An excellent choice at this level, especially if you'd like a built-in phono stage.
If you're after the convenience of a Bluetooth deck, then few are as appealing as the Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT. Easy to set up, a joy to listen to and lovely to look at, the T1 Evo set new standards for Bluetooth turntables at this price.
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