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If what you are looking for is the perfect record player then this is for you. We saw the need, so we went before you to find the best record player under 500 dollars on Amazon. Now, there are many cool options here but the ✅Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB remains number one.
Comparison Table for the Best Record Player under 500 Dollars
Tap the images to get your Best Record Player under 500 dollars on Amazon
| S/NO | IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |   | Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Direct-Drive Turntable (Analog & USB) | DUST COVER yes PREAMP/AMP yes BLUETOOTH no SPEED MODE 3 |
| 2 |   | Denon DP-400 (White) Semi-Automatic Analog Turntable with Speed Auto Sensor | DUST COVER yes PREAMP/AMP yes BLUETOOTH no SPEED MODE 3 |
| 3 |   | Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge | DUST COVER yes PREAMP/AMP yes BLUETOOTH no SPEED MODE 1 |
| 4 |   | Fluance RT84 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player | DUST COVER yes PREAMP/AMP yes BLUETOOTH no SPEED MODE 2 |
| 5 |   | Pioneer DJ PLX-500 Direct Drive Turntable | DUST COVER yes PREAMP/AMP yes BLUETOOTH no SPEED MODE 3 |
| 6 |   | U-Turn Audio - Orbit Plus Turntable with Built-in Preamp | DUST COVER yes PREAMP/AMP yes BLUETOOTH no SPEED MODE 2 |
| 7 |   | Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Direct-Drive Turntable | DUST COVER yes PREAMP/AMP yes BLUETOOTH no SPEED MODE 3 |
Best Record Player under 500 Dollars
CD players, AV receivers, mp3 players, etc. – there are so many ways that you can play your tunes.
One of the oldest methods of playing on the list remains the record players.
This is one of the devices that has continuously evolved and stayed relevant even in today’s market.
These days the record player seems like an appliance for the elite and the more you spend the more you get.
Aesthetics is the first thing that they bring to the table these days and this is because of their history.
Manufacturers are noticing the high demand for record players these days.
We have seen many new record players in the market coming from different stores trying to match the demand with supply.
How to Identify the Best Record Player under 500 Dollars
The high supply trying to match the demand is a good thing but there is only one issue here.
Which in the fact that it makes it even harder for us to find which of these options is the best.
Even after you sort out the pricing issue, there are still a lot of options to skim through.
At this point, knowing what makes a record player the best is what will help determine which is.
The very first consideration should be how much juice it has to improve your sound quality.
It is a sound component at the end of the day which makes the sound quality the most important asset.
Since we are talking about record players – checking the aesthetic level and how much elegance it brings is also there.
When we move past these, you can now look at the other secondary features that make it stand out.
Connectivity, variety, durability and types of material used, add-ons, compatibility, etc. are some of the features.
1. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Direct-Drive Turntable (Analog & USB) is the No 1 choice for the Best Record Player under 500 Dollars
We are going to tell you at some point that popularity is not a very vital feature when you want the best.
This is however something we think you already know as there is so much that determines popularity, not just sound quality.
At the end of the day, what you want is the best and it does not matter where that comes from.
The Audio-Technica store might not be the most popular overall but it is known when you consider record players.
It is going to be hard to talk about quality in the world of record players without mentioning them.
This is how much quality they bring to the table and why we are considering the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB first.
From the inside to how it is built on the outside, this record player comes with a lot of amazing features.
The fact that it can play in more than one-speed mode is going to be one of the many features that stand out.
Depending on what you are playing and how you want to hear it, there are three-speed modes to play with.
A dust cover is one of the ways the manufacturer ensures that this record player stands the test of time.
The role of the cover is to protect the record player from damage from dust and other harmful particulate matter.
You are going to enjoy full manual operation here with an adjustable dynamic anti-skate control and variable pitch control.
Under this record player, you have four legs, which help lift it from the floor and prevent damage that may occur.
Pros
- It comes with three-speed modes
- A lot of aesthetics is ensured here
- High-fidelity sound as promised
Cons
- No wireless connectivity is available
Buy the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Direct-Drive Turntable (Analog & USB) from Amazon by clicking on the image link above
2. Denon DP-400 (White) Semi-Automatic Analog Turntable with Speed Auto Sensor
The next store we are looking for the best record player under 500 dollars in is the Denon store.
This one is more popular than the Audio-Technica store especially when you are looking at the sound market.
Record players are not the only options where they have a strong stand when you are looking for the best.
They have some amazing options just in case you are looking for the best Bluetooth speakers or the best AV receiver.
Quality is always an assurance as long as what you are looking for can be found when you look here.
Here we are considering the DP-400 and there is so much to look at both on the outside and inside.
The first set of things that makes this model from the Denon store stand out from others is the variety it brings.
While the main features of the record player are constant, some of the other features are allowed to vary.
One of them is the colour that the record player comes in as you have two colours to choose from here.
This record player uses a state-of-the-art automatic turntable that has three different speed modes – 33 1/3rmp, 45rpm and 78rpm.
Another amazing feature here is the inclusion of a preamplifier and the fact that it supports moving magnets and moving coil cartridges.
It also comes with a phono equalizer which gives you an enveloping sound stage and improves your listening experience.
The aesthetics that this record player brings to the table are one of the many reasons that make us love it.
Pros
- Comes with a speed auto sensor
- Variety in style and colour
- Has three-speed modes
Cons
- No wireless connectivity
Purchase the Denon DP-400 (White) Semi-Automatic Analog Turntable with Speed Auto Sensor from Amazon by clicking the image link above
3. Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Another store that is worth mentioning is the Pro-Ject store and this is because of how much quality they give.
Anytime you come to this store, there is always good news here and it does not matter what you want.
They do not venture into a lot of places hence there are not many products you will find on their shelf.
However, when you eventually find that what you are looking for is on their shelf, it is hard to beat the quality.
There are just so many amazing options to look out for here.
When it comes to record players regardless of how much they cost, this is one of the standout options.
Firstly, you get a precision belt drive with a synchronous motor and this will help in improving how sound is played.
This Pro-Ject record player weighs about 12.35 pounds and has a dimension that is measured to be 12.6” X 16.34” X 4.65”.
You also have the premium Ortofon 2M red cartridge pre-installed here to give you audiophile vinyl pleasure and better sound.
You have an 8.6” carbon fibre tonearm also on this record player to give you extra stiffness when playing.
This instrument is also responsible for the reduction of the resonance you might get around the pick-up cartridge.
It is a belt-driven system that comes with a signal-to-noise ratio calculated to be around 68dB.
A dust cover is another good feature here and it is responsible for protecting your record player from dust damage.
Pros
- Comes with a preamplifier
- Top-notch sound components are available
- The much-needed aesthetics can be found here
Cons
- Just one-speed mode available
Get the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge on Amazon by clicking the image above
4. Fluance RT84 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player
The Fluance store is another one the – popular in the sound world but not yet blow in general.
They do well for themselves in terms of the number of quality products they have sent out to the market.
This is why they will always be a known brand for anyone who always considers quality when shopping in the sound market.
The options we are looking at here are simply too numerous to mention when you want the best record player under 500.
However, if it is the quality, you are looking for, the RT84 from this store has you covered inside and outside.
The first thing that stands out here is how it looks and the amount of aesthetics that it brings to your home.
A dust cover is also present here and this will help protect your record player from dust and other harmful particles.
Colour varies here and this helps with giving your options to choose from depending on which you like the most.
You have four colours in total to choose from when you shop here – bamboo, piano white, walnut and piano black.
High-resolution sound with details is assured here thanks to the Ortofon 2M blue elliptical cartridge which gives improved linearity.
Unwanted vibrations and noise from this system are removed thanks to the isolated motor that this record player makes use of.
Also, you get an assurance of a consistent platter velocity of 0.07% wow/flutter thanks to the speed control mechanism.
Signal clarity is another amazing characteristic of this record player thanks to the S-shaped tonearm it comes with.
Pros
- It has a solid wood plinth for resistance to vibration
- Comes with variety in terms of colour
- Top-notch sound components in use
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoor use
Purchase the Fluance RT84 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player from Amazon by clicking the image link
5. Pioneer DJ PLX-500 Direct Drive Turntable
The Pioneer store has to be mentioned since what we are looking to find here is the best.
There are so many sound categories out there and there is no one that this store does not dominate.
As far as what you want is the overall best, considering the Pioneer store during your search is a must.
From the best sound system for TV to the best Bluetooth speaker for an outdoor party – they are found everywhere.
Here, we are considering the DJ PLX-500 and the quality is just undeniable whether you look inside or outside.
This record player has it all but if there is somewhere the quality begins is on the outside with all its aesthetics.
It was built and finished with so much beauty and elegance and this is one of the reasons we love it.
Some features are allowed to vary which means this record player will appeal to more people.
One of such features is the colour it comes in as you have the chance to choose between black or white.
In terms of how this record player is made on the inside, the first thing that stands out is the built-in preamplifier.
Thanks to this feature, you are going to enjoy the best of sound as all the signals are carried along.
You have a dust cover on this record player which acts as a protector to prevent dust from getting in.
This dust cover has a sleeve stand inside of it, which allows you to hand the record covers while they play.
Pros
- Easy digital recording is possible here
- Comes in different colours
- It has a dust cover for protection
Cons
- Not a waterproof record player
Click the image link to buy the Pioneer DJ PLX-500 Direct Drive Turntable from Amazon
6. U-Turn Audio – Orbit Plus Turntable with Built-in Preamp
Popularity has never been one of the facts we hold in high esteem during our search for the best here.
We understand that quality on its own cannot make a store popular so the reverse shouldn’t be the case.
Quality is quality and that is our focus as we searched for the best record player under 500.
The U-turn audio store is one of the few that benefit from this search method employed here.
This is because although they are not one of the popular ones, they have a lot to offer in terms of quality.
This option for example has variety in colour as the first of many amazing features that makes it stand out.
The best sound is expected when you use this option thanks to the inclusion of a preamplifier here.
It comes with a platter velocity that is measured to be 0.125% wow/flutter which helps assure you of speed consistency.
An acrylic platter is in use here and this helps the speed consistency also which in turn improves the acoustics.
You have a belt-driven system in use here and there are two-speed modes to choose from on this record player.
The good thing about a belt-driven system is that the low-noise motor is separated from the turntable to ensure little or no vibration.
Pros
- Comes with a built-in preamp
- Has the Ortofon OM5E cartridge
- A dust cover is present here
Cons
- No Bluetooth connectivity is available here
Click the image link to get the U-Turn Audio – Orbit Plus Turntable with Built-in Preamp from Amazon
7. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Direct-Drive Turntable
We started with the Audio-Technica store and it is only fitting that we end where we started this journey.
Starting and ending here also goes a long way in ensuring that you are going to have amazing quality here.
You are sure of getting top-notch quality whenever you are looking at a store like this for options.
The LP120XUSB does not disappoint in that regard as quality is everywhere you look when you analyze it.
First, it is a belt-driven system and there are three different speed modes you can play with on this record player.
The dust cover is present just like in all of the other options here to protect this record player from dust.
This cover is removable which helps when you want to clean it and replace it for better function.
An S-shaped tonearm is also available to give you precision in terms of the sound you are getting from the system.
For increased functionality and a better user experience, this tonearm has a damped lift control and lockable rest.
A professional anti-resonance aluminium platter is used here with a felt mat to reduce the vibration you get.
For connectivity, you have two options on this record player, either the phono input or the USB.
Pros
- Multiple connection options are available
- Top-notch sound components in use
- It is a durable record player
Cons
- Not a waterproof option
Purchase the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Direct-Drive Turntable from Amazon by clicking the image link
Conclusion on the Best Record Player under 500
At the end of the day for the sake of aesthetics and the multifunctionality, record players are well sort after.
Now, during your search for the best you will find a lot of options.
Finding the best is essentially hard mainly because of the options that we always have to choose from.
Now, during our search, we often make the common mistake of looking for it in a popular store.
We sometimes tend to find the most expensive product on the list and assume it is the best.
Now, although the tendency of getting quality when you pay more is high; the best will not always be the most expensive option that is on the list.
The result from our search for the the best record player under 500 dollars shows that the best is the ✅Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB.
