Best Turntable Under 100

This article was originally published on Make the Sound Better. I have kept the basic structure of the article the same but updated the recommendations for products that are currently available in 2023.

I will warn you that you are not going to get a high-quality turntable for under $100. If you are interested in any of the below, you should have realistic expectations of what they can achieve.

Ok, so maybe your friend got a cool looking record player, and you start thinking about buying one for yourself.

Most of the older folk who grew up listening to turntable records gladly ditched them when the CD-s came out, but if you are a fan of the vinyl culture like me, you know they left us something truly unique.

Now, whoever you are or whatever your age is, you can always find a good turntable in 2023, because, let’s be real, records are cool again.

A good set of turntables can be a fantastic investment. The analogue sound can’t be replicated in digital formats, making these bad boys so popular around the world.

Best Turntable Under 100 Review Guide

I have a massive admiration for the vinyl culture. Just recently, I have played a Pink Floyd record and compared it to the CD copy. The results are simply outstanding.

Most turntables today don’t have that poppy static sound that old records have, which makes listening to your favorite record clearer. But with new technologies enhancing the old ones, we can be sure that there’s nothing that can go wrong.

Today, we are going to go through the pros and cons of some of the more interesting record players that won’t break your bank.

1) Jensen 3-Speed Stereo Turntable with Built-in Speakers: Check Price On Amazon

So let me ask you, Can you imagine a high-quality record player for a low price? Well, let me tell you about the Jensen 3-Speed! When I bought this record player for my friend a couple of years ago, he was shocked and surprised at the same time.

He told me that I was insane for buying him this, thinking that it was very expensive, but I just smiled. It’s a great example of how you can get someone an excellent gift under 100$.

This turntable has a lot of qualities, and trust me, with an old vintage design, this bad boy will make your place feel warm when you play it.

I can guarantee that everyone will be impressed. It’s very easy to use, and no setup or added adjustments are required.

But wait, that’s not all!

It has a volume control, tone control, an auto-stop button, and a play button. It also has an AUX input jack for iPod connection, MP3 and other digital audio players, and an outline jack.

The USB cable is included as well. This turntable can play at three speeds: 33/45/78 rpm.

Jensen JTA-230 can also be connected to a personal computer, and it is an excellent device for those who are new to record players. So if you are looking to convert records to a digital format, this baby comes with software just for that occasion.

So you don’t have to worry when your records get scratched or become unusable. You can save all of your greatest hits on your computer or laptop.

To be honest, these speakers on the side are pretty decent, but they are not very loud, so don’t expect to bring the house down. However, you can plug in some heavy speakers, and that feature can quickly get the party started.

Do keep in mind that the Jensen record player doesn’t run on batteries, so you will need to find a plug outlet if you want to play it. So don’t expect to bring it on the road with you when you travel.

2) ION Audio Max LP: Check Price On Amazon

For all of you who are into wooden design stuff, I have something that will blow your minds. I’m talking about the ION Audio Max LP, a vintage wooden design recorder, and it is incredible. So let’s see what this bad boy’s got.   It’s got a hinged lid with sprung hinges, so the lid stays up when you open it.

It comes with an AC electrical outlet and a cable with RCA plugs and a USB port to hook it into your PC. However, when you separate them apart, you will see a 3.5mm stereo jack.

As a cherry on top, it also comes with an auxiliary input for smartphones, home stereo. And this is a 3-speed turntable that plays 7″ 10″ 12″ vinyl records.

It has a beautiful wooden look that comes with a removable plastic guard on the stylus. It is very useful when you carry your recorder around. It protects the stylus, because, when that thing breaks, the recorder is pretty much useless.

Did I say carry around?

Yes, it’s portable.

So you can enjoy your music anywhere. Impress your friends or that special somebody. Now this puppy comes with a software disk; this allows you to turn all of your favorite albums into MP3 format.

The stereo speakers are built-in, located in front of the recorder, and the sound is out of this world. When I played my favorite record of Deep Purple, “The perfect Strangers,” it felt like I was listening to a live recording of the album.

You don’t have to take my word for it, just plug in your headphones into the headphone jack, and enjoy the show.

However, keep in mind that it’s relatively small for such an impressive unit and, if you want a louder sound, you can hook it up to some speakers for a high definition sound.  

3) ByronStatics Vinyl Record Player: Check Price On Amazon

The Byron Statics Vinyl Record Player is a budget-friendly and portable turntable that aims to provide vinyl enthusiasts with a convenient way to enjoy their record collection on the go. With its vintage-inspired design and compact size, this model offers portability without sacrificing basic functionality. While it may not match the audio quality of high-end turntables, it offers an accessible entry point for beginners or those seeking a secondary player for casual listening.

The first notable aspect of the Byron Statics Vinyl Record Player is its charming vintage suitcase design. The retro look, with its faux leather exterior and brass accents, adds a touch of nostalgia and makes it an eye-catching addition to any space. The built-in carrying handle further enhances its portability, allowing you to take your vinyl collection with you wherever you go.

Setting up the turntable is straightforward, requiring minimal effort. It comes with built-in stereo speakers, eliminating the need for external speaker connections. While the sound quality from the integrated speakers is satisfactory for casual listening, it’s worth noting that it may lack depth and detail compared to a dedicated audio system. To enhance the sound experience, connecting the turntable to an external speaker or audio system via the provided RCA output is recommended.

The turntable supports three playback speeds: 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM, allowing you to play a wide range of vinyl records. The belt-drive system ensures smooth and stable rotation, minimizing distortion and ensuring accurate playback. It also includes a tonearm with an adjustable counterweight, allowing you to fine-tune the tracking force and optimize performance.

One area where the Byron Statics turntable falls short is its lack of advanced features. It doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp, meaning you’ll need an external phono stage or amplifier with a phono input to boost the signal for use with standard audio equipment. Additionally, the absence of USB connectivity limits the ability to digitize vinyl recordings.

Despite these limitations, the Byron Statics Vinyl Record Player offers excellent value for its affordable price. It caters to vinyl enthusiasts who prioritize portability and simplicity over audiophile-grade sound reproduction. Whether you want to enjoy your vinyl collection at home, take it on trips, or have a secondary player for convenience, this turntable provides a budget-friendly solution.

4) Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Record Player: Check Price On Amazon

The Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Record Player combines a nostalgic aesthetic with modern features, offering a convenient and stylish way to enjoy your vinyl collection. With its compact design, Bluetooth connectivity, and versatile playback options, this turntable caters to both seasoned vinyl enthusiasts and newcomers to the world of analog music.

The Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Record Player immediately catches the eye with its charming vintage-inspired design. The suitcase-style casing, complete with a handle, faux leather covering, and brass accents, exudes a sense of nostalgia. It effortlessly adds retro flair to any room while remaining highly portable, allowing you to take your favorite records with you on the go.

Setting up the turntable is a breeze, with simple instructions and minimal assembly required. The three selectable playback speeds—33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM—enable you to enjoy a wide range of vinyl records, including LPs, singles, and vintage shellac records. The belt-drive system ensures smooth and stable rotation, reducing vibrations and ensuring accurate playback.

One standout feature of the Victrola Vintage 3-Speed is its built-in Bluetooth connectivity. This allows you to wirelessly stream music from your Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops, directly to the record player’s built-in speakers. This modern addition offers versatility and convenience, giving you the option to enjoy your digital music library alongside your cherished vinyl collection.

While the built-in stereo speakers are adequate for casual listening and small spaces, they may lack the richness and depth of a dedicated audio setup. However, the turntable includes RCA output jacks, allowing you to connect external speakers or audio systems for enhanced sound quality. This flexibility ensures that you can tailor the listening experience to your preferences and create a more immersive soundstage.

The Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Portable Record Player incorporates user-friendly features such as a headphone jack for private listening and an auxiliary input to connect external audio sources. It also includes a tonearm with an adjustable counterweight, enabling precise tracking force adjustment to optimize playback performance and minimize wear on your vinyl records.

While this turntable captures the essence of nostalgia and offers modern conveniences, it does have some limitations. The absence of a built-in phono preamp means you’ll need an external phono stage or amplifier with a phono input to connect to standard audio equipment. Additionally, the lack of a USB port restricts the ability to digitize your vinyl collection directly from the turntable.

5) Victrola VTA-250B-MAH: Check Price On Amazon

The original guide recommended the Victrola VTA-200B, but this is no longer available so I swapped it out for the Victrola VTA-250B-MAH

This is a 3-speed ( 33/45/78) turntable designed to satisfy your record playing taste. It’s also a CD and a cassette player. One thing that separates it from the rest here is the Bluetooth feature. Combine that with the FM radio and an analog tuner, and you got yourself a beast.

It comes with built-in stereo speakers, and if you are still not impressed, it has an automatic standing lid.

When looking at the back, we’ve got a line out, for those who want to connect it to a larger stereo system; however, this is optional because it has built-in speakers.  

In the front panel of the unit, you may notice a vintage knob, and the front panel usually has a glossy surface, but it’s highly reflective, which makes it challenging to film, but it’s cool to look at. The only thing that’s not on this panel is the tape player.

On these three knobs, you can control the volume, the tuning, and change it from CD to Radio. Next to it, there is a switch that you can push from FM to Bluetooth.

As you are tuning, you will notice the dial in the middle will turn, also giving you clear radio frequencies.

What makes it different is that the AUX and the headphone jack are in the front too, and when it comes to controlling the CD, all of the commands like play, pause, record, fast forward are strictly for the CD.

The design is impressive, but some people will say that Victrola VTA-200B is maybe too technological for a particular taste, but if the sound is good, who are we to complain?

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.