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Turntable Or Record Player: Which One Is Best?

While these two names are commonly used interchangeably, they are actually two different products that can be used similarly.

With the vinyl revival in full swing, more people than ever are shopping for their record player or turntable. Before we dig too far into the differences, let’s clearly define both products.

Is a record player and turntable the same thing?

Key Differences at a Glance:

Turntable:

• • Size: Smaller
  • Weight: Lighter
  • Features: Relevant To Table
  • Components: Less Included, No Speakers
  • Customization: Fully Customizable
  • Price: Relatively Affordable

Record Player:

• • Size: Bigger
  • Weight: Heavier
  • Features: Packed With Extras
  • Components: More Included Like Speakers
  • Customization: Slightly Customizable
  • Price: Relatively Expensive

Turntable and Record Player Definitions

“Turntable” Defined

A turntable is simply defined as a platter with a pickup device of some kind. The platter holds a record while it spins and the pickup, usually a cartridge with a built-in stylus that will follow the groove patterns in the record.

This cartridge takes a small electrical signal, much like how an electric guitar pickup works, that can then be sent to an external amplifier.

“Record Player” Defined

A record player functions very similarly to a turntable, with a platter and cartridge to create an electrical signal from a vinyl record.

However, record players have built-in speakers and a preamp, which takes that electrical signal and turns it into the audible music we all know and love.

Breaking Down The Differences Between Record Players and Turntables In Depth

1. Difference In Weight

Turntable

A turntable can be as simple as a platter and a stylus for reading the record. They will, at the minimum, have connections to add external speakers, but can be incredibly small, lightweight, and sleek.

Contrary to a record player, a turntable with small external speakers may be a better option for smaller rooms where space is limited.

Furthermore, turntables are much easier to take on the go giving them a reputation as a more portable option for vinyl listening.

Record Player

On the other hand, a record player is more likely to be heavier and or bulkier than a turntable. This is due to the built-in features that allow you to actually listen to your record.

Speakers tend to be built into the chassis or frame of the record player, alongside other extras that take up space and add weight. Many record players have built-in CD drives, cassette players, or AM/FM radio.

These are typically viewed as a one-stop-shop type solution for all your audio entertainment needs. Likewise, the large size, weight, and versatile options can make them excellent centerpieces for entertainment centers.

2. Record Players vs Turntables – Differences In Features

Turntable

Turntables on the other hand typically have few to no extra features or functionalities. Some modern features that have been added include bluetooth capability to wireless play music from an external device.

Likewise, there are many turntables available that come with software and USB included to let you convert your vinyl music to digital mp3 files. But typically, you can expect little to no extras aside from external speakers.

This is one of the major reasons turntables are smaller, lighter, and more affordable than record players.

U-Turn Audio – Orbit Plus Turntable with Built-in Preamp

Record Player

As stated above, record players tend to be a larger size and weight thanks to the built-in speakers and included features. A record player is often marketed to fill several needs for the consumer aside from just playing vinyl records.

Many record players also feature a mix of vintage and modern audio capabilities, making them incredibly versatile. Oftentimes, the ability to play CDs or cassette tapes is included in record players.

Bluetooth connectivity, for playing music wirelessly from a smartphone or mp3, as well as auxiliary ports for a wired connection if preferred. On top of that, many even feature AM/FM radio capabilities, creating the ability to have an 8 in 1 audio listening product.

3. Turntable and Record Player Components

So why are turntables lighter and smaller anyway? That’s because their main difference lies in the number of components that each one has.

Turntable

To be honest, a turntable is simply a component of a record player. It is the main part of the record player in charge of holding the vinyl record and spinning it; hence, the name.

This doesn’t mean, though, that you can’t purchase a standalone turntable because you can, but don’t expect it to come with a pair of speakers or an amplifier.

There are many variations, but a typical turntable signal chain will look like: Turntable –> Preamp –> Power Amp –> Speakers:

Record Player

That’s where the record player comes in. If your audio device has more than just the part that holds the record and plays it, then it is considered a record player.

This unit typically has built-in speakers and other additional features such as a radio, a CD player, a cassette player.

Some even have an audio converter and recorder to transfer your audio files from your favorite vinyl tracks to your computer or digital devices. These components are the reason turntables and record players differ in weight and size.

4. Customization

You might be thinking: if record players are complete, then why would people even bother getting a turntable. There are two main reasons, and the first one is the customization.

Turntable

Since turntables are lacking some components, it can be up to you to build your audio system from the ground up as long as your turntable has the appropriate jacks to accommodate them.

This provides music lovers more liberty in choosing the quality, brand, and look of each of the components in their audio set-up.

This effort and the result of it are greatly satisfying, and nothing beats the experience of finally listening to what you have achieved.

Record Player

A record player, on the other hand, leaves little room for the imagination, nor does it require to be customized.

5. Differences In Price

How much should I spend on a turntable?

The larger size and spec sheet makes it a no brainer that record players are generally more expensive. While you’re paying more, you do genuinely get more for the price.

That’s what makes record players such a great option to be the centerpiece of your audio entertainment center or living space.

You are paying more compared to a turntable for built-in speakers, built-in preamp, and built-in controls. If you’re an avid music collector with more than just vinyl, the price may really be worth it.

Turntables not only tend to be more affordable, but could better fit the living space of budget buyers who may reside in a small apartment or dorm room.

With less features and functions, turntables are priced and designed to play vinyl records through externally connected speakers.

The smaller size and weight also leaves less room for aesthetic designs that may appeal to a certain customer to fit into a living space.

With the right pair of external speakers, you can get some great bang for your book with a turntable compared to a luxe record playing system.

6. Pros and Cons of Each

Which Option Is Right For You – A Turntable Or Record Player?

When it comes to buying your first record player or turntable, there are many things to consider. Do you want a product that can play more than just your vinyl record collection?

Do you have a strict budget to adhere to. Are you an audiophile with your own high quality speakers already in place?

Generally, if you’re just looking for a sleek, simple vinyl listening option, the turntable may be your best bet and cheapest option.

Crosley T100 2-Speed Bluetooth Turntable System with Stereo Speakers

If you want an all-in-one solution and centerpiece, a larger, more expensive record player should be strongly considered. Either way, your purchase will have you enjoying vinyl records in no time.

What’s the Cost of a Good Record Player?

Let’s get down to brass tacks by changing the question a little. Let’s figure out how much a decent turntable would cost instead.

Obviously, you’re best off if you set some money aside for this purchase. The better the quality of the equipment you purchase, the better the results are likely to be. It doesn’t pay to cheap out here because cheap players may not play the records at the right speed, are more likely to skip or slid, and could end up damaging the vinyl.

That said, you don’t have to mortgage your house to get a decent system. You might consider spending around $200 – $400 to get yourself something that will produce great sound and last for a good many years if you listen to a lot of music.

If you’re not going to listen to it all the time, you can easily make do with one of these record players under $200. Do your research upfront. We publish reviews of most of the models to hit the market, so our site is a good place to start.

Why Should You Buy Vinyl Records?

Audiophiles can be tough to please, which is one of the reasons that vinyl has made such a comeback. Vinyl sounds a lot better than your standard CD because of the difference in recording.

CDs are digital recordings, which means that not all the sound information is recorded when it is being played. If there are gaps in specific sounds, it doesn’t matter because the computer can fill them in.

Vinyl, on the other hand, records every little nuance. How Stuff Works has a very nice explanation of the process, so check that out if you want to know more. For most of us, though, it’s enough to know simply that a vinyl recording has more depth.

For this reason, you should consider buying a record player. The next question, no doubt, will be “How much does a record player cost?” The answer, maddeningly enough, is “It varies.” Like everything in life, you can get turntables at a range of different prices.

What’s the difference between a record player and a turntable?

These terms tend to be used interchangeably, but there is a difference. The turntable, technically speaking, is just the disc that actually spins the records, and the phrase “record player” refers to the entire device.  Every record player has a turntable.

Do record players need speakers?

Like a CD player, a record player sends out a signal; to be able to hear this signal, you’ll need speakers of some kind. These can be in the form of added or built-in speakers, but some record players also give you the option of plugging in earphones.

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What’s the best record player to buy?

That’s a loaded question and one that will depend on the budget that you can set aside. Which option you get depends on what kind of performance you want. It’s advisable to get the best quality that you can afford, preferably in a model that you can upgrade later.

If you’re not sure about whether or not this is the way forward for you, stick to a minimum $80 – $100 price range. Make sure that it has an integrated preamp so that you can pipe the sound to your speakers without issues.

For more information on great record players to start with, check out our complete comparison guide on two of the biggest brand names: Victrola and Crosley.

Also look for a model that allows you to switch out cartridges. This allows you to upgrade the sound quality later at a much lower cost. Look at the way the turntable is driven, too. A belt-driven model will reward you with fewer vibrations, but the belt may need to be repositioned if you are changing speeds.

Stick with a reputable manufacturer and don’t get sidetracked by features that you will seldom, if ever, use. At a later stage, you might want something that gives you a few more options, but to start off with, simpler is better.

The Final Answer To “How Much Does A Record Player Cost?”

Be prepared to pay at least $100 for a somewhat decent stater record player. If you are a music lover and plan to amass an extensive collection of vinyl, save up a bit and get a better model. At the very least, look for options that are upgradable at a later stage.

It’s worth spending a couple hundred dollars on one piece of music equipment that only plays vinyl if you enjoy music that is as close to what the artist recorded as possible. Choose a decent quality option, and you’ll be hooked for life.