Vinyl’s comeback shows no sign of slowing, and a good turntable remains one of the most rewarding hi-fi purchases you can make. But buying one is more confusing than buying a pair of speakers: belt or direct drive, built-in phono stage or not, Bluetooth, USB, cartridge upgrades… Choose wrongly and you may find your new deck can’t even connect to your speakers.
This guide is built on What Hi-Fi’s 2026 turntable recommendations — one of the most rigorous testers of record players — with EU prices where we could find them. We also explain the jargon so you can buy the right deck for your system.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overallRega Planar 3 RS Edition
- Best budgetPro-Ject Primary E
- Best with phono stageRega Planar 1 Plus
- Best with USBAudio-Technica AT-LP5x
- Best mid-rangePro-Ject Debut Evo 2
- Best BluetoothPro-Ject T1 Evo BT
- Best direct driveTechnics SL-1500C
Prices are approximate and change often. Ad
1. Rega Planar 3 RS Edition — best overall
What Hi-Fi’s top turntable is an enhanced version of Rega’s long-running Planar 3. Reviewers praise its clarity, detail and rhythmic precision, describing it as more muscular and open than the standard Planar 3, with excellent build and finish. It ships with Rega’s Nd5 moving-magnet cartridge.
It has no built-in phono stage, so you’ll need an amplifier with a phono input or a separate phono preamp. And it only comes in one finish. If those aren’t problems, this is the deck to beat.
Rega Planar 3 RS Edition
What Hi-Fi's best turntable overall: clear, detailed, rhythmically precise and beautifully built.
- Drive
- Belt, manual
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45 (electronic)
- Cartridge
- Rega Nd5 MM
- Phono stage
- No
Pros
- Clarity, detail and dynamics
- Rhythmically precise
- Excellent build
Cons
- Only one finish
- Needs a separate phono stage
2. Pro-Ject Primary E — best budget
Pro-Ject’s Primary E is What Hi-Fi’s best budget turntable: easy to set up, simple to use and with an enjoyable character that handles the sonic basics well. It uses an Ortofon OM moving-magnet cartridge and a belt drive. Speed changes are manual (you move the belt), and the chassis edges are a little sharp — minor complaints at this price (around £299 in the UK). Like the Rega, it needs a phono stage.
Pro-Ject Primary E
What Hi-Fi's best budget turntable: an enjoyable, easy-to-set-up deck that gets the sonic basics right.
- Drive
- Belt, manual
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45 (manual change)
- Cartridge
- Ortofon OM moving magnet
- Phono stage
- No — needs amp with phono input
Pros
- Enjoyable, balanced sound
- Easy to set up
- Affordable
Cons
- No built-in phono stage
- Chassis edges are a little sharp
3. Rega Planar 1 Plus — best with a built-in phono stage
If your amplifier or powered speakers have no phono input, the Planar 1 Plus solves the problem with a phono stage built in. What Hi-Fi calls its sound very enjoyable — clear, subtle and rhythmically agile. It ships with the Rega Carbon cartridge. The reviewers warn it doesn’t pair well with bright or lean-sounding systems.
Rega Planar 1 Plus
Rega's entry deck with a built-in phono stage: agile, precise and hugely enjoyable to listen to.
- Drive
- Belt, manual
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45
- Cartridge
- Rega Carbon MM
- Phono stage
- Yes
Pros
- Very enjoyable, agile sound
- Built-in phono stage
- Simple to use
Cons
- Doesn't suit bright or lean-sounding systems
- Manual speed change
4. Audio-Technica AT-LP5x — best with USB
The AT-LP5x is a direct-drive deck with a built-in phono stage and a USB output, so you can digitise your records to WAV files. It plays 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm and comes with the well-regarded AT-VM95E cartridge. What Hi-Fi describes its sound as composed and robust, though purist rivals perform better outright. We found it for €375.99 at Galaxus.
Audio-Technica AT-LP5x
A direct-drive deck with a built-in phono stage and USB output for ripping records to your computer — What Hi-Fi's best USB turntable.
- Drive
- Direct, manual
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
- Cartridge
- AT-VM95E moving magnet
- Connections
- Built-in phono stage, USB
Pros
- Plug straight into powered speakers
- USB rips to WAV
- Composed, robust sound
Cons
- Purist rivals sound better outright
5. Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 — best mid-range
The Debut Evo 2 is available in lots of colours and has a smooth, open, easy-going sound with particularly strong voices and midrange. It responds well to upgrades, so you can improve it over time. What Hi-Fi notes that a rival Rega Planar 2 is more rhythmically precise for similar money. EU prices we found ranged from €629 to €699.
Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2
A smooth, open-sounding deck in lots of colours that responds well to upgrades — What Hi-Fi's best mid-range pick.
- Drive
- Belt, manual
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45 (electronic)
- Cartridge
- Pick-It MM EVO
- Phono stage
- No
Pros
- Smooth, detailed sound with great vocals
- Many colour finishes
- Upgrades make a real difference
Cons
- Rega rival is more rhythmically precise
- Could use more muscle
6. Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT — best Bluetooth
For a simple, stylish system, the T1 Evo BT has a phono stage, a line output and Bluetooth, so it can send music to wireless speakers or headphones. What Hi-Fi likes its smooth, detailed sound and lovely finish, but warns that pairing can be temperamental and that purist decks sound better. Bluetooth is convenient, but a cable will always sound better.
Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT
A stylish deck with a phono stage and Bluetooth built in, so it can stream to wireless speakers or headphones.
- Drive
- Belt, manual
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45 (electronic)
- Cartridge
- Ortofon OM10
- Connections
- Phono stage, line out, Bluetooth
Pros
- Smooth, detailed sound
- Lovely build and finish
- Works with wireless speakers
Cons
- Bluetooth pairing can be temperamental
- Purist rivals sound better
7. Technics SL-1500C — best direct drive
Technics’ SL-1500C brings the brand’s famous direct-drive engineering to a hi-fi deck with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and a built-in phono stage. It’s semi-automatic — the tonearm lifts at the end of the record — and plays 78s too. What Hi-Fi praises its defined, musical, insightful sound and impressive bass.
Technics SL-1500C
A semi-automatic direct-drive deck with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and a phono stage built in — insightful, with impressive bass.
- Drive
- Direct, semi-automatic
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
- Cartridge
- Ortofon 2M Red
- Phono stage
- Yes
Pros
- Defined, musical sound with strong bass
- Auto tonearm lift
- Phono stage built in
Cons
- Rega rivals offer more dynamic expression
Compare the key specs
| Model | Rega Planar 3 RS EditionBest overall | Pro-Ject Primary EBest budget | Rega Planar 1 PlusBest with phono stage | Audio-Technica AT-LP5xBest with USB | Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2Best mid-range | Pro-Ject T1 Evo BTBest Bluetooth | Technics SL-1500CBest direct drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TechHive score | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Approx. price | Varies | Varies | Varies | €376 | €629 | Varies | Varies |
| Drive | Belt, manual | Belt, manual | Belt, manual | Direct, manual | Belt, manual | Belt, manual | Direct, semi-automatic |
| Speeds | 33⅓ / 45 (electronic) | 33⅓ / 45 (manual change) | 33⅓ / 45 | 33⅓ / 45 / 78 | 33⅓ / 45 (electronic) | 33⅓ / 45 (electronic) | 33⅓ / 45 / 78 |
| Cartridge | Rega Nd5 MM | Ortofon OM moving magnet | Rega Carbon MM | AT-VM95E moving magnet | Pick-It MM EVO | Ortofon OM10 | Ortofon 2M Red |
| Phono stage | No | No — needs amp with phono input | Yes | — | No | — | Yes |
| Connections | — | — | — | Built-in phono stage, USB | — | Phono stage, line out, Bluetooth | — |
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How to choose a turntable
Check the phono stage first
A turntable’s signal is very weak and needs special amplification — a phono stage — before it reaches your amplifier. Many stereo amplifiers have a “phono” input; most soundbars, powered speakers and AV receivers don’t. If your system lacks one, choose a deck with a built-in phono stage (Rega Planar 1 Plus, AT-LP5x, T1 Evo BT, Technics SL-1500C) or budget for a separate preamp.
Belt drive vs direct drive
Belt-drive decks isolate the motor from the platter, which helps keep noise down; most audiophile decks use this design. Direct-drive decks offer rock-solid speed stability, fast start-up and durability. Both can sound excellent — buy on overall quality, not drive type.
Speakers matter as much as the deck
A turntable is only one part of the chain. Powered bookshelf speakers are the simplest partner for a deck with a built-in phono stage. If you prefer wireless, a Bluetooth turntable can work with portable speakers, though a wired connection sounds better.
Cartridge and upgrades
The cartridge has a big influence on the sound. Pro-Ject and Rega decks can be upgraded with better cartridges later, which makes a mid-range deck a good long-term investment.
Buying in Europe
Turntables are delicate in transit. Buy from retailers with easy returns, check the deck carefully on arrival, and follow the manual’s setup steps (tracking force, anti-skate). EU buyers have a minimum two-year legal guarantee.
How we choose
We haven’t listened to these turntables ourselves. Our picks are based on What Hi-Fi’s 2026 turntable guide and reviews, cross-checked with EU retailers and price-comparison sites. Read more about how we research.
FAQ
Can I connect a turntable to a soundbar?
Only through a phono stage. Choose a deck with a built-in phono stage, then connect it to the soundbar’s analogue or optical input (if available), or use a Bluetooth deck.
Do I need a turntable that plays 78s?
Only if you own shellac records. The AT-LP5x and Technics SL-1500C support 78 rpm; you’ll also need a suitable stylus.
Is a USB turntable worth it?
If you want to digitise your records, yes. The Audio-Technica AT-LP5x rips to WAV over USB while still being a capable hi-fi deck.
How much should I spend on a first turntable?
Around €300–700 buys a deck that will sound good and last, from the Pro-Ject Primary E to the Debut Evo 2.
