The Best Turntables for DJs and Vinyl Lovers (2024)

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If you want to make original mashups of your favorite songs, or DJ to an audience, your most important tool is the right turntable.

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Just take it from Australian DJ Alison Wonderland, who’s remixed tracks by everyone from Justin Bieber to Dua Lipa. “I love creating the set off the crowd’s energy and I love treating the decks like an instrument,” she says. “It’s always fun to experiment with two tracks on top of each other.”

Turntables or record players (the terms are used interchangeably) can do more than spin a disc. “A turntable is what you put your music into and it actually plays the music,” Wonderland says. “You use these to time your songs.”

A DJ setup includes a few pieces of equipment, including a mixer, controller, and speakers, but none of them will perform at their best if you don’t use the right turntable.

“The turntable is the device that plays the song which is then broadcast by the mixer,” explains DJ Mensa, a Toronto-based nightclub, radio and mixtape DJ who’s a three-time winner of RedBull’s 3Style DJ competition. “Two turntables playing songs alternately keeps the music playing at a non-stop pace. That,” he says, “is DJ’ing in a nutshell.”

What Are the Best DJ Turntables?

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best DJ turntable for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.

Direct Drive: The DJ turntables we’re recommending are direct-drive models, which means their platter (the circular piece you place your album onto) is spun by a motor. This differs from “belt” driven record players, which have an elastic band around the side of the platter to spin it. Mensa says, “DJ (direct-drive) turntables are more precise, and more durable over the long run.”

Tempo Controls: One of the hallmarks of a DJ turntable is a fader (a sliding switch) that allows you to increase or decrease the platter’s speed to change a song’s tempo. This fader lets you switch between songs with different BPM (beats per minute) seamlessly.

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Speed Shift: All of the DJ turntables we recommend allow you to change between 33/3 and 45 RPM (rotations per minute), so you can play both singles and full-sized albums.

Preamp: Some turntables have a built-in preamp, an audio component that increases its volume output so it can be connected to any input on a stereo receiver (or a pair of powered speakers). Most of our DJ turntable recommendations don’t have a preamp, because that job is handled by other components, like the mixer you use.

Causal Use: Although the turntables we’re recommending in this guide have features meant for DJs, they can still be used for listening to albums for pleasure as a part of your home theater system. Just remember you’ll need to get a preamp if your stereo receiver doesn’t have a phono input.

1. Reloop AMS-RP-4000-MK2

The Best Turntables for DJs and Vinyl Lovers (1)

Reloop may not be a name you’re familiar with, but its AMS-RP-4000-MK2 is an excellent entry-level option for aspiring DJs.

The direct drive turntable has a fader on the right side of the platter that lets you shift the tempo between +/- 8% and +/- 16%. You can shift between these two modes by pushing the 8%/16% button below the fader, and automatically reset the speed to 0% (normal) by pushing a button to the left of it. The ability to regulate your DJ turntable’s speed without looking down, or relying on muscle memory is a major win.

The MK2 also has a button that lets you reverse the direction of your record, so you can play it backwards for scratching. The turntable’s start/stop and 33/3 and 45RPM speed selection buttons are located on the left side of the of the platter.

These quality of life features make DJing easier for beginners because you can rely on pressing buttons until you get comfortable controlling the faders, while also focusing on other tasks like song selection, and EQ (equalization). When combined with the physical design choices Reloop made, like building in a motor with higher torque (force used to rotate objects) and reinforced metal housing, you get a well-balanced turntable for home and professional use.

Whether you’re a music fan who wants to start DJing, or a DJ looking to upgrade from an older rig, this is a great place to start.

Buy Reloop Direct Drive DJ Turntable $360.62

2. Pioneer PLX1000 Direct Drive DJ Turntable

The Best Turntables for DJs and Vinyl Lovers (2)

Pioneer’s PLX1000 Direct Drive DJ Turntable is an excellent choice for more professional DJs.

Its layout is similar to the other DJ turntables we’ve recommended: A fader on the right lets you change the tempo at either +/-8%,+/- 16%, or +/- 50% (the biggest range of any table we’re recommending). You can switch between those modes by pushing a button on top of the fader, or reset the tempo by pushing a button to the left of it.

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The PLX1000’s speed controls and start/stop buttons are located to the left of the platter. Pioneer includes a 45 adapter, which fits into the larger hole on a seven-inch single and allows you to place it onto the turntable’s spindle.

Where this turntable pulls ahead is in its overall design. It has a high torque motor that Pioneer says can spin the table to 33/3RPM in .3 seconds. Its chasis is made out of die-cast zinc (that means it was hardened and compressed under extreme pressure, improving its overall stability). Pioneer says this turntable is “club grade,” so it’s made for regular use in a challenging environment.

The only downside to this table is that it doesn’t come with a needle or cartridge, so you have to supply your own. You can attach any cartridge you like, which is nice, but this table won’t be DJ ready out of the box. If you already have a needle you like, but need a new deck to handle anything you can throw at it, this is our recommendation.

Buy Pioneer PLX1000 Direct Drive DJ… $739.00

3. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK

The Best Turntables for DJs and Vinyl Lovers (3)

Audio-Technica has a huge line of turntables, but the AT-LP120XBT-USB is its newest, most fully-loaded record player for DJs.

While it looks like the other turntables in our guide, it has a couple of features that help it stand out. The fader on the right side lets you change the tempo +/- 10%, which is a fair amount of range. The buttons on the left side let you start and stop your album, and switch between 33.3, 45, and 78RPM.

This turntable’s most technically advanced feature is its support for Bluetooth, which lets you stream music from your record player to a wireless speaker, or wireless headphones. This may not help you in the DJ booth, but it gives you a lot of flexibility when listening to music at home. It also has a USB port on the backside, so you can easily digitize your records.

This is the only DJ turntable in our guide that supports either of these features, which makes it the most versatile pick. Audio-Techica also includes a dust cover and an adapter for playing 45s, which makes the AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK the full package for DJs and music listeners.

If you’re a DJ who wants a turntable to use on and off the stage, you won’t find a better choice than this.

Buy Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK $399.00

The Best Turntables for DJs and Vinyl Lovers (2024)

FAQs

The Best Turntables for DJs and Vinyl Lovers? ›

While digital DJing typically uses digital files downloaded from a DJ record pool, vinyl records are the only format you can use when practicing turntable DJing. Once you've built up a vinyl collection of music you love, it's time to fire up the decks and learn how to mix records.

Can you DJ with a vinyl player? ›

While digital DJing typically uses digital files downloaded from a DJ record pool, vinyl records are the only format you can use when practicing turntable DJing. Once you've built up a vinyl collection of music you love, it's time to fire up the decks and learn how to mix records.

Does anyone DJ with vinyl anymore? ›

Yes, believe it or not, there are still DJs out there who started on vinyl, and who still do it, and for whatever reason, have seen no reason to change. They don't need to be the “dinosaurs”, either – a small number of DJs still choose to start on turntables and stick with them.

Is it harder to DJ with vinyl? ›

You might of heard that it's really difficult to learn how to mix with vinyl. It's true that it's much harder and requires more practice than beat-matching with digital players but it's still easy for everyone to learn. That's if you are taught properly!

What are vinyl DJs called? ›

Turntablists. Turntablists, also called battle DJs, use turntables and DJ mixer to manipulate recorded sounds to produce new music.

Should I DJ digital or vinyl? ›

Vinyl records can also sound different depending on the condition of the record, the needle, the turntable, and the mixer. Digital files have a crisp and clear sound that is faithful to the original recording. They also have a consistent quality that does not degrade over time or with repeated use.

What record players do DJs use? ›

5 Best Pro DJ Turntables
  • Audio Technica AT-LP1240 XP. ...
  • Technics 1200/1210 Mk7. ...
  • Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12. ...
  • Pioneer DJ PLX-1000. ...
  • Reloop RP-7000Mk2.
Feb 25, 2024

Is vinyl losing popularity? ›

However in the midst of this vinyl record sales were increasing and was growing at a quick rate by the early 2010s, eventually reaching levels not seen since the late 1980s in some territories. Despite this, records still make up only a marginal percentage (8% in the US as of 2023) of overall music sales.

Is the vinyl boom over? ›

In a surprising turn of events, Records sales experienced a 17th consecutive year of growth, defying industry expectations. This year has reassured experts that the vinyl market did not hit a natural plateau after surging during the pandemic, which caused a 108% increase in 2021.

Is vinyl really making a comeback? ›

Over the past decade, vinyl records have made a major comeback. People purchased US$1.2 billion of records in 2022, a 20% jump from the previous year. Not only did sales rise, but they also surpassed CD sales for the first time since 1988, according to a new report from the Recording Industry Association of America.

Does DJing damage vinyl? ›

Dj's don't really look after their vinyl, they suit for purpose & give their vinyl a good work out. Surrisingly vinyl can cop a lot of abuse & still sound good. A Dj scratching a vinyl will speed up the quality loss, but it may not be noticeable for a long time…….

What do I need to start DJing with vinyl? ›

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
  1. 2 x DJ Turntables.
  2. 2 x DJ Cartridges (needles)
  3. DJ Mixer.
  4. Slipmats (felt mats that go between record + turntable platter)
  5. DJ Headphones.
  6. Vinyl Records.
  7. RCA Cable (to connect mixer to audio output)

Why does vinyl sound so much better? ›

As digital kit cannot read analogue soundwaves, they are translated into a digital signal and back into analogue again, meaning some information is lost or approximated in the process. With vinyl, every single part of the analogue wave is captured in those grooves, making it the only true lossless format.

Why do DJs use two turntables? ›

Turntablists typically use two or more turntables and headphones to cue up desired start points on different records (Greasley & Prior, 2013).

Who is the king of DJ operating? ›

Martin Garrix crowned The World's No. 1 DJ in DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs 2022 | DJ Mag.

How does DJing with vinyl work? ›

The common DJ setup to learn how to mix vinyl with would include two turntables, a mixer, headphones and speakers. The DJ mixer is the central hub that connects everything together. You will plugs your turntables into the mixer, the mixer into the speakers and your headphones will also connect to the mixer.

What not to do with a vinyl player? ›

Keep your turntable away from sources of moisture and heat. Do not attempt to repair or adapt your vinyl record player as there is a risk of electrical shock if you remove the cover or back. If you do need to service your machine, take it to a reputable technician.

What is needed to DJ vinyl? ›

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
  • 2 x DJ Turntables.
  • 2 x DJ Cartridges (needles)
  • DJ Mixer.
  • Slipmats (felt mats that go between record + turntable platter)
  • DJ Headphones.
  • Vinyl Records.
  • RCA Cable (to connect mixer to audio output)

Can you use Serato DJ with vinyl? ›

Use vinyl, CDJs, and media players in your setup

Serato DVS lets you connect turntables or CDJs to supported hardware, giving you the ability to control Serato DJ Pro using Noisemap™ Control tone CDs or Vinyl.

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