Want to enjoy vinyl wherever you go? A record player with speakers is an all-in-one solution to enjoy your favorite audio on the go. These suitcase turntables are designed with portability in mind. After all, you never know when you’ll find a yard sale record that you just have to demo. Whether you are appreciating, archiving, or looking for a popular gift, read on below to browse the best portable turntables for the job.
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1. EDITOR’S CHOICE: Numark PT01 USB
Pros:- Battery powered
- Three-speed playback with pitch control
- RCA and USB output
Cons:- Low max volume on built-in speaker
- Cheap tone arm locking mechanism
- Hard to find
The Numark PT01 is a perfect choice for crate diggers who need to sample every enticing record they come across. Its protective dust cover, built-in carrying handle, and battery-powered performance allow you to use this turntable just about anywhere.
Battery operation isn’t something you get out of every portable turntable, but it makes such a nice difference for mobile use. The PT01 runs on six D batteries (not included) for over 20 hours or on AC power indefinitely. It has its own built-in speaker to make things even easier.
The speaker is clear enough but far too quiet for anything beyond personal listening. This deck has both a 1/4-inch and a 1/8-inch headphone jack, plus USB out and RCA out. The USB connection is handy for digitally archiving vinyl recordings, as this three-speed player can handle 45s, 78s, and 12-inch LPs. Just note that if you actually want to play 78s on any three-speed player, you should invest in a stylus specially made for playing them.
In terms of build quality, the PT01 fares better than most sub $100 phonographs. It has a sturdy little tonearm and comes with a decent cartridge. It plays records without issue, even if it doesn’t sound absolutely top tier. This unit also offers ±10% pitch control, which is a handy addition if you are interested in beat-matching or playing records recorded at non-standard speeds. All things considered, the PT01 is one of the best deals you’ll find on turntables for a value price.
Find more Numark PT01 USB Portable Turntable information and reviews here.
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2. Victrola Revolution GO
Pros:- Battery powered
- Clear three-speed playback
- RCA and Bluetooth output
Cons:- Lid must be open to play vinyl
- Heavy design
- No tonearm counterbalance
Though you will find many Victrola turntables with speakers in this roundup, the Victrola Revolution GO is the only one that is built from the ground up for portability. What sets it apart from others is its lithium-ion battery, which can power both the record player and its built-in speakers for up to 12 hours on a single charge.
The turntable feels well-built and it has both a folding handle and a removable strap. The lid is great for travel and doubles as a record stand when in use but you can’t cover the record while it is spinning, so you should clean your records and the needle of dust periodically for the best playback experience.
The Revolution GO has built-in speakers but you can also plug it into a pair of RCA speakers for stationary use. That said, you certainly don’t need external speakers as the built-in ones sound clear and get decently loud. And unlike other record players with speakers, the Revolution GO actually addresses the issue of radiant sound vibrations. Its speakers are housed in a rubber enclosure that prevents distortion.
As for the playback quality, it is about standard for turntables at this price range. The player has a three-speed motor and the review unit I received has not produced any wow or flutter. The Audio-Technica cartridge is decent too but the tonearm counterbalance isn’t adjustable. All in all, the Revolution GO is a refreshing addition to the world of portable audio.
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3. Audio-Technica Sound Burger AT-SB2022
Price: $199.00Pros:- Lightweight and portable
- Long battery life
- High-quality AT cartridge
Cons:- Does not actually include speakers
- No tonearm counterbalance
- No onboard volume control
Okay, so Audio-Technica’s Sound Burger may not have speakers explicitly built-in but you should still strongly consider it for easy vinyl listening because it is one of the most beloved portable record players of all time. The original Sound Burger went out of production in the late ’80s but its cult following has prompted the company to harken the return of the king.
Here’s the deal. The original Sound Burger was for use with headphones only. The latest model maintains this design with the addition of Bluetooth connectivity as well. So you can easily connect it to an existing pair of Bluetooth speakers. The AT-727 ran on three AAA batteries. The AT-SB2022 recharges via USB-C and can play records for 12 hours off of one charge. It’s built quite well too. I can’t find the hardware specs of the original anywhere but I expect the AT-SB2022 to be comparable in that range as well. So it is practically an all-around upgrade over the classic.
As for how the new Sound Burger sounds, the quality is great. This player uses an ATN3600L cartridge, which is a lot more faithful than the no-name carts used by other brands. Its direct-drive motor offers stable playback at 33 or 45 RPM. There is no counterbalance for the tonearm but this is standard for portable record players. All in all, the new Sound Burger takes up the mantle of the original nicely and promises to remain a top contender in the portable record-playing universe.
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4. ION Audio Premier LP
Pros:- Clear three-speed playback
- RCA, Bluetooth, and USB output
- Loud built-in speakers
Cons:- So-so build quality
- Weak drive motor
- No tonearm counterbalance
The ION Audio Premier LP is a great way to get in touch with your analog side. This budget turntable offers decent vinyl playback for a reasonable price that makes this niche hobby accessible to newer generations. This isn’t just an entry-level turntable, though, as it also has USB connections and a built-in analog-to-digital converter for ripping audio to digital formats. That means it also doubles as an archiving tool for preserving rare records. It has Bluetooth wireless as well but this is more of a gimmick
We wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t actually want to play a rare record on this budget record player with speakers, though, as it isn’t the same kind of precision machine that you might have bought in vinyl’s heyday. The record player has a fairly mediocre tonearm with no counterbalance, so don’t expect to be able to dial in your tracking force. You are likely to run into skipping along with wow and flutter due to a weak motor.
But if you only have a couple of records to listen to, you won’t see too many issues. It plays 33 1/3 RPM, 78 RPM, and 45 RPM records. In fact, a little bit of troubleshooting is a rite of passage for vinyl enthusiasts. Plus, you really shouldn’t expect much from a portable unit.
The built-in speaker helps for portable play as well. It provides decent audio playback, though you could always opt for using the 1/8-inch headphone jack. If this turntable had a handle and a built-in battery it would be better for actually carrying around, but if portability isn’t a huge concern, the ION Audio Premier LP is still a solid option.
Find more ION Audio Premier LP information and reviews here.
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5. Victrola Eastwood Portable Turntable
Pros:- Clear three-speed playback
- Moving magnet cartridge
- Loud built-in speakers
Cons:- Dust cover doesn’t fully protect records
- No tonearm counterbalance
- No carrying handle
When it comes to finding a portable record player that isn’t too janky, the important thing to look at is the quality of the materials. That’s why the Victrola Eastwood Portable Turntable stands out where other turntables are declared novelty. Like many other of the best portable turntables we reviewed, it uses an actual moving magnet cartridge, the AT-3600LA. Unlike a pre-fit cartridge, this one is actually adjustable and replaceable once it is worn out.
However, don’t let us raise your expectations too high. It is still an entry-level record player. It lacks an adjustable counterbalance, so you cannot adjust tracking force. Definitely don’t spin your valuable vintage LPs too heavily on this player. The motor does allow for playback at three different speeds though: 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM.
The true value proposition of this turntable is its built-in speakers, which sound pretty clean even at high volume. The Victrola Eastwood has RCA out ports too, in case you want to hook it up to a larger analog speaker system. It also has built-in Bluetooth so you can play audio from digital sources too. As long as you don’t absolutely need a carrying handle, this record player is a solid choice.
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6. Jensen JTA-230 Stereo Turntable
Pros:- Loud built-in speakers
- Three-speed playback with pitch control
- Low price tag
Cons:- No carrying handle
- No tonearm counterbalance
- Dust cover doesn’t fully protect records
The Jensen JTA-230 is not the most portable turntable, but it is one of the best values in entry-level record players.
Most Lego sets cost twice as much as this record player, but it still sounds surprisingly good. It has a decent needle with a metal cantilever, and its three-speed motor faithfully plays 33/45/78 RPM records.
This smaller player has an interesting mini platter, which means the LP sticks out from under gaps of the plastic dust cover. It looks quite cool when it plays, but leaves parts of your record vulnerable.
A bigger issue is the fact that the player lacks a way to adjust tracking force. It does have tone adjustment, pitch adjustment, and auto stop, which are all a nice surprise on a budget deck.
It has decently loud 4W built-in speakers, but you also have access to your usual suite of USB output, headphone jack, and RCA out.
As for the trade-offs? You have far less portability. The dust cover doesn’t clip down for travel, nor is it sturdy enough. Its buttons sit exposed on the case and it doesn’t have a carry handle.
But if you want an inexpensive beginner turntable that is compact enough to take all around the house and supports a variety of different setups, then the Jensen JTA-230 is a great pick.
Find more Jensen JTA-230 Stereo Turntable information and reviews here.
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7. LP&No.1 Portable Stereo Turntable
Pros:- Compact and durable
- Clear three-speed playback
- Low price tag
Cons:- So-so speaker quality
- No tonearm counterbalance
- Weak direct drive motor
So you can’t exactly just slap a suitcase handle on something and call it portable. That’s why LP&No.1’s Portable Stereo Turntable earns major brownie points. It is durable, portable, and an overall super fun way to listen to records.
This PU leather suitcase with aluminum trim houses a decent budget record player and a pair of less-than-decent speakers set up to play audio from vinyl or an aux line-in. Alternatively, you can play out via RCA port or a headphone jack. You can also rip audio to a USB flash drive. As for how it plays, its quality is about comparable to other record players in this price range. The sound is clear and vibrant, but obviously not as intricately detailed as a high-end chain-suspended turntable with a Koetsu cartridge.
This turntable holds one factor over a lot of its competition goes: it simply works. Most portable turntables that don’t have a tonearm balance (such as this one) are hit-and-miss from one record to the next since you can’t calibrate this one. However, this three-speed player consistently plays without skipping or skating. It even has a drop level and auto stop to simplify the manual process of record playback. Its build quality isn’t the best, but it still gets the job done in style.
As long as you don’t mind having to plug into an external speaker system when you need a little more power, this is one of the best choices for no-frills portable vinyl listening.
Find more LP&No.1 Portable Stereo Turntable information and reviews here.
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8. Wockoder Record Player With Speakers
Pros:- Clear three-speed playback
- Compact and durable
- Solid built-in speakers
Cons:- No tonearm counterbalance
- Analog output only
- Cheap tone arm locking mechanism
Most of these budget turntables have an almost identical set of specs but it is the little details that set the Wockoder Record Player apart from the competition. For instance, its compact size and vintage style. This turntable’s mini-brick design harkens back to classic Thorens designs from the ’60s. Of course, it won’t match the sound of this audiophile brand with its sub $100 price tag.
The Wockoder turntable sounds alright when you put it to use but it simply doesn’t have the precision parts to achieve high fidelity playback. The difference in listening experience is negligible but you might not want to spin any rare records on this player. After all, it doesn’t have a tonearm counterbalance. The needle is fairly mediocre as well but all said and done, it outperforms much of the other options you’ll find online.
On the plus side, the Wockoder record player has a consistent motor that handles the three most common playback speeds: 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM. It has an auto-stop that you can toggle on or off and has vibration-absorbing feet that help reduce distortion. The built-in speakers are of decent quality as well.
One shortcoming of this record player is that it only has aux out, RCA out, and a front aux headphone jack. There is no USB output. Considering that USB recording is a gimmick at best, it may be for the best that Wockoder puts all of their product development into better vinyl playback. If you are looking for an all-in-one style record player, this won’t be the best choice, but if you want performance on a budget, then this is a solid pick.
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9. Victrola Navigator 8-in-1 Classic Record Player
Pros:- Plays from vinyl, CD, tape, mp3, and FM radio
- Vintage design
- Loud built-in speakers
Cons:- Bulky design
- So-so build quality
- Weak drive motor
The Victrola Navigator 8-in-1 Classic Record Player is a throwback design to some of the earliest home entertainment consoles on the market. True to its form, this record player has built-in speakers and supports a massive number of digital and analog formats beyond vinyl.
Yep, the Navigator packs a built-in CD player, a cassette player, an aux port, Bluetooth support, and an FM radio. It has a remote control plus large buttons on the front so you can easily control playback and switch inputs. And, as is standard, this record player also allows you to record any of these formats for easy preservation.
Now with all that said, how is the record player on the Navigator? Pretty basic. There is no tonearm counterbalance and the needle quite low quality. If I really thought it was worth you hearing, I would rip into the CD player and the cassette player as well. But I think you get the picture. This isn’t “audiophile” gear and the price definitely informs the overall quality of this machine.
However, its sheer versatility makes it a true all-in-one turntable that is extra giftable because it handles so many different audio formats. To that point, a record player also makes a fun and romantic gift.
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10. Victrola 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable
Pros:- Loud built-in speakers
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Clear three-speed playback
Cons:- So-so build quality
- No tonearm counterbalance
- Nowhere to store power cable
The Victrola VSC-550BT-BK is an entry-level suitcase turntable whose compact form makes it easy to play 33 1/3, 45/ or 78 RPM records anywhere you please. Like most budget record players with speakers, its setup is pretty bare-bones. Its stylus and tonearm are of decent quality, though the player lacks elements that many would consider essential.
You won’t get a tonearm counterbalance, nor will you get a separate stylus for playing 78s specifically (something a newbie isn’t likely to need, though). The Victrola’s built-in speakers get decently loud even though they aren’t the highest quality. If you want a more powerful sound, you can connect a stronger set of speakers using the RCA out or the Bluetooth. Or you could just plug in headphones.
Though the aluminum trim and durable carry handle give this player a rugged look, it is not particularly durable, and shouldn’t be treated too much like a real portable player. Still, considering its incredibly low price, this is exactly the kind of player that you shouldn’t worry too much about throwing around. And that’s part of what makes it a great starter turntable.
Find more Victrola 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable information and reviews here.
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11. Voksun Record Player With Speakers
Pros:- Bluetooth support and AM/FM radio
- Loud built-in speakers
- Clear three-speed playback
Cons:- No dust cover
- Cheap tone arm locking mechanism
- No tonearm counterbalance
The Voksun Portable Vintage Record Player is one of the most beautiful entry-level turntables you’ll come across. Its plinth, though not solid wood, has an attractive wood grain that makes this look like a nicer record player than it actually is.
And it’s not that this record player is low quality. It is an entry-level player but its performance is on par with its price if not slightly above what you should be expecting in this range. It is missing some big features like a dust cover and a tonearm balance, but it still plays records right out of the box. Its motor is consistent and supports playback of 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM records with minimal wow and flutter.
As an added perk, this record player also supports Bluetooth input, aux in, and AM/FM radio. It has a headphone jack and an RCA out port but you will be just fine using the Voksun’s built-in speakers. They get can play quite loud without any distortion.
So long as you are realistic with yourself about the quality you get from these low-priced record players, the Voksun Portable Record Player makes a great entry point (or returning point) to the vinyl frontier.
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12. Pyle Vintage Vinyl Stereo System
Pros:- Built-in support for CD, USB, SD, Bluetooth, and AM/FM
- Loud built-in speakers
- Clear three-speed playback
Cons:- Lid must be open to play vinyl
- No tonearm counterbalance
- So-so build quality
The Pyle Vintage Vinyl Stereo System is the perfect portable record player for the music enthusiast who wants to do it all. This suitcase-style record player can play a number of different media sources through to an equal number of different outputs.
In addition to playing records, this Pyle turntable can also play CDs; read audio files from USB, SD, or Bluetooth; and play AM/FM radio. It can output to its built-in speakers or a larger sound system via RCA out. Or you could just use the headphone jack.
But no matter how many extra features you add to a turntable, it still has to play records decently. There is little to complain about regarding the Pyle’s playback, aside from the lack of a tonearm counterbalance, which is something portable players tend not to have.
The sound is clear and sounds fine out of the built-in speakers. The speakers get quite loud and are cleverly built into the player’s deck. The only thing that’s really counter-intuitive about this suitcase design is that you must remove the lid to properly play records.
Those who want the performance of this without all the extra bells and whistles may be happy settling for the Pyle PVTTBT9BK Record Player instead, but if you don’t mind the larger form factor, then this retro-inspired portable sound system is a great pick.
Find more Pyle Vintage Vinyl Stereo System information and reviews here.
Are Record Players With Speakers Any Good?
While any longtime vinyl enthusiast will tell you that you have to drop hundreds of dollars on a top of the line hi-fi system to truly appreciate the vinyl format, but this audiophile gatekeeping is completely off-base.
Sure, high-end record players are on their own level of quality, but vinyl records provide an intimate and tactile experience no matter how much money you spend on it.
Vinyl records connect you to your favorite albums in a way that simply can't be done with digital formats and that's why they are still so popular today. After all, there is nothing like pulling out a fresh LP, finding the groove for your favorite track, and dropping the needle.
To that point, most of the record players with speakers that you'll find on this list are more of entry-level quality, since they are meant to be an introduction to the hobby.
They do also have some other niche uses though, as some battery-powered portable record players are well-suited for crate-digging. Likewise, many of these new record players with speakers have a USB port for digitally ripping audio. So they also make for a decent archiving tool.
Where Are All the Classic Turntables With Speakers on This List?
Admittedly, some of the best names in portable record playing are well out of production. If you already knew that, then you may be wondering why none of them appear on this list.
At the time of writing, this author couldn't find any professionally-refurbished versions of these models anywhere online. You would be lucky to find a used Audio Technica Sound Burger, or a Vestax Handy Trax, or even a Sony PS-Q7. However, these turntables are harder to service than your standard record player, so you should definitely familiarize yourself with standard repairs before you buy one used.
But with vinyl's resurging dominance of the physical media market, these sought-after models fetch an obscenely high price used. According to the Nielson Group, vinyl album sales in the United States have grown for over a decade straight.
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