I’ve written about turntables and record players many times, and I’ve enthusiastically recommended different setups and stereo equipment to people for years. I love music, first, collecting vinyl as a general practice, second--it’s nice when someone says “what’s this?” and you can hand them a record sleeve instead of your iPhone, just sayin’--and third, like a growing flock of others who share those traits, I enjoy constantly updating my own record player setups to make sure I’m eeking the most out of every record groove on my crowded shelves.

So you might ask yourself why I, or anyone really, would “waste” time talking about simple all-in-one turntable setups. There are a surprising number of people (internet trolls, let’s be honest heart emoji) who will go out of their way to tell you that some of these record players are garbage and that you are absolutely RUINING (gasp) your records, if you put them on these turntables. It is true, if you balance your tonearm with a cinder block and you never change your needle, you may damage your records… but that’s also true of high-end turntables. Although these may not be the absolute best options in the record player universe, sometimes easier and cheaper is more of a priority. These options are perfect for certain people and specific scenarios, and if nothing more, they are often a gateway into future setups once the ritual of listening to music on vinyl is deeply rooted. Let me say it plainly: I like all-in-one record players and I am not a monster who hates his records.

Vinyl is, of course, the best way to listen to music (everybody knows that this is a fact--don't be silly). This is true for many reasons, but specifically because it takes some level of effort and attention within the ritual of putting the needle to the groove, and because of that extra attention, you will likely focus more on what you’re hearing, and the context that the music was created (as in, hearing it as part of an album and not part of an algorithmic playlist) as the artist probably intended.

Please understand this before buying one of the record players below -- although they are the easiest and most efficient way (plug it in and hit one button) of turning the grooves in your records into audio in your ears, they don’t leave much in the way of upgradability or expandability if it turns out you do want to dive further into the abyss of stereo equipment in the future. I’ll write future pieces about other entry-level ways of setting up a record player that will impress even your die-hard audiophile friends down the line, but the all-in-one record player route, should you take it, will always be a good back-up option, or guest room option, or bathroom option (is that weird?) or whatever you’re after. So if you’re debating whether or not you want to get into record collecting, I’d regret you never giving vinyl a chance because of the initial barrier to entry versus telling you to flatly stay clear of these options.

Teac LP-P1000 All-in-one turntable

Checklist for choosing the best all in one record players

A final thought--consider what you're actually looking for before you jump into the specifics of each turntable. Are you looking for a portable turntable or just an all-in-one record player? Are you looking for a record player that plays 33/45/78 RPM or is 33 1/3 and 45 RPM sufficient (hint: the answer is probably the latter)? Do you need it to have RCA out, headphone jack, or auxillary input? What about bluetooth--do you want to be able to play music via bluetooth from your phone to your turntable speakers? Once you've answered those questions, you can more successfully navigate the options below.

So with that, below are the best all in one record players or turntable setups that you will encounter, as well as some notes and quips about what separates the good ones from the not as good ones. Also, pictures, because you know, sometimes it’s the aesthetic you’re looking for and not just the medium.

Electrohome Signature Record Player

Electrohome Signature Record player

• Plays AM/FM radio, CDs, MP3s with aux input or USB
• Can record vinyl direct to MP3 via USB
• 3 speeds - 33/45/78 RPM
• 4 speakers - notably full sound

This is one of the largest and in my opinion, highest quality, all-in-one record players on the list. The speakers are built into the same cabinet that plays the records themselves, but the sound coming out of the 4 front-facing speakers is enough to fill a room and not sound hollow or cause the record to skip. At close to 30 lbs (quality weighs a lot), understand this will have a bigger footprint on your display.

Crosley Dansette Record Player

Crosley Dansette Junior Portable Turntable

• 2-speed turntable: 33/45 RPM
• Headphone Jack
• Aux input
• RCA Out
• Front Facing Stereo Speakers

One of the newest Crosley all-in-one record players features a classic look with all the basic functions you need. Crosley is potentially the most common all-in-one or portable record player maker in the market, and their products continue to improve with each iteration. You'll see a lot more options below within the Crosley brand than any other.

Gramovox Floating vertical Turntable

Gramovox 'Floating Record' Vertical Turntable

• Belt-driven 33 1/3 & 45 RPM speed playback
• Vertical Vinyl Playback -- “See your Sound” from across the room instead of only when you’re standing over it
• 2 Full-Range stereo speakers driven by 15w per channel digital amplifier
• RCA line out
• 3.5mm stereo jack / headphone-out
• rarely found dual-voltage for use if you want to take it overseas

This all-in-one record player from the good people at Gramovox is a stunning addition to the vinyl community. It's the first turntable to feature a vertical mount for your prized records while they play (at least, that I've ever seen), and it is done remarkably well with only the finest quality components. The speakers sound fulfilling even with their smaller size, and the ability to showcase your wax to the room is a welcome companion to that high quality sound. Mentioned above, this is one of very few dual-voltage turntables on the market (so you could take it with you on your semester abroad) if that's valuable to you as a buyer.

Teac LP-P1000 All-in-One turntable speaker system with Bluetooth

• 3-speed playback options: 33 1/3, 45, & 78 RPM
• Bluetooth in for playback from your phone, tablet, or computer
• 2x25 watt output speakers (the most power on this page)
• CD player with Multi-format (CD-RW, MP3-CD, WMA) playback
• AM/FM Radio
• 2x (front AND back) aux inputs
• Bass and Treble tone controls
• Headphone out

Most people that are looking for a high-quality all-in-one turntable setup for their home are actually looking for the Teac record player pictured above and just don't know it. It has just about every function you can imagine, including a CD player, aux input, bass and treble tone control (rare), a headphone jack, and bluetooth so you can stream music from your phone directly to it. The reason I might argue that this is one of the best options is because the high-powered speakers aren't physically attached to the same housing that plays your records. (If you think about it, having speakers under your record platter introduces a significant amount of vibration the louder you turn up your music, which is not ideal.) So you can add some separation to the high powered 25-watt speakers and not risk your needle jumping off the vinyl when you play that Hot Chip record. Similarly, since it is a higher-powered speaker setup, playing other media through this system won't leave you wanting. It's a great option for people looking for an all-in-one system that can get the job done. Of note, they also sell a smaller version which maintains most of the same function.

Crosley Cruiser II

• 3-speed playback 33/45/78 RPM
• AC or Battery Powered options
• Auxiliary input to connect your phone
• RCA and headphone jack output

The Cruiser is probably the most well-known edition of the all-in-one turntables made famous by Crosley, and this Cruiser II appears to be an update with the addition of battery-powered operation that allows true portability, should you be interested in such capability.

Crosley Nomad

• 3-speed playback: 33/45/78 RPM
• USB enabled for computer connection
• Aux input
• RCA Audio Out
• Headphone Jack

The Crosley Nomad all-in-one record player is one of my favorites in their line - but when buying a turntable like this one, I recommend considering the environment you're playing (or displaying) it in. There are a few others like this option where the speakers face out to either side of the turntable rather than forward. This will fill the room with sound a little bit better (potentially), but with the wrong placement (next to a wall, for instance) it might actually mute the sound. Either way, this all-in-one turntable design is more utilitarian than the more flashy and ornamental styles you might see elsewhere.

Pyle Vintage Style Bluetooth Turntable

• 3-speed playback: 33/45/78 RPM
• Gramophone Phonograph Replica Styled Horn
• Bluetooth Capable
• Vinyl-to-MP3 Recording:
• Aux Input
• AM/FM Radio
• CD & Cassette Tape Players
• Headphone jack

This all-in-one is the exact look a lot people think of when they imagine a record player, and I can appreciate the style and ornamental elements as much as anybody. Understand that the sound coming from this system isn't exclusively through the big horn--there are actual speakers built into the main cabinet--and that the horn itself is plastic, for what it's worth.

Crosley Keepsake

• 3 Speed playback - 33/45/78 RPM
• Headphone Jack
• RCA Audio Out
• Adjustable Pitch Control
• USB Enabled For Connection to Windows Equipped PC and Mac

The Keepsake is a plain and simple option that gets the job done, playing at all three speeds, with a headphone jack and pitch adjustments. This is a great option for people looking for basic function without unnecessary specs.

Crosley Troubadour

• 3-speed playback options: 33 1/3, 45, & 78 RPM
• USB/SD card reader
• CD Player
• Side-mounted cassette deck with recording
• Aux input
• Headphone Jack
• AM/FM radio
• RCA out

One of the nicer and more robust Crosley all-in-one record players, the Troubadour has most of the extras you might be looking for and has a strong sound to match. One thing to note with this specific model is the small buttons and the side-loading cassette deck--those could be potential annoyances depending on where you plan to display and how much you want to play cassettes.

Crosley Messenger Portable Record Player

• 3-speed playback 33/45/78 RPM
• Soft-sided carrying bag with LP Pocket
• Aux input
• Headphone Jack
• Battery operated (6 AA batteries) or standard AC wall plugin
• Pitch Control

If you’re looking for a truly portable all-in-one record player, the Crosley Messenger should be considered the go-to option. I’m not saying you’re likely to take a turntable on a picnic, but if you wanted to, you’d need a turntable that is battery-operated -- that is, unless you plan on standing next to the public restrooms looking for an outlet.