The 8 Best Portable Record Players
This wiki has been updated 27 times since it was first published in February of 2018. Whether you’re a diehard vinyl collector or just a classic music fan with limited space, you’ll want to have a portable record player om hand, so you can listen to your tunes on the go. Our list of lightweight turntables includes a variety of very capable models that are compact and easy to transport, ranked here by their suitability for travel, sound quality, and durability. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Crosley Dansette Junior
2. Ion Audio Max LP
3. Numark PT01
Editor's Notes
October 19, 2019:
Our previous ranking in this category took a very different view of portability than I would, and I've reformatted it to reflect a stricter standard that I believe most readers would appreciate. Instead of thinking about whether or not you could bring one of these turntables out into the world with you, I think it's much more pertinent to ask whether you actually would. The Audio-Technica AT-LP120, for example, which had a top spot in our old list, has been completely removed from this one. It's certainly one of the best turntables in its class, with a reliable drive, an easily adjustable counterweight, and a great stock cartridge. I've got one living in my apartment as the centerpiece of my sound system, and I can tell you without a doubt that I've never once though about taking it anywhere.
Portable record players are all about fun and adventure, and they should be able to play records all on their own without the help of additional speakers or headphones. That necessitated the removal of the AT-LP120, as well as a handful of other models from our list. We've replaced them with capable offerings, including some from Crosley, most notably the update to their classic Cruiser model, which now features the ability to run on batteries for enhanced portability.
4. Crosley Cruiser II
5. Victrola Vintage Three-Speed
6. Crosley Executive
7. Jensen JTA-222 Three-Speed
8. Sylvania Encoding Turntable
Daniel Imperiale holds a bachelor’s degree in writing, and proudly fled his graduate program in poetry to pursue a quiet life at a remote Alaskan fishery. After returning to the contiguous states, he took up a position as an editor and photographer of the prestigious geek culture magazine “Unwinnable” before turning his attention to the field of health and wellness. In recent years, he has worked extensively in film and music production, making him something of a know-it-all when it comes to camera equipment, musical instruments, recording devices, and other audio-visual hardware. Daniel’s recent obsessions include horology (making him a pro when it comes to all things timekeeping) and Uranium mining and enrichment (which hasn’t proven useful just yet).