A turntable plays vinyl records and, depending on the model, can be used for DJ setups, home HiFi systems or digitising vinyl. The first step is therefore to decide how you want to use it: do you want to DJ, enjoy records at home or record your vinyl collection? In this category you will find DJ turntables, HiFi turntables, USB turntables and suitable accessories for reliable operation. The right record player depends on how you want to use vinyl. A DJ needs different features than someone who mainly listens to records at home. If you want to digitise records, connections and computer compatibility become more important. The overview below helps you choose the right direction. DJ turntables are built for active use with a DJ mixer. They often offer direct drive, pitch control, robust construction and handling that matters for beatmatching, cueing and club or home studio use. If you want to DJ with vinyl or build a classic DJ setup, this is the right foundation. HiFi turntables are aimed more at listeners who want to enjoy records at home with good sound quality. USB turntables are useful when vinyl recordings also need to be saved on a computer or processed digitally. For vinyl DJs, beatmatching, club setups, DVS systems and use with a DJ mixer, slipmat and cartridge. For listening to records at home, HiFi systems, smooth rotation and enjoyable vinyl playback. For vinyl playback and digitising records directly on a computer or recording system. Depending on the setup, a turntable alone is not always enough. The cartridge and stylus are essential for playback because they track the record groove and influence sound, tracking behaviour and record wear. DJs often also need slipmats, as they allow the record to move in a controlled way during cueing, scratching or beatmatching. The connection to a HiFi system, mixer, active speakers or audio interface is also important. If neither the turntable nor the amplifier has a suitable phono preamp, a separate phono preamp is required. For everyday use, cleaning accessories, replacement styluses, cables and safe storage are also useful. For sound, tracking, groove contact and the connection between record and tonearm. For DJs, cueing, scratching, beatmatching and controlled record handling on the platter. For connecting a turntable to amplifiers, active speakers or audio interfaces without a dedicated phono input. For cleaning, replacement parts, cables, storage and expanding your vinyl or DJ setup. When buying a turntable, consider how you plan to use it, the drive system, the available connections and your existing setup. For DJs, direct drive, pitch control, robust construction and a suitable cartridge system are especially important. For HiFi use, smooth rotation, tonearm quality, cartridge, preamp and connection to the audio system play a bigger role. Also check whether a phono preamp is already built in or needs to be added separately. If you want to digitise records, look for a USB connection, suitable software options and a simple connection to your computer. For reliable everyday use, stylus care, clean records, stable placement and suitable cables are also important. DJ turntables are designed for active DJ use, fast start-up, pitch control and robust handling. HiFi turntables focus more on smooth rotation, sound quality and listening to records at home. A phono preamp is needed if the turntable does not provide an integrated line-level output and the amplifier, active speakers or audio interface do not have their own phono input. A USB turntable can be connected directly to a computer. This is useful if you want to record, digitise or further process your vinyl recordings in recording software. Important accessories include cartridge systems, replacement styluses, slipmats, phono preamps, cleaning accessories, cables and storage solutions. For DJs, slipmats and robust cartridges are especially relevant. In principle, any turntable can play records, but for DJ use, models with a stable drive system, pitch control, a suitable tonearm and the right cartridge system are much better suited.Buy turntables – find the right record player for DJ, HiFi and USB
Which turntable do I need?
DJ, HiFi or USB: the main types of turntable
DJ turntables
HiFi turntables
Turntables with USB
What else do I need with a turntable?
Cartridge systems
Slipmats
Phono preamps
Turntable accessories
What should I look for when buying?
Frequently asked questions about turntables
What is the difference between a DJ turntable and a HiFi turntable?
When do I need a phono preamp?
What is the benefit of a USB turntable?
Which accessories are important for turntables?
Can I DJ with any turntable?