Top 10 Best USB Turntables with Pitch Control
for June 2023

The 1byone Belt-Drive turntable looks unassuming, but it's surprisingly well made. It's got a sturdy plastic body, smooth belt drive, and decent-sounding built-in speakers that make it a surprisingly balanced, entertaining audio device. The pitch control is a welcome addition, which makes it easy to tailor the sound of records. The design also makes it easy to use as a phonograph, with the included RCA outputs, headphone output, and auxiliary input. Unfortunately, the belt-drive setup makes the turntable a bit noisy. But if you can ignore the occasional clicking and whirring, this turntable should satisfy casual record collectors, audiophiles, or anyone looking for a cheap alternative to other spinning turntables.

For years, the only option for record lovers with a PC was the Audio Technica AT-LP120USB, but that was a bulky, old-school device with barely any features. Now, USB turntables from companies like Numark and Crosley are making record playing on a computer as straightforward as playing tunes on a USB flash drive. The TTi is an attractive, easy-to-use USB turntable with pitch control and a 33- and 45-rpm mode. You can even customize the start button to display your record collection.

I've found myself wanting to take a vinyl record player with me when I travel or spend time with friends. Unfortunately, most portable turntables are too desk-bound and inconvenient to use when there's not a flat surface. The LP&No.1 Portable Turntable, on the other hand, folds up and uses a belt to drive its record player, so it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. The suitcase design makes it both compact and easy to pack, and the suitcase design also makes transport relatively easy. The belt drive to platter system makes for a clean, noise-free sound without unwanted vibrations. It's also surprisingly light (about 7.5 pounds). On the downside, the turntable lacks Bluetooth connectivity, and the built-in speaker isn't the best. However, the built-in phono preamp lets you skip the record player and use an external sound system.

The USB turntable comes with a USB drive that lets you listen to some of your vinyl collection digitally. It's no Plextor or Music Hall, but it's a good stopgap solution until you're in the market for a dedicated audio DAC. The turntable comes equipped with full-range stereo speakers, which sounded good in our tests. The USB input is a cool bonus feature, as is the ability to convert your vinyl records to MP3s via USB. If it's retro styling you like, be warned: This turntable's slick, modern exterior belies the fact that it is basically a stodgy old briefcase with a turntable inside. All around, though, this is a fine choice for those who want a cheap, easy way to play vinyl records for casual listening without having to use a streaming service.

Audio-Technica's AT-LP12XUSB will satisfy those who want a simple, affordable turntable that plays both 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records. This belt-driven model has a low price tag, but it does have a small sound stage, so make sure to buy a decent bookshelf speaker. The tonearm assembly uses a slanted S-shaped arm that swings freely on its bearings. The AT-LP12XUSB also has an auto start/stop function that automatically begins and stops the record at the end of the side. But the platter only rotates at 33 RPM, so it's limited to playing records with less than 1 minute of music. Some users may find this model to be underpowered for vinyl records at 78 RPM, so if you plan to buy only 45 and 33 RPM records, we recommend spending a bit more on Audio-Technica's AT-LP60USB. If you're after a belt-drive turntable with more features, we recommend the Audio-Technica AT-LP3.

The EAHKGmh is a record player that does everything right, especially for its phenomenal $30 price tag. It's small and light enough to tote into work, and the 3-speed design lets you play with all three types of vinyl records. The built-in speakers sound great, and the built-in Bluetooth receiver lets you stream music from your phone, tablet, or computer. It's also a cinch to use for USB playback and USB encoding, and it has a headphone jack for private listening. It even has a USB Flash Drive port, so you can listen to your MP3 files directly from the turntable. The EAHKGmh is more than 20% cheaper than our top overall pick, the EZ Vinyl LP, but it's essentially the same product: solid, reliable, and cheap. It even comes with a free turntable mat, a cleaning brush, and a dust cover. The only drawback is that it's not as easy to set up and record from as the EZ Vinyl LP, but we found everything else to be nearly identical.

The TechPlay Commander is a solidly built turntable that, in addition to being portable, also happens to provide a good audio experience and a full-band performance with its amp and built-in speaker. The Commander's playback controls are basic, but there's a pitch control knob, a strobe dot indicator for the speed, and a Bluetooth and auxiliary input for connecting external audio sources. The inclusion of a pitch control is a nice touch, as is the fact that you can mix different music sources during playback, as the unit includes both a USB port and a 3.5mm auxiliary input, so you can hook up any device with an audio output. Some people might find the lack of RCA inputs a bit of a limitation, as there isn't much you can do if you only have one input source. But overall, the Commander is a fun turntable that sounds great.

The Gemini TT-1100USB is a very solid entry-level turntable. It's easy to set up, sounds good, and comes at a decent price. Whether you have scratch records, CDs, MP3s, or vinyl records, you can plug this turntable into your computer and play music without any conversion issues. Like our other budget pick, the Gemini TT-1100S, it has a manual belt-drive system, but a simple-minded one. But if you're hoping to rip your own vinyl to MP3s, or if you want to listen to vinyl records on your computer, the TT-1100USB does it all. The platter is heavy and is solidly constructed, and the tone arm is well-designed and provides a lot of skip-resistant support. The TT-1100USB is also IPX4 splash resistant, so it's well protected from the elements. The rubber feet on the TT-1100USB make it stable on uneven surfaces, and the tone arm can be raised or lowered, so it's adjustable, too. Finally, our only complaint is that a USB port isn't included with the turntable, so if you have a laptop and plan to use the TT-1100USB, you'll need to purchase a USB hub for around $10.

The Victrola Pro USB Record Player brings a nostalgic spin to CD players and MP3 players. While there are plenty of modern options on the market, the Victrola is a throwback to the golden days of vinyl, complete with a built-in headphone jack. The Victrola Pro comes outfitted with a built-in microphone, so you can play vinyl records stored in MP3 format, as well as records stored on a USB drive. The turntable can play 33 1/3 and 45 RPM vinyl records, and it supports USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The Victrola Pro has a standard headphone jack, a USB port, and an RCA input, all of which can be used to connect the device to an external device, such as a music player, a phone, tablet, or computer. This makes it a great option for people who have a collection of vinyl records, but want to play them from the comfort of their living room sofa.

This turntable has obviously been designed for portable use, but its sturdy construction and high-quality playback make it a valuable addition to any home DJ setup, too. The direct-drive motor is lightweight and durable, and you don't have to endure a lot of jitter when switching tracks. The outputs are standard RCA, and the USB outputs on the built-in preamp are large enough to plug in a USB-optical drive. The built-in preamp sounds surprisingly good, too, for a portable turntable, with a decent amount of bass and tight, well-defined highs and clear midrange. The sound quality is a lot better than we expected, especially given its modest price tag. The aluminum tonearm is a nice touch, though it's a little on the short side and isn't as deep as we'd like. The DJ100's controls are very easy to use, and the lightweight aluminum body is an attractive design. Its price is significantly lower than that of several competitors, but the Crosley DJ100 does have one notable downside: The $20 we paid for it at Best Buy was $10 less than the price listed on Crosley's website.