5 of the Best Record Player Radios

Update: If you’re looking for a record player with DAB radio, see this article instead.

Do you have a large record collection collecting dust somewhere? If you’d like to rediscover those old classics, it’s time get a new record player. Lots of record players are available these days with a range of features such as an AM/FM radio, a CD player, and USB recording.

Below we’ll review five of the best record players with a radio function currently available in the UK. First, let’s go over some of things to look for in a record player radio.

Style

Some record player radios look really amazing, while others are designed with a focus on features rather than appearance. Do you want something that looks modern, or would you prefer a record player in a retro 1950s design?

Price

Record player radios range in price from about £40 to over £200. The models reviewed here are priced between £40 and £140.

USB recording

Some record player radios let you record from the record player or radio onto a USB stick. Each 1GB of USB storage should store about 16 hours of music, or 240 4-minute songs. Music will be saved in MP3 format, which is great if you want to back up your record collection in digital format.

Record player radios with this feature usually record the whole vinyl record onto one file, so if you want to break up the file into songs you might need to edit it on your computer. A good program for this is Audacity, which is free and easy to use.

DAB radio

Most record player radios only offer AM/FM radio. It’s hard to find models that also offer digital radio, but there are a few out there.

Let’s look at these record players in detail, starting with the cheapest (at the time of writing).

 

Camry CR 1113

Price: See prices on Amazon

Manufacturer: Camry

Overview

If you’re looking for an affordable radio/record player combo, the Camry CR 1113 could be a good option. It has a 1980s-style design and lets you play LPs and singles, and also listen to AM and FM radio.

Features

• AM/FM radio
• Plays 33, 45 and 78 records
• Line out for connecting external speakers
• Comes with an EU to UK plug
• Two built-in speakers
• Aux input for connecting an MP3 player
• Headphone jack
• LCD display
• Clock
• Dimensions: 32x29x15 cm (LxWxH)
• Weighs about 5kg

Pros

• Plays all kinds of records (including 7” and 12” records)
• Very affordable
• Impressive sound for the price
• Two-year warranty

Cons

• Delivery can take a long time (potentially more than a week) as it comes from Germany. However, most buyers receive it within a few days.
• It uses a European-style plug but that isn’t a problem as a Europe-to-UK adapter is included.
• The blue display light never goes off completely while the record player is plugged in.

Verdict

This record player is very affordable and offers great value for money. It costs a fraction of the price of other models. It doesn’t have advanced features such as USB recording, but if you just want a simple record player radio, the Camry CR 1113 is a great choice.

 

Antique Record/CD/Cassette/Radio

Price: See prices on Amazon

Manufacturer: itek

Overview

This attractive antique-style wooden record player radio has a 1940s design and lets you play vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and listen to FM and AM radio.

Features

• AM/FM radio
• Cassette tape player
• Dimension: 19x40x33 cm (HxWxD)
• Headphone socket
• Built-in speakers
• Plays 33, 45 and 78 rpm records

Pros

• Fairly good sound quality, though not perfect
• Affordable, especially given the look and range of features
• Easy to use

Cons

• Can’t connect to external speakers
• Can’t record to USB
• No remote control
• Poor aerial – just a piece of wire

Verdict

All in all, this is a great piece of kit. It makes a nice present for someone with a large vinyl or tape collection.

 

GPO Memphis Turntable 4-in-1 Music Centre

Price: See prices on Amazon

Manufacturer: GPO Retro

Overview

The GPO Memphis Turntable is a retro 1950s-style record player with a built-in CD player and FM radio. One of the key reasons to get this record player is that it allows you to record vinyl records onto USB, meaning you can then store music on your computer or MP3 player.

Features

• CD player
• FM Radio
• Players 33/45/78 rpm vinyl records
• Two 1.5 watt speakers (built in)
• LCD display
• Available in three colours
• USB or SD recording
• 5mm connection lead for playing music from an MP3 player
• Aux out for headphones or external speakers
• Works with 230 volts
• Manual arm
• Bass boost button
• Remote control (battery not included)

Pros

• You can record from vinyl to an MP3 player – great for converting your old records to digital format
• Looks high-quality, despite being made from plastic
• Comes with a replacement stylus
• Speakers aren’t tinny

Cons

• Vinyl records sometimes have a humming sound when the volume is high
• Sound quality could be better

Verdict

This record player looks very stylish and elegant, and is made to a high standard of quality. It would make a great present for a vinyl record collector or someone who hasn’t listened to their old records in a while. The sound quality offered by the built-in speakers isn’t perfect, but on the whole this product is unlikely to disappoint.

 

auna RM1 Belle Epoque1908 Stereo Turntable

Price: See prices on Amazon

Manufacturer: auna

Overview

This antique-style record player and AM/FM radio is great for playing your old records. It also has a cassette player and lets you play music from MP3 players and USB sticks.

Features

• AM/FM radio
• Stereo speakers
• Turntable has an automatic start-stop system
• CD player
• USB interface for USB drives, iPods and MP3 players
• Cassette tape player
• Solid wood cabinet
• Record to USB
• 2 x 2.5 Watt speakers
• Comes with a remote control

Pros

• You can record from vinyl, CD or radio to USB
• Surprisingly good sound quality from the built-in speakers
• Play music from a large range of formats: Vinyl, cassette, CD, MP3, radio

Cons

• Some buyers find that the record jumps on the first track
• No aux in or RCA out
• Remote is only has a few functions and will probably only be useful for playing CDs and MP3s
• Only plays the first 999 files on a USB stick (if you have 2000 files, it won’t play files 1000-2000)
• Speakers don’t have much bass

 

Steepletone Memphis 5-in-1 Music System

Price: See prices on Amazon

Manufacturer: Steepletone

Overview

The Steepletone Memphis 5-in-1 Music System is one of the few record players to offer DAB digital radio.

Features

• MP3 recording from vinyl, cassette, radio or CD to USB stick
• Plays 33, 45 and 78 rpm records
• Auto-stop switch for records
• CD player
• Cassette tape player
• LCD display
• 5mm headphone socket
• 55mm subwoofer socket
• Dimensions: 12x10x8 inches (WxLxD)

Pros

• Easy to use and comes with a clear instruction booklet
• Offers everything in one device (vinyl, CD, cassette, , MP3, DAB radio)

Cons

• Sound can be quite tinny, but there is the option to attach a subwoofer
• Tape player doesn’t have a re-wind button (you have to turn it over and fast forward)
• Radio can’t be connected to a roof aerial
• Doesn’t go very loud

If you’re looking to have everything in one place, the Steepletone Memphis 5-in-1 Music System is a good option. However, if you don’t need of its features, there are other record player radios with better sound quality.