Best Vinyl Record Player · Portable

Best Portable Vinyl Record Player

The best portable vinyl record player is the Audio-Technica Sound Burger: battery-powered, about 900 g, with Bluetooth out and roughly 12 hours of play per charge. It has no speaker, so pair it with a Bluetooth speaker or headphones. If you want speakers built in and only move the player around the house, a suitcase player such as the Victrola Re-Spin is the simpler choice.

Small battery-powered turntable playing a record on a picnic blanket next to a wireless speaker

Our top 3

Top picks at a glance

Best portable#1
Audio-Technica Sound Burger (AT-SB727) record player

Audio-Technica Sound Burger (AT-SB727)

Mid-range price range

Battery about 12 hours, Bluetooth 5.2 out and a line output, in a book-sized body.

What owners say ›
Best portable with speakers#2
Victrola Re-Spin record player

Victrola Re-Spin

Budget price range

A light suitcase player with a built-in speaker and two-way Bluetooth; needs a power supply.

What owners say ›
Best colorful suitcase#3
Crosley Cruiser Plus record player

Crosley Cruiser Plus

Budget price range

Built-in speakers, two-way Bluetooth and pitch control; needs a power supply.

What owners say ›

In detail

Who each one suits

Specifications are each brand’s own; fit notes draw on manufacturer guidance and independent reviews. We have not tested or used these record players ourselves.

Best portable#1

Audio-Technica Sound Burger (AT-SB727)

The Sound Burger is a battery-powered portable turntable about the size of a hardcover book. Audio-Technica quotes about 12 hours of playback per charge and Bluetooth output to a speaker or headphones, with a wired line output too. It has no speaker of its own.

Why it stands out

  • Battery-powered: about 12 hours of playback on a charge, USB-C charging (brand figures).
  • Bluetooth 5.2 output (SBC) plus a 3.5 mm line output with the preamp built in.
  • Weighs about 900 g, so it travels to a friend’s house, a park or a record shop.
Drive & speedsBelt, portable · 33/45
Preamp / outputsBuilt-in; line out only
BluetoothOut · SBC
SpeakersNone; battery about 12 h
CartridgeVM-type; ATN3600LC stylus

Good fit if

  • You want to play records away from a wall socket.
  • You have small spaces or want a second player for listening on headphones.

Skip it if

  • It will be your only home turntable; Tom’s Guide says it sounds less expansive than full-size decks.
  • You want built-in speakers; you need a Bluetooth speaker or headphones.
  • You need a fast charge: the brand quotes about 12 hours to recharge.
Best portable with speakers#2

Victrola Re-Spin

Victrola makes the Re-Spin with about 25% recycled plastic and recyclable packaging. It is a suitcase player with one built-in speaker and a bass radiator, two-way Bluetooth and a lid that doubles as a five-album display. Like other suitcase players, it is built for casual listening rather than careful record care.

Why it stands out

  • Built-in speaker with bass radiator; plays 33, 45 and 78 rpm.
  • Bluetooth in and out, headphone jack, and a 3.5 mm-to-RCA cable in the box.
  • Partly recycled plastic case and recyclable packaging (Victrola).
Drive & speedsBelt, suitcase · 33/45/78
Preamp / outputs3.5 mm-to-RCA cable included; headphone jack
BluetoothIn and out
SpeakersOne speaker plus bass radiator
CartridgeVictrola stylus (model not listed)

Good fit if

  • You want a portable, colorful starter player with a smaller footprint.
  • Recycled materials matter to you.

Skip it if

  • You want stereo separation; it has a single speaker.
  • You want a cartridge with a published model and tracking force.
Best colorful suitcase#3

Crosley Cruiser Plus

The Cruiser Plus is Crosley’s best-known suitcase player, updated with Bluetooth out as well as in. It adds pitch control, a cueing lever and RCA output to the usual built-in speakers. It is cheap and fun, but reviewers have criticized the heavy, fixed tracking weight of earlier Cruisers.

Why it stands out

  • Bluetooth in and out, RCA out, headphone jack and aux in.
  • Pitch control and a cueing lever; plays 33, 45 and 78 rpm.
  • Comes in many colors and patterns.
Drive & speedsBelt, suitcase · 33/45/78
Preamp / outputsRCA out; headphone jack; aux in
BluetoothIn and out
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo
CartridgeNot listed by Crosley

Good fit if

  • You want a colorful, low-cost player for occasional listening.
  • You want to send records to a Bluetooth speaker on a tight budget.

Skip it if

  • You care about record wear: What Hi-Fi measured just over 7 g of downforce on the 2015 Cruiser and said it would wear records faster than a typical turntable.
  • Crosley does not list the cartridge or tracking force for this model.
Also worth a look

Victrola Journey II

The Journey II is the lowest-cost name-brand way to start playing records: a suitcase player with built-in stereo speakers, two-way Bluetooth, RCA output and a headphone jack. It is fine for casual listening. If you care about your records long term, see the skip list below before buying any suitcase player.

Why it stands out

  • Built-in stereo speakers and a carry case; plays 33, 45 and 78 rpm.
  • Bluetooth in and out, plus RCA out, headphone jack and aux in.
  • Sold in many colors, all at the same Budget-tier price.
Drive & speedsBelt, suitcase · 33/45/78
Preamp / outputsRCA out; headphone jack; aux in
BluetoothIn and out
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo
CartridgeVictrola stylus (model not listed)

Good fit if

  • You want a gift or a first player for occasional listening.
  • You mostly play inexpensive records.

Skip it if

  • You are building a collection you care about; Victrola does not list the cartridge or tracking force.
  • You want fuller sound; plug-in powered speakers or a component turntable will do better.

Taking records somewhere without a socket?

Only a battery-powered player will do. Suitcase players need mains power.

See ratings & reviews ›

Tips

Three things that make the difference

01

Battery or suitcase?

Suitcase players are portable in shape but most need a power supply. Check for a battery: the Sound Burger lists about 12 hours.

02

Bring a speaker

The Sound Burger has no speaker. Pair a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, or use its 3.5 mm line output.

03

Protect records on the move

Keep records in sleeves and out of hot cars: the Library of Congress warns against heat, and Audio-Technica says hot, damp spaces can warp records.

Honest note

Portable means compromise. Tom’s Guide says the Sound Burger sounds less expansive than full-size decks, and its Bluetooth is SBC only. Suitcase players add speakers but usually do not publish their cartridge or tracking force.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Are portable record players battery powered?

Some are. The Audio-Technica Sound Burger lists about 12 hours of playback from its battery. Most suitcase players, including the Victrola Re-Spin and Crosley Cruiser Plus, run from a power supply.

Does the Sound Burger have a speaker?

No. It sends sound over Bluetooth to a speaker or headphones, or through its 3.5 mm line output to powered speakers. Audio-Technica includes a 3.5 mm-to-RCA cable.

How long does the Sound Burger take to charge?

Audio-Technica quotes about 12 hours to charge over USB-C, roughly matching its playback time. Charge it overnight before a day out.

Which speeds do portable record players play?

The Sound Burger plays 33 and 45 rpm, and the suitcase picks list 33, 45 and 78 rpm. For 78s, Audio-Technica recommends a dedicated 78 stylus. Check each product page for the record sizes it supports.

Is a suitcase player safe for my records?

It depends on the player. Crosley and Victrola do not publish tracking force for their suitcase models. What Hi-Fi measured just over 7 g on a 2015 Crosley Cruiser and said it would wear records faster than a typical turntable.

How should I carry records with a portable player?

Keep them upright in their sleeves, away from heat and direct sun. The Library of Congress also advises letting records adjust to room temperature before playing if they have been somewhere cold.

Take the record shop home, or to the park

Want the full picture? See all our best vinyl record player, compared by setup, and the FAQ on preamps, styli and record care.