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Beginner
Plug-and-play decks, many with a built-in preamp so they run straight into powered speakers.
Beginner guide →
A1 Turntables, bought right
The right turntable, bought right.
Plain-English guides to new, used and vintage record players on eBay, plus exactly what to check before you hit Buy It Now.
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A2 Find yours
Which turntable fits you?
Three quick questions. No email, no signup. You get a guide to the right kind of deck and a live eBay search to go with it.
What will you play it through?
What matters most to you?
How hands-on do you want to be?
Your match
A beginner-friendly deck
Look for a built-in switchable phono preamp so it plugs straight into powered speakers, and an adjustable counterweight so it's kind to your records. A fully automatic model is fine if you just want to press play.
Your match
A hi-fi belt-drive deck
You have (or want) a proper amp, so spend on the parts that matter: a rigid tonearm, a good cartridge, and a platter that spins quietly. Many hi-fi decks skip the built-in preamp, so check that your amp has a phono input.
Your match
A vintage classic
Decks from the '60s to the '80s can be wonderful, but expect some maintenance: belts, stylus, cleaning. Buy from sellers who show it playing, and budget for a fresh belt and stylus from the start.
Your match
A direct-drive DJ deck
High torque, quick start-up and solid pitch control are what matter. The Technics SL-1200 family set the standard, and newer decks from Pioneer DJ and Audio-Technica follow the same layout.
Upgrade
Hi-Fi
Belt-drive decks with serious tonearms and cartridges, for when you have a real amp and speakers.
Hi-fi guide →Classics
Vintage
Technics, Thorens, Dual, Garrard and friends, and exactly what to check before you buy one used.
Vintage guide →Mix & scratch
DJ
High-torque direct-drive decks built for mixing, scratching and pitch control.
DJ guide →A3 Before you buy used
Six checks before you hit Buy It Now
Most bad turntable purchases on eBay come down to a handful of things nobody asked about. Ask them first.
- Ask for a video of it playingPhotos show condition. A short video shows the platter at speed, the arm tracking a record, and sound from both channels.
- Read the condition label"For parts or not working" means not fully operational, by eBay's own definition. Price it like a project.
- Check the stylus, or budget for oneWorn or missing styli are common on used decks, and replacements vary a lot in price. Know which you're getting.
- Confirm what's includedDust cover, counterweight, headshell, cartridge, belt. Every missing piece adds cost and hunting.
- Ask how it will be packedPlatter off, tonearm secured, counterweight removed. Poor packing is how good decks arrive broken.
- Pay through eBayeBay's Money Back Guarantee doesn't cover payments completed outside eBay. Never pay off-platform.
B1 How they spin
Three ways to turn a platter
Almost every turntable you'll see on eBay uses one of these. Knowing which one you're looking at tells you what to check.
Belt drive
A motor off to the side turns the platter with a rubber belt, which soaks up motor vibration. It's the norm on hi-fi decks. On vintage ones, plan on a new belt.
Direct drive
The motor sits right under the platter and drives it directly. High torque, fast start-up, steady speed. That's why DJs use it and why the Technics SL-1200 became a legend.
Idler wheel
A rubber-rimmed wheel links the motor to the platter's rim. Classic Garrard and Lenco decks work this way. They're prized and punchy, and the idler often needs attention.
B2 From the blog
Know what you're buying
B3 Sister site
Got the deck? Now find the records.
RareVinyl.co, our sister site, is all about the records: finding them, and knowing what you've found.
Visit RareVinyl.co →B4 Questions
Before you ask
Is it safe to buy a turntable on eBay?
Most purchases paid through eBay are covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee, which applies if an item doesn't arrive or doesn't match the listing, including when it arrives broken, damaged or faulty. You generally have 30 calendar days after the estimated or actual delivery date to open a request. Payments completed outside eBay aren't covered. Read eBay's policy.
Do I need a phono preamp?
Only if your turntable doesn't have one built in and your amp or speakers have no phono input. A cartridge puts out a tiny signal, a few millivolts for moving-magnet types, and a phono stage boosts it and applies RIAA equalization. Many beginner decks, like the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X, include a switchable one. Read the full explainer.
Belt drive or direct drive?
Belt drive isolates the platter from motor vibration and is the norm on hi-fi decks. Direct drive has high torque and fast start-up, which is why DJs use it. Both can sound excellent. Compare them side by side.
What does "For parts or not working" mean on eBay?
eBay defines it as an item that "does not function as intended and is not fully operational," including items that need service or repair or are missing essential components. Treat those listings as projects, and price them that way.
Are cheap suitcase record players bad for records?
They can be harder on them. Many use ceramic cartridges and fixed tonearms. What Hi-Fi measured one popular suitcase model's tracking force at just over 7g, against a typical figure of around 2.5g, with no way to adjust it. For records you care about, choose a deck with an adjustable counterweight.