For a simple one-box record player, Philips The Stevie is the best overall choice here. It handles three speeds and gives you both wired and wireless ways to move beyond its built-in speakers.
Our top 3 picks
Philips The Stevie
Best overall
The most flexible choice if you want to start with built-in speakers but keep your options open: three speeds, Bluetooth in and out, and RCA output.
1 BY ONE All-in-One
Best for manual controls
A conventional-looking deck with a supplied counterweight and AT3600L cartridge. It suits buyers happy to set the arm up properly and use RCA for future speakers.
Majority Folio
Best for USB recording
Pick it for direct-to-USB recording and pitch control; these are useful extras if you will actually use them, rather than reasons to pay more by default.
Already have speakers? Compare a separate deck in our beginner turntable guide and see our bookshelf speaker guide before buying another speaker-equipped cabinet.
Table of contents
- Compare the three at a glance
- Which record player should you buy?
- What actually matters before buying
- Practical setup and record care
- How we chose
- The bottom line
- Frequently asked questions
Compare the three at a glance
| Player | Best for | Why it stands out | Main compromise | Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips The Stevie | Best overall | Three speeds; Bluetooth input and output; RCA out | Shellac 78s need another stylus; built-in speakers limit stereo spread | 420 × 348 mm; 179 mm high |
| 1 BY ONE All-in-One | Manual controls | AT3600L cartridge, supplied counterweight and RCA out | No confirmed Bluetooth output; two speeds only | Larger turntable-style cabinet; allow lid clearance |
| Majority Folio | USB recording | USB recording, pitch control, Bluetooth in/out and RCA out | No 78rpm; extra controls may be wasted if you just play LPs | 412 × 323 mm; 142 mm high |
Bluetooth input plays audio from your phone through the player; Bluetooth output sends a record to wireless speakers or headphones. Check the direction you need. RCA is the wired route for a future speaker upgrade.
Which record player should you buy?
Philips The Stevie — Best Overall
The Stevie is the easy recommendation for someone who wants to play records now without boxing themselves in later. Its built-in speakers keep the first setup simple; Bluetooth output and RCA let you listen elsewhere when you are ready. Unlike the other two picks, it also turns at 78rpm.
- Key benefits: Three speeds cover most LPs, singles and older 78rpm discs; two-way Bluetooth suits both phone playback and wireless listening; RCA offers a wired speaker upgrade.
- Buy if: you want the broadest mix of convenience and connection options in one compact cabinet.
- Skip if: you already have good speakers or want to choose your turntable and speakers separately.
Useful details: Philips specifies a belt-drive player with a counterweighted arm, replaceable Audio-Technica stylus, headphone socket and 33⅓/45/78rpm playback. A 78rpm setting alone is not enough for shellac records: use a compatible wider stylus. The surface measures 420 × 348 mm; leave room to lift the cover.
1 BY ONE All-in-One — Best for Manual Controls
Choose the 1 BY ONE if you prefer a familiar turntable layout and are willing to set the counterweight carefully. Its AT3600L cartridge and RCA output make the upgrade path clearer than a sealed, fixed-stylus all-in-one. The built-in speakers are a convenient starting point, not a substitute for comparing separate speakers.
- Key benefits: Supplied counterweight, named cartridge and a line-level RCA connection for powered speakers.
- Buy if: setting up the arm appeals and you expect to use a wired speaker upgrade.
- Skip if: you need wireless headphone output, USB recording or 78rpm playback.
Useful details: The exact UK version has an AT3600L cartridge, 33⅓/45rpm belt drive, wired audio input and four integrated speaker drivers. Follow its supplied tracking-force instructions; the number of speaker drivers is not a listening-quality result. Bluetooth output is not confirmed for this variant. Allow generous space for the cabinet and open lid.
Majority Folio — Best for USB Recording
The Folio earns its place through features the others lack: it can record directly to a USB stick and lets you adjust pitch. That makes more sense for casual digital copies or speed adjustment than for someone who only wants to put on an LP. Its built-in speaker keeps the setup self-contained, while RCA and Bluetooth output offer other listening options.
- Key benefits: Direct USB recording, pitch adjustment, an AT3600L cartridge and both wired and wireless outputs.
- Buy if: you will use its recording or pitch controls.
- Skip if: you want the fewest controls or need to play 78rpm records.
Useful details: The Folio manual documents 33⅓/45rpm, adjustable counterweight, RCA, Bluetooth input/output and USB controls. The cabinet is 412 × 323 mm and 142 mm high. Use an external recorder if archival-quality transfers matter.
What actually matters before buying
Sound quality versus simplicity
A speaker mounted inside the same case as the platter saves space and cabling, but fixes both speakers close together and can pass cabinet vibration back towards the stylus. A separate turntable and correctly positioned speakers normally make more sense when stereo separation and future upgrades matter. We cannot rank these three for sound quality without controlled listening; published power figures alone would not answer that question.
Cartridge, replacement stylus and tracking
All three have a named Audio-Technica cartridge or stylus family rather than an anonymous fixed needle. Check the exact replacement part before ordering; cartridges and styli are not interchangeable merely because the brand matches. An adjustable counterweight lets you set tracking force to the maker’s specification, but incorrect setup can also be worse than a correctly factory-set arm. See our turntable setup guide and stylus replacement guide before making changes.
Connections, speeds and where to put it
Check Bluetooth direction explicitly: input receives phone audio, output sends record audio. If you plan to add powered speakers, an RCA connection avoids Bluetooth delay and lets you place the speakers apart. Confirm whether your receiving amplifier expects line-level or phono-level input; these all-in-one RCA outputs are intended as line-level connections. Leave enough room for the dust cover and a full 12-inch record, and keep the unit on a level, stable surface. If you own shellac 78s, choose a three-speed deck and the correct specialist stylus.
Practical setup and record care
- Level the unit and install the platter, belt and counterweight exactly as the manual instructs; never guess the tracking force.
- Handle records by the label and edges, use clean inner sleeves, and store LPs vertically away from heat.
- Brush loose dust from the record before play and clean the stylus gently from back to front with a suitable tool.
- Start with moderate volume. If the cabinet vibrates or playback skips, lower the volume and check levelling, stylus condition and tracking setup before blaming the record.
- If you outgrow the internal speakers, try properly placed powered speakers through RCA before replacing the whole player.
Our vinyl storage guide covers sleeves, temperature and shelving in more detail.
How we chose
We compared each record player’s features, build quality, connectivity and ease of use to identify the best options for different budgets and needs. We also considered manufacturer specifications, practical limitations and how well each model suits different setups. Our recommendations focus on meaningful differences that help you choose the right record player, rather than marketing claims alone.
The bottom line
Buy an all-in-one because you value easy setup, not because a claimed wattage or speaker count promises superior sound. The Stevie covers the widest everyday needs; 1 BY ONE suits manual setup and a wired upgrade; Folio adds USB recording and pitch control. If your real goal is better sound, put a separate deck and speakers on the shortlist instead.
Frequently asked questions
Are built-in speakers bad for records?
Not automatically. Cartridge condition, correct tracking and a stable surface matter more. Very high cabinet vibration can cause skipping; turn the volume down and check the setup if that happens.
Which one should a beginner buy?
Start with the Philips CENTURY The Stevie if you want a simple all-in-one with three speeds and both wired and wireless expansion. Choose the 1 BY ONE if you prefer manual counterweight setup; choose the Folio if USB recording or pitch control is genuinely useful.
Can I connect separate speakers later?
Yes. All three shortlisted players have RCA output for a wired connection to suitable powered speakers or an appropriate amplifier input. The Philips and Folio also have confirmed Bluetooth output.
Is Bluetooth input the same as Bluetooth output?
No. Input lets your phone play through the record player. Output sends vinyl playback to compatible wireless headphones or speakers. Check which direction the exact model supports.
Do I need a special stylus for 78rpm records?
Usually yes. A player that turns at 78rpm can still need a wider stylus for older shellac grooves. Confirm the correct stylus for your cartridge before playing valuable records.