Best Portable Turntable: Guide and Reviews

The whole idea of a portable turntable might sound a little absurd to some. I mean who really wants to lug around crates of vinyl in 2018 when we have iPods and phones and other MP3 players to play music on the go.

With that being said there is a movement that has been gaining a lot of momentum in the past couple years that revolves around the portable turntable.

I think the concept of a portable turntable for an audiophile or someone who wants pure audio quality to be a bit of a contradiction. If you’re someone who is looking for the highest quality audio out of a portable turntable and that was your main reason for reading this article, I would stop here.

Portable turntables are for those simply want the intimate and physical experience of vinyl on the go or without breaking the bank. A hi fidelity record player in an upper price range will always be the better choice here for sound quality, but this article touches on some low-prices portable turntables to help get the budding vinyl enthusiast’s feet wet.

Aside from travel record listening, there are some legitimate uses and some extremely creative things that can be done with portable turntables and this mostly revolves around portable djing and portable scratching.

They also allow crate diggers the chance to sample vinyl on the go whenever they find a record they must sample.

Portable Scratch Turntable

Before the last couple years, dj’s were stuck to a cord long enough to reach a power outlet. Now due to the increasing popularity of battery powered turntables, djs are finally free to express their art away from the constraints of power outlets.

If you want to learn to scratch but don’t have the funds for a pair of 1200s scratching on a portable turntable could be a good starting point at an extremely reasonable price. If you’re already an experienced scratcher, these portable decks will give you the freedom to cut up anywhere and anytime.

The Best Portable Turntables

There are really only a couple models that are worth mentioning for now (these are turntables suitable for all the legitimate uses of a portable turntable): That is the Numark PT-01, Numark PT-01 Scratch, the Vestax HandyTrax and the Reloop Spin.

These turntables are so reasonably priced and solid that not only do they give the average vinyl listener, record digger or budding vinyl enthusiast a great bang for their buck, but they also are completely solid for mobile scratching.

In choosing a portable turntable for any purpose we believe they must be compact and durable and have built in speakers or the option of adding your own speaker via plug or blue tooth.

Numark PT01 USB vs Numark PT01 Scratch vs Vestax Hand Traxx

Numark PT01 USB Review: ($97.99) 

The original PT01 which was recently discontinued by Numark in favor of the PT01 USB. The

Numark PT01 USB is essentially the PT01 with a USB port and cable and some minor adjustments. You can still find sellers for the original PT01 on amazon if you do not want a USB port.

It features a lightweight, battery powered design with the option to include a 12V adaptor. It was originally meant for people to sample or play vinyl on the go. Essentially, if you happen across a hidden gem at the record store you could create a quick convenient listening session by plugging in headphones. The USB feature also lets you rip vinyl conveniently by simply plugging the USB to a computer.

The PT01 comes with its own speaker built into the turntable and a headphone outputs for 1/8” and 1/4”. The dimensions 11.9” by 11.9” by 4” and 4.3lbs is super compact for easy transportation.

It also has a built in carrying handle and removable dust cover. The PT01 comes with a USB port  and cable, as well as a cartridge, though youre going to need to buy “D cell” batteries as these are not included.

Instead of a normal pitch slider it has a knob for +/- 10% , plus it can play records at 33rpm, 45rpm and 78 rpm. It this turntable can also play all 3 record sizes and comes equipped with a 45 adapter.

This PT01 USB or the PT01 touring would be my portable turntable of choice for anyone not looking to scratch on them and want to save a little change. The issues with the PT01 USB vs the Scratch is that you will need to add modifications if you plan to cut on these.

The first will be the need is an external fader, you can plug these directly into the line and you’re good to go. You may also need a new slipmat as the PT01 USB slipmat is stuck on these. If you plan to scratch I would jump directly to the next turntable on the list which is the Numark PT01 Scratch

Numark PT01 USB Pros:

• Price and ease of purchase (still being produced)
• Dust cover and carrying handle
• Easy modifications and many youtube videos on how to modify
• Space for external fader to be mounted
• Rubber feet helps with vibrations and sliding
• USB port for converting vinyl or recording scratching
• RCA line and headphone outputs for easy connection to external speakers
•  Diamond tipped stylus

Numark PT01 USB Cons:

• Original slipmat is glued to platter
• Will need an external fader if you plan on scratching
• Volume out is lower than handytrax, though is fine with external speakers.
• No bluetooth speaker connection

Numark PT01 Scratch Review: ($129.99)

The Numark PT01 Scratch, as the name suggests, was made specifically with the portable scratch DJ in mind. With that being said it is VERY similar to the PT01 USB with some great added features that are an upgrade for even those that do not scratch.

The most obvious change is the scratch switch that comes built into the turntable. Now this is an alternative to an external fader and is definitely different than a regular crossfader. It takes a little bit to get used to, but in time it works great for some crisp clean cuts and handles even the most advanced scratching techniques.

The other new feature is the 1/8” line input. This feature is sneakily important. It allows you to directly input your phone into the turntable, making scratching or listening to your songs or beats of choice that much easier.

The PT01 also comes equipped with a brand new look: a much sleeker, cleaner and cooler black and red design. Aside from the new finish, buttons and switches it is still very similar to the  PT01-USB.

With that idea, the PT01 scratch does still come equipped with a USB port so you can rip vinyl or record performances (you can use the Free EZ Vinyl software for converting).

The quality of the audio is dependent on the needle which I found the stock needle to be fine for both scratching and listening through headphones though it obviously isn’t the greatest (remember this is a $130 portable turntable). It’s very easy to upgrade the needle if needed.

Again the built-in speaker is similar to the other built in speakers of portable turntables, it does the job, but we again recommend hooking up an external speaker if you want better sound quality. The PT01 scratch comes equipped with headpone and RCA line outputs for this purpose.

Like the PT01 USB you can play this turntable at 33, 45 and 78 RPM and it has a +/- pitch control.

Now back to that little “scratch switch”. So this feature alone helped make the PT-01 Scratch much more portable than the PT-01 USB. That is because we no longer HAVE to connect an external crossfader, making the portable set up that much cleaner. The switch is easily adjustable meaning you can change the positions by simply unscrewing and rotating the it to your liking or style.

I think the beauty of this device is that you can still add external cross faders if you wanted and it is easier to modify than the PT-01 USB. There is actually already a cross fader you can buy that fits into the scratch switch spot by Jesse Dean.

My biggest issue with this turntable is the positioning of the scratch switch as someone who scratches with their right hand on the record and left hand on the fader. The problem here is that in order to scratch with this hand position you have to reach over the scratch switch which may not be the most comfortable positioning for everyone. It is perfectly fine when standing over the turntable, but if you place the table parallel in front of you, you have to raise your right hand up and over for the duration of your scratch session.

This may not be a problem at all for some people, and if it is you can always purchase an external fader and position the PT01 scratch however you like.

Numark PT-01 Scratch Pros:

• Does not require external fader
• Can still add external faders or upgrade internal scratch switch to a fader
• Battery powered with a 12v adaptor and USB port to rip vinyl to mp3
• Features a special non slip cartridge, that stays in the groove regardless of playing angle
• REMOVABLE SLIPMAT
• Diamond tipped stylus
• 1/8″ Aux input with adjustable volume to easily connect phone for beats

Numark PT-01 Scratch Cons:

• Scratch switch vs standard cross fader 
• May still need an external fader anyway for comfort if you scratch with your right hand on the record

Overall I think this is the best entry into the portable scratching world. I like it better than the PT01 USB and Vestax handy traxx. Actually I think this may be one of the best ways to affordably start scratching period.

It is an incredibly fun little turntable at a price that really can’t be beat. This is actually my highest recommendation of any table on this site as I think it fits into almost everyone’s budget and serves a multitude of purposes from learning to scratch, to ripping vinyl, to listening to vinyl on the go to extending your craft behind the confines of an electrical socket.

The Vestax Handy Traxx and PT01 USB are only better purchases if you want a DIY modification project or are very concerned about right hand scratching comfort and want a discounted price you that you can apply to an external fader.

Vestax Handy Trax USB Review: ($300+)

At this point I feel like the Vestax Handy Trax may be more of a collectible than anything, though it does exactly what it is designed to do. The problem stems from actually finding one of these as they have been discontinued by Vestax.

I’ve seen some used Handy Trax going for $500 which at that point I feel like there are much better options. Get yourself a Numark PT01 Scratch for portable scratching and get yourself a decent home turntable for $500 and call it a day.

With that being said if you can get one of these close to its original price of $150 I say its a definite buy.

This turntable was designed for the crate digger and one of the portable turntables to help popularize portable scratching.

This turntable boasts a life span of 65 hours on batteries and comes with a USB port and software to transfer vinyl to the computer. It can play 4 speeds at 33, 45 and 78 rpm and has a pitch knob for +/- 10%. The Vestax Handy Trax has a good set of headphone output and RCA line outputs as well as a line input.

The Handy Trax comes equipped with a ceramic catridge with a sapphire stylus. Us at DJ Turntable Review prefer diamond tipped stylus, but it can be upgraded after the sapphire stylus wears.

In terms of build, I’d say the Handy Trax is a bit more sturdy than the other two mentioned portable turntables, but the differences are not astronomical here. The platter is also stronger here than the PT01. but this only makes a difference if you plan on scratching with these.

The biggest issue when comparing these turntables is again availability of said portables. PT-01’s are still being made and aren’t that expensive. Handytrax, on the other hand, require luck finding one close to its retail price. You’ll also still need to add modifications if you plan on scratching with the Handytrax such as an external crossfader.

Vestax Handy Trax Pros:

• Durability
• Lightweight compact design
• Platter stability and torque

Vestax Handy Trax Cons:

• Price and availability
• No longer in production
• Need to upgrade to diamond tipped stylus
• Need an external fader if you’re planning on scratching

Reloop Spin: ($250)

If this Turntable Looks familiar, it’s because this is the reincarnation of the Vestax Handy Trax. The Reloop spin, however, is the first portable turntable that does not need any modifications for scratching. It comes with a real crossfader, built in!

This is now head to head with the PT-01 scratch in terms of portable turntables designed for portablism. This is again a plastic, belt drive turntable.

This turntable has the same cartridge and stylus as the PT-01 scratch, but  the platter is more solid here. This turntable is the only portable with Bluetooth streaming technology which of course allows a way to wirelessly stream beats.

This turntable can be operated with regular USB PSU (5 V, 2 A), USB power bank or batteries. It can play 4 speeds at 33, 45 and 78 rpm and has a pitch knob for +/- 20%. The Reloop Spin has a good set of headphone output and RCA line outputs as well as a line input. You can also record your cuts directly from the USB output. This comes with a battle scratch record in the box.

Again with this turntable you don’t need any additional modifications. Though new tonearms and smoother cross faders have already been created by others. This is also the first turntable, where you can easily change the preferred side of the crossfader. It can be used by both lefty and righty scratchers.

Reloop Spin Pros:

• The Bluetooth Audio Streaming
• Comes with 7” scratch vinyl,  and pre-installed crossfader
• Easily adjust crossfader side

Reloop Spin Cons:

• Price
• Cut in distance on stock crossfader

So how about the Crosley Turntable?

For some reason the Crosley Portable Turntable has gotten a lot of attention and for that reason alone I feel like it deserves a mention. They do come in a stylish cases, but that’s about the only advantage these have over the previously mentioned portable turntables.

For someone trying out the vinyl world for the first time, there are much better options at a price slightly higher (an introduction record player and cheap record player review coming soon!).

The sound quality of these are simply poor. They also do not make it easy to connect to external speakers. In terms of being a portable turntable, you will still need to be plugged into an AC adaptor, so they are much less portable than the previously mentioned turntables. (Only the Crosley messenger can run on batteries)

For someone trying to scratch on the go with these again only the Crosley messenger is battery run. The Crosley messenger boasts a lighter tone arm than both the Numark and Vestax, is lighter in weight than both and the platter is more unstable.

Secondly, A LOT of modifications would have to be made in order to scratch with these.

In terms of a starting point for listeners or portable scratch turntables, I would recommend the other turntables mentioned in this post.

Summary:

These turntables can provide a great introduction into the world of vinyl or scratching at a highly affordable price. Compared to my list of best dj turntables where getting started scratching can cost close to $1000. These little mini turntables can get you beginning to scratch for as little as $130!

The beauty behind these turntables is that because of their size the belt drive motor can actually create some strong torque capable of handling scratching.

Our Portable Turntable Recommendations

For Just Listening/Sampling:  Numark PT0-1 USB ($97.99)

For Scratching: Numark PT-01 Scratch ($129.99) (if you scratch with right hand on record); The Reloop Spin for anyone willing to spend a little more money for more features.

Portable Scratching Accessories Recommendations

With these portable turntables of course you can play any record for listening but if you want to scratch you’re going to need 7″ scratch vinyl.

Scratch Vinyl Recommendations: DJ Ritchie Ruftone- Practice Yo Cuts; Baby Super Seal 3 ;

External Crossfader Recommendations: Mixfader Wireless Portable

If you don’t like the Switch Fader on the PT01 Scratch you can add a small Jesse Dean Design JDDX2RS PT01 Scratch Fader that fits into where the PT01 Scratch switch is

Portable Bluetooth Speaker Recommendation:  MINiRIG 2 Portable Speaker