Automatic turntables are a great choice for those who want to enjoy the warm sound of vinyl without needing to handle the tonearm manually. With automatic operation, the turntable lifts and positions the tonearm at the start of the record and returns it safely at the end — making the entire process smooth, convenient, and beginner-friendly.
These models are ideal for casual listeners, newcomers to vinyl, or anyone who values ease of use. Many automatic turntables also feature built-in phono preamps, multiple playback speeds (typically 33⅓ and 45 RPM), and even Bluetooth connectivity for wireless listening. Whether you're spinning records at home or setting up your first hi-fi system, automatic turntables offer a reliable, user-friendly option.
What’s the Difference Between a Manual and an Automatic Turntable?
The key difference lies in how the tonearm operates. With a manual turntable, you need to lift and place the tonearm yourself at the beginning and end of each record. This gives more control over playback and is often preferred by experienced vinyl enthusiasts.
In contrast, an automatic turntable performs this action for you — the tonearm moves into place automatically when you press play, and lifts off at the end of the record without any user input. Some models are also semi-automatic, meaning you start the playback manually but the turntable will lift the tonearm and stop automatically when the record ends.
