Best Turntable with Counterweight (2026): 3 Picks Compared
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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Fluance leads this list with the RT81 Elite, which pairs an Audio Technica AT95E cartridge with an adjustable counterweight and a built-in preamp. The Fluance RT80 Classic follows with the same belt drive, preamp and counterweight, plus an AT91 cartridge, while the Crosley C100A-SI adds 2-speed playback, a removable headshell and anti-skate control. The counterweight is the spec that decides this search, so compare cartridges and platters after it.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Beginners who want an AT95E cartridge and a counterweight: Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable See pick 1More picks: Best Vinyl Player for Beginners
- Beginners who want an AT91 cartridge and a counterweight: Fluance RT80 Classic High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable See pick 2More picks: Best Record Player for Beginners
- Beginners who want 33 1/3 and 45 RPM speeds: Crosley C100A-SI Record Player See pick 3More picks: Best Beginner Vinyl Player
Want the full range? Best Record Player ranks the top turntables for every buyer, or browse all 81 guides.
The 3 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable
- Built-in phono preamp
- Drive: Belt Drive
- 2 year warranty stated
It earns Best Overall with an AT95E cartridge, an adjustable counterweight and a built-in preamp on a high mass MDF plinth.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want an AT95E cartridge and a counterweight
- Buyers who want a built-in preamp and RCA outputs
Skip it if
- You want a turntable lighter than 14.1 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 2 years
It has a belt drive, an Audio Technica AT95E cartridge with a diamond elliptical tipped stylus, and a balanced aluminum S-Type tonearm with an adjustable counterweight. The high mass MDF wood plinth in walnut has isolation feet, an aluminum platter and a rubber platter mat. A built-in Texas Instruments preamp, a ground terminal and gold plated RCA line outputs connect it to a stereo. It weighs 14.1 lb and carries a 2-year warranty.
2Runner-Up
Fluance RT80 Classic High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable
- Built-in phono preamp
- Drive: Belt Drive
- 2-year warranty stated
It earns Runner-Up with an AT91 cartridge, an adjustable counterweight and a built-in preamp on a solid wood plinth.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want an AT91 cartridge and a counterweight
- Buyers who want a 9.9 lb turntable with a preamp
Skip it if
- You want a turntable lighter than 9.9 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 2 years
It has a belt drive, an Audio Technica AT91 cartridge with a diamond tipped stylus, and a balanced aluminum S-Type tonearm with an adjustable counterweight. The solid wood plinth in piano black has isolation feet, an aluminum platter and a rubber platter mat. A built-in Texas Instruments preamp, a ground terminal and gold plated RCA line outputs connect it to a stereo. It weighs 9.9 lb and carries a 2-year warranty.
3Also Great
Crosley C100A-SI Record Player
- Built-in phono preamp
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Also Great with a 2-speed belt drive, an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate control.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want 33 1/3 and 45 RPM speeds
- Buyers who want a removable headshell and a dust cover
Skip it if
- You want a turntable lighter than 9.5 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
It plays 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records on a 2-speed belt drive, with a 12-inch slipmat and a 45 adapter in the box. An aluminum tonearm with a cueing lever, an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate control sits over an aluminum platter with a strobe. The pre-mounted Audio-Technica cartridge uses a standard 1/2-inch mount, and the removable headshell allows cartridge upgrades. A built-in switchable preamp and RCA outputs connect it to a stereo or powered speakers. It weighs 9.5 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Built-in phono preamp | Bluetooth | USB audio to computer | Built-in speakers | Drive | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Belt Drive | 14.1 lb | 2 year |
| Fluance RT80 Classic High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Belt Drive | 9.9 lb | 2-year |
| Crosley C100A-SI Record Player | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 9.5 lb | 1-year |
How we ranked these turntables
Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Built-in phono preamp weight 2
- Bluetooth weight 1
- USB audio to computer weight 1
- Built-in speakers weight 1
Buying advice: turntable with counterweight
Start with the counterweight
A counterweight sets the tracking force, which is how hard the stylus presses into the record groove. All three turntables here have an adjustable counterweight: the Fluance RT81 and RT80 pair it with a balanced aluminum S-Type tonearm, and the Crosley C100A-SI pairs it with an aluminum tonearm, a cueing lever and anti-skate control. Set the counterweight to the cartridge maker's figure before you play a record, and check it again after you change a cartridge.
Compare the cartridge next
The cartridge decides what the stylus reads from the groove. The RT81 carries an Audio Technica AT95E with a diamond elliptical tipped stylus, the RT80 carries an Audio Technica AT91 with a diamond tipped stylus, and the Crosley carries a pre-mounted moving magnet Audio-Technica cartridge, model ATN3600L, on a standard 1/2-inch mount. The Crosley removable headshell allows cartridge upgrades, so a buyer who plans to swap cartridges later should weigh that feature.
Check the preamp and outputs
All three turntables here have a built-in preamp, so each one connects to a stereo without a separate phono stage. The Fluance RT81 and RT80 use a built-in Texas Instruments preamp with a ground terminal and gold plated RCA line outputs, and the Crosley uses a built-in switchable preamp with RCA outputs for a stereo or powered external speakers. A switchable preamp lets you bypass it later if you add a separate phono stage.
Frequently asked questions
What does a counterweight do on a turntable?
It sets the tracking force, which is how hard the stylus presses into the record groove. All three turntables here have an adjustable counterweight, so set it to the cartridge maker's figure before you play a record.
Do these turntables need a separate preamp?
No. All three have a built-in preamp: the Fluance RT81 and RT80 use a Texas Instruments preamp, and the Crosley uses a switchable preamp with RCA outputs.
What comes in the box with the Crosley?
The Crosley comes with a 12-inch slipmat and a 45 adapter, plus a clear dust cover. Its removable headshell allows cartridge upgrades.
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Nov 13, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.