The vinyl format is back – and it’s here to stay. With a huge spike in popularity over the latest years, major music gear brands have opted to revive the format in the best way possible.
With lots of new products seeing the light of day, interesting trends occur. One of the most noticeable niche products in this category is suitcase record players.
Decorated like a vintage suitcase, these turntables are sure to bring an energetic 80’s feel into any space. Tag along as we closely review and compare the top 5 best suitcase turntables on the market as of today.
Product Overview
| Model | Rating | Audio | Features | Build | Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Victrola 3-Speed Turntable | 4.4 | B+ | A | A | A+ |
 |
JORLAI Vinyl Player | 4.5 | A | A+ | A | A |
 |
Crosley Executive | 4.5 | A | A+ | A | A |
 |
Crosley Cruiser Deluxe | 4 | A | A | A | A |
 |
ClearClick VT30 | 3.8 | B+ | A+ | A | B+ |
What is a Suitcase Record Player?
Though it may seem obvious, we’ll quickly fill you in on some background. As the name suggests, these units are masked as suitcases. It gives them a captivating and vintage look and makes them highly portable.
Suitcase turntables are usually at the cheaper end of the price spectrum. Most units are priced somewhere between $50 and $130. For regular turntables, some of the higher quality units go as high as $300 or above.
Briefcase turntables are meant to be portable and easy to move around. They’re also meant for casual use which means they’re easy to figure out even if you’re not much of a soundwiz (no pun intended). They’re versatile and intuitive units that generally pack a lot of value at a competitive price.
Pretty much all suitcase vinyl players act as all-in-one music entertainment centers. First, they all have built-in speakers. Second, not only can you play vinyl, but you can also connect your smartphone using Bluetooth and AUX to play music through the internal speaker.
This isn’t the pinnacle of sound quality for an audiophile. If sound quality is Alpha Omega to you, you may want to look in a different direction and get a regular record player. If, however, you’re looking for a handy and affordable all-in-one solution that you can bring on the go, a suitcase turntable is ideal.
Top Suitcase Turntables Reviewed
We thoroughly reviewed the top models on the market. We compared them based on points such as aesthetics, sound quality, built quality, features, and value.
1. Victrola 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player
B+
A
A
A+
33, 45 & 78 RPM
Bluetooth & AUX
RCA & Headphone jack
AC/DC power
13,9 x 10,1 x 5 inches
5,07 lbs
The Victrola suitcase turntable is by far the most popular unit on the market. Known for their nostalgic designs and premium sound quality, Victrola has been in business for more than 100 years. Surviving that long in a tough industry is a remark of their product quality.
This suitcase record player is easy to use, versatile in terms of functionality and comes in about 20 different and exciting colorways. Whether you like a psychedelic, minimalistic or vintage look, you can rest assured that there’s a version for you.
The Victrola 3-speed suitcase record player can play vinyl records at 33, 45 and 78 RPM. No matter which type of vinyl you’re looking to play, this unit got you covered.
This turntable is much more than just a vinyl player. It has both AUX and Bluetooth functionality at its disposal. Therefore, it acts as an all-in-one portable music player solution. If you want to listen privately, there’s also a jack for headphones so you can enjoy music discreetly.
The Bluetooth connectivity is one of this Victrola’s greatest perks. It enables you to connect any Bluetooth device within a 33-feet radius to the Victrola and play music through its speakers. It’s simple. Just connect on the fly, and you can play right away.
One of the biggest wins with suitcase record players is the fact that they’re portable. The Victrola is no exception. It closes like a regular suitcase would and features a sturdy carry strap so you can take it with you.
Generally speaking, the turntable build feels pretty good. The materials used are lightweight but are sure to withstand ordinary wear from moving about.
There isn’t much to say about the sound quality. It’s decent, but it isn’t the best. Since it is a very cheap unit, it is to be expected that the manufacturer will save money somewhere in the build. It seems that the only compromises are the speakers and the cartridge.
It is worth noting that this unit must be connected to an AC/DC outlet to function. There’s no battery in this unit. Also, it has an RCA output so you can connect it to a better pair of speakers if needed.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Solid build quality
- Plenty of handy features
Cons
- No internal battery
- Audio quality in speakers not impressive
Conclusion: As for the price, it’s amazing what you’re getting for your money. The Victrola offers so much regarding functionality at an extremely competitive price. If you’re not looking to spend a whole fortune, this suitcase turntable may be the ideal choice for you.
2. JORLAI Vinyl Record Player
A
A+
A
A
33, 45 & 78 RPM
Bluetooth, USB & AUX
RCA & Headphone jack
AC/DC power & Battery
13,78 x 9,84 x 4,72 inches
6,18 lbs
Moving on to the new kid on the block – the JORLAI vinyl record player. For an upcoming manufacturer, the JORLAI is getting immense traction and features as the #1 new release at multiple vendors.
Now, this was a turntable that really got us excited. As with all products we’re unfamiliar with, we don’t really expect much going into it. However, we were greatly surprised by the audio quality of the JORLAI hipster briefcase vinyl player. Comparing the built-in speakers of the JORLAI and the Victrola via Bluetooth, the JORLAI won slightly. However, when it came to the actual audio reproduction of vinyl, the JORLAI put the Victrola to shame. This probably comes down to a better cartridge and better speakers.
Like the Victrola, the JORLAI brings Bluetooth and AUX connectivity to the table making it a fully functional all-in-one audio entertainment solution. On top of that, the JORLAI has a USB output. This allows you to connect the turntable to your PC and save your vinyl tracks into MP3 files — a perfect way to digitalize the old analog songs while maintaining the rustic vintage sound.
This suitcase record player can play vinyl records at 33, 45 and 78 RPM so you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
As for build quality, the JORLAI is pretty solid. The exterior materials used don’t seem to cheap and nor does the internal hardware. We’d be surprised if this unit gave in without a significant amount of wear. It comes in five different colorways – turquoise, white, lavender, blue and wood.
Pros
- Very good speaker sound quality
- Built-in battery makes it highly portable
- Lots of connectivity options (USB, AUX & Bluetooth)
Cons
- Fairly unknown brand with minimal history and authority
Conclusion: All in all, the JORLAI is a robust and versatile suitcase turntable that’ll get the job done nicely. It’s straightforward to use, and it doesn’t have any obvious shortcomings. The price tag is slightly higher than that of the Victrola, but it is reasoned with better sound quality and USB-connectivity.
3. Crosley Executive Portable USB Turntable
A
A+
A
A
33, 45 & 78 RPM
Bluetooth, USB & AUX
RCA & Headphone jack
AC/DC power
14 x 5 x 12 inches
7 lbs
The next addition to the list is the Crosley CR6019D Executive turntable. This one looks amazing! In the Brown/Black colorway, this unit almost looks like something Newt Scamander carries around in the “Fantastic Beasts” universe.
Like the two precursors, the Crosley Executive can play at all three common speeds: 33, 45 and 78 RPM.
To make this unit all the more interesting, it features Bluetooth, auxiliary and USB connectivity. This means you can play tunes directly from your smartphone through the built-in speakers on the Executive using Bluetooth. If you want to go the old-school AUX way, there’s also room for that. With a USB output, the Crosley Executive can quickly be hooked up to your PC. From here, you can forever digitalize your old records by turning them into MP3-files. Like the other models, this turntable has RCA outputs that allow it to work together with external speakers.
The built-in speaker quality on the Crosley suitcase vinyl player really impressed us. The dynamic full-range stereo speakers sound crisp and balanced. On some cheap units, the lower frequencies tend to get mushy, but the Executive does a great job here!
As you may have caught earlier, I’m a huge fan of the feel and look of this suitcase turntable. Whereas some of the others look vintage, this unit looks almost antique. With three different colorways, there should be something for most tastes.
Moving on to the build quality. Since this unit is relatively cheap, I expected the materials to be knock-off third tier stuff. However, this unit feels as authentic as it looks. With real leather along the edges and aged metallics, this record player is a must for anyone who likes a bit of relic.
Pros
- Plenty of connectivity options
- Great dynamic full-range stereo speakers
- Vintage look with quality materials
Cons
- Heavier than most competitors
- Could use a built-in battery
Conclusion: If you like modern technology in a seemingly antique package, the Crosley Executive seems like a solid choice for you.
4. Crosley Cruiser Deluxe
Another addition to the list from Crosley makes its mark. This time, we’re looking at the Cruiser Deluxe. This ravishing record player has a distinct look that will bring character to any setting. Especially the fabric-wrapped models bring a unique feel and look to the table.
A
A
A
A
33, 45 & 78 RPM
Bluetooth, USB & AUX
RCA & Headphone jack
AC/DC power
14 x 10,5 x 4,63 inches
5,5 lbs
So, what’s this portable turntable capable of?
When looking at features and hardware, it is quite similar to the Crosley Executive. It plays at three speeds (33, 45 and 78 RPM), it has Bluetooth-functionality and a pair of built-in full-range stereo speakers. An AUX input, an RCA output, and a headphone jack output are also present like on the Executive-model. Both models even have identical ceramic cartridges and needles.
So, what’s the difference?
First, the Crosley Cruiser Deluxe is cheaper than the Executive. Due to this, the USB-connectivity option has been dropped on this model. This means you cannot connect the unit to your PC to digitalize your vinyl.
On the other hand, this unit weighs only 5.5 lbs, which is 1.5 lbs less than the Executive-model.
Pros
- Unique and warm look with various colorways
- Light-weight
- Solid audio quality
Cons
- Could use USB-functionality
- Doesn't offer as much value for the money as some other products
- Lacks an internal battery
Conclusion: If you wanna save a few bucks on your record player purchase and don’t need USB-functionality, the Cruiser Deluxe may be a better option than the Cruiser Executive. When comparing this unit to the previously mentioned models, it just falls short of the top. It simply doesn’t bring as much value to the table as some of the equally priced competitors.
5. ClearClick VT30 – Classic Wooden Retro Style
Just as you were getting bored by all the turntables looking like each other comes the ClearClick VT30. This product takes a very interesting and unarguably different approach. It’s round!
B+
A+
A
B+
33, 45 & 78 RPM
Bluetooth, USB & AUX
RCA & Headphone jack
AC/DC power
18 x 15,2 x 8,5 inches
7,5 lbs
Its unique shape and detailed and relic leather exterior give it history. It looks like an antique family heirloom that has been passed on to the firstborn for several generations.
Don’t let the skin fool you. Inside the casing, you’ll find a fully functional and efficient turntable. Like the previously mentioned products, this unit features all of the common nifty functionality you could imagine.
It plays at three different speeds depending on the records – 33, 45 and 78 RPM. Seems to be a trend with these suitcase vinyl players. It is Bluetooth-enabled, meaning you can pair it with any other Bluetooth device and stream music through the internal speakers on the suitcase. Additionally, you have an AUX input if you wanna go the old-fashioned route.
For outputs – like the other products mentioned – you have RCA and a headphone jack. Like some of the other products at the higher end of the price spectrum, the ClearClick VT30 has a USB output that lets you convert your records to digital MP3 files. It comes bundled with software for both PC and Mac that’ll help you get the job done. We tested it and it was intuitive and efficient.
The audio quality isn’t anything to call home about. The quality is alright but not great. We were slightly disappointed by the quality as we expected more from a product with this price tag.
Pros
- Captivating and unique look
- Robust build quality
- Has all the features you'd want
Cons
- Heavier than the competition
- The pricing is a little high
- Sound quality not impressive
Conclusion: With the ClearClick VT30, you pay a little extra for the design. However, I wouldn’t blame you for falling in love with it. It’s absolutely beautiful. As for design and functionality, this suitcase turntable absolutely nails it. All the important features are covered and the build feels sturdy. It falls short in terms of audio quality and pricing so if you’re picky with sound, you may want to opt for another unit.
Buying Considerations
Built-In Speakers
Almost all suitcase record players have built-in speakers. This is what makes them so easy to use and move around with you on the go. While the chances of coming across a unit without speakers are slim, do make sure to check whether speakers are built into the unit or not. Having built-in speakers in your unit is a great pro.
Power Options
Another thing to take note of is the power options that a suitcase turntable offers. Some units require being wired while others run on battery and have to be charged every now and then. Both options have their pros and cons. Generally speaking, having the unit run on rechargeable batteries gives you more freedom. You can bring it with you wherever you want, and it’s easy to move it around. If you hate charging it all the time, you can just leave it in an electrical outlet.
Connectivity Options
Most of these units feature Bluetooth and AUX connectivity. On top of that, some of them have an USB-output that lets you save your records as MP3-files on your PC or Mac. For some, the USB-connectivity is nice to have, but usually, units get a little more expensive with this functionality.
If you’re looking to save a bit of money and you’re not interested in USB-functionality then you may want to go for a unit without it.
The post Top 5 Best Suitcase Record Players to Buy in 2019 appeared first on SoundWiz.
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