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Head-to-head · Best Turntables Under $500

Sony PS-LX310BT vs Sony PS-LX3BT

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Sony PS-LX310BT comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.8 vs 4.0). Sony PS-LX310BT is best for: First-time vinyl buyers who want plug-and-play simplicity, automation, and the ability to stream records to wireless speakers or headphones. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Sony PS-LX310BT
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Turntables Under $500
Sony PS-LX310BT
3 sources$448as of Oct 11

The Sony PS-LX310BT is the convenience champion of the group: fully automatic, with Bluetooth to up to eight devices, a built-in three-setting phono stage, and USB ripping, all for well under $300. What Hi-Fi calls it one of the best 'my first turntable' decks it has heard. It is plastic-heavy and not the most resolving here, but for hassle-free, wireless-friendly vinyl it is unbeatable value.

Strengths
  • — Fully automatic operation: one button starts, plays, and returns the arm
  • — Bluetooth pairs with up to 8 wireless speakers or headphones
  • — Smooth, speed-stable, listenable sound that punches above its price
Watch-outs
  • — Mostly plastic construction feels lightweight
  • — Bluetooth output is convenient but not audiophile-grade
  • — Fixed cartridge limits the upgrade path
$448 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Sony PS-LX3BT
Ranked #3 in Best Turntables Under $500
Sony PS-LX3BT
3 sources$249.99as of Oct 11

The Sony PS-LX3BT is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable with a built-in switchable phono stage and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, launched as the replacement for the PS-LX310BT. What Hi-Fi gave it five stars for a composed, well-organised sound and called it hard to top as an affordable way to get records spinning; Trusted Reviews scored it 4.5 out of 5 and found it consistent over wired and wireless connections. TechRadar was much cooler at 3 out of 5, objecting to the cheap-feeling plastic chassis, the proprietary built-in cartridge and a $399 launch price it considered too high for an entry-level deck.

Strengths
  • — Fully automatic: start and stop buttons cue and return the tonearm
  • — Robust, well-organised sound with excellent detail levels, per What Hi-Fi
  • — Built-in switchable phono stage with a three-position gain setting
Watch-outs
  • — Lightweight, cheap-feeling plastic chassis and buttons, noted by What Hi-Fi, Trusted Reviews and TechRadar
  • — Built-in cartridge cannot be swapped; Sony says only its own replacement stylus is supported, TechRadar reports
  • — No AAC Bluetooth, so Sony's own recent headphones fall back to SBC, per Trusted Reviews
$249.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Sony PS-LX310BT

The Sony PS-LX310BT and its successor, the Sony PS-LX3BT, are the two fully automatic Bluetooth decks here, and like the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB both include a built-in phono stage. Its plastic build and fixed cartridge mean it trails the AT-LP120XUSB and U-Turn Orbit Plus on upgradeability.

Sony PS-LX3BT

The PS-LX3BT is the successor to the Sony PS-LX310BT also listed here and keeps the same recipe: fully automatic belt drive, Bluetooth and a built-in phono stage. Unlike the manual Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB and U-Turn Orbit Plus, its cartridge is fixed to the tonearm, so upgrades stop at replacing the stylus.

Specs side-by-side

SpecSony PS-LX310BTSony PS-LX3BT
DriveBelt drive, fully automaticBelt drive
PlatterDie-cast aluminumDie-cast aluminium with rubber mat
Speeds33⅓, 45 RPM33⅓, 45 RPM
BluetoothYes (up to 8 devices)Yes, aptX Adaptive
Phono PreampBuilt-in, 3 gain settings—
OutputsRCA, USBHard-wired stereo RCA cable
Dimensions430 x 108 x 367 mm16.93"L x 14.45"W x 4.72"H
Weight7.72 lb3.5 kg
MaterialPlasticMetal
Operation—Fully automatic
Record Sizes—7-inch and 12-inch
Cartridge—Built-in moving magnet, replaceable stylus, 3.5 g tracking force
Phono Stage—Built-in, switchable (phono/line), 3-step gain
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