14 best vinyl records
Vinyl records, often referred to simply as "vinyl," are a format for recording and playing back audio. They have a long history and remain popular among collectors and music enthusiasts, especially in genres like rap and hip-hop. Here's what you need to know about vinyl records:
Format: Vinyl records are flat, circular discs made of vinyl plastic. They are typically 12 inches in diameter, although there are also 7-inch and 10-inch variants. These records are engraved with grooves that contain the audio information.
Groove and Needle: Sound is stored on vinyl records in a continuous spiral groove. To play the audio, a stylus or needle is placed at the start of the groove, and as the record spins, the needle follows the groove, reproducing the recorded sound. The physical nature of this process contributes to the characteristic warmth and depth of vinyl audio.
LPs and Singles: Vinyl records come in two main formats:
- Long Play (LP): These are 12-inch records that typically contain full albums. They rotate at 33 1/3 revolutions per minute (RPM) and provide a longer playing time per side.
- Singles: 7-inch records that usually contain one song on each side. They rotate at 45 RPM and are often used for individual songs or promotional releases.
Album Artwork: Vinyl records often feature elaborate album artwork and liner notes. The larger format of LPs allows for more detailed and artistic cover designs, which have become iconic in music history.
Sound Quality: Vinyl records are known for their unique sound quality, characterized by warm tones, rich textures, and a unique analog "hiss" or "crackle." Many audiophiles appreciate the organic and authentic sound of vinyl.
Resurgence in Popularity: While vinyl records faced a decline with the rise of digital formats like CDs and MP3s, they have experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Collectors and music enthusiasts appreciate vinyl for its tactile and nostalgic qualities.
Limited Pressings and Collectibility: Vinyl records are often produced in limited quantities, especially for certain artists or special editions. This limited availability can make vinyl records highly collectible and valuable.
DJ Culture: Vinyl records have been an integral part of DJ culture, particularly in genres like rap and hip-hop. DJs use turntables to manipulate vinyl records, creating unique mixes and beats.
Care and Maintenance: Vinyl records require proper care to maintain their sound quality. This includes storing them upright, keeping them away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, and cleaning them regularly to remove dust and debris.
Record Players: To play vinyl records, you need a turntable or record player equipped with a stylus. Modern turntables often come with features like USB connectivity for digitizing vinyl audio.
Record Stores: Vinyl records are often sold in independent record stores, as well as online retailers. Record stores can be a treasure trove for collectors, offering both new releases and vintage records.
In summary, vinyl records are a beloved and enduring format for music playback, cherished for their unique sound quality, tactile experience, and cultural significance. They continue to hold a special place in the world of music, including within rap and hip-hop communities.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best vinyl records on the market
Happier Than Ever [2 LP] [Amazon]
Darkroom/Interscope
Product description
Billie Eilish has announced her highly anticipated sophomore album, Happier Than Ever. The 16-track studio album will be released via Darkroom/Interscope. Continuing the tradition from her multi-GRAMMY Award, record-breaking debut album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, this album features no outside songwriters or producers, and was written by Billie and her brother FINNEAS who produced the album in LA. Includes hit singles "Therefore I Am" and "my future." Amazon Exclusive 2 LP.
The Dark Side of the Moon
Legacy
Product description
PINK FLOYD / DARK SIDE OF MOON - Vinyl LP. The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth album by the English rock band Pink Floyd. Originally released on 1 March 1973, on the label Harvest, it built on ideas explored in the band's earlier recordings and live shows, but departs from instrumental thematic by founding member Syd Barrett. The album explores themes including conflict, greed, the passage of time, and mental illness, the latter partly inspired by Barrett's deteriorating mental state. - Developed during live performances, an early version was premiered several months before recording began; new material was recorded in two sessions in 1972 and 1973 at Abbey Road in London. The group used some advanced recording techniques at the time, including multitrack recording and tape loops. Analogue synthesizers were prominent in several tracks, and snippets from recorded interviews with Pink Floyd's road crew and others provided philosophical quotations throughout. Engineer Alan Parsons was responsible for many distinctively notable sonic aspects and the recruitment of non-lexical singer Clare Torry. The album's iconic sleeve, designed by Storm Thorgerson, depicts a prism dispersing light into colour and represents the band's lighting, the record's thematic material, and keyboardist Richard Wright's "simple and bold" design request. •Stereo remastered album on heavyweight 180g vinyl •Original UK release date: March 1973 •Certified 15 times platinum in the US and 14 times platinum in the UK •Reached number one in the UK and the US •Topped Billboard Top LPs and Tapes and charted for 741 weeks from 1973 to 1988 •Pink Floyd's most commercially successful album and one of the best selling worldwide 2016 version Remastered from the original analogue tapes by James Guthrie, Joel Plante, and Bernie Grundman>
In The Heights (Official Motion Picture Soundtrack)(Vinyl)
Atlantic
Product description
The creator of “Hamilton” and the director of “Crazy Rich Asians” invite you to a cinematic event, where the streets are made of music and little dreams become big... “In the Heights.” Lights up on Washington Heights...The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life. “In the Heights” fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M. Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience.
Victrola Navigator 8-in-1 Classic Bluetooth Record Player with USB Encoding and 3-speed Turntable
Victrola
Product description
If you are looking for a record player loaded with features, you are in the right place. The Victrola Navigator 8-in-1 Solid Wood Record Player is a perfect blend of modern technology and classic nostalgic design. Perfect for vinyl lovers with its 3-speed turntable, the Navigator features a CD Player, a cassette tape player, and an FM radio with analog tuner. With built-in Bluetooth, you can now stream music from your tablet, smartphone or MP3 using Bluetooth. That’s not all – with 3.5mm Auxiliary Input, USB port and Headphone jack, the turntable opens a world of music possibilities that were unimaginable in the earlier vinyl days. This stylish retro turntable designed with real wood construction and smart front paneling is a great conversation piece!
- 8-in-1 ENTERTAINMENT CENTER – With vintage looks & modern features, this turntable not only plays your Vinyls, but also has a CD & cassette player, FM radio, Bluetooth, and Aux & headphone jack for audio streaming from your smartphone
- NO STEREO SYSTEM OR EXTRA EQUIPMENT REQUIRED. Get it up and running in minutes. Retro looks combined with the convenience of modern technology make this record player a great value - ideal for beginners & vintage enthusiasts alike
- THREE SPEED BELT-DRIVEN TURNTABLE – This 3-speed (33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm) record player features UPGRADED PREMIUM SOUND QUALITY with minimum vibrations. It is perfect for your living room, bedroom or office and a great choice for vinyl lovers
- ALL THE CONTROLS YOU NEED – Features a volume knob, FM tuner and easy click buttons for input select, power, play/pause/forward/rewind, eject, program, shuffle, repeat, and a full function remote control
- EXPANDED CONNECTION OPTIONS – Extend the sound by connecting external speakers or an amplifier via the RCA Line outputs. For personal listening, plug your headphones into the headphone jack
User questions & answers
| Question: | Will this work with blue tooth speakers |
| Answer: | Dear Customer, Thanks for your inquiry. Our record player support 33/45/78rpm selectable speed. Any other questions please feel free to contact us Best wishes WOCKODER Direct Customer Service |
| Question: | What is the USB file format and quality (bits per second) for vta-600b? e.g. mp3? wav? ogg |
| Answer: | Yes.I and my mom really loves it!! After this player arrived, I immediately conducted a test. After the test, I have some small questions beacuse I use error and contacted the WOCKODER after-sales team in time. They guided me to use and gave some precautions for use. I really like it easy to use. I recommend that if you need it as a gift, it's better to test the product in advance. Because the products can free return from Amazon within 30 days and the seller is helpful. |
| Question: | When playing CD's, the beginning of each song fades in, very annoying. Is there a way to turn this feature off |
| Answer: | Yes, the top can be closed/down when a record is playing |
| Question: | Does this model have jacks for ext. speakers |
| Answer: | Hey there! Thanks for your inquiry. Our record player itself has built-in speaker and if you want to better sound you can connect with external speaker via audio cable.you can also connect our record player with your phone via bluetooth . This is the email address from our after sales team: [email protected] Any other questions please feel free to contact us Best wishes WOCKODER Customer Service |
Product features
8-in-1 Bluetooth Nostalgic Entertainment Center
This beautiful Wooden Music Center features 8 ways to play all your music! Featuring a 3-Speed Turntable (33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM), Bluetooth, CD and Cassette Player, FM Radio, USB, Headphone port and Aux-In Jack. Additionally, you can record from vinyl records directly to your computer (Mac and PC compatible software and USB cable included).
Turntable with Recording Function
3-Speed Turntable (33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM) plays all your favorite vinyl records and albums. Additionally, you can record from vinyl records directly to your computer (Mac and PC compatible software and USB cable included).
8-in-1 Wooden Music Center
Bluetooth capability lets you stream your music wirelessly (up to 33 feet). A 3.5mm Aux-In jack allows you to play music from any non-Bluetooth device. This unit also includes a built-in CD Player, USB Player, FM Radio, RCA and headphone jack.
Cassette Player
Enjoy listening to all of your favorite tapes with this beautiful, real wooden music centers built-in cassette player.
50 LP Inner Sleeves Anti Static Round Bottom 33 RPM 12" Vinyl Record Sleeves Provide Your LP Collection with The Proper Protection - Invest In Vinyl
Product description
You’ve invested the money and time to build it – now properly protect it. Every avid collector knows the importance of proper protection and preservation. Invest in Vinyl’s industry-leading premium, anti Static round bottom Inner record sleeves are the best in the business. Manufactured by one of the country’s largest collectors and sellers of vintage records, Invest in Vinyl buys, collects, stores, and sells hundreds of thousands of records every year – and knows both the importance of proper album protection and the right way to do it. Invest in Vinyl’s LP sleeves will ensure your vintage albums, vinyl records, and album covers are preserved and enjoyed for years to come.
- SUPERIOR RECORD PROTECTION guards record collections, protecting your priceless vintage records from scratches, scuff marks, and tears, while keeping out dirt, dust and liquid – ensuring years of protection for your prized record collection
- ARCHIVAL QUALITY premium anti-static round bottom inner sleeve, the industry-leading design, is thicker than standard record sleeves, providing the durability and protective longevity required by record inner sleeve and vinyl record storage best practices
- ACID FREE construction ensures no risk of vinyl deterioration or label discoloration over time, safely preserving your most prized vinyl records –this is the proper way to store your pain-stakingly-built vinyl record collection
- ANTI STATIC to ensure your records reject static electricity that can damage vinyl by attracting harmful dust and dirt
- PERFECT FIT inner sleeves are optimally designed to fit a single 12" record, there is no excess paper at the top of the sleeve after inserting the record
User questions & answers
| Question: | My order yesterday is not what i thought it was. i needed 12” square covers for my albums. i need to retur and reorder. what do i need to do |
| Answer: | Yes |
| Question: | I'm looking for laserdisc replacement sleeves. Has anyone tried this sleeve on a laserdisc |
| Answer: | Not that I know of. These would hold a disc of 12" approximately. |
| Question: | Do these round section of the covers perfectly fit the vinyl or is there some space remaining |
| Answer: | Records fit fine in the sleeve but the round part of the sleeves don't go inside the album cover as easy as the square ones do. I used these once and went back to the square ones. Fit a lot better. |
| Question: | What material are these made from |
| Answer: | They are made out of thin, clear vinyl. |
Product features
We got you covered...literally.
Whatever your preference may be in record sleeves, we got you covered. We offer a variety of styles of both inner and outer vinyl record sleeves.
Experts in Record Preservation
Invest In Vinyl has one of the largest inventories of vinyl records anywhere in the world. We have developed sleeves with preservation and presentation in mind.
Investments
Worth
Protecting
21
Xl Recordings
Product description
Named as the Greatest Billboard Top 200 Album of All Time, 21 is the second studio album from the multiple Brit, Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe award-winning, Adele. Available as single CD and single vinyl LP. Released in 2011, 21 is now the best-selling album of the 21st Century, with over 31 million copies sold worldwide. Tracklisting Side A: 1. Rolling in the Deep 2. Rumour Has It 3. Turning Tables 4. Don't You Remember 5. Set fire to the rain 6. He won't go side B: 1. Take it all 2. I'll be waiting 3. One and only 4. Lovesong 5. Someone like you.
Record Cleaner - 4 in 1 Vinyl Record Cleaner Kit - Includes Ultra-Soft Velvet Brush, XL Cleaning Liquid, Brush Cleaner and Turntable Stylus Cleaning Gel - Vinyl Records Collection Cleaning Kits
- The Only Vinyl Cleaner Kit You'll Ever Need: Extreme care & regular maintenance is paramount for every vinyl album collection, big or small. But when it comes to vinyl cleaning kits, the EVEO 4in1 Vinyl Care Set stands out from all the rest as it provides all the efficient tools to clean, preserve, restore & protect your precious collection. Our complete vinyl record cleaner kit comes with a velvet brush & cleaning fluid for your albums, and a cleaning gel for your turntable
- A Perfectly Flat Velvet Record Brush for Safe Cleaning: The moment you take an album from your vinyl record storage, it's instantly exposed to dust & dirt. Our velvet cleaner for vinyl records is made perfectly flat so that it remains stable as you work around the record, preventing the brush from tipping over and causing scratches to your precious vinyl. It isn't recommended to touch the velvet brush with your fingers, so always use the small nylon brush to remove dust & dirt from it
- Efficient Cleaning System for your Vinyl Record Player: Our 4in1 Vinyl Record Cleaner Kit includes a proprietary cleaning gel specially made for the most important & most delicate part of the player. Without having to touch the needle, it safely removes dust & other minute particles so you'll get crisper, optimal sound experience every time
- Vinyl Record Cleaner Specially Made to Support Your Passion: Every product from EVEO is designed & manufactured under the highest standards of quality in the industry. We ensure that every box of the EVEO 4in1 Vinyl Cleaning Kit is carefully inspected before it heads to your doorstep. And as we stand by the quality of our vinyl record cleaner, please do know that you can reach out to us if ever you have concerns with your purchase. Your happiness is our top priority
- Ideal Gift for Vinyl Lovers & Audiophiles Alike: Housed in a gorgeous, classic black metal case, the 4in1 Vinyl Cleaning Kit is the best gift you can give not just for yourself but for anyone who's passionate about listening to vinyl records. This amazing vinyl cleaner kit that helps in prolonging the life of the vinyl albums, maintaining longevity of the turntable & improving overall sound quality after every use sure is a great investment
User questions & answers
| Question: | Can we buy extra cleaning fluid? I have several older records that need to be cleaned |
| Answer: | It works great with coarse salt, but I don't know what adding kelp to the mixture would do. I suspect it would be fine, but as I don't use kelp, I don't know for sure. |
| Question: | How do I clean the velvet brush |
| Answer: | This is why I bought this. It grinds from the top so there is no shake coming from a bottom shaker. This is the one to buy!!! |
| Question: | Does this cleaner somehow improve sound quality |
| Answer: | Two mills. One for salt and one for pepper |
| Question: | What are the ingredients of the cleaning fluid |
| Answer: | Two mills. One for salt and one for pepper. |
SOUR [Transparent Violet LP] [Amazon]
Geffen
Product description
Record-breaking OLIVIA RODRIGO is releasing her debut album featuring the global smash "drivers license" and her current hit "deja vu." Transparent Violet LP. Amazon Exclusive.
Legend [Vinyl]
Universal Music Group
Product description
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend Vinyl LP. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend Vinyl LPDisc 1Side 11: Is This Love2: No Woman, No Cry3: Could You Be Loved
Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition)(2LP)
Warner Bros.
Product description
'Moonlight' edition of the second studio album by the British singer, featuring the singles 'Don't Start Now', 'Physical', 'Break My Heart', 'Hallucinate' and 'Levitating'. Musically, 'Future Nostalgia' has been described by Lipa as a 'dancercise class'. She stated that its songs incorporate genres of disco and pop, inspired by artists such as Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Moloko, Blondie and OutKast. This 'Moonlight' edition features eight bonus tracks.
Heroes: Silencio Y Rock & Roll (2LP+2CD)
Wea Spain
Product description
Deluxe double vinyl LP includes bonus two CD edition. 2021 release. This soundtrack to the documentary tells the story of Spanish rock band Heroes del Silencio since their very beginning to their rise to stardom. It's a movie about friendship, music and compromise. It's the story of their lives, their history - their legend.
Thriller
Legacy
Product description
Tracklist:
Nevermind
Geffen / SubPop
Product description
Limited 180gm vinyl pressing of this classic 1991 album from Kurt Cobain and the boys. Nevermind became a surprise success in late 1991, largely due to the popularity of its first single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit". By January 1992, it had replaced Michael Jackson's album Dangerous at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album also produced three other successful singles: "Come as You Are", "Lithium", and "In Bloom". The Recording Industry Association of America has certified the album Diamond (over 10 million copies shipped), and the album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Nevermind was responsible for bringing Alternative Rock to a large mainstream audience, and has been ranked highly on lists of the greatest albums of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone and Time.
KOD [LP]
INTERSCOPE
Product description
Standard weight, black vinyl in a gatefold jacket.
Latest Reviews
View all
Juicer Blender For Fruits
- Updated: 23.05.2023
- Read reviews
The Body Shop Eye Vitamins
- Updated: 17.01.2023
- Read reviews
Carhartt Baby Car Seats
- Updated: 09.06.2023
- Read reviews
Unknown Curly Hair Extensions
- Updated: 10.07.2023
- Read reviews
Hemorrhoid Creams
- Updated: 16.03.2023
- Read reviews