Crosley Record Player Review: Hidden Gems You Probably Missed

Two friends started collecting records around the same time.

One grabbed a Crosley Cruiser from Target, plugged it in, and threw on a Fleetwood Mac reissue. The other waited, saved up, and bought a setup three times the price.

Fast-forward a year: the Crosley friend was still spinning every weekend-same suitcase record player, same built-in speakers, same ritual. The “audiophile” setup? Still in its box.

Say what you will about Crosley, but it gets people spinning. And that’s more than most brands can claim.

This guide isn’t here to roast or glorify-it’s to show where Crosley shines, which models to avoid, and the surprising turntables that prove there’s more to the brand than nostalgia and pastels.

We’re not here to hate or hype—we just dug through Crosley’s full catalog to see what’s actually worth it. From the colorful suitcase players to the surprisingly capable turntables no one talks about, here’s the full breakdown of where Crosley shines (and where it doesn’t).

Table of Contents

In this guide, we’ll break down the full range of Crosley record players-from the budget suitcases you see in every Target aisle to the overlooked turntables that actually hold their own against brands like Audio-Technica and Sony. Whether you’re just starting out, shopping on a tight budget, or looking for an affordable upgrade that won’t wreck your records, you’ll see exactly what Crosley offers (and which ones are worth your time).

1. Crosley Record Players: More Than Just the Suitcase Thing
2. So You’re Thinking About a Crosley Record Player…
3. How to Pick the Best Crosley Record Player For You
4. Best Crosley Record Players
5. Best Crosley Turntables
6. Conclusion: Crosley’s Real Legacy: The Brand That Got Everyone Spinning

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Crosley Record Players: More Than Just the Suitcase Thing

Maybe you’ve never been on Crosley’s website. I hadn’t either-at least not until recently.

And honestly, why would you? Everyone already knows what Crosley is. The suitcase record players. The pastel colors. The ones sitting in the electronics aisle at Target that somehow end up in every dorm room and Instagram reel.

But here’s what threw me—there’s a lot more to Crosley than that.

One night I started poking around their site out of curiosity, and I went down a bit of a rabbit hole. They’ve got actual turntables now. Some of them are pretty decent, like proper entry-level decks that could hang with Audio-Technica or Fluance. There’s even furniture built for vinyl—media consoles, record stands, all that mid-century looking stuff—and these fun, random side pieces like radios, cassette players, even CD units. It’s a weird but kind of cool mix.

And it made me realize something: Crosley isn’t trying to be “audiophile.” They’re trying to make vinyl feel fun again. Sure, some of their cheaper models are rough, but they also make gear that’s a step above what most people think they do.

So we took an even deeper look into some of these things—and here’s what we found hiding under the surface.

So You’re Thinking About a Crosley Record Player…

If you’re shopping for your first record player, perfect—you’re exactly who Crosley was built for.

They’ve always been the easy on-ramp. No preamps, no cables to match, no three-hour YouTube deep dive just to hear your first record. You plug it in, drop the needle, and you’re in. That’s what made them huge in the first place. Crosley didn’t just sell record players—they sold access. They made vinyl simple again.

What you do need to know is what kind of record player you actually want – because in the Crosley world, there are really two types.

Beyond that, there are some really fun vintage pieces in Crosley’s lineup — radios, cassette decks, CD players, and mid-century-style furniture that actually fits modern spaces.

Feel free to explore their site for that side of things, but this guide is focused on one goal: helping you pick the right record player for you.

How to Pick the Best Crosley Record Player for You

So you’re set. Awesome – let’s get you spinning as quickly as possible.

Really, it comes down to two simple questions: what’s your budget, and how do you want to listen?

Let’s start with budget.

If you’re working with around $150 or less for your whole vinyl setup, go with a suitcase or all-in-one model. They’re literally plug-and-play, come with built-in speakers, and don’t need anything else to get started. Perfect for small rooms, apartments, or anyone who just wants to drop the needle and enjoy a record without extra gear.

These are great for a huge percentage of people but picking a safe one is surprisingly tricky. In our Record Player Guide, we sorted through the forums and narrowed down hundreds of options to the best, safest ones with clear upgrade paths so you can start spinning without second-guessing every choice. If this is your lane, use our free, comprehensive guide that we show a bit later on.

If your budget’s a little more flexible, then it depends on how you see yourself listening.

Are you the type who spins a record every week or two, maybe owns three LPs, and just wants something fun when friends come by? Stick with the suitcase players. They’re simple, stylish, and do the job.

But if your collection’s already growing—records piling up in drawers, wishlist getting longer—it might be time to step up to the turntable line. These models start around $200 for the turntable and roughly $300–$350 for a full setup. They’ll sound better, last longer, and give you real room to upgrade without starting over.

Still not sure? Here’s the quick guide:

• Casual spins and style? Go suitcase or all-in-one.
• Sound and growth? Go component turntable—Crosley’s hidden gems.

Either way, the goal’s the same: get you spinning records, safely and easily.

Best Crosley Record Players

Everyone starts somewhere. And for a lot of people, that “somewhere” is a Crosley suitcase record player. They’re easy to find, easy to use, and let’s be real-they look pretty sitting on a shelf.

If you’re going the Crosley route, there are two models we’d actually recommend: the Cruiser Plus and the Voyager. They’re affordable, easy to set up, and for what they are, they get the job done. We’ve tested the others—and honestly, the extra $20–$50 you’ll spend on fancier all-in-ones doesn’t make much of a difference.

Both of these models are featured in our Complete Record Player Guide, where we compare the best all-in-one suitcase players side by side—features, specs, prices, and honest opinions. If you’re trying to figure out what’s worth buying (and what belongs in the “sea of junk” pile), this is the shortcut you’ve been looking for.

We also included a few quick, low-cost tweaks to make these players sound better and last longer. It’s the kind of stuff no one tells you, but it makes a big difference.

But for now, here are some of our top choices if you’re taking that path.
Personally I would go Cruiser Plus > Voyager.

Best Crosley Turntables

Here’s where it gets fun. Hidden deeper in their lineup are the real treasures: Crosley’s turntables. These are the ones nobody talks about — proper tonearms, counterweights, magnetic cartridges — the stuff that actually starts to sound good.

And honestly, this is my favorite part to share with you. Because once you dig past the pastel players, Crosley’s got a few turntables that genuinely hold their own. Let’s go through them.

Conclusion: Crosley’s Real Legacy: The Brand That Got Everyone Spinning

Here’s the twist: the record player everyone loves to roast is the same one that brought vinyl back from the dead.

Without Crosley, half of us wouldn’t even own a record.

They made it simple again—plug, play, enjoy. And now? They’re quietly growing up. Their turntables aren’t perfect, but they’re real machines with real sound.

So whether you started with a Cruiser or you’re ready for something sturdier, don’t overthink it.

Enjoy the phase you’re in. When you’re ready to take the next step, we’ve already mapped the path.

All-in-ones are great for a huge percentage of people—but choosing the right one is harder than it looks. In our full Record Player Guide, we laid out the best, safest options with clear upgrade paths, so you can start spinning with confidence. The forums are half-right—there’s a sea of junk out there. But when you know what to look for, it’s easy to find the gems that actually sound good and protect your records.

And if you’re thinking about upgrading—yeah, it can get overwhelming fast. Building a full vinyl setup shouldn’t require fifteen tabs and a Reddit deep dive. That’s why we built a tool that simplifies everything: pick your turntable, match the right speakers, filter by specs, and see total cost and compatibility before you buy. No guesswork, no jargon—just a smarter way to build.

Best of luck out there—and whatever you need, or if you’ve got any setup questions, feel free to reach out at info@recordbuilds.com or DM us on Instagram.