If you need new cartridge for your record player, it is important to first look over your options. In this article we will take a close look at some of the best turntable phono cartridges on the market.
Our top choice is the Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Turntable Cartridge, which features sturdy polymer housing for years of reliable use. The elliptical diamond stylus has a precision design that reduces distortion for optimal sound quality. You can expect superb overall performance for the best possible listening experience.
Before you decide on any cartridges for your record player, we encourage you to learn about the following products.
How We Picked The Best Turntable Phono Cartridges
As we put together our best turntable phono cartridges list, we focused on several key factors. The first thing that we looked for is a durable construction. Each of the cartridges on this list boasts a sturdy overall design with solid housing for reliable long term performance.
We specifically looked for cartridges that are designed for a high quality sound with minimal distortion. You’ll find that all of these cartridges are made in such a way that they won’t scratch up your albums. They can also be installed easily without the use of any tools for maximum convenience.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Turntable Phono Cartridges 2022:
ACESTAR Record Player Replacement Stylus Cartridge
The ACESTAR Record Player Stylus Cartridge features 4 to 6 grams needle forces with a diamond ceramic style. You can install them quickly and easily with no tools whatsoever. It only takes a matter of seconds to put them on and they are ready to go.
These cartridges can be used with 33 1/3, 45, and 78PRM record players. They are compatible with a number of popular brand names, including ION, Jensen, Fisher, MAGNAVOX, and Crosley. This means that you won’t have to worry about them not working with your particular model.
One of the reasons that we put this product on our best turntable phono cartridges list is their durability. Each cartridge is made of high quality materials that will last.
You’ll find that these cartridges are designed for over 100 hours of use. You can therefore easily avoid having to purchase new replacements anytime soon.
Each of these cartridges consists of a lid, needle, and the cartridge itself. They have a standard 1.5-volts design and offer consistently reliable performance. You can count on them to work well when playing all of your vinyl records at home.
This set consists of five cartridges, so you will definitely get your money’s worth. It is definitely one of the best deals available online right now.
The sturdy long-lasting construction and versatile compatibility of these cartridges make them a great overall choice. They will likely work with any record player you have. You can expect excellent performance with each use for months if not years. Even most audiophiles will find that they are quite impressive as a whole.
Pro
- Made of durable high quality materials for reliable long term use
- Compatible with a variety of record player brands and models
- Incredibly easy to install without the use of any tools
- Five cartridges per set gives you a great overall deal
- Simple but highly effective design consists of three pieces
Con
- A few customers say they weren’t compatible with their turntable
Soofotoo Phonograph Record Stylus Needle Replacement
The Soofotoo Phonograph Record Stylus has a premium ABS construction for maximum durability. It also features a ruby tip with fewer than four grams of tracking force. This ultimately gives you a clear overall sound with no damage to your vinyl records.
These stylus needle replacements work with most turntables on the market today. They are compatible with Crosley, Victrola, ION, Boytone, Capehart, Radio Shack, Tyler Pyle, Soundesign, CROWN, 1byone, and other brands.
We also really like the fact that these cartridges can be installed quite easily. No tools are required, so you can put them on yourself without any hassle whatsoever.
This set consists of three record stylus needle replacements. Each one features a protective case that will keep them working perfectly for a very long time. In fact, you can get up to 180 hours of listening from a single cartridge, which is fairly impressive. This is just one reason they are worth considering as best turntable phono cartridges.
You will be hard pressed to find many other turntable phono cartridges that are sturdier or longer lasting. They are specifically designed for smooth tracking, which eliminates the possibility of scratches on your albums.
We found that the sound that these cartridges produce is absolutely superb. They are well-designed and certainly give you your money’s worth. This set of three stylus needles should last you a very long time.
Pro
- Offers smooth tracking for excellent sound quality
- Ruby tips won’t scratch up or damage your albums at all
- Each cartridge will give you 180 hours worth of listening
- Made of tough ABS material that will stand the test of time
- No-tool installation is very simple and straightforward
- Works with almost any turntable brand for maximum compatibility
Con
- Doesn’t do a lot to prevent skipping
ACKLLR 2 Pack Record Player Phonograph Cartridge
The ACKLLR Record Player Phonograph Cartridge is compatible with lots of different record players. It works with a variety of models from CROWN, Victrola, GPO, Fisher, ION, MAGNAVOX, Leetax, Jensen, and others.
These cartridges are designed to work with most turntables, so you shouldn’t have any issues. You can use them with any record players that are designed to accept cartridge-mounted style cartridges.
We were immediately impressed with the high quality workmanship of these cartridges. They have a sturdy construction that resists wear to give you many listening hours of reliable performance. The thick plastic protective cover that comes with each one allows you to keep them safe while traveling.
Another reason that this product made our best turntable phono cartridges list is its anti-scratch design. Unlike so many cheaper cartridges on the market, these ones won’t scratch up your albums. They are specifically made for smooth performance, so you get an even sound at all times.
This set will provide you with two phonograph cartridges, so you shouldn’t need to buy more anytime soon. They are designed for a frequency response range of 80 through 10000 Hz. The high output gives you optimal sound quality that you can always depend on.
The wide compatibility and impressive overall build quality of these stylus cartridges makes them a superb choice. You definitely won’t have to worry about not getting your money’s worth.
Pro
- Comes with thick protective case to keep them safe in transit
- Works with a wide range of record player brands and models
- Durable overall construction offers great performance over the long term
- Specifically designed for ideal frequency response range
- Will not scratch up or damage your records in any way
Con
- Doesn’t take long to install
GRADO Prestige Phono Cartridge w/Stylus
The GRADO Prestige Phono Cartridge comes complete with a stylus, so it is ready to use. It uses a twin magnet system for enhanced performance. This design ensures that you get the best possible sound quality on a consistent basis.
You can use this cartridge with a majority of turntables that use a standard mount design. This includes most well-known brands like Crosley, ION, Jensen, Victrola, CROWN, and others.
The exterior housing of the cartridge uses a dampening technique with four high-purity copper wire coils. It is very easy to install and doesn’t require any tools. You should be able to put it on your record player’s arm in just seconds.
There are three different color options to choose from—Black, Blue, and Gold. This should make it easy to find one that will match the color of your turntable perfectly for a seamless aesthetic.
We also have to mention the solid construction of this cartridge. It is quite durable and will hold up well with regular use. The thick plastic material won’t get worn out quickly, even with daily use. This is just one reason to consider it when seeking out the best turntable phono cartridges.
These cartridges are designed in such a way that they will never damage your records. They will never cause any scratches or other marks that will affect their playability.
Pro
- Uses twin magnet system for enhanced overall performance
- Versatile design offers wide compatibility with many turntable brands
- Copper wire coils inside cartridge will last a very long time
- Performs especially well in mid and low ranges
- Can be installed very quickly without the use of any tools
- Available in three different colors
Con
- Falls short a bit with high frequencies
Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Turntable Cartridge
The Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Turntable Cartridge features an aluminum cantilever that is very sturdy. It also uses coils that are specially designed for maximum output voltage. This will provide you with dependable performance with each use.
This cartridge’s polymer housing is also quite durable and boasts a low-resonance design. You can therefore expect top notch sound quality when playing your albums.
You can easily install this cartridge with just a couple of screws. The threaded inserts that hold the cartridge to the headshell eliminate the need for any tools.
We were particularly impressed with the amazing channel separate that these cartridges offer. They are made to minimize distortion, which results in great overall tonal quality.
One of the unique things about this cartridge is that it can be used for much longer than most others. You will only have to replace the actual stylus. This will ultimately help you save quite a bit of money over the years. This is just one reason that it made our best turntable phono cartridges list.
You’ll be able to use these cartridges with most Audio-Technica turntables. They boast an incredible precision design for better frequency response, which you will definitely notice right away. There are few others on the market that compare to this one in terms of longevity and overall performance.
Pro
- Precision design gives you superb frequency response
- Cartridge itself will last a lifetime (only stylus needs to be replaced)
- Durable housing will hold up incredibly well over the years
- Features threaded inserts that require only two screws for installation
- Works with a vast majority of ½ inch mount turntable models
- Designed to keep distortion to a minimum for optimal sound quality
Con
- Putting protecting cover on can be a bit challenging
Best Turntable Phono Cartridges Buying Guide
When you begin looking into the best turntable phono cartridges, it is important to carefully review your options. The list below will give you some essential criteria to consider before making a final decision.
Stylus Shape
One of the first things to consider when trying to find the best turntable phono cartridges is the stylus shape. It will affect the precision of the tracking, which will determine the sound quality.
We recommend purchasing cartridges that have an elliptical stylus. This type of design ensures accurate tracing, which will give you excellent performance, particularly with high frequencies. You do have to be careful when using this type of stylus, as it could easily scratch up your albums.
Some styluses have a conical or spherical shape, which has a larger contact radius. These styli are somewhat inferior when it comes to accuracy. You’ll most likely find that they also don’t offer the same high quality sound as their elliptical-shaped counterparts.
Spherical styli are, however, quite resilient and won’t get worn down as easily as elliptical. Some of them can be used for nearly 200 hours before a replacement is needed. They are also significantly cheaper, which is something to keep in mind if you are on a tight budget.
There are also MicroLine styluses, which offer fairly accurate tracking with a high degree of precision. Linear Contact styluses are also a good choice, as they are a nice middle ground between conical and elliptical.
Make certain that the tip of the stylus is designed in such a way that it won’t damage your records. Most cone-shaped styli will not cause any scratches, which is a huge plus.
Types of Cartridges
There are two basic types of cartridges that you will need to be aware of while looking over your options. You’ll find that each kind offers a number of benefits and drawbacks.
In Moving Magnet or MM cartridges are made up of vibrating magnets and coiled wires. They offer a fairly high output and are usually quite durable as a whole. These cartridges will consistently deliver an excellent sound, but they are quite heavy. The extra weight means that the tracking is not incredibly precise.
There is also Moving Coil or MC cartridges, which consist of multiple coils attached to a cantilever. One of the main benefits of these cartridges is that they are relatively lightweight.
You can expect superior accuracy and detail when it comes to the overall sound. The main drawback of these cartridges is that they aren’t very sturdy, so they need to be replaced fairly often.
Housing
You will also need to consider the actual housing of each cartridge. The very best turntable phono cartridges have a durable construction that will last a very long time.
There are some cartridges that can be used for a lifetime, and only the actual stylus needs to be replaced every so often. Look for ones that are made of ABS plastic, as they tend to be the sturdiest overall.
Compatibility
Make sure that you consider which type of record player you have when looking for the best turntable phono cartridges. Keep in mind that no single cartridge is compatible with all turntables.
You will therefore need to make sure that you buy ones that will actually work with your brand and model. Check to see if your turntable uses a standard cartridge-mounted style.
Most companies that sell these cartridges provide a list of compatible turntables. You’ll definitely want to take a look at this information before purchasing anything. This will ultimately help you save quite a bit of time and frustration.
Installation
We recommend that you try to find cartridges that are easy to install as well. You shouldn’t need any tools to put yours on. Most of them can be mounted with nothing more than a couple of screws. These screws go into threaded holes that attach the cartridge to the phono turntable arm.
There are also P-mount cartridges, which are attached with just one screw. These cartridges are also very easy to put on as well.
Conclusion
As you explore the best turntable phono cartridges online, you’ll need to look carefully at each one’s design. We recommend purchasing cartridges that have a durable long-lasting construction. They should also offer great sound quality with minimal distortion. Feel free to comment below so we know what you think about our list.
Cheers!