What Hi-Fi? turntable Awards: Technics triumphs as Rega dominates

Rega Planar 3
(Image credit: Future)

Some things haven't changed since last year: the UK is still set to leave the EU, Walkers is still adamant people want Brussel Sprout-flavoured crisps, and Rega Research is still dominating the turntable market. 

The British brand has picked up four of the six turntable What Hi-Fi? Awards this year. Winners from the Rega stable include the Planar 1 (£249), Planar 3 Elys 2 (£649), Planar 6 Ania (£1469) and the premium-priced Planar 8/Apheta 2 pairing (£2439). 

All are terrific performers at their price level, but there's plenty of life in the record playing world beyond just one company...

Rega's Planar 8 is a brilliant high-end deck for the money

Rega's Planar 8 is a brilliant high-end deck for the money (Image credit: Rega Research)

The Technics SL-1500C (£899) wowed us earlier this year with its hugely capable sound and ease of use. It also impressed with the ability of its built-in phono stage and the solidity of its build. Make no mistake, this is a Technics turntable you buy for sound quality rather than just the lure of the brand’s legendary DJ connections.

The Technics SL-1500C has a talented built-in phono stage

The Technics SL-1500C has a talented built-in phono stage (Image credit: Future)

Looking to for an entry-level 'in' to the vinyl revival? Our budget turntable winner is a repeat of last year: the affordable but still terrifically capable Pro-ject Primary E. This multiple winner delivers a lovely sound that belies its relatively modest £159 price tag. There’s even a good quality cartridge included in the deal.

The odds may be in favour of Rega winning the turntable category's Product of the Year (announced on Tuesday 5th November at What Hi-Fi?'s annual awards ceremony), but if there's anything we've learnt in our 43-year history it's that surprises are a regular occurrence. Tune into whathifi.com on the night to see which of the six contenders take home the ultimate prize.

MORE:

The best turntable deals 2019

12 pairs of spectacular speakers scoop What Hi-Fi? Awards

What Hi-Fi? Awards champions 11 pairs of excellent headphones

TOPICS
Ketan Bharadia
Technical Editor

Ketan Bharadia is the Technical Editor of What Hi-Fi? He has been reviewing hi-fi, TV and home cinema equipment for almost three decades and has covered thousands of products over that time. Ketan works across the What Hi-Fi? brand including the website and magazine. His background is based in electronic and mechanical engineering.

Read more
Technics SL-1300G turntable
Not one but two turntables have burst onto our buying guide this month
Rega Planar 3 RS Edition turntable
Best turntables 2025: top record players tested by our expert reviewers
Technics turntable with Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge on wooden console with records in background
The best turntable deals 2025: lowest prices on great record players
Technics SL-1500C review
Technics SL-1500C
Lenco L-85 in white lifestyle
Best budget record players 2025: affordable turntables tried and tested
Rega Planar 3 RS Edition turntable
Rega's Planar 3 RS Edition turntable brings premium updates to the standard model
Latest in Turntables
A woman flicking through stacks of vinyl records in a Rough Trade shop.
John Lewis to start selling vinyl records this month – and it has pretty great taste
Technics SL-1300G turntable
Not one but two turntables have burst onto our buying guide this month
Gadhouse Cosmo Solar Edition Turntable in four colours
This bonkers new portable turntable has a retro iMac design and a *checks notes*...radio tuner?
JICO Clipper MM cartridge
JICO's distinctive MM cartridge offers a flexible, dual-fit design for your vinyl needs
Linn Bedrock upgrade plinth on LP12 turntable
Update your LP12 turntable with the first-ever plinth upgrade from Linn - but it comes at a cost
Technics SL-1300G turntable
Technics SL-1300G
Latest in News
A grey WiiM Vibelink Amp on a wooden cabinet between two bookshelf speakers.
The WiiM Vibelink Amp is WiiM's first integrated amp with no streaming elements
Q Acoustics 3050i
Save £650 on this five-star Q Acoustics 5.1 home cinema setup
Optoma Photon Go on white background
Optoma's new on-the-go projector is set to be one of the cheaper USTs on the market
Marantz Cinema 30 AVR
Our Award-winning reference Marantz AVR is still selling at its best price ever
Meze Audio Poet
Meze's open-back Poet cans arrive, and they want to bring your music alive
Side view of Marantz CD6007 on wooden rack with magazines in background
This Award-winning Marantz CD player is back at its Black Friday price