The Sony PS-LX310BT solves a very modern problem: how to play records through wireless speakers or headphones with no extra boxes. It is fully automatic, simple to live with and genuinely convenient. Here is who it suits, and the trade-off that comes with going wireless.
Plenty of people who want to play records already own a good Bluetooth speaker or a pair of wireless headphones, and adding a wired hi-fi just to play vinyl can feel like a step backwards. Sony designed the PS-LX310BT for exactly that situation. It is a fully automatic deck with Bluetooth built in, so a record can play straight to your existing wireless gear, which makes it the obvious pick if convenience matters as much as the music.
| Model | Price | Drive | Speeds | Wireless | Rating | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ★ Top pick Sony PS-LX310BT Bluetooth Turntable | £254.99 | Belt-drive, fully automatic | 33 1/3 and 45 rpm | Bluetooth output to speakers/headphones | ★ 4.4 | View → |
£254.99
Belt-drive, fully automatic · 33 1/3 and 45 rpm · Bluetooth output to speakers/headphones
The verdict from Nathan Cole, hi-fi reviewer
The best choice if you want it wireless. The Sony PS-LX310BT solves a very modern problem: it lets you play records through a Bluetooth speaker or wireless headphones with no extra boxes. It is fully automatic, has a built-in phono stage for wired listening, and is genuinely simple to live with. Purists will prefer a wired signal path, but for a clean, convenient deck that fits a Bluetooth setup, this is the obvious pick.
Drops a record onto your wireless speakers in seconds; the convenience outweighs the slight wireless trade-off.
The PS-LX310BT is the right deck if you want to play records on a Bluetooth speaker or wireless headphones without building a traditional system. It pairs like a phone, runs fully automatically, and removes the need for an amplifier and speaker cables if you do not already have them. For a tidy living room, a desk setup or anyone who values simplicity, it is hard to argue with.
It is less suited to the listener chasing the very best sound, because a wireless link is never quite as direct as a wired one. If outright quality is your priority, a wired belt-drive deck such as the Fluance RT81 or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO will go further. But for convenient, clutter-free listening, the Sony is purpose-built.
The headline feature works exactly as it should. Pairing is quick, the connection is stable, and once it is set up you simply drop a record on and press play. Crucially, the PS-LX310BT is not wireless-only: it also has a built-in switchable phono stage, so you can run it wired into an amplifier or powered speakers whenever you want the most direct signal. Having both options in one deck is genuinely useful and unusual at the price.
For everyday listening, the PS-LX310BT sounds clean and pleasant. The supplied cartridge tracks tidily and the automatic operation keeps things foolproof. Over Bluetooth there is a small, expected softening compared with a wired connection, and a touch of latency, neither of which matters for relaxed listening to music. Run wired, it is a solid entry-level performer. This is a deck built around convenience, and it delivers exactly the sound that promise implies.
Full automation makes the Sony about as easy as a turntable gets: the arm lowers, plays and returns on its own, so there is no risk of mishandling the stylus. Combined with wireless output, it removes nearly every step that puts newcomers off vinyl. It is compact, neat and quick to set up, which suits the buyer it is aimed at perfectly.
The PS-LX310BT's compromises all come from its wireless nature. Bluetooth introduces a slight latency and a small loss of ultimate fidelity compared with a wired path, so purists will prefer to listen wired, which somewhat undercuts the headline feature for them. The cartridge is entry-level and not the focus here, and the deck is built to a price, so it does not have the heft of the pricier belt-drive players. None of this is a fault; it is the natural result of prioritising wireless convenience, and for the right buyer that priority is exactly correct.
The PS-LX310BT has a Bluetooth transmitter built in, so it pairs directly with Bluetooth speakers or wireless headphones, just like pairing a phone. You can also use it wired through its built-in phono stage. That dual ability is the reason to choose it over a standard deck.
There is a small amount of latency, which is normal for any Bluetooth audio link. For listening to records it is not an issue because you are not syncing to video. If you want the most direct, lowest-latency signal, use the wired phono output instead.
It is a capable, convenient deck rather than an audiophile one. It is fully automatic, sounds clean and is easy to live with, which suits most listeners well. If you want the last word in sound quality and detail, a wired belt-drive deck such as the Fluance RT81 or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO will go further.
The PS-LX310BT is our pick for anyone who wants records to play through their existing Bluetooth speakers or headphones with the minimum of fuss. It is fully automatic, easy to set up and clever enough to also work wired through its built-in phono stage when you want the most direct sound. You give up a little ultimate fidelity to the wireless link, so committed listeners will prefer a wired deck. But for clean, convenient, clutter-free vinyl, the Sony is the obvious choice. If sound quality matters more than wireless, compare it with our Fluance RT81 review and read our explainer on phono preamps before you decide.