I test audio kit and if you buy just one hi-fi deal this Black Friday, make it this superb cheap Sony turntable

Sony turntable on pink background, with a Black Friday deals badge on the left side

(Image credit: Sony)

So you're here for TechRadar's Black Friday deals and you're looking for a cheap vinyl spinner that's, how to put this… a Very Big Deal. But you want to avoid anything too pricey or hugely involved. I've got just the thing: meet the Sony PS-LX310BT, now just $178 at Amazon (was ~~$449~~) – or if you reside in the UK, it's only £189 (was ~~£249~~) and with built-in phono stage for a fuss-free plug and play setup.

This is one of my all-time favorite Bluetooth turntables. There are no fripperies here; it looks like the real deal – because it is. I commissioned our all-new Sony PS-LX310BT review because I wanted to know how it stacks up today. You see, I initially helped review it (and awarded it five sweet stars out of five) back in 2019 as a staff writer for TechRadar's sister site, What Hi-Fi?. Anyway, it turns out the answer to my question is "Still top of the pile Scarrott, cheers".

• Shop Amazon's full Black Friday sale

Not after vinyl-spinners? TechRadar's Black Friday deals hub can guide you towards whatever piece of tech your heart desires, or there's my roundup of the best Sennheiser headphones and earbuds deals, my collection of the best Bose Black Friday headphones deals, my guide to the only 5 Black Friday headphones and earbuds deals you need, or our dedicated Black Friday headphones deals live blog, if any of these things is what you're after.

Today's best Black Friday Sony PS-LX310BT deal, US

Released at CES 2019, this was the first deck I ever reviewed that let me send vinyl playback to my wireless headphones (and you can read that five-star Sony LS-PX310BT review I helped to write for our sister site, What Hi-Fi? but then please come back here – I'm an editor now!). Even the setup for this rock-solid entry-level deck is part of the fun and once you've got it spinning, it's a dream for the money. Owing to its popularity it actually increased in price following its release, so while it was once $148 (in September 2019) this is emphatically the cheapest it's been for a long old while. Highly recommended.

Today's best Sony PS-LX310BT deal, UK

An early Bluetooth turntable star, so good that it's still around and popular today – after all it got five stars in the review I helped to write for What Hi-Fi. It was originally around this price when it launched (in September 2019), but its official price rose to £269. This is the cheapest it's been for a long, long while (last year it dropped to £189, although TechRadar's price-tracking tech tells me it has very, very briefly been £169 before now), and for this money it's simply excellent value, and ideal for beginners.

As mentioned, it'll send the analog audio from your vinyl to your Bluetooth speakers or headphones, if you like – and if you've ever tried it, I'm convinced you'll like it.

So if you wanted an inexpensive beginner vinyl setup for a fledgling collector, how about the also-on-sale Sonos Era 100 speaker? It's down to just $169 in the US (was $249), or £168 in the UK (was £249), bagging you a competent, fuss-free, reliable setup from two huge names in hi-fi, all for under $349 / £347.

And the Sonos works over wi-fi, so you could ping hi-resolution music to it from your phone (or other source device) too. Wouldn't look bad at home ahead of the Holiday Season, would it?

The Sonos Era 100 deal to go with your new turntable?

A slightly older speaker now (I've listed its original MSRP, although it's been hovering around $199 for a while – so this is an extra 15% off that), but it still holds its own in a truly tough market. This updated Sonos Era 100 knocked the classic Sonos One off the top spot to become our favorite wireless speaker soon after its March 2023 debut. And even though that top spot has now gone to a JBL alternative, the Sonos still offers terrific audio quality for its small size, with a rich soundscape and strong bass. It's also versatile, so you can connect to it via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or an aux cable and fire music to it from multiple streaming services. The hefty starting price was the only off-putting factor in our Sonos Era 100 review, but at this price it's a great buy as a home speaker for your turntable.

The Sonos Era 100 is an upgrade over the Sonos One that it replaced (in March 2023) and although it was significantly more expensive at launch, this deal brings the excellent speaker right down in price. I've listed its original RRP, although it has been hovering around £199 for a few months now, so this extra discount knocks 16% off even that. It can connect and play music over Wi-Fi, aux-in via an adapter, or – most importantly here – Bluetooth. The price was the only major issue we had in our Sonos Era 100 review, and this is a great deal – it's only ever dipped to £9 cheaper than this, and only for a very short time.

Or how about powered desktop speakers?

Not into wireless only systems? You could also make a double saving – and have a lovely little RCA-connected system – for just $448 (usually $819) or £408 (normally £579) – by picking up the Edifier QR65 speakers.

This top Black Friday saving sees $100 slashed from their price in the US, making them just $269.99 (was $369.99), or a massive £100 off in the UK, making them now just £229.99 (was £329.99), both at Amazon.

Doesn't sound bad either, does it?

US deal: Just look at these beauties! Some sites actually list these as high as $499 and you can see why. I personally dig the white colorway most, but get them playing music with LED lights bouncing off their baffle grooves and you've got yourself a party al desko. And when it's 5:30pm? Take the party into the rest of the apartment! I've never seen a deal on a new set like this (only on second-hand pairs) and for me, it's one of the stand out deals of Black Friday. Need desktop monitors that'll happily leave the desk? See our Edifier QR65 review for the full scoop – but I'm a big fan.

UK deal: In the UK, the saving is that tiny bit better! I personally dig the white colourway most, but get them playing music with LED lights bouncing off their baffle grooves and you've got yourself a proper party al desko. And when it's 5:30pm? Take the party into the rest of the flat (or house, you lucky thing, you)! I've never seen prices drop this low on a new set (only on second-hand pairs) and for me, it's one of the stand out deals of Black Friday. Need desktop monitors that'll happily leave the desk? See our Edifier QR65 review for the full scoop – but I'm a big fan.