Buying guide for best jukeboxes
Jukeboxes might make you think of retro 1950s diners and poodle skirts, but there's definitely a place for the jukebox in contemporary times.
Whether you want a genuine vinyl-playing jukebox for your old record collection or a digital version that doubles as an attractive centerpiece for your rec room, there's a jukebox for you. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best one to fit your needs? If you're new to the world of jukeboxes, it can be especially baffling, and you might not know where to start.
Luckily, we at BestReviews are here to help. Check out our top picks, or read on to learn more about jukeboxes. Soon you’ll be jiving the night away.
Why buy a jukebox?
If you're still on the fence about buying a jukebox, here are some reasons to go for it.
If you're a fan of the retro aesthetic, a vintage or vintage-style jukebox makes a great decorative addition to your home.
Modern digital jukeboxes offer an all-in-one audio experience: the speakers are built in, so you just have to load your favorite songs from a memory card or connect your devices using Bluetooth.
Real vintage jukeboxes are collectors’ items and are likely to appreciate in value over the years.
There's no denying that jukeboxes are just plain cool!
Types of jukeboxes
Digital jukeboxes
Digital jukeboxes often look like classic jukeboxes but stream music rather than play CDs or records.
Pros:
Most digital jukeboxes are Bluetooth compatible, so you can stream music from smart devices using your favorite subscription services.
Many digital models offer extra features like an AM/FM radio and CD player.
These jukeboxes are the most affordable option.
Cons:
Price: Expect to pay between $50 and $1,500 for a digital jukebox, with basic models starting at $50 and large, high-end models priced as high as $1,500.
"Some digital jukeboxes are compatible with smart home systems, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home."
STAFF
BestReviews
CD jukeboxes
True CD jukeboxes are much like vinyl-playing models except they hold compact discs instead of records. You can also find CD jukeboxes that mimic the style of a jukebox and play CDs but don't have an automatic changer.
Pros:
New CD jukeboxes are readily available, unlike vinyl-playing models.
Some CD jukeboxes can store large numbers of CDs, playing them automatically when you select a track.
Full-size models often come with storage.
Cons:
Price: A jukebox-style CD player costs between $60 and $1,500. A true CD jukebox costs in the region of $3,000 to $10,000.
"If you want a docking station for your smartphone or MP3 player, make sure your chosen jukebox has the right connections."
STAFF
BestReviews
Vinyl-playing jukeboxes
These jukeboxes are the originals that play real vinyl records. While you can find a very small number of brand-new vinyl-playing jukeboxes, the vast majority are vintage models sought by collectors.
Pros:
You get true vintage appeal from a vinyl-playing jukebox.
Vinyl enthusiasts claim you just can't beat the sound of traditional records.
With a real vinyl-playing jukebox, you own a piece of history.
Cons:
New and vintage vinyl-playing jukeboxes are expensive.
These jukeboxes hold far fewer tracks than streaming or CD jukeboxes.
Vintage jukeboxes can be unreliable.
Spare parts or people who know how to repair these jukeboxes might be hard to find.
Price: Vinyl jukeboxes don't come cheap. Expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 and $20,000 for one.
Did you know?
Vinyl jukeboxes can be very heavy, especially once they're filled with records, so you might need a hand truck to move it into place.
STAFF
BestReviews
Jukebox features to consider
Size
Most jukeboxes come in one of two sizes. The size you choose will depend on how much room you have, what you want from a jukebox, and your budget (half-size models are cheaper).
Full-size jukeboxes are tall, freestanding units (usually between 50 and 60 inches high) that are designed to sit on the floor.
Half-size jukeboxes essentially look like the top half of a full-size jukebox and are designed to sit on a table, shelving unit, or entertainment center. They measure somewhere between 15 and 25 inches high.
Sound quality
You want your jukebox to look good, but you also want it to sound good. You don’t want to spend your days listening to tinny recordings. Jukeboxes have built-in speakers, and some are better than others. Sound quality is subjective to some degree – some people like rich bass, while others are all about the high end – but poor-quality speakers are poor-quality speakers, and there's no getting around that. If you opt for the very cheapest jukebox on the market, you're unlikely to be happy with the sound quality. We recommend checking customer reviews for the models you’re considering before you buy.
"Vinyl records that play in jukeboxes have a larger hole in the center than records intended to be played on turntables."
STAFF
BestReviews
Capacity
The capacity of a jukebox refers to how much music it can hold, physically or digitally. Vinyl and CD jukeboxes can usually hold anywhere between 50 and 300 discs, depending on the model you choose. It can be time consuming to change the discs once they're in place, so choose a jukebox with enough capacity to offer plenty of variety – you probably don't want to be stuck listening to the same 50 songs forever. Some digital jukeboxes have some internal storage or can accommodate a memory card. Jukeboxes that are Bluetooth compatible essentially have unlimited capacity – you can play anything via your chosen streaming service.
Build quality
High-end jukeboxes are constructed from quality materials, such as wood or wood veneer, chrome, and steel. Cheaper models are usually made of plastic painted to look like wood or metal. While you can find some sturdy plastic models, the build quality on the most expensive jukeboxes tends to be superior. If you consider that you can still buy vintage jukeboxes from the '40s and '50s, you can see how long a well-constructed jukebox can last.
Tips
Think about the appearance of your new jukebox. Do you want a vintage-style model, or would you be happier with one that looks more modern?
Make sure you have enough room for the jukebox you're considering. Check the product specifications for the exact measurements of the jukebox before you buy.
Consider how easy your chosen jukebox is to use. You might have the best jukebox in the world, but it's no use to you if you can't figure out how to work it. Check the instruction manuals and pick a model that's relatively easy to operate.
Decide what sort of connections you need. Digital jukeboxes often feature a range of connections, from simple headphone jacks to RCA connectors. If require specific connections, make sure your chosen jukebox includes them.
Some digital jukeboxes don't have built-in Bluetooth adaptors. Some come with an external adaptor, or you can buy one separately.
Check the Bluetooth range of your digital jukebox. This will let you know the range for positioning any streaming devices.
FAQ
Q. Can I listen to the radio on my jukebox?
A. Some, but not all, jukeboxes have a built-in radio, usually with both AM and FM frequencies. If this is a feature you definitely want, check to make sure your chosen jukebox can play radio stations.
Q. Is a digital jukebox more reliable than a vinyl model?
A. It's hard to compare vinyl jukeboxes with digital jukeboxes because they're two very different beasts, but it's fair to say that a new digital jukebox is likely to be more reliable than a vintage vinyl model. Due to their age, vintage jukeboxes can break down, and when they do it can be tough to find the right parts (or know-how) to fix them.
Q. Will my jukebox come with a remote control?
A. Many digital and CD jukeboxes come with a remote control. Some remotes can control both the music and the lights around the exterior of the jukebox.
