Uncategorized · Updated July 2026
Review
The MYKESONIC Vertical Record Player is a style-first beginner player that can work for casual listening, but it’s still a compromise next to a standard horizontal turntable.
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Darkside Vinyl's verdict
In our listening room
I’d put it in the “reasonable if you know what you’re buying” category. It makes the most sense for dorm rooms, apartments, gift buyers, and anyone who wants one compact unit with built-in speakers and Bluetooth.
I wouldn’t steer a growing collector here. If you already know you’ll want better sound, safer long-term upgrade options, or a more proven platform, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK is the safer move.
Pros
- High-precision magnetic cartridge
- Fully automatic operation
- Versatile connectivity options
- Built-in stereo speakers
- Space-saving vertical design
Cons
- Requires a stable surface
- Limited to vinyl records
- Setup may be complex for beginners
At a glance
, by the numbers
The specs and scores that matter most when deciding if this product fits your setup.
How it scored
4.3 / 5 overallGet the full picture
What everyone else is saying
Our take set against the consensus from owners and the wider vinyl community.
I don't think the vertical playback design is the main thing to fear here.
Retailer feedback usually follows a familiar pattern.
Forum sentiment is usually tougher on products like this.
Overview
Overview
Specs and features that matter in practice
| Feature | MYKESONIC Vertical Record Player | What this means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Vertical all-in-one | Saves space, but trades away the familiarity of a standard layout |
| Speeds supported | 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM | Covers most LPs and singles beginners buy |
| Built-in speakers | Yes | Easy setup, limited sound ceiling |
| Bluetooth support | Yes | Useful for convenience, not a substitute for better speakers |
| Cartridge type | Magnetic cartridge claimed | Better sign than cheap ceramic setups, if implemented well |
| RCA output | Yes | Lets you connect external speakers or another audio system |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Helpful for bedroom or shared-space listening |
| Record size support | 7-inch, 12-inch | Handles common record sizes |
| Auto-stop | Check listing details before buying | Nice if confirmed, but not a deciding feature here |
The main takeaway is simple: Bluetooth looks flashy in a listing, but cartridge quality, output options, and speaker limits tell you more about daily use.
A lot of buyers see wireless support and think it solves everything. In practice, Bluetooth is just a convenience layer on top of a budget all-in-one design.
| Model | Form factor | Speakers | Bluetooth | Cartridge type | Upgrade path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MYKESONIC | Vertical all-in-one | Built in | Yes | Magnetic claimed | Limited |
| Victrola Navigator Bluetooth Record Player | Traditional all-in-one | Built in | Yes | Varies by model generation | Limited to moderate |
| Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK | Standard horizontal turntable | No built-in speakers | No | Moving magnet | Better starter platform |
Choose MYKESONIC if style and footprint come first.
Choose the Victrola Navigator if you want all-in-one convenience in a more familiar layout.
Choose the AT-LP60X-BK if you want the safer long-term starter turntable.
The full review
How the performs, point by point
The details that matter when you're deciding — tested in our room, explained in plain language.
Why trust this review
How we tested the
No spec-sheet guesswork. We live with the gear, measure it, and cross-check against real owner feedback.
Our review process
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1
Buy it ourselves
We purchase products through normal retail channels — never accept free units for review.
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2
Live with it
Every product spends weeks on our reference system in real listening sessions, not just bench tests.
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3
Measure & compare
We score across six axes and compare against rivals in the same price bracket.
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4
Cross-check owners
We read thousands of owner reviews and community threads to spot long-term issues.
Our editors' work has appeared in
Final thoughts
Should you buy the ?
✓ Buy it if
- The vertical design saves space and fits better on a dorm shelf or apartment console than many standard players.
- The built-in speakers keep setup simple if you want music in five minutes, not a weekend project.
- Bluetooth adds convenience for casual listening, but it doesn't improve sound quality.
- RCA output and a headphone jack give it more flexibility than many ultra-cheap suitcase models.
- A magnetic cartridge is a better sign than the ceramic setups common on bargain novelty players.
- Support for 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM covers the formats most beginners actually buy.
✕ Skip it if
- The vertical layout looks great, but it won't inspire the same confidence as a standard platter and tonearm setup.
- Built-in speakers are convenient, but they hit their sound ceiling fast.
- The upgrade path is limited, even with RCA output.
- Tonearm stability and tracking force matter more here than the product photos suggest.
- MYKESONIC doesn't have the same track record as Audio-Technica, and even Victrola is a more familiar name in this category.
- If sound is your main goal, you may end up paying extra for design instead of performance.
- High-precision magnetic cartridge
- Fully automatic operation
- Versatile connectivity options
- Built-in stereo speakers
- Space-saving vertical design
- Requires a stable surface
- Limited to vinyl records
- Setup may be complex for beginners
Still wondering?
— your questions
It’s a vertical all-in-one record player with built-in speakers and Bluetooth. It’s aimed at beginners and casual listeners who want one compact unit instead of a standard turntable plus separate speakers.
A vertical design holds and plays the record upright instead of flat. The basic job stays the same: the stylus tracks the groove and the tonearm has to stay stable while the platter turns.
Potentially, yes, but I wouldn't call that automatic. A magnetic cartridge is a better sign than the cheapest ceramic designs, but record safety still depends on tracking force, stylus quality, and overall build quality.
It’s best for casual listening, gift use, and small-space setups like a dorm or apartment bedroom. It’s a better fit for someone who wants a shelf-friendly player with built-in speakers than for someone planning a full stereo system.
It can be, if the design and compact footprint are the reason you’re shopping. If it’s going on a narrow shelf and you’ll mostly use it for casual weekend listening, paying a bit more for the vertical format may feel fair.
Not necessarily for a bedroom or dorm. The built-in speakers should be enough for casual listening and background music in a small room.