Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable Review: The Ultimate Verdict for New Vinyl Enthusiasts

There’s a tangible magic to vinyl that digital streaming can’t replicate. It’s the ritual of sliding a record from its sleeve, the gentle drop of the needle, and the faint crackle before the music swells. For years, I had a box of my father’s old LPs collecting dust in the attic—Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, David Bowie—a time capsule of analogue sound. I wanted to dive into that world, but the thought of complex setups, preamps, and expensive components felt like a significant barrier. The fear was investing hundreds of pounds into a hobby I might not stick with. This is a common story; the desire for the warm, authentic sound of vinyl is strong, but the entry point can seem dauntingly high. That’s precisely the problem the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable aims to solve: making the joy of vinyl accessible, affordable, and incredibly simple for everyone.

What to Consider Before Buying a Record Player

A record player is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for experiencing music in its most intentional, physical form. It bridges the gap between digital convenience and analogue soul, offering a more immersive listening experience. The main benefits are twofold: first, the sound quality, often described as warmer and more dynamic than compressed digital files, and second, the deliberate act of listening. You engage with an entire album, appreciating the artist’s curated journey. It fosters a deeper connection to the music, transforming passive listening into an active, rewarding experience.

The ideal customer for this type of all-in-one turntable is someone facing the challenge of starting their vinyl journey on a budget. This includes students wanting to decorate their dorm with a functional, retro piece; families looking to dust off old record collections; or anyone curious about vinyl who doesn’t want the complexity of a separate amplifier and speaker setup. It’s a perfect gateway device. Conversely, it might not be suitable for seasoned audiophiles who demand high-fidelity component systems, precise counterweight adjustments, and anti-skate controls. For them, a more modular setup with a dedicated phono preamp and high-end speakers would be a better, albeit more expensive, path.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A turntable needs a stable, level surface. The Mersoco’s compact dimensions (32.5 x 27.5 x 12 cm) make it perfect for a sideboard, bookshelf, or a small “vinyl corner.” Always measure your intended space, ensuring there’s enough room to open the dust cover and comfortably handle your records.
• Capacity/Performance: The key performance metric is speed compatibility. A 3-speed player like this one (33-1/3, 45, and 78 RPM) ensures you can play virtually any record ever made, from modern LPs to old 78s from your grandparents’ collection. Also, consider the outputs; RCA jacks offer an essential upgrade path to connect to better speakers later on, providing future-proofing for your setup.
• Materials & Durability: Entry-level turntables often use a combination of wood-effect housing and plastic components to keep costs down. While the main body of the Mersoco feels sturdy, the dust cover is typically plastic. This is standard for the price point, but it’s important to handle it with care to ensure longevity. The trade-off for affordability is often in the feel of these secondary materials.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: For a beginner, “plug-and-play” is the goal. Look for a player with built-in speakers and simple controls—a power/volume knob and a speed selector. Long-term care involves occasionally wiping the dust cover and stylus with a proper brush, but belt-driven systems like this are generally very low maintenance.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable stands out in several areas, particularly for its ease of use and all-in-one functionality. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Vintage Style Meets Plug-and-Play Simplicity

Unboxing the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable was a refreshingly straightforward affair. There’s no complex assembly, no tonearm balancing, no cartridge alignment to worry about. It’s ready to go almost straight out of the box—just plug it in, remove the stylus protector, and you’re set. My initial impression was one of pleasant surprise. For a unit at this price point, the natural wood-effect finish gives it a charming, retro aesthetic that looks genuinely stylish on a sideboard. As one user aptly put it, “It looks fabulous on my sideboard.”

It’s lightweight and compact, which is a huge plus for those with limited space. The controls are intuitive: a single knob for power and volume, a switch for speed selection (33/45/78), and another to toggle between Phono, Aux, and Bluetooth modes. The package includes the power adapter, a 45 RPM adapter for 7″ singles, and even an RCA cable, which is a thoughtful touch. The removable plastic dust cover feels a bit basic, a sentiment echoed by a user who noted it was the only thing preventing a five-star review, but it’s perfectly functional and essential for protecting the platter and stylus.

A Deep Dive into the Mersoco Turntable’s Performance

A record player can look the part, but its soul lies in its performance. How does it sound? Is it easy to live with day-to-day? We put the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable through its paces, spinning everything from classic rock and jazz to modern indie pressings, and we explored its digital capabilities to see if it truly is the complete package it claims to be.

Audio Performance: Built-in Speakers and the Path to Upgrade

The biggest question mark for any all-in-one turntable is the quality of its built-in speakers. Often, they can be tinny and weak, but we were genuinely impressed with the Mersoco’s output. The stereo speakers produce a sound that is clear, warm, and has enough volume to comfortably fill a medium-sized room. We threw on Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” and the vocals on “Dreams” came through with surprising richness. This experience is mirrored by numerous users, one of whom noted they were “really surprised and impressed by the clarity of sound and the maintaining of a decent level of crispness… when the volume might creep up a bit.” Another reviewer, a musician, confirmed the speakers are “decent enough that it doesn’t sound tinny but has enough volume and headroom for a medium sized room.”

Of course, this isn’t a high-fidelity audiophile system. When we played a complex classical piece, as one user also tested, the speakers struggled to separate the intricate layers of the orchestra. It performs best with vocal-centric music, rock, pop, and jazz. But the crucial feature here is the RCA output. We connected the turntable to a simple external amplifier and bookshelf speakers, and the sound opened up beautifully, revealing more depth and detail in the music. This is the perfect upgrade path. You can start with the built-in speakers, and as your passion for vinyl grows, you can easily integrate the turntable into a more substantial stereo system. For a beginner’s player, this versatility is a game-changer.

Setup and Usability: From Box to Bliss in Under Five Minutes

This is where the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable truly shines for its target audience. The experience is designed to be frictionless. From opening the box to playing the first record took us less than five minutes. The instructions are clear and simple, a point praised by one new owner who said they were “very beginner friendly.” For anyone who has ever felt intimidated by the prospect of setting up a turntable, this player is a breath of fresh air.

The operation is fully manual, which we see as a positive. It encourages engagement with the music. You lift the tonearm using the cueing lever, position it over the record, and gently lower it. The platter starts spinning automatically when the tonearm moves over it and stops at the end of the record thanks to an auto-stop function—a feature that prevents unnecessary wear on your stylus. Switching between speeds for LPs (33 RPM) and singles (45 RPM) is done with a simple flick of a switch. We found the smooth volume control satisfying to use, and the whole process feels tactile and enjoyable. As one user happily stated, it’s “very easy to use to play my stash of vinyl that I’ve not heard for 30 yrs!” It removes all technical barriers, letting you focus purely on the music.

Connectivity: A Modern Hub in a Vintage Shell

While the primary function is playing records, the inclusion of Bluetooth transforms the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable into a versatile home audio hub. We tested the Bluetooth receiver by pairing it with a smartphone, and the connection was instantaneous and stable. One reviewer highlighted this, noting it “connects surprisingly fast too and by default when you turn the player on.” This feature is brilliant. When you’re not spinning vinyl, the turntable becomes your go-to speaker for streaming playlists from Spotify, listening to podcasts, or playing audio from any Bluetooth-enabled device.

This dual functionality provides immense value. You’re not just buying a record player; you’re getting a stylish Bluetooth speaker as well. The sound quality over Bluetooth is just as robust as it is with vinyl, making it a genuinely useful feature. As one happy customer put it, “I can use it with bluetooth so I can still play the radio & other music apps through it.” The 3.5mm Aux-in jack further expands its capabilities, allowing you to connect non-Bluetooth devices like an old MP3 player or laptop. This blend of analogue charm and modern digital convenience is executed perfectly, making it a practical centrepiece for your entertainment setup. If this blend of old and new appeals to you, you can find out more about its connectivity features here.

What Other Users Are Saying

After our hands-on testing, we looked at a wide range of user feedback to see if our experience was typical. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most praise centring on the incredible value for money. One user captured this sentiment perfectly: “I must say for £38 this is a complete bargain… Don’t think I could think of a negative.” Another states, “for the price I paid, this record player is brilliant.” This theme of exceeding expectations for a budget-friendly device is consistent throughout the feedback.

Many new vinyl collectors highlight it as the perfect entry point. “Excellent first record player for anyone!” one review reads, while another beginner confirmed, “this proves you don’t need to spend £££’s.” The ease of setup and use is another frequently mentioned positive. On the critical side, the feedback is minor and aligns with our findings. One user mentioned their “protective dust cover came damaged,” which is likely an isolated shipping issue rather than a product flaw. The most common critique is the slightly flimsy feel of that same plastic cover, which, while functional, doesn’t match the quality of the wood-effect base.

How Does the Mersoco Turntable Compare to the Alternatives?

The Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable excels in the entry-level, all-in-one market. But depending on your budget and priorities, other options might be a better fit. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.

1. Audio-Technica LP60XBK Fully Automatic Turntable

The Audio-Technica LP60XBK represents the next logical step up for someone who has caught the vinyl bug and prioritizes audio fidelity above all else. Unlike the Mersoco, it does not have built-in speakers or Bluetooth input; it is a pure turntable designed to be the heart of a component stereo system. Its main advantages are superior build quality, a high-quality Audio-Technica cartridge, and fully automatic operation (press a button and the tonearm finds the groove itself). If you already own an amplifier and speakers, or plan to invest in them, and you value sound quality over integrated features, the LP60XBK is an excellent and widely respected choice for budding audiophiles.

2. Denver MRD-51BT MK2 Retro Record Player

If the Mersoco is a versatile turntable, the Denver MRD-51BT MK2 is a complete retro entertainment centre. It’s for the person who wants to play not just vinyl, but also CDs, cassettes, and listen to DAB/FM radio, all from one nostalgic, wood-finished unit. It’s an all-singing, all-dancing machine that consolidates multiple formats. The trade-off for this immense functionality is that the quality of each individual component may not be as focused as a dedicated device. Choose the Denver if your primary goal is to have a single device to play your entire physical media collection and you love the all-in-one retro aesthetic.

3. Udreamer Bluetooth Turntable Record Player

The Udreamer record player is a direct and very close competitor to the Mersoco. It offers a nearly identical feature set: 3-speed belt-drive, built-in speakers, Bluetooth input, and RCA/headphone outputs. The primary differentiator is aesthetic. The Udreamer often features a more modern design, such as the unique “Mirror Design Walnut” finish, which might appeal to those looking for a slightly different style. When choosing between the Mersoco and the Udreamer, your decision will likely come down to minor design preferences and current pricing, as they both aim to serve the same beginner-friendly, all-in-one market with great success.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable Worth It?

After extensive testing, our conclusion is clear: the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable is an outstanding product for its intended audience. It masterfully balances performance, features, style, and an almost unbelievably low price point. It successfully removes the barriers to entry for the vinyl hobby, offering a simple, enjoyable, and rewarding experience right out of the box. The sound from the built-in speakers is more than adequate for casual listening, and the inclusion of Bluetooth and RCA outputs provides a level of versatility that punches well above its weight class.

This is not a turntable for the seasoned audiophile with a thousand-pound sound system. It is, however, the perfect choice for the beginner, the student, the nostalgic listener, or anyone looking for a simple, stylish, and highly capable way to enjoy their records. It’s a gateway to a wonderful hobby, and for that, it receives our highest recommendation.

If you’ve decided the Mersoco 3-Speed Belt-Driven Turntable is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.