Best Turntable Cartridges of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Turntable cartridges are essential components of a vinyl audio system that convert the grooves on the record into electrical signals. They are responsible for producing the sound quality and accuracy of the music played on a turntable. These cartridges come in a variety of styles, including moving magnet, moving coil, and ceramic, each with their own unique features and benefits. Whether you're a casual listener or an audiophile, a high-quality turntable cartridge can significantly improve your listening experience.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Numark CC-1 Ultra-Robust DJ Cartridge Cover #TOP 1
Numark CC-1 Ultra-Robust DJ Cartridge
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Elliptical Stereo Cartridge Cover #TOP 2
Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Elliptical Stereo Cartridge
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Audio-Technica VM95C Cartridge with Conical Stylus Cover #TOP 3
Audio-Technica VM95C Cartridge with Conical Stylus
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Turntable Cartridges

#TOP 1

Numark CC-1 Ultra-Robust DJ Cartridge

CC-1
CC-1 Grey
Numark CC-1 Ultra-Robust DJ Cartridge Cover
Numark CC-1 - Premium Ultra-Robust DJ Cartridge (Headshell & Stylus) for Turntables Perfect for Mixing & Scratching

The Numark CC-1 Cartridge is a professional and highly-versatile turntable cartridge designed for every DJ style. Its consistent quality and superior fidelity ensure that you enjoy high-output sound and excellent tracking, making it perfect for mixing and scratching. With a sleek, slim-line design, it is robust and easy to handle, allowing you to focus on your performance. Moreover, its full range frequency response from 20 to 20,000 Hz lets you hear every detail in your music, enhancing your overall experience.

What We Like
Highly versatile for all DJ styles
Superior sound quality and tracking
Sleek and easy-to-handle design
Full range frequency response
Precision-engineered diamond stylus tip
#TOP 2

Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Elliptical Stereo Cartridge

AT-VM95E
Green
Elliptical
Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Elliptical Stereo Cartridge Cover
Audio-Technica AT-VM95E VM95 series Elliptical stereo cartridge Green

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Cartridge features an aluminium cantilever, ensuring durability and improved tracking for your records. With a 4.0mV output voltage, it delivers a strong signal, enhancing your listening experience. It's compatible with all VM95 Series stylus assemblies, allowing you to easily switch or upgrade your stylus when needed. Additionally, the cartridge offers a frequency response of 20 to 22,000Hz, providing clear and detailed audio across a broad range of sounds, perfect for any vinyl enthusiast.

What We Like
Durable aluminium cantilever
Strong 4.0mV output voltage
Compatible with VM95 Series
Wide frequency response range
#TOP 3

Audio-Technica VM95C Cartridge with Conical Stylus

AT-VM95C
Blue
Conical
Audio-Technica VM95C Cartridge with Conical Stylus Cover
Audio-Technica VM95C Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge with Conical Bonded Stylus Blue

The Audio-Technica VM95C Cartridge is designed for those seeking quality at an affordable price. It features an aluminium cantilever, which enhances durability and sound clarity, ensuring a reliable performance. With a 4.0mV output voltage, you can expect a strong signal for rich sound reproduction. This cartridge is compatible with all VM95 Series stylus assemblies, allowing you to customise and upgrade your listening experience. Additionally, it serves as a replacement for other models, making it a versatile option for your turntable setup.

What We Like
Affordable quality sound
Durable aluminium cantilever
Strong 4.0mV output
Compatible with VM95 Series
Versatile replacement option
#TOP 4

Gemini Headshell with Mounted Stereo Cartridge

HDCN15
Gemini Headshell with Mounted Stereo Cartridge Cover
Gemini Headshell with Mounted Stereo Cartridge with Stylus

The Gemini Stereo Cartridge features a sturdy silver body with a tracking arm, ensuring durability and stability during use. The rubber washer provides a snug fit to the tone arm, enhancing the overall performance. Its elliptical stylus is designed for strong tracking, allowing you to enjoy clear and precise sound quality. Additionally, the included stylus cover helps prolong the lifespan of the stylus, saving you money in the long run. This product is a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their turntable experience.

What We Like
Sturdy and durable design
Snug fit for better performance
Clear and precise sound quality
Stylus cover extends lifespan
#TOP 5

Goldring E3 High-Output Phono Cartridge

Goldring
GL0058
Goldring E3 High-Output Phono Cartridge Cover
Goldring E3 High-Output Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge for Record Player Vinyl Turntable Needle Hi-fi - with Spherical Stylus & Aluminium Cantilever

The Goldring E3 Cartridge offers an impressive listening experience. Its superior, bonded, super-elliptical stylus enhances high frequency detail, helping you enjoy clearer vocals in your favourite recordings. With Magnetic Duplex Technology, you benefit from improved channel separation, resulting in a more immersive sound stage. Additionally, expert adjustment during production ensures that the cartridge is optimised for consistent performance, giving you peace of mind when using your turntable.

What We Like
Enhanced high frequency detail
Improved channel separation
Consistent performance
Ideal for record enthusiasts
#TOP 6

Audio Technica AT-VM95ML/H Turntable Cartridge

AT-VM95ML/H
Audio Technica AT-VM95ML/H Turntable Cartridge Cover
Audio Technica AT-VM95ML/H Headshell/Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge (Black/Red)

The Audio Technica AT-VM95ML offers a universal 1/2"-mount headshell, making it compatible with various 4-pin turntable cartridges. Its durable low-resonance polymer housing ensures that you enjoy a cleaner sound by reducing unwanted vibrations. The threaded inserts in the cartridge body allow for easy mounting to the headshell using just two screws, simplifying the setup process for you. Additionally, the aluminium cantilever enhances the overall performance, providing clear and accurate sound reproduction that will elevate your listening experience.

What We Like
Easy to install
Durable construction
Reduces unwanted vibrations
Clear sound quality
#TOP 7

Nagaoka MP 110 Hi-Fi Turntable Cartridge System

Nagaoka
MP-110
Nagaoka MP 110 Hi-Fi Turntable Cartridge System Cover
Nagaoka MP 110 Hi-Fi turntable cartridge systems

The Nagaoka MP 110 Cartridge offers exceptional sound quality with crystal clear clarity across every frequency. You will appreciate the fluidity it provides, ensuring that every note and detail is separated distinctly. This cartridge makes it easy for you to enjoy a full dynamic range, enhancing your listening experience whether you are a casual listener or an audiophile. With its modern construction materials, this product is designed to deliver outstanding performance and longevity.

What We Like
Crystal clear sound quality
Fluid across frequency spectrum
Separates audio details
Full dynamic range
Modern construction materials
#TOP 8

Goldring E4 High-Output Phono Cartridge

Goldring
GL0061
Blue
Goldring E4 High-Output Phono Cartridge Cover
Goldring E4 High-Output Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge for Record Player Vinyl Turntable Needle Hi-fi - with Spherical Stylus & Aluminium Cantilever

The Goldring E4 Cartridge is the ideal upgrade for your modern budget or midrange turntable. With its Magnetic Duplex Technology, you can enjoy superior channel separation and a richer sound stage, enhancing your listening experience. The expert adjustments ensure that the cartridge is optimally set up, providing consistent performance. Additionally, the advanced stylus and aluminium cantilever improve high-frequency detail, allowing you to hear your records with remarkable clarity. This combination of features allows you to fully appreciate the nuances of your vinyl collection.

What We Like
Exceptional sound quality
Easy installation
Improved high-frequency detail
Durable design
#TOP 9

Audio-Technica AT-VM95EN Elliptical Cartridge

AT-VM95EN
Orange
Elliptical Nude
Audio-Technica AT-VM95EN Elliptical Cartridge Cover
Audio-Technica AT-VM95EN VM95 series Elliptical Nude stereo cartridge Orange

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95EN is an exceptional turntable cartridge designed to enhance your listening experience. With an aluminium cantilever, this cartridge ensures durability and superior performance. You will appreciate the 3.5mV output voltage, which delivers a strong signal for clear sound reproduction. Its frequency response spans from 20 to 23,000Hz, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of audio frequencies. Additionally, it is compatible with all VM95 Series stylus assemblies, providing you with versatility for your turntable setup.

What We Like
High-quality sound reproduction
Durable aluminium cantilever
Strong output voltage
Wide frequency response
Compatible with VM95 stylus
#TOP 10

Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML Microlinear Stereo Cartridge

AT-VM95ML
Microlinear
Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML Microlinear Stereo Cartridge Cover
Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML VM95 series Microlinear stereo cartridge Red

The Audio-Technica VM95ML Cartridge offers impressive features for audiophiles. Its aluminium cantilever enhances sound quality and ensures durability, allowing you to enjoy your favourite music with clarity. With a 3.5mV output voltage, it delivers efficient performance, providing a robust audio experience. The frequency response of 20 to 25,000Hz ensures that you can hear every detail in your records, from deep bass to sparkling highs. Additionally, the cartridge is compatible with all VM95 Series stylus assemblies, giving you versatility and ease of use when upgrading your setup.

What We Like
Durable aluminium cantilever
High output voltage
Wide frequency response
Compatible with VM95 Series
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I put any cartridge on my turntable?

Turntables using moving coil cartridges typically don't have a replaceable stylus, so you can expect to have to replace the entire cartridge. Also, some turntable models are only compatible with one cartridge type. Others offer flexibility by being able to work with either moving magnet or moving coil cartridges.

2. Do all cartridges fit all turntables?

No, the reason cartridges are not universal is because there are two main types that fit differently on turntables, P-Mount and Half-Inch. The easiest way to know which cartridge you have on your turntable is to determine whether or not there is a headshell.

3. Do turntable cartridges make a difference?

Many vinyl-philes and turntable aficionados assert that a phono cartridge has a greater effect on record playback than the turntable itself, and that the cartridge is as important as the choice of loudspeakers and the acoustic environment where music is played.

4. What are the different types of turntable cartridges?

Four main series of cartridges: Excellence, Moving Coil, VM Series and Moving Magnet entry models. Five different diamond stylus shapes :Special Line Contact, Shibata, Microlinear, Elliptical and Conical.

Editor's Notes

During our turntable cartridge research, we found 306 turntable cartridge products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 40,556 customer reviews through our big data system to write the turntable cartridges list. We found that most customers choose turntable cartridges with an average price of £98.12.

The turntable cartridges are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of turntable cartridges, including Numark, Audio-Technica, Gemini, Goldring, Nagaoka.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.