Best Vinyl Accessories That Aren’t a Waste of Money (2025 Edition)

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OK, so you bought a turntable. Cool. But now you're getting hit with ads for $80 record brushes, UV sterilizers, and Bluetooth preamps. The truth is, you don't need most of it. Still, there are a few accessories that actually make a difference.

Here’s a quick guide to vinyl accessories that are worth the money, and which ones you can skip.

1. Anti-Static Brush

• Keeps your records clean between plays

• Reduces surface noise and static pops

• Works better than your hoodie sleeve (which you shouldn't use anyway) 👉 Boundless Brush

2. Inner & Outer Sleeves

• Protect your vinyl and artwork from dust and scratches. But the inner sleeves are the most important if you want your artwork to age like the vintage collection at your favorite coffee shop.

• Go with rice paper inners + clear polypropylene outers 👉 Invest in Vinyl: Inner Sleeves Outer Sleeves

3. Basic Record Cleaning Kit

• Don’t go overboard. All you need is a soft cloth, some fluid, and a gentle touch 👉 EVEO Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit

4. Entry-Level Preamp (if needed)

• If your turntable doesn't have one built-in, this is a must

• Get something clean and cheap, like the ART DJPRE II

5. Powered Speakers

• Better sound than any suitcase player can offer

• Kanto YU4, Edifier R1280DB, or anything with RCA inputs. Even some $20 desktop speakers will do the trick.

Skip These:

• Spin-clean lookalikes with no reviews

• "Vinyl weight stabilizers"

• $40 stylus pressure scales (you can get one for $10)

Wrap: You don’t need a hundred-dollar cleaning ritual. Just the basics. Keep your vinyl in good shape, and enjoy the music.