6 Best Places to Buy Vinyl Records Online

Even if you still mostly listen to music on your smartphone or computer, vinyl gives you the option of elevating the experience with your favorite albums. You also get to have an object that you can proudly display in your home. Here’s where you should start if you want to buy Vinyl records online.

Vinyl has this inherent physical beauty and substance that surpasses that of digital downloads (zero material presence) or CDs, which more closely resemble everyday office supplies than not.

Experience Vinyl

What We Like

• Multiple sellers means greater selection.

• Numerous hard-to-find LPs.

What We Don’t Like

• Some records remain listed after already selling.

• Shipping prices vary between sellers.

Formerly Reverb LP, and before that SoundStageDirect, Experience Vinyl is a marketplace connecting buyers to brick-and-mortar shops as well as individual sellers, creating a massive collection of LP options. Customers can find everything from obscure classes to new hit albums.

Genres available include everything from rock, pop, and country to brass and military, stage and screen, children’s music and more.

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DustyGroove

What We Like

• Inventory updated daily.

• Orders ship within 24 hours of payment. 

What We Don’t Like

• Some major sub-genres lumped together.

• Rare LPs hit-or-miss.

DustyGroove has a fantastic and deep selection of soul, jazz, funk, and rock records, but browse through the inventory a bit and you’ll find how well the site branches out with hip-hop, vocalists, soundtracks, reggae, gospel, and more. Prices are very competitive at DustyGroove, and there is also a discount bin or savvy shoppers. If you ever happen to be in Chicago, you can walk in DustyGroove’s brick and mortar store located on North Ashland Avenue.

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EIL

What We Like

• Rare LPs and more.

• Fun to browse.

What We Don’t Like

• Dated appearance.

• Clunky search.

The site feels a little dated in terms of looks, but it features practically every genre of music you can possibly think of and plenty of artists all over. Shop for rare, import, and/or the latest vinyl records along with memorabilia, posters, books, art, CDs, autographed items, and more.

One can easily spend hours upon hours browsing through what EIL has to offer, be it new, rare, collectible, used, and (especially) hard to find music. Your best bet is to enter a particular artist or album and see what there is. There’s also stock of vinyl singles (in 12″, 10″, and 7″ formats), limited editions, promo albums, promotional items, imports, and music memorabilia from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s along with full discographies. The prices are good, and you can even sell your collection for cash or trade-in.

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Watson Records

What We Like

• LPs are graded.

• Specializes in classical, rock, and jazz.

What We Don’t Like

• Shipping outside UK can take weeks.

• Limited selection of different genres.

Watson Records is an excellent and informed source for classical music on vinyl. The inventory may not be the biggest, but the condition of records are only the best. Plus, it’s worth checking back if you’re looking for rare and valuable albums. Watson Records also buys records and equipment that meets the discerning standards.

Founded in 1985, Watson Records has grown to become the largest supplier of fine classical vinyl records in the UK today. The company continues to prosper both locally and abroad as a privately owned family firm. 

Today, Watson Records trades exclusively online, and the company continues to seek and sell vinyl records to collectors throughout the world.

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Vinyl Me, Please

What We Like

• Discover new music.

• Limited edition LPs.

What We Don’t Like

• Limited selection.

• Subscription based.

Vinyl Me, Please is a record of the month club that believes in the power of the album as an art form. For them, music isn’t just something to listen to; it’s a part of people’s lives. Vinyl Me, Please believes that albums are meant to be connected with and enjoyed as a complete work of art. Vinyl, as a medium, creates an environment for this connection through deep, active listening. The music is the focus, rather than just background noise.

Each month Vinyl Me, Please features one album that is worthy of your time and attention – picking records is not a task they take lightly. The company works with the artist and label on a custom pressing, with exclusive features available only to subscribers of Vinyl Me, Please. Each record is packaged with a 12″ x 12″ album-inspired art print and custom cocktail pairing recipe, all mailed directly to your doorstep.

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LPNOW

What We Like

• Rare and out of print selection.

• Original artists and records.

What We Don’t Like

• Outdated website.

• Difficult to browse.

LPNOW is a proven source for rare and out of print vinyl LPs—original artists and original recordings—from the US and UK. Most of what you will find will be “cutouts” that are still factory sealed. LPNOW also offers imports, which are new but not sealed. You can also find audiophile and current releases, too.

The site has a very basic layout, so the search function will be your best friend. It’s the easiest way to find something specific, versus browsing through the hundreds of items available in stock. But don’t be fooled if it seems that there isn’t much to look at. LPNOW has access to tens of thousands of titles from distributors, record company overstock, and major warehouse buyouts.

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