Rolling Stone and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.
No Second-Guessing These Second Pressings: 10 Must-Have Vinyl Records to Buy Right Now
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
There is no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than perusing your local record store. That pulse-quickening feeling when you finally find the vinyl you’ve been searching for amongst a sea of dusty, polyester sleeves makes life worth living (OK, that’s a little dramatic but it is fun as hell).
More from Rolling Stone
But sometimes you can’t locate the exclusive LP you’ve been seeking. Maybe it’s sold out, maybe it’s five times more expensive than you’re willing to pay, or maybe your local vinyl store refuses to carry anything other than David Bowie — he has sold the most vinyl of any other artist, after all. Whatever the reason, that’s where online retailers come in.
The Best Places to Buy Vinyl Online
To help narrow your search, we rounded up the top 10 best places to purchase vinyl online. Each of these retailers carries one-of-a-kind vinyl, records with remastering sound, and LPs with top track listings, so you’ll always get the best quality. Go ahead, take a look at these stores below, and as Corinne Bailey Ray once said, “Put your records on.”
BEST TRACK LISTINGS
Amazon
ABBA, Gold Greatest Hits Vinyl
$36.70
With an impressive selection of vinyl and two-day shipping for Prime members (but everybody is a member now, right?), Amazon is one of the best places to purchase a record online. Plus, the mega-retailer runs frequent sales, so you don’t have to worry about spending all of your “Money, Money, Money” on a top track.
Other vinyl to shop on Amazon:
? Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
? Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter
? Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II 2014 (Remastered)
PRE-ORDER
Barnes & Noble
Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd At Pompeii
$44.99
When it comes to finding vinyl, don’t sleep on Barnes & Noble. The book retailer has its own in-house music department where it sells newly released records, but it also has an expansive collection of old-school vinyl, too. Recently, I was searching high and low for the Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody LP, and the only place I could locate it (for a decent price) was none other than Barnes & Noble.
Other vinyl to shop on Barnes & Noble:
? Wicked: A New Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
? Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet
? Queen, Greatest Hits
BEST SOUND QUALITY
Victrola Record Store
Zach Bryan, The Great American Bar Scene
$39.98
Buy Now on victrola record store
Since 1906, Victrola has been producing some of the highest-quality audio products (speakers, turntables, stereos, etc.), and we’re here to say that their record selection should definitely not be missed. Featuring vinyl from today and the yesteryears, they ensure that each item they sell has top track listings and high sound quality.
Other vinyl to shop on Victrola Record Store:
? Leon Bridges, Leon
? Charli XCX, Brat And It’s The Same But There’s Three More Songs So It’s Not
? Green Day, American Idiot (20th Anniversary Red & Black Splatter 2LP)
BEST EXCLUSIVES
Target
Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (Target Exclusive)
$59.99
Maybe you’re a Swiftie, or maybe you’re more of a Beatlemaniac; either way, Target has an exclusive record just for you. The red-dotted retailer sells vinyl that is only available at their stores, and each record has special add-ons like posters, collectible cards, and more.
Other vinyl to shop on Target:
? The Beatles, Meet the Beatles! (Target Exclusive, Vinyl)
? Kendrick Lamar, Damn (Target Exclusive, Vinyl)
? Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Greatest Hits (Target Exclusive, Vinyl) (2 LP)
BEST AFFORDABLE OPTIONS
Walmart
Ariana Grande, eternal sunshine [Ruby Vinyl] – Music & Performance
$38.71
Everyone’s favorite discount superstore has more than 500 vinyl for sale on their website, so you’ll always find what you’re looking for. Yes, that even includes the official Hamilton Soundtrack that you don’t want to admit is currently in your cart.
Other vinyl to shop on Walmart:
? Selena, Amor Prohibido
? Harry Styles, Harry’s House
? Lana Del Rey, Ultraviolence (180-gram) (incl. 3 bonus tracks)
BEST SUBSCRIPTION
Vinyl Me Please
Sublime, Sublime
$55.00
If you’re looking for a gift that keeps on giving, then check out Vinyl Me Please. A convenient subscription service, they deliver an exclusive record to your door every single month for only $44.00 — which is a deal, considering these records also come with special features, like unique cover art, posters, and more. But if you’re afraid of that type of commitment (we don’t judge), they also sell one-off vinyl for purchase.
Other vinyl to shop on Vinyl Me Please:
? Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska
? Run – D.M.C., Raising Hell
? Whitney Houston, 35th Anniversary Collection
BEST SOUND QUALITY
eBay
David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
$22.96
eBay is a great place to buy vinyl online because it lets you sort your selection based on music type, speed, condition, and whether or not you want to place a bid or purchase as listed. The standout, though, is really the speed toggle, allowing you to easily find records with the highest sound quality (most experts agree this is between 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM).
Other vinyl to shop on eBay:
? Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet
? Coldplay, Moon Music
? My Chemical Romance, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
BEST VARIETY
Best Buy
Prince, The Hits
$35.99
Although it’s primarily known for its selection of electronics, you can snag some pretty good vinyl deals at Best Buy. While they don’t have the most deep-cut collection, they do have bestselling records from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and today for a reasonable price.
Other vinyl to shop on Best Buy:
? Bob Dylan, Greatest Hits
? Elton John, Diamonds
? Frank Sinatra, Ultimate Sinatra
BEST DEALS
Urban Outfitters
Shaboozey, A Bar Song
$16.98
This may come as a surprise to you (at least it was for me), but Urban Outfitters has been selling vinyl for decades, and currently, they’re considered the largest seller of records in the world. So, in other words, this means that you’ll be able to pick up a Dua Lipa vinyl for yourself and a Shaboozey LP for your mom (why do all moms love Shaboozey so much?).
Other vinyl to shop on Urban Outfitters:
? Noah Kahan, You’re Gonna Go Far
? Dua Lipa, Dua Lipa
? Olivia Rodrigo, GUTS
BEST INDEPENDANT STORE
Rough Trade
Charli XCX, Brat
$48.00
Rough Trade opened in 1976 as a brick-and-mortar shop but quickly expanded into a chain retailer. Now, it sells some of its products online, including a hefty selection of new and used vinyl. It also has a members-only club where you can access special events, discounts, free shipping, and more, making it the perfect shop to round out our list.
Other vinyl to shop on Rough Trade:
? Idles, Live at Glastonbury
? Andre 3000, New Blue Sun
? King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Acoustic Gizzard – Live in Detroit 2024
Best of Rolling Stone
Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.