Fluance
Fluance RT81
$299.99Cheaper
Released 2016
Best Turntables · head-to-head
Fluance RT81 vs Rega Planar 1
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Fluance RT81 is cheaper at $299.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Rega
Rega Planar 1
$595
Released 2016
Which is better: the Fluance RT81 or Rega Planar 1?
The Rega Planar 1 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Fluance RT81 is the cheaper at $299.99. Get the Rega Planar 1 for the stronger spec sheet, the Fluance RT81 to spend less.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Fluance RT81 | Rega Planar 1 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299.99 MSRP on fluance.com, June 2026. | $595 |
| Brand | Fluance | Rega |
| Released | 2016 | 2016 |
| Drive type | belt | belt |
| Speeds | 33⅓ / 45 RPM | 33⅓ / 45 RPM |
| Cartridge included | Audio-Technica AT95E | Rega Carbon MM |
| Built in preamp | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| USB output | No | No |
| Weight (lb) | 14.1 | 9.3 |
| Release | 2016 | 2016 |
Sources — Fluance RT81: fluance.com (verified 2026-06-15). Rega Planar 1: rega.co.uk (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Fluance RT81 and Rega Planar 1?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cartridge included: Fluance RT81 Audio-Technica AT95E vs Rega Planar 1 Rega Carbon MM
- Built in preamp: Fluance RT81 true vs Rega Planar 1 false
- Weight (lb): Fluance RT81 14.1 vs Rega Planar 1 9.3
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Fluance RT81
Three whitelisted outlets (What Hi-Fi, TechRadar, TechHive) reviewed the exact Fluance RT81 hands-on and agree it is a standout entry-level turntable: easy near plug-and-play setup, a defeatable built-in phono preamp, and clear upgrade headroom via swappable cartridge and phono stage. None published lab measurements. Criticisms are largely model-dependent: TechRadar flags a plastic tonearm with average tracking and slightly inconsistent speed, What Hi-Fi says pricier rivals better it on detail and dynamics, and TechHive misses USB ripping and Bluetooth. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Easy, near plug-and-play setup; Defeatable built-in phono preamp; Upgradeable cartridge and phono stage give room to grow.
Flagged: Outclassed on detail and dynamics by pricier rivals (Rega/Pro-Ject); Plastic tonearm with only average tracking; Inconsistent platter speed on sustained notes.
Rega Planar 1
Two whitelisted hi-fi testers, What Hi-Fi and TechRadar, reviewed the Rega Planar 1 (aka PL1) hands-on, both rating it a class-leading entry-level deck with detailed, rhythmic, unified sound and easy setup. Both are qualitative listening tests with no lab measurements. The only recurring critique is that it can over-indulge warm or lush recordings. No RTINGS-style benchmarks exist. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Reveals fine detail without harshness; beyond entry-level resolution; Rhythmic, expressive, unified 'performance' presentation across genres; Carefully engineered build with easy plug-and-play setup.
Flagged: Can sound slightly less perky / overly warm on lush recordings; No modern features (no USB or wireless); pricey for 'entry level'.