# Fluance RT81: specs and price

**Price (US):** $299.99 at fluance.com (MSRP on fluance.com, June 2026.), as of 2026-06-27. A sourced, dated price of record — other retailers (incl. Amazon) may be lower. Among the 16 turntables we track it is #3 cheapest of 16; category median $572.
**Brand:** Fluance
**Released:** 2016
**Deskmark:** Bronze Deskmark — pay-blind category standing 38/100, #9 of 15 in class (independent, computed from sourced data, never for sale).
**Price tracked since:** June 2026

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Price (US) | $299.99 |
| Brand | Fluance |
| Released | 2016 |
| Drive type | belt |
| Speeds | 33⅓ / 45 RPM |
| Cartridge included | Audio-Technica AT95E |
| Built in preamp | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| USB output | No |
| Weight (lb) | 14.1 |

## Where it stands

At $300, the Fluance RT81 is #3 cheapest of the 16 turntables we track, where the median is $572. On the spec sheet, its release of 2016 is the lowest of the 12, and its weight of 14.1 lb is above the median of the 15.

## What reviewers say

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. (Based on 3 reviews, 3 lab-tested, 2018-08-07–2024-02-22.)

Praised: Easy, near plug-and-play setup; Defeatable built-in phono preamp; Upgradeable cartridge and phono stage give room to grow; Excellent value for the price; Solid build and attractive walnut design.
Flagged: Outclassed on detail and dynamics by pricier rivals (Rega/Pro-Ject); Plastic tonearm with only average tracking; Inconsistent platter speed on sustained notes; Lacks modern features (no USB ripping, no Bluetooth).
Disagreement: The sources split on sonic refinement: What Hi-Fi and TechRadar note the RT81 is bettered by pricier rivals on detail and dynamics and flag speed/tonearm shortcomings, whereas TechHive raises no sound-quality reservations, calling it 'stellar' with only missing-feature (no USB, no Bluetooth) cons.
Sources: What Hi-Fi (2018-08-07, whathifi.com), TechRadar (2024-02-22, techradar.com), TechHive (2023-02-17, techhive.com)

## Frequently asked questions

**What do reviewers say about the 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. Praised: Easy, near plug-and-play setup; Defeatable built-in phono preamp; Upgradeable cartridge and phono stage give room to grow; Excellent value for the price; Solid build and attractive walnut design. Flagged: Outclassed on detail and dynamics by pricier rivals (Rega/Pro-Ject); Plastic tonearm with only average tracking; Inconsistent platter speed on sustained notes; Lacks modern features (no USB ripping, no Bluetooth). (From 3 tester reviews, 3 lab-tested.)

**How much does the Fluance RT81 cost?**

The Fluance RT81 has a US price of $299.99 (MSRP on fluance.com, June 2026.), as of 2026-06-15.

**How does the Fluance RT81 compare on price?**

At $300, the Fluance RT81 is #3 cheapest of the 16 turntables we track, where the median is $572.

**When was the Fluance RT81 released?**

The Fluance RT81 was released 2016.

**What are the Fluance RT81's key specs?**

Fluance RT81 (Fluance): drive type belt, speeds 33⅓ / 45 RPM, cartridge included Audio-Technica AT95E, built in preamp Yes, bluetooth No. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.

Source: https://www.fluance.com/rt81-high-fidelity-vinyl-turntable-record-player-with-premium-cartridge-diamond-needle (fluance.com, accessed 2026-06-15)
Corroboration: https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-Turntable-Cartridge-Adjustable-Counterweight/dp/B01F2EXIFM (accessed 2026-06-15)
Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/product/turntables/fluance-rt81/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, the Fluance RT81 price of record was $299.99 as of 2026-06-15 — https://frontdeskreview.com/product/turntables/fluance-rt81/
License: CC BY 4.0. Price history: https://frontdeskreview.com/data/price-history.jsonl