Short answer: a record console is best when you want your turntable and records in one place at a comfortable height. A bookcase or tower is best when you want the most records on the least floor space. Cube shelving is the lowest-cost option and works for smaller collections, but it is usually made from particleboard, sized at the edge of what an LP needs, and can sag under a full load.
At a glance
| Record console | Bookcase or tower | Cube shelving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical capacity | About 120 to 2,000+ LPs | About 280 to 1,600+ LPs | About 70 to 90 LPs per cube |
| Floor space | Wide and low | Narrow and tall | Varies |
| Holds a turntable | Yes, on top at a good height | Sometimes, on a shelf | On top, if it's sturdy |
| Materials | Ours: solid hardwood | Ours: solid hardwood | Usually particleboard or MDF |
| Best for | Listening rooms, living rooms | Large or growing collections | Starter collections, budgets |
Capacities for our pieces come from our record storage by capacity guide.
Record consoles
A console keeps everything together: the turntable on top, receiver or amp in a cabinet, and records below. The top usually sits 20 to 40 inches high, close to where you want it for cueing a record. Doors keep dust off the sleeves, and cord holes keep cables tidy. The trade-off is floor width: a console that holds 1,000 records can be 5 to 8 feet wide.
Browse Vinyl LP Storage for our consoles.
Bookcases and towers
Going vertical fits more records on a smaller footprint. Our Vaughn Vinyl Tower is 20 inches wide and holds about 540 LPs; the Rascoff Bookcase holds about 1,325 in 39 inches. Tall pieces should be anchored to the wall, and the top shelves are less convenient for records you play every day.
Cube shelving
Cube units are inexpensive and easy to find, and for a small collection they work. The common issues are interiors that are barely 13 inches, shelves that bow under a full row of records, and joints that loosen when the unit is moved. If you start with cubes, keep heavy loads on the bottom row and watch for sagging.
Which should you choose?
- You want one piece for your whole setup: a console.
- Your collection is large and floor space is tight: a bookcase or tower.
- You need seating too, in an entry or under a window: a storage bench that holds records.
- You're just starting out: a small console or a tabletop stand, and size up later.
Not sure? Tell us about your space and collection and we'll suggest a size.