Audio-Technica Sound Burger – a portable turntable that looks like a hamburger
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Vinyl is great until you want to play it anywhere other than the one shelf where your turntable lives. Records are portable. Record players, mostly, are not.
The Audio-Technica Sound Burger is a portable turntable that clamps around a record like a bun around a patty. It runs on a battery, sends the music to Bluetooth speakers or headphones, and folds up small enough to carry by its strap.
It also looks ridiculous, in the best possible way. I want one for the picnic blanket.
What is the Audio-Technica Sound Burger?
The original Sound Burger came out in 1983. Audio-Technica says it has stayed a fan favorite ever since, thanks to the nostalgic design and some quirky ad campaigns. In 2022 the Japanese company brought it back as a red limited edition for its 60th anniversary. According to Audio-Technica, that run sold out worldwide in days, so the AT-SB727 joined the regular lineup in black, yellow and white.
You open the “bun”, put the record on the small platter, close the arm and drop the needle. The record hangs over the edges, which is exactly as weird as it sounds and part of the charm.
How does the Sound Burger work?
On paper it’s a proper (if small) turntable. Here’s what Audio-Technica lists:
- Belt drive with a DC motor, playing 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records. A 45 RPM adapter is in the box.
- A die-cast aluminum platter and a tonearm that uses a spring for stylus pressure, which Audio-Technica says helps with portability and stability.
- Bluetooth to wireless speakers or headphones, or a wired connection with the included 3.5 mm to RCA cable.
- Up to 12 hours of playback on one charge, over USB-C.
- A replaceable stylus. Audio-Technica sells the ATN3600LC and an upgraded ATN3600LE.
There’s no built-in speaker. You need headphones or a speaker, wired or wireless.
The good and the not-so-good
What I like:
- That design. What Hi-Fi gave it four stars and called the concept charming and fun, with plenty of appeal beyond the novelty.
- Trusted Reviews found the sound consistently enjoyable and called the industrial design truly charming.
- It goes where a normal turntable can’t: a park, a holiday rental, a friend’s place.
- Audio-Technica even sells a hard case (the AT-SBC1) designed to look like a fast food takeout box. Of course it does.
What could be better:
- What Hi-Fi points out that the cartridge can’t be upgraded and that a regular turntable at this price will sound better.
- Trusted Reviews found Bluetooth pairing fiddly.
- HeadphoneCheck notes it needs a flat surface for stable playback. Spinning records on your lap on a bumpy bus is still a bad idea.
Who is the Sound Burger for?
Record collectors who already own a “real” turntable and want a fun second one. Small apartments where a full deck doesn’t fit. And anyone buying a holiday gift for the vinyl nerd who has everything except a hamburger.
If you want the best sound for your money and your records never leave the living room, a classic deck is the better buy. And if you want the full DJ fantasy with scratching, the Korg Handytraxx Play is the portable to look at. For a cheap all-in-one with speakers built in, see our retro suitcase record player.
Where can I buy the Audio-Technica Sound Burger?
You can get the Sound Burger on Amazon, listed under the Audio-Technica brand store. It was about 200 bucks at the time of writing (October 2026). One Amazon buyer warns about receiving a used unit sold as new, so check who the seller is before you click buy.
Looking for more gifts for musicians and music fans? Our fun music gadgets list has plenty. Take my money, and hold the pickles.