Rega Planar 3
Hi-fi turntables · 2016–present In production
£840 UK RRP
A widely recommended entry point into serious hi-fi, particularly among UK dealers. The current version pairs the RB330 arm with a lightweight, rigid plinth and 12mm glass platter; buy it bare or with a factory-fitted Rega cartridge.
The benchmark mid-range turntable since 1977 — every rival is measured against it.
Model history: The current Planar 3 (2016) replaced the multi-award-winning RP3 in what Rega calls the biggest redesign of the model ever, keeping only the dustcover and hinges; it introduced a new 24V motor with improved control PCB and the new RB330 tonearm (replacing the RB303) with zero-tolerance bearings and a stiffer bearing housing.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: a first serious turntable for an existing or planned amp-and-speakers setup. Less ideal for: plugging straight into passive speakers with no amp — check the built-in phono stage row above, and note most hi-fi decks still need external amplification.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | Rega Exact (optional fit) |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | 12mm float glass |
| Tonearm | RB330 |
| Dimensions | 447 x 117 x 360 mm (W x H x D, lid closed) |
| Weight | 6 kg |
| Finishes | Light Oak Effect is a newer addition (2024) — verify DB includes it alongside white/black/red gloss. |
| Warranty | Lifetime Limited Warranty against manufacturing defects (excludes wear and tear/consumable parts) |
| Years | 2016–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its belt-drive mechanism is the majority choice in the database (130 of 159). On price it sits mid-pack of its category — 61% of priced hi-fi decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Rega Planar 3…
Retailer searches
16 UK merchants stock Rega — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analogue Seduction | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most items; specialist packing | View at Analogue Seduction ↗ |
| The Audiobarn | hifi independent | UK delivery; demo by appointment | View at The Audiobarn ↗ |
| Audio Affair | hifi independent | Free UK delivery over £50 | Search at Audio Affair ↗ |
| Audio T | hifi chain | Free UK delivery on most items; in-store demos | Search at Audio T ↗ |
| Criterion Audio | hifi independent | UK delivery; Cambridge demo rooms | Search at Criterion Audio ↗ |
| Cymbiosis | hifi independent | By arrangement; specialist installation | Search at Cymbiosis ↗ |
| Doug Brady HiFi | hifi independent | UK delivery; specialist setup | Search at Doug Brady HiFi ↗ |
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
| Fanthorpes HiFi | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most hi-fi | Search at Fanthorpes HiFi ↗ |
| Grahams Hi-Fi | hifi independent | UK delivery; London demo rooms | Search at Grahams Hi-Fi ↗ |
| Hi-Fi Corner | hifi independent | UK delivery; Edinburgh & Falkirk stores | Search at Hi-Fi Corner ↗ |
| Peter Tyson | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most hi-fi; competitive pricing | Search at Peter Tyson ↗ |
| Richer Sounds | hifi chain | Free UK delivery on most orders; click & collect from stores | Search at Richer Sounds ↗ |
| Sevenoaks Sound & Vision | hifi chain | Free UK delivery over £100; in-store demonstration and setup | Search at Sevenoaks Sound & Vision ↗ |
| Superfi | hifi independent | Free UK delivery over £50 | Search at Superfi ↗ |
| Vinyl Revival | music retail | UK delivery | Search at Vinyl Revival ↗ |
Compare it
Compare the Planar 3 against any other deck →
