Records are back in a big way. In 2025, U.S. vinyl sales grew for the 19th year in a row and passed $1 billion for the first time since 1983, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. That means the crates of LPs in the garage or hall closet deserve a careful look before they go anywhere.

What makes a record valuable

• Demand for the artist and album. Classic rock, jazz, soul, punk and early hip-hop are steady sellers. Common easy-listening albums usually are not.
• Which pressing it is. An original first pressing is often worth much more than a later reissue of the same album.
• Condition. This matters most. A scratched copy of a rare album can be worth less than a clean copy of a common one.
• Everything that came with it. Original inner sleeves, posters, lyric sheets and stickers all add value. Promotional “white label” copies can be especially collectible.

How to identify the pressing

Look at the smooth band between the last song and the label, called the “dead wax” or runout. Etched letters and numbers there identify where and when a record was pressed. Type the album name and those numbers into Discogs, the large record database, to find the exact version and see recent sale prices for it.

How records are graded

Buyers use a standard scale, from best to worst: Mint, Near Mint, Very Good Plus, Very Good, Good, and Poor. Hold the record under a bright light. Light scuffs that do not affect play are acceptable for Very Good Plus. Deep scratches, warps and heavy wear drop the grade quickly.

An Arizona warning: heat warps vinyl

Never store records in a garage, shed or car here. Summer heat can warp a record in an afternoon. Keep them indoors, standing upright like books, in their sleeves and out of direct sun.

Don’t forget the gear

Vintage turntables, receivers and speakers from brands like Marantz, McIntosh, Technics and Pioneer are in high demand right now, even when they need service.

Sources

• Music Week: RIAA reports vinyl sales pass $1 billion
• Discogs record database