How long does a turntable stylus last?

It depends on the tip shape and the maker. Audio-Technica gives approximate figures for its VM cartridges of 300 to 500 hours for conical, 300 for elliptical, 800 for Shibata and Special Line Contact, and 1,000 for MicroLine. Ortofon says up to 1,000 hours is possible without loss of performance.

Can I replace just the stylus, or do I need a whole cartridge?

Many moving-magnet cartridges take a plug-in replacement stylus. Most moving-coil cartridges don't have a user-replaceable stylus, so the whole cartridge is serviced or replaced.

Are third-party replacement styli any good?

Some are, and for discontinued cartridges they may be the only option. Buy from sellers who name the maker clearly, and be wary of listings that claim to be 'genuine' at a suspiciously low price.

Turntable Stylus Guide: When to Replace It & Buying One Safely

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The short version

Stylus life is measured in hours of play, and makers publish figures from about 300 to 1,000 hours depending on tip shape.
Harsh, fuzzy or spitty sound, especially near the end of a side, is the classic sign of wear.
On a used deck, assume the stylus is worn unless the seller can say otherwise.
Buy replacements that name the exact cartridge model, and be skeptical of cheap "genuine" listings.

Stylus vs. cartridge: what's what

The stylus (the "needle") is a tiny diamond tip on a thin arm called the cantilever. The cartridge is the body it's attached to, which turns the stylus's movement into an electrical signal. People mix up the two all the time, and eBay listings do too.

On many moving-magnet (MM) cartridges, the stylus is a separate plug-in part: pull the old one off the front, push the new one on. Most moving-coil (MC) cartridges don't have a user-replaceable stylus, so the whole cartridge is serviced or replaced instead.

How long does a stylus last?

Manufacturers publish their own estimates, and the tip shape makes a big difference:

Source	Stylus type	Estimated life
Audio-Technica (VM cartridges)	Conical	approx. 300–500 hours
	Elliptical	approx. 300 hours
	Shibata / Special Line Contact	approx. 800 hours
	MicroLine	approx. 1,000 hours
Ortofon	General	up to 1,000 hours possible without loss of performance
Ortofon	DJ use	about 500 hours at the most

Those are hours of actual play, not years of ownership. A dirty stylus, a badly set tracking force or dirty records can shorten them. Check your own cartridge maker's figure, and keep a rough mental tally.

Signs your stylus is worn

Harsh, spitty "s" sounds (sibilance) and distortion, especially toward the end of a side where the groove is tighter.
Fuzzy, dull sound on records that used to sound clean.
Skipping on records that played fine before, once you've ruled out a dirty stylus and wrong tracking force.
Visible damage: a bent cantilever, or a chipped or missing tip under a magnifier or jeweler's loupe.

Don't wait too longA badly worn or damaged stylus doesn't just sound worse, it can damage your records. If you're unsure, replace it.

Buying a replacement stylus on eBay

1. Identify your cartridge exactly

Read the model name on the cartridge body, or look it up in your turntable's manual. Then find the correct replacement part on the cartridge maker's website. Replacement styli often have their own part numbers that differ from the cartridge's.

2. Genuine vs. third-party

Genuine replacements come from the cartridge maker. Third-party styli are made by other companies to fit, and for discontinued cartridges they may be the only option. Neither is automatically wrong. The problem is listings that aren't clear about which one you're getting.

Audio-Technica warns that unauthorized online resellers may sell counterfeit, damaged, used or defective products. So check who the seller is, look at the packaging in the photos, and be wary when the price seems too good to be true.

3. A note on Shure

Shure cartridges are everywhere on vintage decks, but Shure stopped making phono products in 2018. Any genuine Shure stylus sold as new today is old stock, so treat cheap "new genuine Shure" listings with suspicion. Clearly labeled third-party styli, or a current cartridge, are often the more practical route.

Search replacement styli on eBayAdd your exact cartridge model to the search for the best results.eBay affiliate link

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Make it last

Clean the stylus gently with a stylus brush, back to front (the way the record moves), never side to side.
Clean your records. Dust in the groove ends up on the stylus.
Set tracking force to the maker's recommendation, if your deck allows it.
Use the stylus guard when moving the deck, and when cleaning around the arm.

Stylus brushes and cleanersSmall, cheap, and they help your stylus last.eBay affiliate link