Quick Take
Choosing a copy of Michael Jackson's Thriller on vinyl comes down to condition, packaging, and price. One option is a used 1980s pressing with the original cover; another is a factory-sealed 1982 gatefold; the third is a 2016 gatefold repressing with a full track list. Alongside these three LPs, there's a stick-on accessory tray that keeps cleaning brushes next to your turntable. If you just want the album on wax, the used pressing gives you the lowest record price. If you want a new copy, the 1982 sealed gatefold is the cheaper new option. If a printed track list and a newer datestamp matter more to you than the price gap, the 2016 repressing is there. And if you already own the album, the Wingman tray solves the 'where did I put my brush?' problem.
Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Jackson Thriller Vinyl Record (Used) | USD 15.00 | |
| Michael Jackson Thriller Vinyl LP Record Epic 1982 New Sealed Gatefold | USD 18.55 | |
| Michael Jackson - Thriller [New Vinyl LP] Gatefold LP Jacket | USD 23.47 | |
| The Wingman - Vinyl Record Player Accessories Stick-On Organizer Tray | USD 9.99 |
Note: The Wingman is an accessory, not a record.
Decision Matrix
- If you value a used vintage pressing with original cover and the lowest listed price: choose the Michael Jackson Thriller Vinyl Record.
- If you want a brand-new, factory-sealed 1982 gatefold without paying the top price: choose the Epic 1982 New Sealed Gatefold.
- If you prefer a newer repressing with a printed track list and gatefold jacket: choose the 2016 LP.
- If you need a tool tray that attaches to your turntable: choose The Wingman.
Product Notes
Michael Jackson Thriller Vinyl Record
This used 1980s pressing brings the original cover art at a listed price of USD 15.00. It's a black 12-inch record in a cardboard sleeve, with 33 RPM speed and stereo sound. Because it's used, the condition is not going to match the new sealed copies. If your priority is owning a piece of the 1980s pop era and keeping the album cost low, this is the option to start with. You'll need to accept a pre-owned disc, and you won't get the factory-sealed packaging of the new copies.
Michael Jackson Thriller Vinyl LP Record Epic 1982 New Sealed Gatefold
At USD 18.55, this factory-sealed 1982 Epic gatefold is the mid-priced route to a brand-new Thriller. The title says 'New Sealed Gatefold,' and the product arrives as a 12-inch vinyl LP with 33 RPM speed and a cardboard sleeve. It's a standard edition, so you're not paying for a numbered or deluxe repressing. If you want a printed song-by-song track list, the 2016 edition includes one. But if the unopened 1982 pressing and its gatefold jacket are what you're after, this is the one to select.
Michael Jackson - Thriller [New Vinyl LP] Gatefold LP Jacket
This new gatefold repressing costs USD 23.47, the highest listed price among the four products. The album's track list is printed out, from 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' to 'The Lady in My Life,' and the genre is given as Soul/R&B. The release year is 2016, making it the most recent pressing of the three Thriller LPs. If you like to know exactly what's on the record before buying, this one spells it out. The tradeoff is the higher listed price compared with the other two Thriller LPs. For a collector who wants a newer pressing with a complete track list, this option makes sense.
The Wingman - Vinyl Record Player Accessories Stick-On Organizer Tray
At USD 9.99, The Wingman is the lowest listed price here and the only accessory in the set. It's a stick-on tray that attaches to the side of a record player, with three separated compartments for a wide record brush, a needle brush, and small tools. It measures 6.6 inches long, 1.8 inches wide, and 1.4 inches high, and it's made for universal compatibility. It won't provide music, so don't buy it as the main item. But if you want your cleaning kit within arm's reach while an LP spins, this tray does that job. Its key limitation: it organizes tools, but it doesn't include the brushes or solutions themselves.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
- Buy the used 1980s pressing if you're a collector who wants the original cover and doesn't mind a pre-owned disc.
- Buy the 1982 sealed gatefold if you want a new copy of Thriller with the iconic gatefold jacket while keeping the price below the 2016 repressing.
- Buy the 2016 repressing if the printed track list and a newer release year matter more than the extra cost.
- Buy The Wingman tray if you already have the LP and need a hands-free way to keep your cleaning tools at the turntable.
