Did someone’s Boiler Room set put a tear in your eye and a spark in your heart? Did one of the many YouTube videos of all-vinyl funk and soul/city pop finally break your will? However you got here, it seems very much like it could be time: time for you to start learning how to DJ.
In order to learn how to DJ, you need to learn the tools of the trade. Top-flight gear like CDJs, pro mixers and Technics turntables are industry-standard tools, but also some combination of costly, inconvenient and downright obtuse to use. The humble DJ controller, when paired with a computer or smartphone, can give you the same essential workflow for much, much less.
DJ controllers are interfaces for your computer, that enable you to control DJ software hands-on. They tend to mimic the layout of a CDJs-and-mixer DJ setup, which makes them an opportunity to learn your way around these tools without forking out for rehearsal spaces or expensive gear.
They’re also excellent tools in their own right. Even pro DJs will have DJ controllers at home or in their backpack; they’re handy to have when building your digital crates or testing out sets, and they also make recording your own mixes at home a breeze. Depending on their specs, they can even be practical as actual gigging equipment. They are, fundamentally, professional pieces of gear, with all the core functionality of their venue-system big siblings.
Certain controllers are designed to work with certain software, and some are designed with different DJing disciplines in mind – which is what might make it hard for someone starting out to know which one they ought to buy. That’s where this very guide comes in, with a breakdown of the best-in-class for all manner of different criteria.
If you’d like to know a bit more about what distinguishes one controller from the next, you’ll find an extensive suite of information and suggestions in my FAQ section at the bottom, while a glossary takes you through all the key terms you might come across. Read on, though, to find out what the best DJ controllers on the market are today.
Best overall
✅ Buy it if you want the best of everything: From pro features and Bluetooth connectivity to beginner-friendly mix-assistance tools, there's no better model on the market for newcomers.
❌ Avoid it if you want a gigging controller: The DDJ-FLX4 will certainly do its job at a venue, but it’s not the most robustly-built of the bunch.
The lowdown: Pioneer/AlphaTheta’s CDJs are essentially the industry standard, at least for club DJs. Their 2-channel DDJ-FLX4 is an entry-level DJ controller, that offers a simplified take on those high-end industry-standard devices, and that delivers the essentials – jog wheels, performance pads and a simple mixer – without threatening to overwhelm beginners.
Features: The Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 is a two-channel, two-deck DJ controller with a familiar layout. On it, you’ll find all the basic tools you’d hope to find on larger controllers and CDJ systems, including three-band EQs for each channel, hot cue and performance pads for each deck, dedicated looping buttons and access to both filters and beat fx.
The FLX4 is built to work with four different forms of DJ software: rekordbox, djay, Serato DJ Lite, and Traktor Play. rekordbox being Pioneer’s house-brand software, using the FLX4 with it means unlocking some sophisticated performance features – including Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone or tablet running rekordbox’s mobile app, which enables you to play an entire set wirelessly and without a laptop in sight by streaming tracks directly from Beatport, Beatsource, Soundcloud or TIDAL.
Rekordbox also contains the brains behind the FLX4’s Smart Mixing features, that simplify the process of beatmatching, EQing and effects processing to make mixing a breeze. The Smart Fader automatically tweaks volume, EQ and BPM to help create smooth transitions between your tracks, while Smart CFX instantly applies a selection of multi-effects to help emphasize climactic moments in your sets.
Build quality: The PioneerDJ DDJ-FLX4 is a relatively well put-together piece of equipment. The chassis is plastic and the FLX4 quite lightweight accordingly, but it’s solid enough under-hands to be reassuring. I wouldn’t trust it with the rigours of frequent backpack transport-age or gigging, but as a piece of desktop equipment, it’s everything you’d want. The jogwheels feel pretty neat, even for their size.
Performance: Using the DDJ-FLX4 is exactly the seamless experience you’d hope for as a beginner. The layout roughly matches that of Pioneer’s CDJ and XDJ series, which makes it a great platform for learning and for easy at-home practice or mix-recording (courtesy of those handy RCA master outputs). My biggest gripe is with the size of it – useful for taking up less desk space, but not so much for the short throw of the faders, which can make slow blends more difficult.
The Smart Mixing features are fun, too, especially for stone-cold newbies. For my curmudgeonly two cents, I’d suggest they were too assistive to do any real learning with – but they work as advertised, and can be good for proof-of-concept fooling-around.
While the FLX4 works with a handful of different forms of DJ software, it’s only rekordbox that enables you to use it to its fullest extent. Given Pioneer/AlphaTheta’s industry-standard nature, most DJs working on club gear will want to be primarily using rekordbox anyway.
"With its smart mixing function, Bluetooth compatibility, mic signal integration and general ease of use, simple design and overall functionality, the FLX4 is likely to be a successful successor to the DDJ-400, and is a strong contender for best beginner’s DJ controller on the market right now."
Read our full Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 review
Best budget
✅ Buy if your budget won’t stretch: The DDJ-FLX2 is an inexpensive piece of kit, but still has some practical and essential features for learning to DJ.
❌ Avoid if you’re not a complete beginner: The bare-bones nature of the FLX2 means people familiar with pricier controllers will struggle to use it.
The lowdown: Budget DJ controllers are, if anything, abundant. But it’s only a small minority of them that can actually be called ‘good’ – whether that relates to build quality, ergonomics or translatable, beginner-friendly features. The AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2, replacing the Pioneer DDJ-200 that came before, is one of the good ones.
Features: The DDJ-FLX2 is a fairly bare-bones piece of kit – save for some extremely beginner-friendly modern conveniences not found on other controllers. The FLX2 is a two-channel, two-deck controller with all the basics; tempo and channel faders, a cross-fader, three-band EQs and the requisite jogwheels. There are eight performance pads per channel, that also give access to looping and hot cues; headphone cues and channel FX selections are condensed into a pair of buttons for a less cluttered control surface.
The two standout features here are the Bluetooth connectivity – which enables you to wirelessly control the rekordbox app on your device – and Pioneer/AlphaTheta’s Smart FX features, as seen on the Pioneer DDJ FLX4. CFX lets you bring in channel FX that automatically match the BPM of the track, while Smart Fader lets you transition smoothly from one track to the next by automatically adjusting BPM and adding effects.
Build quality: The DDJ-FLX2 is a lightweight device, with considerable thanks to its simplicity. There’s no audio inputs or interfacing, so no pesky circuitry to handle microphones or auxiliary ins; the simplified control surface also means less weighty knobs and encoders. In this way, the FLX2 is sure to travel well – even if it feels a little flimsy accordingly. Outside of this, the quality is decent, even equivalent to that of some bigger siblings in the Pioneer/AlphaTheta family.
Performance: Anyone but an honest-and-true beginner is likely to struggle a little with this thing. The lack of on-board browser controls means straddling the FLX2 and your DJ software of choice to line up your next tracks or even control loops properly. But the FLX2 doesn’t exist for such folk; it’s a trimmed-down DJ controller that conveys the essentials, and does so well.
The jogwheels’ essential functions mirror those of much pricier equipment, and everything else is geared well towards someone feeling their way around DJing for the first time. The Smart FX functions are intuitive and easy, if a little mollycoddling – and the three-band EQ, not often found on cheaper controllers like this, is ideal for figuring out blends from the jump.
Best for Traktor
✅ Buy if you’re a performance DJ: The Traktor MX2, and its companion software Traktor Pro 4, is ideal for beginners hoping to lean into performance-based skills for DJing – particularly incorporating grooves or creative use of stem separation.
❌ Avoid if you prefer rekordbox or Serato: Unsurprisingly, the Traktor-branded DJ controller is designed to work with Traktor. It will act as a conventional MIDI device in other contexts, but will not plug-and-play with other DJ software out of the box.
The lowdown: Native Instruments is an audio-industry leader when it comes to matters of software. Its Kontakt VST interface is beloved by music producers and digital synth messer-around-erers, while other plugins in the iZotope series continue to push the boat out for mix engineering. Among that bounty, you’ll also find Traktor – a lesser-sung DJ software that deftly folds in performance technology with library management. It’s a true performance DJ’s toolset, and the new Traktor MX2 is the beginner DJ controller best-suited to unlocking its potential.
Features: The Traktor MX2 is a two-channel DJ controller, designed specifically to work with Native Instruments’ Traktor DJ software. It comes with a full license for Traktor Pro 4, an unusual gift in a market dominated by DJ controllers relying on free ‘lite’ versions of otherwise paid software.
With this specificity at the heart of the MX2’s design, it gives you hands-on and tactile control of Traktor Pro 4’s many forward-thinking performance-centric tools, from built-in stem separation to Pattern Player sequencing for on-the-fly groovemaking. Performance pads, rotary encoders and on-board screens are all part of the fun. Each deck on the unit has dedicated FX Units too, allowing you granular control of some very powerful digital effects.
Build quality: All this, in a surprisingly well-built piece of equipment. Yes it’s lightweight, and yes, plastic is the word of the day, but there’s still some pleasing robustness here. The faders are the weakest point, feeling a little flimsy and scratchy – but everything else, jogwheels included, feels solid.
The Traktor MX2 is one of the sleeker-looking DJ controllers I’ve seen on the market. Looks shouldn’t come to much when you’re deciding between the best budget DJ controllers, but the tasteful interface on display here is hard to discount – and actually helps a bit with workflow, too.
Performance: The NI Traktor MX2 performs, in a word, admirably; the external power supply ensures enough juice for some serious output – above and beyond those of the bus-powered DJ controllers at similar price points (with one eye cocked squarely at messrs Pioneer/AlphaTheta).
It’s not as small as other controllers either, making it a little less clumsy of a user experience. In fact, the generous smattering of encoder knobs makes controlling performance tools in Traktor Pro 4 extremely easier, whether accessing stems or programming patterns to play under your selections.
"It's not the most advanced or cutting-edge controller on the market, but the MX2 features some smart design touches and a slick workflow."
Read our full Native Instruments Traktor MX2 review
Best for Serato
✅ Buy if you’re a creative performer: On-board, on-the-fly drum sequencing and vocal effects make this a powerful piece of beginner kit for creative DJs.
❌ Avoid if you don’t use Serato DJ: The Roland DJ-202, for all its bells and whistles besides, is a great core DJ controller for Serato DJ and its features – but won’t play nice with other software without some serious MIDI mapping.
The lowdown: Roland is a relative newcomer to the DJ gear realm, but by no means a newcomer to music. Its early drum machines and bass synths became the bedrock for modern music production, and its innovations since have pushed the envelope for music-making. With its line of DJ controllers, Roland aims to bring that pedigree to the selectors – in so doing, making an ideal Serato DJ controller.
Features: The Roland DJ-202 is a two-channel, four-deck DJ controller that folds in some unique functionality – functionality that reflects Roland’s own history when it comes to music and music-making. The most compelling of these is the inclusion of the brand’s iconic 808, 909 and 707 drum machines, as on-board emulations that can be programmed with the performance pads and an on-board sequencer. Alongside this, the DJ-202 also has a mic input, which benefits from several onboard vocal effects, including a gate, filters, reverb and echo.
The DJ-202 is specifically designed for use with Serato DJ, and works with Serato DJ Lite out of the box. If you upgrade to a Serato DJ Pro license, you’ll unlock some pro-level features the controller’s mapped-out for, including additional effects and deck control.
Build quality: The chassis is light but sturdy, and the jog wheels are similarly supportive-feeling – commendable even, especially against cheaper-feeling jog wheels at a similar price. It’s a small shame that the performance pads feel on the cheaper side, though, particularly when there are drum machines on board; MPC pads these are not, to say the least.
Performance: Using the Roland DJ-202, you’ll encounter more than a few “I need the manual” moments. But this is a good thing. The DJ-202 is crammed with features that exceed its size, meaning a lot of screenless menuing to access different drum machines, patterns and effects; once they’re learned, though, you have a powerful machine with capabilities beyond that of Serato alone. Speaking of which, its integration with Serato is peerless for the price.
Best for scratching
✅ Buy if you want to learn scratching: The Inpulse T7 is remarkably cheap for having dual motorised platters, making it an excellent beginner choice for learning to scratch with real feel and feedback.
❌ Avoid if you don’t intend to become a vinyl DJ: The control on offer here is unique and fun, but not as instant as with CDJ-style jogwheels; if you’re not intending to vinyl DJ in the future, you needn’t spend the scratch on this.
The lowdown: Hercules isn’t the most renowned of the DJ-peripheral brands out there, and I’m sure it wouldn’t mind me saying so. It sits pretty comfortably in the beginner-DJ sphere, with a range of cheap and cheerful DJ controllers that put the ‘play’ back into ‘playback’. This, though, is a little different. The DJ Control Inpulse T7 is one of the cheapest DJ controllers on the market with motorised platters instead of rotary-encoding jogwheels – making it an eminently affordable option for the budding turntablist.
Features: The Hercules DJ Control Inpulse T7 is an intermediate-like grade DJ controller at an good price. But, when you look at what it offers, that price becomes considerably more beginner-friendly. The chief selling point here is the deck platters, which are like 7-inch emulations of real DJ turntables. They’re belt-driven, each with a slipmat and a vinyl-insert disc over the top. This means when you line up a track in your DJ software, the platter spins like you’re playing a real record. And when you hold or spin the disc on top, your track acts accordingly.
These motorised platters mean authentic force feedback and feel when you’re manipulating tracks, allowing you to get a much more representative sense of finding cue points and manipulating songs. They’re housed in an uncharacteristically cheap controller, otherwise bolstered by dual RCA and XLR master outputs and a balanced mic input, as well as a suite of handy controls ranging from expected basics to unexpected boons (for instance, the shortcut buttons for one-touch stem-isolation).
Build quality: There are some cheaper construction elements to the DJ Control Inpulse T7, as is to be expected from a DJ controller that juggles high-concept interfaces and a low RRP. What is here is solid, though, and comes with a fair few modern conveniences, too; most notably, there are fold-out feet that let you lift the T7 for a more comfortable playing experience.
The faders, as is common with cheaper DJ controllers, leave a little bit to be desired – and especially for a unit designed near-explicitly for scratching, battle-mixing or turntable operation more generally. That said, it's possible to buy upgrades for the Inpulse T7 direct from Hercules, which is a nice option to have (and a vote of confidence in Hercules as a brand).
Performance: Using the Inpulse T7 is about as dreamy as it gets this low in the price range. There are some pleasing paddles, pads and potentiometers to play with, and some clever controls made all the easier to access by their abundance. The platters work well, being comfortable and even fun to use.
It’s a shame that some features are locked behind a paid Serato DJ upgrade; it’s perhaps expected not to be able to access pro tools like stem separation, but paywalling the option to switch the platter speed between 33 and 45rpm is an odd one. Still, what’s here is very enjoyable to use – and by no means to be sniffed at, from a learner scratch DJ’s perspective.
Best for smartphones
✅ Buy if you like learning on the go: This is a nice, compact mixer that’s pre-eminently smartphone friendly; there’s no limit to when and where you can get some practice in.
❌ Avoid if you want more than the bare minimum: This is, functionally, a wireless controller for the djay app, and nothing more; there’s no on-board I/O or third-party app compatibility.
The lowdown: Hercules has featured elsewhere in this list, with a surprisingly full-featured entry-level DJ controller; here is something very different indeed. If you’re fixing to DJ a small picnic party, or get some practice in on a long journey, you want a small controller dedicated to playing nice with smartphones – and that is precisely what the DJ Control Mix Ultra is.
Features: The Hercules DJ Control Mix Ultra is a compact, portable two-channel DJ controller with a 10-hour rechargeable battery, designed to work with iOS and Android devices. There are no inputs or outputs here, save for a USB-A port through which to test and charge the thing; instead, the DJ Control Mix Ultra connects to your device via Bluetooth, and controls your DJ app wirelessly.
In order to supply the I/O you’re missing from the unit itself, Hercules include a splitter cable for your smart device, that enables you to retrieve a headphone cue mix and a master output to send to bigger speakers. The simplicity of this device in design and execution is great for beginners, and for ease-of-use out and about, but it has its shortcomings – from a guaranteed mono master output if you want to use headphone monitoring, to the Ultra’s sole compatibility with one app. That app, to be specific, is Algoriddim’s djay (or djay Pro if you upgrade). It isn’t a frontrunner choice as far as apps go, but it nonetheless offers support for streaming from Beatport, Soundcloud and various other services – along with some clever ‘Neural Mix’ stem isolation tools too.
Build quality: At this low price, it won’t be too surprising to learn the unit is quite light, and perhaps not the most robust of DJ controllers for beginners. Still, it’s solid enough, and quite happy being slung around in a backpack. This is with especial thanks to the deck-saver lid it comes with, which also doubles as a tray and smartphone stand when you want to use the controller.
Performance: This is an easy DJ controller to intuit, and actually quite fun to play with. The three-band EQ controls are a boon for something this small, even if the jog wheels themselves are a little diminutive for accurate cueing and/or scratching. Per-deck effects are accessed via the performance pads, which also give you access to hot cues, looping, and djay’s Neural Mix tech; you can also set the crossfader to and ‘FX fade’, which adjusts BPMs and adds effects of your choice to smoothen your blends.
Best compact
✅ Buy if you want a controller to throw and go: The dimensions of the DJ2GO2 make it the ideal option to DJ anywhere. Chuck in a bag, leave the house and the world becomes your DJ booth.
❌ Avoid if you want a full-size controller: The compact size is great for some, but could prove unsurprisingly fiddly if you try to use it as your main device.
Numark is another key name in DJ hardware, particularly for its affordable turntables and mixers. Its input in the world of beginner DJ controllers certainly isn’t to be overlooked either, though. Numark has some decently-featured controllers in this bracket, but right now I'm excited about this: the Numark DJ2GO2 Touch.
Features: The Numark DJ2GO2 Touch is an upgraded two-channel, two-deck DJ controller that aims to be heard, not seen. That’s because it’s one of the most compact DJ controllers you’ll ever find on the market, being just 31cm wide and 8.6cm deep.
In terms of balancing size and features, it’s relatively jam-packed as far as DJ controllers go; I, for one, am impressed they made room for a rotary-encoder library browser, as well as the requisite jog wheels, crossfader, performance pads and tempo faders. No room for EQ knobs, though, sadly.
The controller is designed for use right-out-the-box with the free Serato DJ Lite, but it’s mapped and ready for use with the full paid version if and when you’re ready to upgrade. It won’t play as nicely with other DJ software, but via MIDI mapping you can absolutely make it work.
Build quality: The Numark DJ2GO2 Touch isn’t going to win any major awards for robustness, but it's certainly a capable piece of gear. Being compact, it’s somewhat dense – though still light. It’ll definitely sit comfortably in a travel bag or backpack for extended periods of time. The control surface is surprisingly hardy too, given the price.
Performance: Numark has made a big deal about the DJ2GO2 Touch’s scratch capabilities – but the practical reality is a little more pragmatic than the optimism on display here. Still, those jog wheels are actually great for their size, which is saying a lot when it comes to cheaper compact controllers. If you’re willing to get a bit weeds-y about MIDI mapping, too, you can get more of what you need out of your DJ2GO2 Touch than it gives out of the box.
Best four deck
✅ Buy if you want options: The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 is one of the more versatile DJ controllers on the market, and ideal for beginners hoping to get familiar with a variety of skills and workflows.
❌ Avoid if you want a hybrid workflow: The lack of phono inputs on the DDJ-GRV6 means you can’t use the mixer channels for turntables too; this is a digital-only device.
The lowdown: Pioneer/AlphaTheta is an unsurprisingly prevalent brand in this round-up, and back again with a DJ controller that sits quite comfortably above the entry level – but which offers peerless four-deck, four-channel performance for its price.
Features: The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 is a rekordbox- and Serato DJ-friendly DJ controller. It’s the largest on this list, and has a feature set that makes it a powerful professional tool as well – something that even intermediate and pro users could stand to benefit from. The core features it boasts are a four-channel mixer and four-deck functionality, via two decks which each possess a CDJ-3000X-sized jog wheel (replete with central screens) and eight performance pads.
The feature that gives the GRV6 its name, though, is that which adorns the additional band at the top of each deck – a series of controls labelled ‘Groove Circuit’. The Groove Circuit is a new software capability in rekordbox, that enables you to grab, remove or otherwise replace drum parts in your tracks for live remixing.
Given that the Groove Circuit is rekordbox-exclusive, the strip at the top may seem redundant for Serato users – but AlphaTheta’s been clever here. The same buttons control Serato’s Stem FX functionality – and in the box, you’ll find a sticker-set to relabel their functions accordingly.
Build quality: The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 is undeniably solidly built, even if still somewhat plasticky in places. Where it excels is with its control surface, which utilises some quality components – one of the more impressive of which is the ‘smart rotary selector’ for the browser interface. It not only rotates and clicks in, but also pushes up, down, left and right for even easier navigation.
I’m also, naturally, a huge fan of the CDJ-3000X-style jog wheels supplied; they add some weight to the thing, not just physically but in terms of how it feels to use. The tempo and mixer faders are still a little on the short side, though, making tight control a little harder than it could be.
Performance: The DDJ-GRV6 is a delight to use, largely on account of its fairly faithful CDJ-style control interface and execution. Everything’s geared towards making DJing easier, and there’s even some club-grade features here for beginners to get their teeth into. It is a shame to see something with four channels, but with no opportunity to plug other things into those channels. Phono inputs for turntables would be a dream, but understandably a difficult ask at even this price point.
Whether AlphaTheta’s Groove Circuit is the success they’d like it to be remains to be seen, too. It could be useful in the right hands – particularly for being an in-depth iteration of the stem-separation features that so many contemporary DJs enjoy utilising –, but for me it wasn’t a huge draw. Thankfully, everything else very much is.
Best budget all-in-one
✅ Buy if you want an all-in-one experience: This is an adventurous standalone DJ controller for beginners, with everything from music streaming to lighting control to built-in speakers.
❌ Avoid if you like the PC workflow: Though this unit can also be used as a DJ controller for computer software, there’s a lot of extra stuff here if you simply want an extension of your computer setup.
The lowdown: We’ve seen Numark once before on this list, courtesy of its micro-sized portable DJ controller – but this is very much on the other side of the spectrum when it comes to budget DJ controllers. This is the Numark Mixstream Pro +, a controller unlike any other here; it is a standalone unit, with its own onboard software for reading or streaming audio.
Features: This is a two-channel, two-deck standalone DJ controller with a shedload of options up its sleeve. It can stream audio in from a wide variety of services, receive files from Dropbox, and play audio from conventional USBs (or SD cards, for that matter); these files can be browsed conventionally using a rotary encoder, or accessed using the huge on-board 7-inch touchscreen.
The Mixstream Pro+ improves on the prior Mixstream Pro by adding controller compatibility with Serato DJ and Virtual DJ, as well as an option to access audio from Amazon’s streaming service – making it even more versatile a budget DJ controller.
And music isn’t all it controls. The Pro+ is also compatible with DMX and Philips Hue lighting, for a complete show. Finally, It has two flavours of master output for you to use, but you don’t even need these if you’re practicing at home, thanks to some handy on-board speakers. It’s the most all-in-one all-in-one you’ll find below £/$1000.
Build quality: Being a budget standalone, there are naturally some compromises made with respect to build. Despite these, it feels solid enough in your hands, and weighty enough too. That said, it’s light enough to sit comfortably in a backpack for grab-and-go performance.
Performance: It’s hard to justify turning your nose up at the Mixstream Pro+, even if you’re a self-described professional with an eye for high standards. It, quite simply, works really well. There’s a tonne of music-streaming options for newcomers, there’s the stable Engine DJ OS for ease of performance, there are balanced XLR outputs for decent master signals, and there are some gratifyingly medium-sized jog wheels to work with.
The on-board speakers are a bit pithy, but at this price – which is, I might add, less than two-thirds the price of the next standalone DJ controller – who’s counting? The mixer interface might feel a bit cramped thanks to that large screen, but it’s small beers for a mid-sized controller that does it all.
Glossary
Audio interface: A device which interprets electrical audio signals to convert them in digital information, and vice versa. Many DJ controllers are audio interfaces, in that they both receive digital information from DJ software in order to convert it into audio, and enable the input of audio (typically through a mic input) into the same software.
Beatmatching: The practice of matching the tempo of one song with the tempo of another, on the beat, so they can play synchronously – enabling you to transition from one to the next smoothly.
Belt-drive: Wherein a turntable platter is rotated using a rubber belt, linked to a separate motor. Some DJ controllers use belt-drive motorised platters to mimic the feel of real turntables.
Crossfader: A fader used to simultaneously reduce the volume of one deck and increase the volume of another, enabling swift transition from one to the next and back again. Crossfaders are more commonly used for turntablism, in tandem with scratches to create rhythmic, re-mixed compositions.
Cue: The setting-up of a track to play from a certain point; also relates to the headphone cue mix, which is an auxiliary mix that enables you to hear audio separate from the master output (including tracks you’re preparing to play).
DVS: Stands for Digital Vinyl System. DVS is a system by which vinyl records, stamped with timecode, control digital files through interpretation of the timecode as read by a turntable stylus.
EQ: Stands for equalisation, referring to the adjustment of audio frequencies on a DJ controller’s mixer channels. Three-band EQs are found as standard on most modern DJ mixers, allowing smooth blends between tracks by ‘swapping’ bands – e.g.: reducing the low end on one track to remove the drums and bass, making room for the drums and bass of the next.
Fader: A linear potentiometer, that enables you to increase or decreases a parameter by moving a slider along it. Faders are used for channel volumes, the crossfader, and tempo adjustment for each deck.
Filter: An effect that allows expressive EQing of a track for creative purposes; high-pass and low-pass filters are used to make a track thin or woolly, to emphasise a new section or to enable a transition.
FX: Stands for effects. DJ controllers enable you to control the addition and adjustment of effects like delay and reverb to a given mixer channel, or to the master output; these effects are used as performance tools, to enhance a track or to enliven transitions between songs.
Hot cue: A user-set point on a digital audio file, to which you can jump using the performance pads on your DJ controller. Hot cues are set using your DJ software, and make recalling start-points or changes in tracks easier live.
Jog wheel: The large-scale incremental rotary encoders either side of a DJ controller’s mixer, that are used to scrub through, nudge or otherwise manipulate tracks loaded to their respective decks. Most jog wheels are touch-sensitive, to allow two types of operation: scrubbing and scratching using the face, and momentary tempo adjustment using the edges.
Master: The final output from your DJ controller’s mixer, which is sent to your speakers or PA system by way of RCA or XLR ports.
Performance pads: Buttons found in the deck portion of a DJ controller, typically velocity-sensitive, which provide control over hot cue points, looping, sequencing and, in some cases, drum programming.
Platter: Typically the plate that sits atop a turntable, around the spindle, and which holds vinyl records to be played. Jog wheels stand in for turntable platters on conventional DJ controllers; some DJ controllers use motorised platters with stand-in discs on top, to simulate the feel of a real turntable.
RCA: A class of connector, often also referred to as phono, that presents as two coaxial ports – red and white respectively – on the back of a DJ controller.
Scratch: A DJ technique in which tracks are scrubbed back and forth, to create a rhythmic sound.
Stem separation: Digital technology which detects and separates different aspects of a track, enabling you to isolate different instruments for enhanced mixing or mashing-up.
Tempo: The speed at which a track plays, measured in beats per minute (BPM).
XLR: A class of audio connector, used for balanced outputs on the rear of pro DJ controllers. These enable clean connectivity to a venue PA system or audio interface.
How to choose
Choosing the right beginner DJ controller is not a task for the faint of heart – not when there’s such a huge variety of controllers on the market, all of which purport to do something different. To make your early forays into DJing that little bit smoother, let’s go through some of the essential criteria for you to bear in mind when picking the right device.
What kind of DJ do you want to be?
Different beginner DJ controllers have different feature sets and control surfaces, that benefit different styles of DJing. If you’re a selector first and foremost, you won’t be after much besides some decent jog wheels, channel EQs, effects for occasional transitions and maybe some performance pads for hot cues.
If you fancy yourself as more of a club DJ, even a performance DJ, then you might find more value in involved producer-friendly features, like stem separation, sequencing and even drum replacement. If scratching, cutting and general turntablism appeal, then something with motorised platters instead of jog wheels will give you a more tactile way of practicing without having to buy turntables and records galore (for now, at least).
What’s your budget?
While a pair of Technics 1210s or a top-flight set of Pioneer CDJs is clearly a tempting proposition for any DJ, the price of entry alone is enough to give you pause for thought as a starter-outerer. Thankfully, with the humble DJ controller, you can stave off at least some of the costlier aspects to DJing until later in your journey (brace yourself, though, for spend incalculable sums you one day will).
That said, DJ controllers still run the gamut when it comes to price – and some of those prices may well extend past your budget. Obviously, cheaper DJ controllers compromise with respect to features, so the balancing act is between your style of DJing and what you can afford.
What kind of software do you want to use?
DJ controllers are, for the most part, control-surface extensions of DJ software and the features they contain – and as such, many DJ controllers throw themselves in with a specific software, so as to offer more in-depth controls. Pretty much every plug-in DJ controller can be convinced to work as a MIDI controller with different software, but this is a fiddly process and can be difficult for beginners.
Far better, then, to figure out which DJ software speaks to you more, and to buy a beginner DJ controller that works best with that software. Unless you already have one, that is! All DJ software achieve the same essential things, being library management and performance interfaces; different apps have different strengths though. Check out the FAQ section if you’d like a little more of a low-down on the strengths of the major DJ software with which most budget DJ controllers are compatible – rekordbox, Serato, Traktor and djay.
At home, or on the go?
The next question is where you want to use your DJ controller. If you’re solely practicing at home, it might not matter how large the controller is; in fact, you might prefer a larger control surface with bigger jog wheels, and more on-board features, like the AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6.
If you’re hoping to practice or prepare your sets on the move, you’ll want something smaller and more portable. There are compact DJ controllers like the Numark DJ2GO2 Touch, designed to sit comfortably in your bag with your laptop, and there are also battery-powered controllers like the Hercules DJ Control Mix Ultra, designed for on-the-go mixing with a smartphone or tablet.
Just for practice, or for gigging too?
Lastly, what are you hoping to get out of your DJ controller? They are indispensable learning tools, powerful set-preparation peripherals, casual party-mixing devices and professional gigging tools altogether – or they can be, depending on the specs you plump for.
If you’re only ever going to use your DJ controller in your bedroom, to play around or to practice for using house equipment at venues, you won’t need more than a simple controller with an RCA out for the master. If you want to use your DJ controller as part of a gigging rig, to play out at parties or clubs, then you’ll want something with more I/O for better, cleaner connectivity with PA systems and booth monitors.
FAQ
What is a DJ controller?
A DJ controller is a peripheral device used to control DJ software, whether it is being run on a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. DJ controllers give you a similar control surface as that of two turntables or CDJs, and a mixer – only they control digital audio either loaded into or otherwise accessed by your DJ software.
What are common features in DJ controllers?
Most DJ controllers for beginners are a single unit, with three key sections. First, there are two ‘deck’ zones on the left and right hand of the controller, which stand in for turntables or CDJs as control surfaces for digital audio files. These are typified by the jog wheels at their centre; jog wheels are the large rotary platters, seen on all the products we’ve covered in this guide, which replicate the look and function of traditional vinyl turntable platters, allowing you to scroll through tracks, scratch, and ‘nudge’ the timing of a track backwards or forwards.
Most modern controllers also include some form of ‘performance pads’ for each deck. These can fulfil a variety of roles, from jumping to different ‘cue points’ within a track to triggering loops, samples and effects. While pads aren’t essential for mixing tracks by any means, they’re a fun and creative tool to have in your DJing arsenal.
At the centre of the controller, there is a mixer section. This typically comprises two or four ‘channels’, which feed the audio manipulated by each deck to the master output. Each channel tends to have three-band EQ controls, a trim knob for adjusting the volume of the channel, and a volume fader for bringing the channel up into the master mix. There will also be a ‘cue’ button for feeding the audio from that channel to headphones, and often a filter knob for high- or low-pass filtering audio.
At the bottom of the mixer section you’ll find a crossfader, a horizontal fader which simultaneously reduces the volume of one channel while increasing the volume of the other. You also use the crossfader to switch smoothly or quickly between tracks, and also as a creative element in scratching. At the top, you’ll sometimes find a rotary encoder for browsing and loading tracks in your DJ software.
How do DJ controllers work?
DJ controllers, by and large, are designed as devices that give tactile control over DJ software. They are physical extensions of the capabilities a given DJ app has – in many cases, emulating the capabilities of DJ hardware like Pioneer CDJs. DJ controllers typically connect to a computer or device using a USB cable, but some Android/iOS-friendly controllers can use Bluetooth for their connectivity.
Most DJ controllers double up as an audio interface, and will receive audio from your device, which can then be sent to speakers or a PA system via dedicated master outputs. This is likely to provide a better-quality audio signal than using your laptop’s onboard audio, especially if you’re playing at a party, event or in a club/bar. These audio-interface-imbued controllers also have a headphone output, which enables you to monitor the master mix output and, crucially, a separate headphone ‘cue’ mix – so you can preview tracks on a deck without them being heard through the main output.
Some may also offer additional inputs and outputs, such as a secondary ‘booth’ output (for a separate speaker for the DJ booth), or an input for a vocal microphone or external sound source, allowing you to also play a turntable, MP3 player or synth/drum machine through your controller. Some, of course, are effectively just MIDI controllers for software – and expect your computer to do all the heavy lifting with respect to audio I/O.
What software do I need to use a DJ controller?
To DJ using a controller you need a laptop, a controller and DJ software. The controller, as the name suggests, controls the software which allows you to mix your music together. Unless you buy a standalone DJ controller with built-in DJ software, you will need software and a computer or device to run the software on.
Most controllers come bundled with a DJing software license or free download. Some controllers are designed to work with multiple applications, while others are limited to use with just one specific piece of software, so your choice of controller is also going to be a choice of DJ software too. Each different DJing app has its own strengths and weaknesses, though practically all offer the same essential functionality. Here, we’ll look at the broad attributes of the most popular DJ software on the scene.
Pioneer/AlphaTheta’s rekordbox software is a de-facto standard for working DJs, given the ubiquity of Pioneer CDJs in clubs and venues; building a library in rekordbox, practicing with its workflow and exporting your library to USBs means you’ll be able to play on pretty much every house system when you get to gigging.
Serato DJ is another frontrunner software, initially made popular for its DVS (Digital Vinyl System) compatibility – which allows for the use of timecode vinyl with real turntables to control digital audio. Today, though, Serato is popular as a stable performance software for laptop-and-controller performing, with a variety of deep feature-sets in its Pro version.
Traktor Pro 4 is a somewhat lesser-sung piece of DJ software, but one with a strong following. It’s similarly powerful on the performance front, in relation to Serato, but it’s arguably better-suited for electronic music production and performance, on account of its involved programming and sequencing toolsets. Traktor is also a Native Instruments title, meaning synergy with a wide array of industry-leading effects VSTs.
Finally, Algoriddim’s djay Pro is a beginner-friendly DJ app, great for smartphone- and tablet-based practicing and for utilising music streaming in your DJing.
Most DJ software shares music-streaming functionality now, as well as DVS support and deep performance-based processing – but each still operate in different ways, which could benefit your own practice. For help deciding which is right for you, check out our handy guide to the best DJ software applications.
What skills can I learn on a DJ controller?
Most DJ controllers are designed to provide the same core experience as a set of CDJs and a mixer would in a given venue. As such, you can learn almost anything on a DJ controller that you would on a professional DJ setup. Indeed, even if you’re intending to become a vinyl DJ, scratch artist or turntablist, there are motorised DJ controllers with real-feel platters that you can cut your teeth on (without have to spend a bomb on physical records first).
After basic volume blending EQ is usually the next tool DJs learn. The EQ controls allow the DJ to cut or boost separate parts of the frequency spectrum - the bass, mids and highs - and is a super-useful mixing tool for DJs. Filters can perform a similar but more extreme role and there are lots of DJ tricks and techniques involving EQ and filters - see our 5 essential EQ & filter tricks for DJs feature.
Most DJ software now comes with automatic beat sync algorithms, meaning they can beat-match your tracks automatically on your behalf. Nonetheless, you should make manual beatmatching a priority lesson for yourself, using the jog wheels and tempo faders to nudge tracks into time with one another.
Do I need to buy music to DJ?
Conventionally, you would populate your DJ software of choice with a library of digital music you had purchased and stored on your device – whether download codes from vinyl, online purchases or ripped CDs from your collection. However, today’s DJ software is increasingly capable of syncing with music streaming services. This means you can stream music from wherever you have a subscription (providing your DJ software works with that service).
While the obvious upsides to this approach include high-quality music at a low monthly cost, there are at least two big downsides of relying on streaming. The biggest of these downsides relates to the fact that DJ software needs to analyse audio files in order to give you a visual representation of their waveforms, and display information like the track’s tempo and key.
With songs you own, this can be done the first time you bring them into your software, minimising thinking-time during your practice or performance. With streaming, your software has to analyse tracks on the fly, which can mean delays in seeing the information you need (including that precious beat grid).
What are jog wheels?
These are the main circular platters seen on all the products we’ve covered in this guide. Jog wheels replicate the look and function of traditional vinyl turntables, allowing DJs to scroll through tracks, scratch, and ‘nudge’ the timing of a track backwards or forwards.
If you plan on traditional beat-matching - ie. syncing up the timing of two records by ear - or hip-hop style turntablism and record scratching, then jog wheels are a must, and they’re also used for things like searching through a track and setting cue points. And while most DJ software now comes with automatic beat-matching capabilities, meaning that you might not actually need to use the jog wheels, most DJs still use them in some way, even if it’s just to perform a re-load.
What are faders/crossfaders?
All DJ setups have two main sections: the players - and they can be vinyl decks, digital decks or the jog wheel section of a controller - and the mixer, which houses the controls the DJ uses to blend and mix songs.
Faders are the controls on the mixer that you use to ‘fade’ between different songs. Most DJ controllers have faders in some form, although smaller devices may opt for a simple volume knob instead. They’re usually vertical channel controls, which you move up to increase the volume and down to decrease the volume of an individual track.
A crossfader is a horizontal fader that blends two songs together. As you move the crossfader from one side to the other, the volume of one song gradually fades out, and the volume of the incoming song increases. You can also use the crossfader to switch quickly between tracks, and it’s the central tool for scratching, too.
What is an audio interface?
An audio interface is the part of your setup that controls how sound comes in and out of your computer. Most computers come with some kind of internal audio interface while many people choose to use external devices, depending on their requirements. Some DJ controllers double up as an audio interface - like an external sound card - and will have an audio output that can be connected to speakers or a PA system. This is likely to provide a better quality audio signal than using your laptop’s onboard audio, especially if you’re playing at a party, event or in a club/bar.
In most cases, audio interfaces will also include a headphone output which enables the DJ to monitor tracks, which means they can preview a song without it being heard through the main output. This is an essential part of a DJ set up so unless you’re already using a separate audio interface, you’ll need a controller with these capabilities.
Controllers with inbuilt interfaces may offer additional inputs and outputs too, such as a secondary ‘booth’ output (for a separate speaker for the DJ booth), or an input for a vocal microphone or external sound source, allowing you to also play a turntable, MP3 player or synth/drum machine through your controller.
What are common features in DJ controllers?
Along with volume faders, most DJ controllers will include EQ controls and often filters, too.
EQ is usually the next tool DJs learn after basic volume blending. The EQ controls allow the DJ to cut or boost separate parts of the frequency spectrum - the bass, mids and highs - and is a super-useful mixing tool for DJs. Filters can perform a similar but more extreme role and there are lots of DJ tricks and techniques involving EQ and filters - see our 5 essential EQ & filter tricks for DJs feature.
Most modern controllers also include some form of ‘performance pads’ for each deck. These can fulfil a variety of roles, from jumping to different ‘cue points’ within a track to triggering loops, samples and effects. While pads aren’t essential for mixing tracks by any means, they’re a fun and creative tool to have in your DJing arsenal.
How we choose products for this guide
Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best beginner DJ controllers available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best beginner DJ controllers on the market right now.
Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar.
Why you can trust us
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With more than 17 years of experience, MusicRadar is the premier music-making website in the world. Run by musicians for musicians, we offer expertly written gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by an extensive team of highly experienced industry professionals.
We also interview world-renowned musicians and stars about their creative processes and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. This gives fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.
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Below you'll find more information on the authors of this guide.
Meet the experts
I'm the Managing Editor of Music Technology at MusicRadar and former Editor-in-Chief of Future Music, Computer Music and Electronic Musician. I've been messing around with music tech in various forms for over two decades. I've also spent the last 10 years forgetting how to play guitar. Find me in the chillout room at raves complaining that it's past my bedtime.
Harold Heath is a UK music writer and author. A DJ since the late 80s, Harold also produced a few hundred singles and remixes and two artist albums, and worked as a performer, ghostwriter and music-technology teacher. His first book Long Relationships: My Incredible Journey From Unknown DJ to Smalltime DJ was published in 2021.
I'm MusicRadar's Tech Editor, working across everything from product news and gear-focused features to artist interviews and tech tutorials. I love electronic music and I'm perpetually fascinated by the tools we use to make it. When I'm not behind my laptop keyboard, you'll probably find me behind a MIDI keyboard, carefully crafting the beginnings of another project that I'll ultimately abandon to the creative graveyard that is my overstuffed hard drive.
James Grimshaw is a freelance writer and music obsessive with over a decade of experience in music and audio writing. He's lent his audio-tech opinions (amongst others) to the likes of Guitar World, MusicRadar and the London Evening Standard – before which, he covered everything music and Leeds through his section-editorship of national e-magazine The State Of The Arts. When he isn't blasting esoteric noise-rock around the house, he's playing out with esoteric noise-rock bands in DIY venues across the country.
Latest updates
13/05/26: The guide has been reworked and rewritten from the ground up and now includes more information across the nine product entries - 7 of which are new to the guide. All "At A Glance" panels have been updated, while we've also decided to include a glossary highlighting all the key terms you might come across when shopping for a beginner DJ controller. The FAQ section has been significantly updated and a section on how to choose a new product is also now included.
Read more
MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
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