Buyer's overview
DJ controllers: 18 devices at a glance
A controller is the way in for most people: two decks, a mixer and a sound card in one housing, plus the software. The differences lie less in the sound than in the size of the jog wheels, the EQ, and whether the layout matches what stands in a club later. We sort by price bracket because that is the first question — and every device also says what it cannot do.
up to €1003 devices
Hercules
DJControl Inpulse 200 MK2
up to €100
A way in with jog wheels, faders and pads — for a first try.
- Channels
- 2 decks
- Audio resolution
- 24-bit, 44.1 kHz
- USB
- USB-B 2.0 cable
Hercules
DJControl Starlight
up to €100
The smallest controller in the catalogue — two decks in pocket format, with DJUCED.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to find out cheaply whether DJing grabs them at all.
Numark
Party Mix II
up to €100
A controller with a built-in light show — meant for the party, not for practice.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants music at a birthday and is not looking for a learning project.
€100 to €2003 devices
RecommendedAlphaTheta
DDJ-FLX2
€100 to €200
The successor to the DDJ-200, now with a built-in sound card.
- Channels
- 2 decks
- Audio resolution
- 16/24-bit, 44.1/48 kHz
- USB
- 1 × USB Type-C
No longer sold newPioneer DJ
DDJ-200
€100 to €200
The former beginner standard — no longer sold new, still common second-hand.
- Channels
- 2 decks
- USB
- 1 USB port (to computer/Mac)
Hercules
DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2
€100 to €200
The Inpulse 200's big brother: more pads, more buttons, beatmatch help with light guides — for DJUCED and Serato DJ Lite.
- Channels
- 2 decks
- Audio resolution
- 24-bit, 44 kHz
- USB
- USB-B 2.0 port
€200 to €3506 devices
RecommendedPioneer DJ
DDJ-REV1
€200 to €350
A battle-layout controller with horizontal tempo faders — built for scratching and Serato.
- Channels
- 4 decks (left 1 and 3, right 2 and 4)
- Audio resolution
- 24-bit, 48 kHz
- USB
- 1 × USB Type-B
RecommendedPioneer DJ
DDJ-FLX4
€200 to €350
A beginner controller with a club layout, sound card and Bluetooth input.
- Channels
- 2 decks
- Audio resolution
- 16/24-bit, 44.1/48 kHz
- USB
- 2 × USB Type-C
Numark
Mixtrack Platinum FX
€200 to €350
Two decks for Serato DJ Lite with displays in the jog wheels and FX paddles — Numark's entry-level classic.
- Channels
- 2 decks (Deck 1: layer 1/3, Deck 2: layer 2/4)
- Audio resolution
- 24-bit, 44.1 kHz
- Weight
- 2.4 kg (5.35 lbs)
No longer sold newNative Instruments
Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3
€200 to €350
Two channels, large jog wheels, Traktor layout — no longer available new, second-hand the compact entry point for Traktor.
- Channels
- 2 mixer channels (A and B)
- Audio resolution
- 24-bit / 48 kHz
- USB
- USB (to a USB 2.0 port on the computer)
Numark
Mixtrack Pro FX
€200 to €350
The smaller sibling of the Platinum FX — same layout, without the jog displays.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants the size of the Platinum FX and does not need the screens in the platters.
Hercules
DJControl Inpulse 500
€200 to €350
The Hercules with learning aids and a three-band EQ — light guides that show along while you beatmatch.
Ideal for: Anyone learning alone who wants feedback on whether the beat sits.
€350 to €6002 devices
Pioneer DJ
DDJ-FLX6-GT
€350 to €600
Four channels, large jog wheels and Merge FX — the step after the first controller.
Ideal for: Anyone already mixing who wants more channels, effects and a bigger device.
Native Instruments
Traktor MX2
€350 to €600
Two channels, touch-sensitive jog wheels and 16 pads — with the full version of Traktor Pro 4 in the box.
Ideal for: Anyone who has settled on Traktor and is looking for a current device for it.
over €6004 devices
Pioneer DJ
DDJ-FLX10
over €600
Four channels, club layout, rekordbox and Serato — with stems control right on the unit.
- Channels
- 4 channels
- Audio resolution
- 24-bit / 44.1 kHz
- USB
- 2 × USB Type-C
Pioneer DJ
XDJ-RX3
over €600
Two players and a mixer in one housing with a large touchscreen — plays rekordbox libraries from a USB stick, no laptop.
- Audio resolution
- 24-bit / 44.1 kHz
- USB
- 2 × USB-A (5 V / 1 A or less), 1 × USB-B
- Weight
- 9.3 kg
No longer sold newNative Instruments
Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3
over €600
Four channels and motorised jog wheels with Haptic Drive — no longer available new, second-hand the Traktor flagship.
- Channels
- 4 mixer channels (A, B, C, D)
- Audio resolution
- 24-bit / 96 kHz
- USB
- USB port (computer) and USB hub port
Denon DJ
Prime Go
over €600
A standalone unit with a battery — plays without a laptop and without mains power.
Ideal for: Anyone playing outdoors, at weddings, or where power and space are scarce.
DJ controllers: specs compared
The key values from the manufacturer manuals side by side. Every value appears with its PDF page on the product page; a dash means there is no clear value in the manual.
| Device | Channels | Audio resolution | USB | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJControl Inpulse 200 MK2Hercules | 2 decks | 24-bit, 44.1 kHz | USB-B 2.0 cable | no clear value in the manual |
| DDJ-FLX2AlphaTheta | 2 decks | 16/24-bit, 44.1/48 kHz | 1 × USB Type-C | 1.2 kg |
| DDJ-REV1Pioneer DJ | 4 decks (left 1 and 3, right 2 and 4) | 24-bit, 48 kHz | 1 × USB Type-B | 2.1 kg |
| DDJ-FLX4Pioneer DJ | 2 decks | 16/24-bit, 44.1/48 kHz | 2 × USB Type-C | 2.1 kg |
| DDJ-200Pioneer DJ | 2 decks | no clear value in the manual | 1 USB port (to computer/Mac) | no clear value in the manual |
| Mixtrack Platinum FXNumark | 2 decks (Deck 1: layer 1/3, Deck 2: layer 2/4) | 24-bit, 44.1 kHz | no clear value in the manual | 2.4 kg (5.35 lbs) |
| DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2Hercules | 2 decks | 24-bit, 44 kHz | USB-B 2.0 port | no clear value in the manual |
| Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3Native Instruments | 2 mixer channels (A and B) | 24-bit / 48 kHz | USB (to a USB 2.0 port on the computer) | no clear value in the manual |
| DDJ-FLX10Pioneer DJ | 4 channels | 24-bit / 44.1 kHz | 2 × USB Type-C | 6.7 kg |
| XDJ-RX3Pioneer DJ | no clear value in the manual | 24-bit / 44.1 kHz | 2 × USB-A (5 V / 1 A or less), 1 × USB-B | 9.3 kg |
| Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3Native Instruments | 4 mixer channels (A, B, C, D) | 24-bit / 96 kHz | USB port (computer) and USB hub port | no clear value in the manual |
Manual not yet evaluated: DDJ-FLX6-GT, Traktor MX2, DJControl Starlight, Mixtrack Pro FX, DJControl Inpulse 500, Party Mix II, Prime Go.
Frequently asked questions
The questions people actually ask before buying — answered from what we can back up. Daily prices are deliberately not part of it.
- Which DJ controller is right for beginners?
- One with two decks, usable jog wheels and a bundled software licence. The entry class does everything you need in order to learn — what it lacks is large jog wheels, a full channel strip and outputs for a PA. Start at the bottom and only move up once something specific bothers you.
- How much should a DJ controller cost?
- The lowest price class is enough to learn on. Above it you are mainly paying for larger jog wheels, a proper mixer channel strip with EQ, and connections that let you play a party. The top class is where standalone units start, which run without a laptop — nobody starting out needs that.
- Do I need a separate mixer as well?
- No. A controller already contains the mixer and the sound card. A standalone mixer only becomes relevant once you work with turntables or separate players.
- What software do I need with it?
- Almost every controller comes with a licence. Which one it is is decided by the manufacturer, not by you: a unit does not simply run with any program. If you have already settled on a piece of software, check compatibility before buying — that is not something you can change afterwards.
Other categories
Everything together, filterable by setup and budget, is in the catalogue. Why we recommend what we recommend is in the buying guide. To the equipment catalogueTo the buying guide
You picked your gear — now what?
The learning path takes you from the first cable to your first set: 12 phases, step by step, free. It works with any device — including the one you already own.