Best Digital Mixers for Installation 2026

Perfect digital mixers for installation - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo

Corporate Installation Professional Live
Key Feature:
• Scene recall and automation
✓ PROS
  • • Built-in effects and processing
  • • Scene recall and automation
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Steeper learning curve

Allen & Heath Avantis SoloDigital MixerXCVI FPGA core with very low latency of 0.7 msFreely configurable mix bus...

4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle

Large Venues Professional Live Installation
Key Feature:
• Compact size with many channels
✓ PROS
  • • Scene recall and automation
  • • Built-in effects and processing
✗ CONS
  • • Steeper learning curve
  • • Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ18T*Compact Bluetooth Digital Mixer...

4.5/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Allen & Heath CQ20B Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Allen & Heath CQ20B Bag Bundle

Professional Live Installation Theater
Key Feature:
• Compact size with many channels
✓ PROS
  • • Remote control capabilities
  • • Built-in effects and processing
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Steeper learning curve

Allen & Heath CQ20B Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ20B*Bluetooth Digital Mixing...

4.6/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle

Complex Routing Theater Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Built-in effects and processing
✓ PROS
  • • Remote control capabilities
  • • Scene recall and automation
✗ CONS
  • • Potential digital conversion artifacts
  • • Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ18T*Compact Bluetooth Digital...

4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Allen & Heath CQ12T Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Allen & Heath CQ12T Bag Bundle

Complex Routing Professional Live Installation
Key Feature:
• Compact size with many channels
✓ PROS
  • • Remote control capabilities
  • • Compact size with many channels
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Requires power and boot-up time

Allen & Heath CQ12T Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ12T*Compact Bluetooth Digital Mixer...

5.0/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Allen & Heath QU-6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Allen & Heath QU-6

Corporate Large Venues Professional Live
Key Feature:
• Advanced routing and matrix
✓ PROS
  • • Remote control capabilities
  • • Scene recall and automation
✗ CONS
  • • Requires power and boot-up time
  • • Potential digital conversion artifacts

Allen & Heath QU-6Digitaler Mixer for Live and Studio7" capacitive touchscreen25 faders24 Mic/Line combo...

4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle

Large Venues Installation Corporate
Key Feature:
• Advanced routing and matrix
✓ PROS
  • • Scene recall and automation
  • • Compact size with many channels
✗ CONS
  • • Potential digital conversion artifacts
  • • More expensive than analogue

Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ18T*Compact Bluetooth Digital Mixer...

4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Allen & Heath CQ12T Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Allen & Heath CQ12T Case Bundle

Installation Corporate Complex Routing
Key Feature:
• Compact size with many channels
✓ PROS
  • • Built-in effects and processing
  • • Compact size with many channels
✗ CONS
  • • Requires power and boot-up time
  • • Potential digital conversion artifacts

Allen & Heath CQ12T Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ12T*Compact Bluetooth Digital Mixer...

4.8/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Allen & Heath QU-5D - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Allen & Heath QU-5D

Theater Complex Routing Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Built-in effects and processing
✓ PROS
  • • Scene recall and automation
  • • Compact size with many channels
✗ CONS
  • • Complex menu systems
  • • Steeper learning curve

Allen & Heath QU-5D38-Channel Digital Mixer with Dante Interface38 inputs for mixing (32 mono2 stereoUSB)16 mic /...

4.5/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle

Theater Corporate Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Compact size with many channels
✓ PROS
  • • Scene recall and automation
  • • Built-in effects and processing
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ20B*Bluetooth Digital Mixing...

4.6/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha TF-5 Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Yamaha TF-5 Case Bundle

Corporate Large Venues Theater
Key Feature:
• Built-in effects and processing
✓ PROS
  • • Advanced routing and matrix
  • • Built-in effects and processing
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Steeper learning curve

Yamaha TF-5 Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha TF-5*Digital Mixer*32 Analog D-PRE inputs - max 48 Channels 2x...

4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Allen & Heath Avantis Solo Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo Bundle

Complex Routing Theater Corporate
Key Feature:
• Compact size with many channels
✓ PROS
  • • Remote control capabilities
  • • Built-in effects and processing
✗ CONS
  • • Requires power and boot-up time
  • • Potential digital conversion artifacts

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath Avantis Solo*Digital Mixer*XCVI FPGA...

4.9/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Allen & Heath QU-7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Allen & Heath QU-7

Theater Large Venues Installation
Key Feature:
• Scene recall and automation
✓ PROS
  • • Scene recall and automation
  • • Built-in effects and processing
✗ CONS
  • • Potential digital conversion artifacts
  • • More expensive than analogue

Allen & Heath QU-738-Channel Digital Mixer38 inputs for mixing (32 mono2 stereoUSB)32 Mic/Line combo inputsTwo...

4.7/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle

Professional Live Large Venues Complex Routing
Key Feature:
• Built-in effects and processing
✓ PROS
  • • Built-in effects and processing
  • • Scene recall and automation
✗ CONS
  • • Steeper learning curve
  • • Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ12T*Compact Bluetooth Digital...

4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Waves eMotion LV1 Classic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Waves eMotion LV1 Classic

Theater Complex Routing Professional Live
Key Feature:
• Built-in effects and processing
✓ PROS
  • • Advanced routing and matrix
  • • Remote control capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Requires power and boot-up time

Waves eMotion LV1 ClassicDigital Live Mixer64 mono/stereo inputs44 mono/stereo busses32-bit Float Mix Engine with...

4.7/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10

How to Choose the Best Digital Mixers

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced digital mixers typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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