A DJ controller is a mixer and two or more decks that control DJ software. Choose it with four questions, in this order.
1. Which software?
Most controllers are built for one or two programs: Serato DJ, rekordbox, djay or VirtualDJ. If you know which one you want, pick a controller made for it. Beginners on a phone or tablet often start with djay.
2. Two or four decks?
Two decks are enough to learn and to play almost any set. Four-deck controllers cost more and take more space; they're for DJs who layer acapellas, loops and extra tracks.
3. Laptop or standalone?
A standalone controller has its own screen and computer inside and plays from USB sticks or streaming services over Wi-Fi, so you can leave the laptop at home. It costs more: the cheapest one in our picks is about $740.
4. How do the jog wheels feel?
Bigger jog wheels are easier for beatmatching by hand and scratching. Motorized platters spin like real turntables, the closest thing to vinyl.
Good controllers for each case
First controller, any device: Reloop Buddy, $245
A compact 2-channel controller for djay on phone, tablet or computer, with stem controls to separate vocals and instruments. #4 of 42 DJ controllers.
Like turntables: Hercules Inpulse T7 Premium, $721
Two motorized 7-inch platters with slipmats, a premium crossfader module and a transport case. The highest-ranked DJ controller we track: #1 of 42 DJ controllers.
No laptop: Numark Mixstream Pro+, $736
A standalone controller with Wi-Fi streaming from Apple Music, Tidal, Beatport, SoundCloud and more, plus built-in speakers. #2 of 42 DJ controllers.
Four decks, no laptop: Denon DJ SC Live 4, $1,194
A 4-channel standalone console with streaming, which also unlocks Serato DJ Pro when connected to a computer. #3 of 42 DJ controllers.
Pro scratch setup: Rane System One, $2,580
Two 7.2-inch motorized high-torque platters, a 7-inch touchscreen, standalone Engine DJ and Serato DJ. #5 of 42 DJ controllers.
Questions
What DJ controller should a beginner buy?
A two-deck controller made for the software you'll learn, under $300, like the Reloop Buddy ($245).
Do I need a laptop to DJ?
Not with a standalone controller like the Numark Mixstream Pro+, which streams music over Wi-Fi.
How we picked. Every controller comes from AudioFu's DJ controller ranking, scored on demand, price, specs and brand; features from Thomann's product data. Prices are converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate and updated every night, as are the ranks.
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Denis Kataev runs AudioFu. Every night the site records the prices of more than 38,000 instruments and studio tools at Thomann, and he writes about what those numbers show: what got cheaper, what just arrived, and which discounts are real.
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