Learning to DJ used to mean buying two turntables, a mixer and a crate of records before you could even practice. Today, a DJ controller puts all of that in one box: two decks with jog wheels for nudging and scratching, a mixer with faders and EQ (equalizer) knobs in the middle, and pads for cue points, loops and effects. Plug it into a laptop, tablet or phone running DJ software, and you can be mixing within an hour.
The hard part is choosing. Controllers are tied to software, and the software you learn on shapes how you play. The six below are the ones we would actually recommend to a beginner, from a compact first controller to a club-style layout and a standalone unit that needs no laptop at all.
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What to look for
Start with the software. Rekordbox, made by AlphaTheta (the company formerly known as Pioneer DJ), is the standard in clubs, because the CDJ players found in most DJ booths read music prepared in it. Serato is the favorite of hip-hop and scratch DJs, Traktor from Native Instruments has deep effects and a loyal techno following, and djay is popular on iPads and phones. Many beginner controllers work with several of these for free. After that, look at layout. A controller that mirrors club equipment will make the jump to a real booth easier, while a compact one is easier to practice on anywhere.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4: the best overall
If you only read one recommendation, make it this. The DDJ-FLX4 is a two-channel controller that, according to Pioneer DJ, works with rekordbox, djay, Serato DJ Lite and Traktor Play for free. It runs on USB bus power, so one cable to your computer handles both power and sound, and it has a built-in audio interface and a microphone input for MCing or live streams. Its Smart Fader feature automatically adjusts volume, bass and tempo as you move the crossfader, which helps first-timers sound smooth while they learn to beatmatch by ear. Most importantly, the layout borrows from club gear, so the skills transfer. The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 is the controller most beginners should buy.
AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2: the best compact pick
The DDJ-FLX2 is AlphaTheta's lightest and most compact controller. It also works with rekordbox, djay, Serato DJ Lite and Traktor Play, runs on USB bus power over USB-C, and can connect directly to an iPhone or iPad with rekordbox for iOS, playing the mix through the device's own speaker. It keeps the Smart Fader and adds Smart CFX for dramatic effect combinations at the push of a pad. The trade-off is size: the jog wheels are small, so it is less suited to scratching. As a cheap, portable way to find out whether DJing is for you, the AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2 is hard to beat.
Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500: the best for learning to mix by ear
Hercules designs its controllers around teaching. The Inpulse 500 was created for Serato DJ Lite and Hercules' own DJUCED software, and Hercules gives it two large touch-sensitive jog wheels, 16 backlit RGB (red, green, blue) pads, a dedicated filter and effects section and light guides that show you how to line up tracks. It also supports streaming services in both programs, so you do not need a big music library on day one. The Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 is the friendliest teacher on this list.
Native Instruments Traktor MX2: the best for creative mixing
Traktor has always appealed to DJs who like to tinker, and the MX2 is a strong way in. It is a two-channel controller with 16 color-customizable pads that switch between four modes, including stems, which let you isolate parts of a track such as drums or vocals, and a pattern player for adding your own beats. Native Instruments includes the full version of Traktor Pro 4, along with dedicated controls for nine mixer effects and a built-in audio interface. If you see yourself remixing on the fly rather than just playing tracks back to back, the Native Instruments Traktor MX2 is the one.
AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6: the step up
For beginners who already know they are serious, the DDJ-GRV6 is a four-channel controller with a layout inherited from the CDJ and DJM setups found in clubs. AlphaTheta gives it jog wheels sized like those on its flagship CDJ-3000X player, eight performance pads above each jog and Beat FX borrowed from its DJM-A9 mixer. Its Groove Circuit feature lets you remix the drum parts of a track and build your own grooves. It costs a lot more than the FLX4, but you will not outgrow it. The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 is the controller to buy once instead of twice.
Denon DJ PRIME GO+: the standalone pick
Everything above needs a computer, tablet or phone. The PRIME GO+ does not. It is a standalone system with its own 7-inch touchscreen, a rechargeable battery and built-in Wi-Fi for streaming from services including TIDAL, Beatport and SoundCloud. Denon DJ runs it on its Engine DJ operating system, adds professional inputs and outputs including two microphone inputs, and supports Bluetooth in and out. It is the most expensive option here, and overkill for a bedroom, but if you want to DJ at parties, on rooftops or anywhere without a laptop, the Denon DJ PRIME GO+ is the most freeing.
What else you need
A controller is only half the setup. You will need closed-back headphones to cue the next track, and a pair of powered speakers so you can hear the mix properly. Our guides to the best studio headphones and the best powered speakers cover both. If you would rather learn on vinyl, start with our beginner turntable guide, and once you are hooked, our Detroit techno starter guide is a great place to start digging.
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