The DJ controller is the main tool for DJs and EDM artists. It’s as mandatory as a guitar for guitarists.
And because it’s the main tool, having a quality controller for DJs is necessary. But how to choose the best one might be a tough thing to do.
Because there are many different types of controllers that offer various options and features and you might not know which one fits your need.
And the goal of this post is to help you to choose a good DJ controller that is useful to you.
What’s The Best DJ Controller?
This list contains the best DJ controllers in various price ranges and each comes with different features. So, it will be easy to choose the right one for you.
1. Denon DJ SC Live 4
Amazing and feature-packed DJ controller for professionals.
If you’re searching for a great and professional DJ controller then you need to get Denon DJ SC Live 4. This is a fully-featured controller for any DJ who wants to have everything in one place. Everything in this gear is amazing, sounds awesome, and is a very easy-to-use layout.
Some of the features you get with this DJ controller are a 7″ touchscreen, 6″ log wheels, 16 performance pads, onboard speakers, and much more. And I love the layout of this Denon controller because it makes it easy to tweak EQ, faders, and other settings.
2. Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6
Powerful and affordable DJ controller for semi-pros.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6 is the best DJ controller for semi-pros or beginners who want to upgrade their gear. You might think it’s an expensive gear but if you look at the features and options this controller offers then you will see why it’s affordable. It’s a 4-deck controller with 3-band EQ and sixteen performance pads.
In this Pioneer DJ controller, you have two track playback decks and two track playback decks, four columns of EQ that offer filters and trims. Also, it has a very compact size and is easy to use with DJing laptops. Great DJ controller for live shows or use in the studio. And of course, the quality is superb like in all Pioneer products.
3. Reloop Mixon 4
A great DJ controller for scratching with great features.
A very beautiful controller for DJs with amazing features and options to create great mixes without any issues. Reloop Mixon 4 features two aluminum jog wheels, a four-channel mixer, a docking station for tablets, an output for headphones, and much more. Between mixer channels, there is a master setting for cue volume, cue mix, booth, etc.
You have four faders under the mixer panel and eight pads on each deck. Also, this Mixon 4 DJ controller has countless buttons and knobs for different settings such as loop, sync, effects, and more. And a great thing about this device is that it comes with a built-in audio interface which makes it a great DJ controller for recording.
4. Numark Mixstream Pro
A minimalist but powerful DJ controller.
Numark Mixstream Pro is one of the best DJ controllers I have ever used and it’s a great one if you like a minimalist approach to music and recording gear. It offers two decks, eight performance pads, and a huge, 7″ display from where you can control almost everything. Also, the layout is very simple which makes working with this device a good experience.
Of course, this Numark DJ console offers amazing features such as Wi-fi connectivity, a touchscreen display, and other bells and whistles but one of my favorite options is built-in speakers. So, if you don’t have a good pair of DJ speakers, you can use built-in ones and make great tracks. Also, two 6″ touch-sensitive jog wheels are really smooth and easy to work with.
5. Roland DJ 505
An amazing controller for beginner and intermediate DJs.
If you want to get a high-quality DJ controller for an affordable price then Roland DJ 505 is a good option – a 2-deck controller with built-in drum sounds, vocal FX, sequencer, and other useful features. This piece of DJ gear is for intermediate DJs but can be used by beginners too.
The first thing I like about this gear is the layout which makes it very easy to navigate even though it has many buttons and knobs. Other significant features are practice mode, iOS apps, iZotope effects, and much more. It’s slick, and modern, and makes mixing or scratching a delightful experience.
6. Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500
Amazing and affordable DJ console for aspiring DJs.
Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 is the best DJ controller for beginners. Not only it’s affordable but additionally, it has all the features and options a DJ who starts learning will need. Also, the settings layout on this controller device is very convenient which makes it easy to use. A two-deck controller with volume and tempo controls, and sixteen pads.
Like Reloop, this controller also comes with a built-in audio interface which makes it a great recording device. With Inpulse 500 you get two jog wheels with touch detection and vinyl modes, two channels, eight modes for pads, and much more. Additionally, it comes with Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED software which makes it a must-have controller for beginner DJs.
Conclusion
So, as you can see you have several options to choose your DJ console and these are the best DJ controllers I can recommend to anyone. Here you will find more professional consoles but also ones that are great for beginners or semi-pros. Although I’m not a DJ, I’ve had experience with these controllers and also have DJ friends who gave me some recommendations.