Intro

While I spend a lot of time reviewing individual pieces of DJ hardware, it’s sometimes important to take a step back and examine the bigger picture. So that’s what we’re doing today, in my Ultimate Guide to DJ Controllers!

These controllers are split into 3 different price categories: budget, midrange, and premium. In each category, I have one main recommendation. Then, I’ll recommend some alternative options.

The primary focus is on Rekordbox and Serato, because they are most popular with our audience. Most things here will also be supported by Virtual DJ. Also, I tried to not include anything that was discontinued or outright unavailable. If you want to cut to the chase, with a straight-up default recommendation, I’m going to suggest the Pioneer DDJ-REV5. It’s a solid all-around DJ controller which costs just over a thousand dollars, and does pretty much everything you need. We’ll learn more about the REV5 in the Premium Controllers section, below.

For more information on these DJ controllers, I highly recommend watching the Pioneer DDJ-REV5 Review here, where I go more in-depth.

Best Budget DJ Controller (under $500)

Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 ($299) or DDJ-REV1 ($279)

I chose the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 as my “default” choice for the under $500 category for a few reasons: it’s got a club-standard mixer layout, slick and silent jog wheels, and some interesting helper features that make it easy for brand-new DJs to make cool-sounding transitions. Another reason is that it supports multiple applications. It’s primarily made for Pioneer’s rekordbox for Mac & Windows, but also comes with Serato DJ Lite (you can do a paid upgrade to the full version). On top of that, you can use it with the new rekordbox app for iOS/Android, making for an extremely convenient and portable pseudo-all-in-one DJ system for a great price. As with any Serato or Rekordbox-supported device, the FLX4 brings with it support for several streaming services: TIDAL, Beatport, Beatsource, and Soundcloud. The USB-C connection makes it easy to connect power & data through a single cable.

The Pioneer DDJ-REV1 is an equally great choice for beginners, especially if you prefer Serato, or you eventually want to learn scratching. This controller is fairly similar to the FLX4, but once you take a closer look, you’ll notice some differences. For instance, rather than a traditional club mixer layout, you get FX paddles and pads up in the middle (much like a DJM-S mixer would have). You get a battle-style orientation, with pitch faders up top. If you don’t really know how to scratch yet, the REV1 has a few cheater features. It can automate crossfader cuts, and return to a cue point automatically when you release the platter. These features can help you make cool scratching sounds, while you’re actually learning how to do the real thing.

Alternate Choices

●  Reloop Ready ($379)

I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Reloop, and the Ready makes today’s list because of its functionality for the space. It has a very compact layout, which is designed to perfectly rest on top of a 13″ laptop keyboard. It’s USB-powered and contains 16 RGB Pads, 9 Performance modes, and 2 FX units.

●  Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX ($279)

The big, capacitive-touch 6′′ jog wheels house lovely digital displays, which give basic BPM and track position feedback. This is the only controller in this price bracket to offer this feature. It’s great for learning how to beat-match, especially with those long-throw pitch faders. That’s why I feel it’s one of the best values in the controller market.

Best Midrange DJ Controller (under $1000)

Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6-GT ($649)

Controllers in this segment often support two channels, but you get a full four with the Pioneer DJ FLX6-GT and it’s equally compatible with Rekordbox and Serato (and can now be used with Virtual DJ and Traktor). The tradeoff, compared to other Pioneer options, is you can’t connect external sources. If you don’t care about connecting turntables or CDJs, it’s a great choice. Also, you can easily mix different styles of music with a feature called Merge FX – no matter the BPM or key of the next track, artists can create an exciting transition whenever they choose.

The FLX6-GT is great for DJs who like mixing between wildly different styles or tempos, and need a way to get from point A to point B. In this sense, Merge FX could be a lifesaver. Generally speaking, this is a sturdy and handsome controller which offers a lot of features for the price. It makes for an excellent rekordbox or Serato controller. Being a midrange controller, there are compromises. For example, there are no external inputs, nor balanced XLR outputs on the device. There are some features found on other controllers (like the DDJ-FLX10) that won’t be found here, like a track skip button or tension adjustments. But with enormous jog wheels, the unique Merge FX feature, and full control over four decks, this is my top recommendation for a DJ controller at this price point.

Alternate Choices

● Pioneer DDJ-800 ($839)

The DDJ-800 provides big-time Rekordbox DJ functionality, plus mixing of external sources, DVS capability, and lovely onboard screens. If you need to mix external sources and prefer rekordbox, this might be the ticket.

● Pioneer DDJ-SR2 ($739)

The SR2 is a popular Serato-based controller that also provides access to the mixing of external sources with DVS. However, it is not as polished as the DDJ-800 and lacks its beautiful screens. A great choice for Serato users wanting to mix external sources.

● Roland DJ-505 ($679)

The DJ-505 is a two-channel, four-deck controller that blends the capabilities of Serato with the legendary sounds of Roland’s TR-909, TR-808, TR-707, and TR-606 drum machines. Great for DJ/producers who want to do some live remixing, but at a more reachable price point than its DJ-808 sibling. Supports Serato DVS

Best Premium DJ Controller (over $1000)

Pioneer DDJ-REV5 ($1099)

This controller from Pioneer DJ barely squeaks into this category at $1099. So, although it qualifies as a Premium controller, I think it proves to be a really good value for the price. If you’ve budgeted somewhere in the neighborhood of a grand for a DJ controller, the DDJ-REV5 should be on your shopping list. With full-size jog wheels, a DJM-like mixer section, tight Serato and Rekordbox integration, and easy access to stems, it covers all the bases for any DJ willing to mix in two channels. In fact, for the price, the DDJ-REV5 is THE recommendation. When it comes to thousand-dollar DJ controllers, there aren’t many to go around these days.

Today’s budget controller segment has lots to offer, and there are quite a few premium controllers and standalones with astronomical prices. But once upon a time, the thousand-dollar mark was where you found all the high-end premium stuff. As the high-end has gotten pricier and pricier, it’s left a Serato and rekordbox-shaped hole in the middle of the market… until now.
The jog wheels are large, responsive, reliable, and easy to operate – they feel just like those on classic CDJ units – and each includes a display with play head position. You can also customize the Jog Feel to find your perfect jog wheel “weight”. The MAGVEL FADER is slick, robust, and ready to translate every tiny movement you make so you can scratch with precision. But while the REV5 is meant to be scratch-friendly, it’s truly a great all-arounder.

Alternate Choices

● Pioneer DDJ-FLX10 ($1599)

The new four-channel flagship DJ controller from Pioneer DJ for both rekordbox and Serato. It features new Track Separation technology which focuses on three track elements: vocals, drums, and other instruments. For each Part, you can mute or adjust the volume, apply FX, or send to a new deck from exactly the same point. The on-jog displays are improved over the DDJ-1000, with 4 new display modes showing different types of waveform information. With onboard DMX and rekordbox lighting, it’s an all-in-one solution for DJs who want to control visuals.

● RANE Four ($1699)

A four-channel controller, meant to bring stem separation into the mainstream. There are a few things I expect from RANE gear: sturdiness, scratch-friendliness, tight Serato integration, and a forward-thinking (but uncomplicated) design. The Four nails every one of these expectations with ease. Outside of stems, it’s a standard controller for Serato, with paddles that give access to 22 MAIN FX, 4 knob-controlled CHANNEL FX, and Serato DJ software FX. It has 16 performance pads, topped by 8 beautiful OLED screens which give pad-related feedback. You’ll also find 8.5” high-resolution capacitive static platters with full-color center display.

Best Motorized DJ Controller

Rane ONE ($1599)

Using its 6 radio-style FX buttons, you can instantly activate any combination of software FX, fine-tune them with depth and beat parameter controls, and activate them with the aluminum die-cast paddle controls — which give a satisfying “ka-chunk” when you use them. It also features RANE’s lightest and smoothest crossfader ever, the MAG FOUR, to help stand up to the rigors of cutting and scratching. On top of all this, the ONE is truly built like a tanK, which inspires a lot of confidence. The RANE ONE takes the high-performance features, reliability, and exceptional quality we’ve come to expect, and combines them into the ultimate Motorized DJ Controller.

Alternate Choice

● Pioneer DDJ-REV7 ($1999)

While I thought it felt less sturdy for scratching than the RANE One, it has some truly innovative and fun features. The screens right in the middle of the platters, for instance, are truly innovative and make for a unique experience you can’t currently find anywhere else. The Pioneer eliminates the use of spindles entirely, due to its use of high-resolution displays in the jog wheels.

About Standalone DJ Systems

Many of the higher-end “DJ controllers” these days are actually standalone DJ hardware, meaning it doesn’t require the use of a laptop like everything else on this list. And in this category, my main recommendation is the Denon DJ PRIME 4+, which is the leader in this space.

The PRIME 4+ is a refined and enhanced version of the original. You can think of it as a PRIME 4 MK2, rather than a wholly new product or concept. It’s been refined, rather than redesigned. So what’s different about the PRIME 4+? Classy new aesthetic updates, the inclusion of Amazon Music, and the inclusion of real-time stems.

Good Pioneer alternatives are the Pioneer DJ OPUS-QUAD or the XDJ-RX3.

See Also: DJ Controller Reviews

• Pioneer DDJ-FLX-4 | $299
• Pioneer DDJ-REV1 | $279
• Reloop Ready | $379
• Pioneer DDJ-FLX6-GT | $649
• Pioneer DDJ-REV5 | $1099
• Rane FOUR | $1699
• Pioneer DDJ-FLX10 | $1599
• Rane ONE | $1299
• Pioneer DDJ-REV7 | $1999
• Denon PRIME 4+ | $2199

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