The typical DJ equipment setup is a controller, headphones, boom mic, speakers, and LED lights. But as technology advances, more DJ’s are switching to high-quality and portable equipment. Traditional turntables, mixers, and a modern pad device are used for triggering effects manipulation and jam-packed with extra features. This guide offers a selection of the best DJ equipment to help you choose which item suits your needs. You will also learn their pros and cons, price point and the mixing software used.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denon DJ Prime 4 | If you’re looking for the best-selling DJ controller, then Denon DJ Prime 4 is the best DJ equipment for you. | ||
| Numark Mixtrack Platinum DJ Controller | The Mixtrack Platinum is the newest DJ controller from Numark that offers 4 Decks and LCDs | ||
| Numark Mixtrack Pro FX – 2 Deck DJ Controller | With amazing controls, decks, and mixers, Numark Party DJ equipment brings glory and thrill to DJs and parties. | ||
| Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 DJ Controller | The Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3DJ equipment is one of the most innovative controllers made for beginners and pros alike. | ||
| Pioneer DJ DJ Controller | Are you looking for the best DJ equipment with all major features, then Pioneer DJ DJ Controller is the product for you. | ||
| Roland Four-Deck with Serato DJ Pro (DJ-202) | Roland DJ-2020 is one of the best DJ equipment that ranks among the cheapest price range. | ||
| Pioneer Pro DJ DJ Controller, Black (DDJ-1000) | Pioneer DDJ-1000 is one of the sought-after DJ controllers that provide mixers, decks, and 3-band EQ. |
A Detailed Review on the 7 Best DJ Equipment
Denon DJ Prime 4
If you’re looking for the best-selling DJ controller, then the Denon DJ Prime 4 is the best DJ equipment for you.
Product Highlights
Denon DJ Prime 4 is a professional 4-deck smart DJ console with HD multi-touch display. With this bad boy, you can import and analyze all your music. You can even import a full rekordbox collection direct from a media source. Not only that, don’t limit yourself as you can internally analyzed including playlists, hot cues and loops.
The Good
The package of Prime 4 has touch-capacitive jog wheels and a dual function sweep FX and filter. It also comes with integrated digital DJ mixer, plus a StagelinQ connection that you can use for Event/Pro DJ lighting and video control.
The Bad
Since this is a professional setup, some DJs said the product could be a bit overwhelming for the first time using the equipment.
PROs
- Stand-alone DJ system
- Optimized controls
- Comes with EQ and FX settings
- Won’t need a laptop to operate
CONs
- A bit of learning curve
- Not for beginners
Numark Mixtrack Platinum DJ Controller
The Mixtrack Platinum is the newest DJ controller from Numark that offers 4 Decks and LCDs
Product Highlights
The Mixtrack Platinum has lots of great apps and works with the Serato DJ lite edition. A 2-channel console with 4-channel mixing features, the Mixtrack Platinum is one of the best DJ devices for a larger setup. There is a wide built-in LCD screen for tracking stuff such as BPM, track playtime, pitch change to create a smooth transition between songs on each jog wheel. To make your own mixtapes, you can also move between 4 different decks and monitor which one is working, giving you unlimited layering.
The Good
For loops, hot signals, and launch recordings, there are 16 output pads, and you can use the cross-functionality provided for quickly browsing through records or stripping FX. For each track, filter knobs are given to further sculpt your tone. For even the finest pitch modifications, pitch sliders are often featured. The intelligent track feature enables your songs to be precisely controlled. The unit itself, made of metal, is very durable and robust, so you wouldn’t have to risk losing it.
The Bad
Although this product is packed with features, it emits a slight beep sound when pausing a track.
PROs
- Great design
- Multi-touch controls
- LCD screen
- 4-channel mixing board
CONs
- Some say the screen is not durable
- May not be compatible with external audio inputs
- Durability is a concern
Numark Mixtrack Pro FX – 2 Deck DJ Controller
With amazing controls, decks, and mixers, Numark Mixtrack Pro FX – 2 Deck Party DJ equipment brings glory and thrill to DJs and parties.
Product Highlights
With 2-band EQs, this party console now has two channels. Each channel, along with the stream faders, has a trim knob. Without much effort, the crossfader will allow users to move between the channels easily. Numark gives you access to Serato, a powerful app that allows you to create mixes, loops, and effects to make your tracks a lot more enticing. There are eight folds in the output mats, each having four distinct modes. A built-in looping portion allows you to add a total of eight beats per interval.
The Good
They provide a specific built-in Sync feature, which pairs the beats between two songs dynamically every minute. The RCA primary output link and the 1/8-inch headphone output device are necessary. One of this DJ device’s key highlights is that it is LED-light activated. Three built-in color lights are mounted on the back panel.
The Bad
What we don’t like about this product is it has low-quality pitch faders. Also, there is a limited input connection in this DJ equipment.
PROs
- LED party lights for the back panel
- Affordable price
- Comes with Serato Lite software
- Built-in sync feature
CONs
- Low-quality jog wheels
- Comes with only two bands of EQs
- May not be durable enough
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 DJ Controller
The Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3DJ equipment is one of the most innovative controllers made for beginners and pros alike.
Product Highlights
For a perfect DJ show, the Traktor Kontrol S2 has all you need and deals with built-in Traktor Pro software. Because this is a 2-deck console, thanks to its pulsing and beat syncing software, it’s perfect for creating large sets and allows you to get very creative. The Traktor Kontrol S2 also includes club-grade sounds, all included in the Mixer FX settings, such as reverb, EQ, delay, pumps, and more. If you want to be extra hands-on to compete with contrasting songs, there are plenty of jog wheels.
The Good
It’s an all-in-one device that makes it pretty quick and easy to play music. With these jog wheels, pushing tracks forward or back, scratching, and streaming is made very fast. The Traktor Kontrol S2 GUI is in-built and allows tracks to be seamlessly blended. Cue point pads or HotCues are also distributed for jumping to various track elements, but you can also play with them.
The Bad
Some consumers complain about the product’s faulty connectivity to iPad Pro. Also, this equipment has a low volume output.
PROs
- Comes with Traktor Pro software
- Plug and play
- Great for mixing effects
- Perfect for transitions and beat matching
CONs
- Low volume output
- Faulty connection to iPad Pro
- RCA outputs
Pioneer DJ DJ Controller
Are you looking for the best DJ equipment with all major features, then Pioneer DJ DJ Controller is the product for you.
Product Highlights
A dedicated 3-band EQ controller comes with the mixer. Gain and Filter are provided with the EQ console that helps you have greater control of your track. It arrives with a Serato DJ intro app built in, a platform that is internationally known. The four pads at the center are pads for transport. You can use these features to play, sync, cue, and move applications. It’s a great setup with ample functionality, input, and output accessibility for mobile DJs. Making DJing simple is the responsive and strong jog wheels.
The Good
This DJ console is elegant and sleek, backed up by the prestige of a brand like Denon. It comes with a range of flawless characteristics that you cannot ignore. These are strong and give you better track power. The jog wheels are responsive and make easy track skimming. Each button has a separate knob, which allows the pressure to adjust. Without having to touch the laptop, it lets you navigate through the catalog and load songs.
The Bad
We don’t like this product because you need the software’s pro version to access amazing features.
PROs
- Comes with long-pitch faders
- Elegant and sleek design
- 3-band EQ controller
- Strong jog wheels
CONs
- Only four performance pads
- Not compatible with other software
- A little pricey
Roland Four-Deck with Serato DJ Pro (DJ-202)
Roland DJ-2020 is one of the best DJ equipment that ranks among the cheapest price range.
Product Highlights
The DJ-202 is Serato DJ compliant and comes with the software’s Basic version to learn how to make jams. It is fitted with large plates with extremely low latency, integrated pad and transport functions, and an on-board convolution reverb to monitor the sampler of Serato DJ. Mic input and many side effects, such as a gate, filters, reverb, and echo, are also part of the DJ-202. You get built-in drum sets from the legendary Roland drum kits as well. They have improved design that allows them extremely efficient in Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB).
The Good
The DJ-202 is a small package but has several versatile characteristics in the studio for DJing and playing and performing live. The DJ-202 is very modern and straightforward and has the qualities you might expect on a high-end console but in a more compact unit. Another nice thing about such a moderate DJ console is that it has compatible MIDI-enabled devices with MIDI outputs to synchronize. The console’s overall design allows it durable and lightweight.
The Bad
One major drawback of this product is the fiddly drum sounds compared to higher-end DJ 505 and 808.
PROs
- Durable construction
- Comes with drum kits layering
- Features Serato controller
- Compatible with MIDI-enabled devices
CONs
- A bit difficult to set up on a computer
- Lightweight could mean flimsy
- May not be durable enough
Pioneer Pro DJ DJ Controller, Black (DDJ-1000)
Pioneer DDJ-1000 is one of the sought-after DJ controllers that provide mixers, decks, and 3-band EQ.
Product Highlights
The machine has a four-channel layout, where each brand has its own special 3-band EQ configuration. Pioneer has built a specific knob and a channel meter for each control to analyze the different audio levels. Each stream has its crossfader to have more flexibility over your mixing methods, which you can toggle and mix. On the deck, there is a shifting button that opens or closes two other loop control tools.
The Good
Pioneer introduced the RetroBox program on the DDJ 1000 device. The app helps you save all the sound files on a cloud platform with its impressive features to control it from anywhere. The most impressive jog wheel configuration is the Pioneer controller, which offers pros an exceptional bouncing between the audio recordings.
The Bad
One major drawback of this product is the higher price point compared to other DJ controller equipment.
PROs
- The design has a clubbing feel
- Magvel crossfade
- Comes with FX settings
- Large jog wheels
CONs
- A bit expensive
- The sound is a bit choppy
- Durability is a concern
Conclusion
Since DJ devices contribute significantly to record mixing, you must choose your device properly. When you shop around, the seven best DJ equipment narrow down important factors to remember. I hope that the list provided above helps you choose wisely. Learn more about the best DJ equipment and tips here!