Best Budget-Friendly DJ Controllers to Buy as a Beginner

These entry-level controllers are great for new DJs wanting to start without making a huge investment. They’re also well suited to experienced DJs wanting a backup, or extremely portable, solution.

Although these Controllers may have extremely professional looking structure, the market has made it to make them look like a pretty serious pro audio gear than the toys they used to be

If you’re a beginner DJ, you’re on a strict budget, a casual hobbyist, or you simply want the best for your limited budget, these could be the digital mixing devices for you.

Pioneer DDJ-SB2 and DDJ-RB

(For: Serato, Rekordbox) Professional looks and performance, at a budget price.

Pros: It’s a smart budget choice, with a similar look and feel to its bigger brothers. The jogwheel tension feels like CDJs, and they are more “professional looking” than many budget controllers.

Cons: Limited FX controls, and a lack of master output level metering.

Choose If: You like the “Pioneer style” of design/feedback, you want to try scratching

Advertised at $249 (Check DDJ-SB2 / DDJ-RB)

Buy DDJ-SB2

Buy DDJ-RB

Numark MixTrack Platinum

(For: Serato) A techy upgrade for this extremely popular budget offering from Numark.

Pros: It’s very spacious, has long-throw pitch controls, includes touch strips, and gives terrific visual BPM feedback. Conveniently, it’s powered by the USB connection.

Cons: The annoying loop functionality and so-so drum pads.

Choose If: You have “fat fingers”, you want to learn manual beatmatching, and you like chunky jog wheels.

Advertised at $249 (Check Price)

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Pioneer DDJ-WeGO4

(For: Rekordbox, WeDJ, DJAY2, VirtualDJ) A compact controller with sleek design and versatile software support.

Pros: With a small footprint, great software support, iOS compatibility, and a clean design… the value cannot be overstated.

Cons: The unorthodox layout may require some adjustment, it has tiny pitch faders, and it looks a little more “toy-ish” than other controllers in this price range.

Choose If: You aren’t sure which software platform you want to try, or you want a lot of functions in a tiny space.
Advertised at $299 (Check Price)

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Traktor Kontrol S2

(For: Traktor) Budget-friendly access to big Traktor power.

Pros: You can access all basic functions of Traktor in 2 decks, and you even get great mobile support with Traktor DJ for iOS.

Cons: The “Booth output” is half-assed.

Choose If: You’re an iOS DJ, or you’re a Traktor user who prioritizes portability.

Advertised at $399 (Check Price)

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Gemini Slate 2

(For: Serato) One of the slimmest and lightest ways to have proper Serato DJ control.

Pros: It’s about as small as all-in-one controllers get, giving you extreme portability, yet giving you access to all of Serato DJ’s major functions. USB power means it’s easy and fast to set up.

Cons: Very small pitch faders make manual beatmatching a chore, and the unorthodox side-mounted audio connections can make things awkward. No on-board gain controls.

Choose If: You need extreme portability and want to use Serato DJ.

Advertised at $199 (Check Price)

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Denon DJ MC4000

(For: Serato) A well-built, professional-looking device which is great for mobile and club DJs alike.

Pros: The MC4000 is feature-rich when it comes to practicality. Club and Mobile DJs will both feel at home.

Cons: In some ways, it’s stripped down: there are only four pads, and there aren’t many fancy features like Slip Mode and Slicer.

Choose If: You want a no-fuss, professional Serato experience at a reasonable price.

Advertised at $399 (Check Price)

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Hercules DJControl Jogvision

(For: Serato) How to get professional-grade jog wheels, and good build quality, on a budget.

Pros: Its brushed plastic, build-quality, and massive jog wheels with visual feedback will give confidence when shelling out your hard-earned cash.

Cons: Those big lovely jogs come with a few compromises, such as limited pad functionality, combined FX/looping controls, and small-throw pitch faders.