Pioneer DJ (now known as AlphaTheta) are indisputably the biggest name in the world of DJ gear. In large part, that’s down to the fact they’ve got something for everyone at every stage of their DJing journey. This is especially true of their controller lineup.
Their DDJ (Digital DJ) controllers are designed to cover a wide range of budgets and work across different mixing styles. If you’re looking for a new controller and you’re not sure what’s the best fit for you, we’ve put together this handy guide to break down the differences between all of the current lineup of models.
DDJ-FLX2
The DDJ-FLX2 is AlphaTheta’s perfect entry-level controller for beginners just starting their DJing journey. Everything about the FLX2 is designed to make starting DJing as straightforward and simple as possible, whether you’re on rekordbox, Serato, or djay.
The Smart Fader and Smart CFX make it super easy to mix tracks together smoothly by combining effects and BPM changes for automatic transitions. You also get 8 performance pads per deck, allowing you to use key DJ features like loops, hot cues and pad FX. Unlike other previous entry-level models, the FLX2 comes with a dedicated soundcard for outputs, which makes it feel like much less of a ‘toy’ than some of its rivals.
Check out our full review or video.
RRP – £159
Pros
- Beginner-friendly Smart Fader and Smart CFX
- Compact, lightweight design for portability
- Compatible with rekordbox, Serato, and djay
Cons
- No dedicated effects
- Plastic build may not withstand heavy use
- Basic output options
Learn to DJ on the FLX2
If you want to learn how to mix on the FLX2, our complete FLX2 beginner’s course will take you from complete beginner to confident DJ with over 50 in-depth lessons.
DDJ-FLX2 Beginner Course
6.5 hours
55 lessons
Beginner
DDJ-REV1
For beginner scratch DJs, the DDJ-REV1 brings a taste of ‘battle-style’ mixing at an affordable price tag. The layout mimics a turntable and mixer setup with horizontal pitch faders and paddle effects and is designed to help you experiment with scratching. It supports 4 deck playback and has a couple of performance features such as the Tracking Mode that help you nail the basics of scratching.
While it may be compact and limited on some features, it’s well-built and offers a great introduction to scratching, and may be a fun addition even if you’ve got a different club-style setup.
Check out our full review or video.
RRP – £259
Pros
- Surprisingly good build for the money
- Quality pad and FX section
- Scatch-style layout ideal for open-format
Cons
- Serato only
- Not as versatile for other DJing styles
- Only RCA outputs
DDJ-FLX4
The DDJ-FLX4 bridges the gap between beginner and intermediate DJ setups. It’s still got the Smart CFX and Smart Fader which makes mixing super simple, but you also get some of the features you’d expect to find on more ‘club-standard’ gear. This includes a dedicated effects section, a mic input and RCA outputs.
It’s a more feature-packed and advanced option than complete beginner options like the FLX2. That makes it actually a fantastic pick for a first controller as you won’t quickly outgrow it and it will last for much more of your DJ journey.
Check out our full review or video.
RRP – £159
Pros
- Lots of options for compatibility
- Proper beat FX
- Featured enough to appeal to beginner and intermediate DJs
Cons
- Pads and jog wheels are a bit small
- Serato not implemented as well as rekordbox
Learn to DJ on the FLX4
If you decide to go for the DDJ-FLX2 as the controller to start out on, we’ve got you covered with a complete beginner’s course to teach you everything you need to know to get mixing.
DDJ-FLX2 Beginner Course
6.5 hours
55 lessons
Beginner
DDJ-GRV6
The GRV6 introduced a couple of super unique new features that bring a new level of performance to your sets and allow you to remix tracks on the fly. Its Groove Circuit lets you isolate, swap out and chop up the drum parts of any track you’re playing. The Stem FX also give you the power to play around with individual elements of the track, letting you add really unique sounds to your set.
Beyond its special features, the GRV6 is also a quality controller in its own right. It has great full-size jog wheels and a layout inspired by the club-standard CDJ-3000 and DJM-A9 setup.
Check out our full review or video.
RRP – £719
Pros
- Powerful and unique performance tools
- Club-style layout
- Quality build and feel
Cons
- Performance features won’t be for everyone
- No XLR outputs
DDJ-REV5
The REV5 brings some unique performance features into Pioneer DJ’s scratch lineup. The Stems isolation lets you adjust and isolate track elements, while the Piano Play is a fun way of playing samples or cues like musical notes using the performance pads.
It also brings full-size adjustable mechanical jog wheels, like you’d find on the flagship CDJ models. Though missing hardware effects and standalone mixer capability, it’s an excellent choice for anyone after a versatile controller for open-format gigs.
Check out our full review or video.
RRP – £939
Pros
- Quality adjustable jog wheels
- Automatic BPM transition feature
- Stems isolation
Cons
- No standalone mixer function
- Rekordbox is poorly implemented
DDJ-FLX10
The DDJ-FLX10 is Pioneer DJ’s flagship club-style controller and is packed full of just about every feature you could expect. There are a range of controls for the Track Seperation features that let you switch between the EQs and controlling the levels of track elements.
It’s also complete with a 4-channel mixer along with fantastic CDJ-style mechanical jog wheels that feature built-in displays. Basically, this is about as close you can get to a proper club setup in a controller format, with the added benefit of Stems tools for extra flexibility.
Check out our full review or video.
RRP – £1469
Pros
- Feature-packed
- Club-style format and jog-wheels in a controller
- Track Separation tools
Cons
- Expensive for a controller
- Many DJs might not need all the features
- Designed more for rekordbox than Serato
DDJ-REV7
The DDJ-REV7 is the top-of-the-line scratch-style controller from Pioneer DJ and really goes all out in replicating the layout and feel of traditional vinyl setups, while still giving you the advantages of a digital system. It’s even got proper motorised jog wheels that spin around in time in the same way that real vinyl platters would.
All this, combined with large on-jog displays and a great range of effects and performance options make this the best pic for any pro scratch or open format DJs after a more portable setup – and the build quality is second to none.
Check out our full review or video.
RRP – £1829
Pros
- Fantastic motorised jog wheels
- Top-tier build quality
- Adjustable feel to match your style
Cons
- No in-built power supply
- Very expensive
- Bulky and less portable than other controllers
DDJ-XP2
The XP2 is completely different from every other DDJ in the lineup, as it doesn’t have any decks or jogwheels and isn’t meant to be used as a standalone device. Instead, it’s designed as an add-on to boost DJs creativity and give them some extra options to add some flair to their sets.
It gives you a wide range effects controls and 32 customisable pads, which are especially useful when using things like rekordbox’s Keyboard mode or Serato’s Pitch Play.
Check out our full review or video.
RRP – £299
Pros
- Adds lots more performance power to your controller
- Works with both Serato and rekordbox
- Simple to connect and use
Cons
- Requires an existing setup to use
- Might be redundant for high-end controllers
DDJ Comparison Table
| Model | Price | Target Audience | Outputs | Number of Channels | Software Compatibility | Key Features | Jog Wheels | Release Year | Dimensions and Weight |
| DDJ-FLX2 | £159 | Beginners | 3.5mm Audio, 3.5mm Headphone | 2 | rekordbox, Serato, djay | Smart Fader, Smart CFX, 16 Performance Pads | Small | 2024 | 383 x 208 x 48 mm, 1.2 kg |
| DDJ-REV1 | £279 | Scratching Beginners | RCA, 3.5mm Headphone | 2 | Serato, djay | Battle Layout | Small | 2021 | 482 x 272 x 58 mm, 2.1 kg |
| DDJ-FLX4 | £295 | Intermediate | RCA, 3.5mm Headphone | 2 | rekordbox, Serato, djay | Smart Fader, Smart CFX, Effects, 16 Performance Pads | Small | 2022 | 482 x 272 x 58 mm, 2.1 kg |
| DDJ-GRV6 | £719 | Intermediate DJs / Producer DJs | XLR, RCA, 3.5mm Headphone | 4 | rekordbox, Serato | Groove Circuit, Stems FX | Large, Capacitive | 2023 | 678 x 358 x 73 mm, 5.3 kg |
| DDJ-REV5 | £799 | Intermediate/Pro Scratch DJs | XLR, RCA, 3.5mm Headphone | 4 | rekordbox, Serato, djay | Stems isolation, Piano Play | Large, Mechanical | 2023 | 716 x 375 x 72 mm, 5.7 kg |
| DDJ-FLX10 | £1,399 | Pro DJs | XLR, RCA, 3.5mm Headphone | 4 | rekordbox, Serato, djay | Stems isolation, On-Jog Displays, Standalone Mode | Large, Mechanical | 2023 | 716 x 375 x 72 mm, 5.7 kg |
| DDJ-REV7 | £1,799 | Pro Scratch DJs | XLR, RCA, 3.5mm Headphone | 2 | Serato, djay | On-Jog Displays, Motorized Jog Wheels | Large, Motorized | 2022 | 732 x 424 x 90 mm, 10.7 kg |
| DDJ-XP2 | £329 | Performance-Focused DJs | USB, MIDI, RCA | N/A | rekordbox, Serato | 32 Performance Pads, FX Controls | None | 2019 | 333 x 235 x 44 mm, 1.5 kg |
Discontinued DDJs
These are the current lineups of controllers from AlphaTheta/Pioneer DJ, but over the years, they’ve made many more. Many of these are more or less redundant compared to new gear, but there are a few that are perfectly usable, and you’ll still see quite frequently, especially coming up for sale on second-hand marketplaces.
The DDJ-200 was Pioneer DJ’s entry-level DJ controller for many years before the release of the DDJ-FLX2. However, it’s more limited in many key areas, as it doesn’t have dedicated audio outputs and lacks the new model’s Smart CFX and Fader. As such, we’d recommend saving up a little more money and going for the FLX2 to get started.
Similarly, the DDJ-400 was a highly popular beginner-friendly controller that was replaced by the DDJ-FLX4. The major drawbacks with this compared to its replacement were that it only worked with rekordbox and didn’t include the Smart features.
Before Pioneer DJ focused on controllers that were flexible with the software they worked with, most of the lineup was stuck to one platform. The DDJ-RB (rekordbox) and DDJ-SB3 (Serato) were both highly popular controllers and if you’re not necessarily after all the modern features and finishing, could still be worth considering if you see a second-hand bargain.
The DDJ-SB3 is an example of a controller that’s a few years old now, and may not have all the flashy new features, but is still highly capable for beginners.
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