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Finding the best DJ setup for your budget doesn’t have to mean hours of endless research.
That’s why we’ve put together our ultimate guide to finding the right DJ device for you, on any budget.
Whether you are a beginner DJ looking to get your first controller or a professional wanting to level up your existing rig, we’re here to help.
In this guide, we walk you through the hottest gear, with something for everyone, whether you’re sticking to a budget or looking to invest in a premium rig.
We’ve included some of our favourite DJ equipment from recent years. All road-tested by our team of pro DJs to bring you an unbiased opinion on the best gear in the industry today.
Article guide
- Which type of device should I go for?
- Best beginner controllers
- Best intermediate controllers
- Best flagship controllers
- Best low-cost all-in-ones
- Best mid-range all-in-ones
- Best flagship all-in-ones
- Turntables and a battle mixer
- Media players and a club mixer
- Flagship club standard rig
- Not sure which device is right for you?
Equipment overview
We’ve sorted all the kit into three categories that all DJ gear falls into: Controllers, All-in-ones and Standalone or modular equipment.
In this guide, we review our top picks for each type of device.
We explore options for beginner DJs looking for their first set of decks, to those upgrading to a more intermediate rig, right through to the no-expense-spared premium picks.
We look at a broad selection of equipment that will appeal to most DJs, so it should serve as a solid guide to the best options for any DJ.
Which type of DJ device should I use?
Below is a breakdown of the main features of each type of device and who they are best suited to:
- Controllers: These are the most popular devices for beginners and also the least expensive. They are comprised of two deck sections with a mixer in the middle and must be used with a laptop running DJ software.
- All-In-Ones: These devices cost more than controllers, so are typically suited to intermediate DJs and professionals. They are super convenient and just as easy to transport, but don’t require a laptop. They have built-in screens running performance software, so all you need is music from a USB stick, SD card or streamed in via a subscription service.
- Standalone or Modular Equipment: For DJs wanting flexibility with their set-up, buying the decks and mixer separately means a rig can be personalised. This is ideal for professionals who want to customise their setups to meet specific needs. You’ll find open-format and techno DJs putting their setups together this way. This is also the most expensive way to build a DJ rig.
Controllers
Controllers continue to be the most popular choice for new DJs, and for good reason. They’re budget-friendly and are by far the most portable bits of kit on the market.
All controllers here are designed to work with either Rekordbox or Serato DJ, as these are the industry’s biggest players.
However, most will also work with alternative software like VirtualDJ, Traktor and Algoriddim Djay with a little MIDI-mapping.
Check out our article on MIDI-mapping Algoriddim Djay for more on this.
Best beginner controllers (under £300)
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 (£279)
For DJs of any level wanting to get used to Pioneer club gear, this is the one. It features everything you need to pull off great mixes and build solid foundational skills.
It boasts a slick, lightweight frame with two CDJ-style decks and a DJM club-style two-channel mixer with beat and colour effects.
Although this controller is targeted at beginners, 95% of what DJs can do on professional rigs is achievable with this. However, it may take a little diving into Rekordbox’s settings to tweak things. For more on this, see our article on Getting Started With FLX4.
Watch the video below and learn some impressive DJ techniques for beginners on the FLX4.
FLX4 lends a big helping hand to new DJs with smart mixing and effect settings, allowing DJs to pull off polished transitions within minutes of first touching the decks.
- Club standard layout means progressing onto professional Pioneer kit is easy
- Rekordbox and Serato support means you can use both platforms
- Smart FX and mixing features are useful for creating unique transitions
- Small tempo adjust fader can make learning to manually beatmatch difficult
- Serato feels a little messy, and not all features work as well as they do in Rekordbox
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
If you want to grow your confidence in DJing with FLX4 and learn to use it to its full potential, check out our dedicated Beginner and Pro courses.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 Course
7 hours
41 lessons
Beginner
Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX (£239)
Aimed at Serato and open-format DJs, Numark’s Mixtrack Platinum FX is an ideal choice for DJs interested in scratching.
It features full-sized tempo adjust faders for on-point beatmatching, a crucial hip-hop mixing skill. For more on beatmatching for beginners, follow the link here.
The battle-style paddle effects are great for heat-of-the-moment FX activations. The device supports 4 deck layers and has super useful mini displays inside the jog wheels to help you see what deck you’re controlling.
At this price point, there’s not much else offering these features, as you’d typically have to spend a lot more to get a four-deck device with paddle effects.
- Paddle effects have six buttons for quick access to popular Serato effects
- Full-size tempo adjust sliders are fantastic in this price category
- In-jog displays are convenient for quickly seeing track and deck data without the need to glance at a laptop screen
- Older style USB-B connector is tricky for plugging into newer USB-C computers
- Jog wheels are a little on the loose side, which may not suit every DJ’s taste
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
Best intermediate controllers (under £1,000)
Hercules T7 (£599)
The only device that does spinning platters for well under £1,000.
T7 is the best choice for DJs wanting the analogue feel of vinyl on a tight budget. Its closest-priced competition is the RANE ONE, which costs almost double at £1,300.
Even though T7 is technically not in the same league as RANE’s ground-breaking device due to its lack of direct-drive motors, this unit is still great to cut on.
The belt-driven motors, also found on portabilist turntables, are more than powerful enough to scratch on as they only deal with smaller 7” vinyl discs.
We love T7’s battle-style mixer and awesome build. Plus, with the ‘Premium’ T7 revision, high-quality faders are preinstalled for sharp cuts.
Watch us cut it up on the original T7 in our performance video.
- Build and design feel very solid
- Belt-driven spinning platters work well to give DJs a true vinyl experience
- Retractable feet lift the unit to the same height as a traditional turntable for an authentic feel
- Doesn’t ship with Serato DJ Pro, this must be subscribed to separately
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV5 (£939)
REV5 is a champion for open-format intermediates and pro DJs, belonging to a family of DJ gear that changed battle controllers significantly.
It’s the perfect collaboration between the ultra-premium REV7 and the entry-level REV1, being budget-friendly like 1 but with most of the flagship features from 7.
The only missing key feature is its lack of motorised platters, but this device is great value for DJs wanting to stick to a budget.
REV5 provides what a DJ needs to put together performance routines, with a DJM-S style battle mixer and tactile jogs, which include tension adjustment and cue point displays in their centre for accurate cutting.
It has some unique mixing features, such as the world-exclusive Auto BPM feature, which automates a gradual beatmatch between two different tempos. With the tempo-adjusting taken care of for you, hands are freed up to focus on scratching and cutting.
- Great feeling jogs with adjustable tension to suit any DJ style
- Excellent cutting faders
- Tempo adjust faders are in true battle position, so turntablists feel right at home
- Lack of hardware effects, no crossfader tension adjustment
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
If you’re interested in scratching, DJing battle style or want to level up your open format skills, check out our Complete Online Scratching Course and Hip Hop Mixing DJ Course.
5.8 hours 63 lessons Creative 4.75 hours 42 lessons Beginner
The Ultimate Scratching Course
Hip Hop Mixing DJ Course
Best flagship controllers (under £1,500)
RANE FOUR (£1,399)
This was Serato’s official Stems hardware partner, introducing us to the power of their creative audio separation feature, which has updated the DJ landscape significantly.
RANE FOUR is a highly capable controller for remix DJs working with Stems.
With a solid construction, it remains a gold standard device for controlling Serato Stems.
It also rivals Pioneer’s famous Beat FX with 22 unique built-in effects. All are fully tweakable with parameter controls and sound clean.
For lovers of Serato, this is a top-tier four-channel controller, and that also goes for open-format DJs who usually mix with just two channels.
Splitting vocals and instrumentals across two channels quickly becomes a practical mixing perk on this kit.
Not much can rival the RANE FOUR for remixing on the fly using Serato.
Check out our exclusive RANE FOUR Stems mashup performance mix!
- Super clean design and easy access to stems technology
- Stems split feature makes the device perfect for remixing music on the fly
- 22 high-quality hardware effects
- Stems split can’t be remapped to go to your channel of choice
- No tension adjustment for the jog wheels
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 (£1,499)
For those wanting to emulate a professional CDJ rig, FLX10 is the closest you’ll get with any laptop-based controller.
It handles stems brilliantly, controls DMX lighting, and features most of the standard club DJM sound colour and beat effects.
It also includes RGB jog-wheel lighting to help DJs visually see which stem they have active. This is highly useful since controlling four decks of stems can get confusing without visual cues.
On-the-fly remixing is expanded with this fully featured controller.
FLX10’s dual integration with Serato is smooth and comprehensive.
Its mapping for Serato matches perfectly with regard to the markings on the top plate of the unit.
We highly recommend this capable controller to club DJs who want to be able to use both Rekordbox and Serato.
- Amazing flexibility, allowing DJs to tweak almost every setting to suit their needs
- Works well with both Rekordbox and Serato
- Great stems integration
- Layout is a bit cramped with many features
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
All-in-one systems
All-in-ones have grown in popularity in recent years, with battery-powered options making them perfect for DJing anywhere.
You don’t need a performance laptop as they have built-in screens that run DJ software. This means the starting cost of these devices is higher than controllers which do require a laptop.
Rigs range from two-channel options with modest features to full-scale club setup replications at a fraction of the cost of a standalone club rig.
Currently, only two operating systems run on all-in-ones: Rekordbox and EngineDJ.
Best low-cost all-in-one systems (under £1,100)
Numark Mixstream Pro Go (£699)
This unit is perfect for any DJ wanting a do-it-all device on a budget.
It has everything you need to DJ, including speakers, access to music streaming partners and performance software, all for an accessible cost.
As it runs Engine DJ software, this compact, battery-powered all-in-one packs great features despite its minimal design.
Hidden within the fluid 7” high-definition multi-touch screen are useful functions, such as an XY pad for touch effects.
Battery power and its built-in speaker means it can be taken on the road and is wire-free, with no need to connect to anything other than music sources for practice sessions, whether they be in a bedroom or outdoors.
See what the Pro Go can do with our quick performance mix!
- Loads of features packed into a small unit
- Excellent screen with great viewing angles
- Only four performance pads make accessing some features a bit fiddly
- Tempo adjustment faders are on the small side, which could be a problem for manual beatmatching
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
Pioneer DJ XDJ-RR (£1,029)
Pioneer is known for throwing many features into their gear, but XDJ-RR is focused differently.
It has what you need to put together a solid set with clean transitions without added complexity.
Everything from the jog wheels and tempo adjustment faders to how effects are chosen and assigned to a channel has been streamlined, making the RR a focused Pioneer experience.
Even though RR’s hardware is minimal to meet a price point, the sound quality is clear, and the unit’s been around long enough to prove its durability.
We recommend the RR to DJs who want to use Pioneer gear but prefer to keep things straightforward, doing away with extra additions.
This is also the entry option for DJs wanting to play on Rekordbox equipment with USB sticks.
- Crisp, clean sound layout
- Pioneer layout means DJs can transition to club gear easily
- Small, lightweight frame makes for easy transportation
- USB master record allows easy recording of sets to a USB stick
- No Booth output for monitoring mixes in a professional venue
- Limited number of effects
- Effects are assigned with a toggle switch rather than the rotary encoders found on other Pioneer gear
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
Best mid-range all-in-one systems (under £1,800)
Denon DJ SC Live 4 (£1,129)
This device is tailor-made for livestreaming professionals. A four-deck all-in-one at this price point represents great value.
The 7’ high-resolution multi-touch screen might seem compact when using all four decks in the mix, but we’ve found it to be practical in use.
The built-in speaker provides clear response and works well as a booth monitor in quieter environments. Unlike Denon DJ’s standalone flagship gear, SC LIVE 4 imitates the club standard layout of CDJs and a DJM mixer, making it an excellent step for those wanting to progress onto standalone club kit later on.
It is also worth noting that EngineDJ software can natively control light shows and integrates with SoundSwitch for intricate displays.
SC LIVE 4 has a LIGHTING button to immediately access the dedicated lighting software settings.
For the price, this is highly competitive.
It is feature-rich and fits well in a studio while catering to mobile DJs with professional input and output options.
These include XLR outs and the option to plug in a second microphone or auxiliary device like a smartphone. A great option for mobile DJs.
Watch us put all four decks in the mix with the SC Live 4!
- Four deck all-in-one mixing at an entry price point
- Engine DJ software updates add useful performance features
- Club-standard layout so DJs can progress to working on venue equipment
- The screen can look busy when mixing with all four decks
- Build quality feels a little light compared to premium units
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
EngineDJ OS is a powerful performance software worth mastering. It has plenty of exclusive features and offers a fantastic alternative to Rekordbox.
Our Denon DJ courses cover everything Engine DJ so you can be confident to step behind any Engine device and deliver your DJ sets with confidence!
6.5 hours 36 lessons Beginner 5 hours 40 lessons Intermediate
Denon DJ Prime Course
Denon DJ Prime Course
Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3 (£1,699)
RX3 is great for club DJs who want a compact device that travels easily or looks right in a studio or home environment.
This device’s prominent 10.1” touchscreen is the core feature of the RX3.
With an OS based on Rekordbox, the interface layout is familiar to those who use the club standard CDJ-3000.
It cleanly displays three-band EQ waveforms and lets you navigate through utility and performance menus.
The mixing hardware is comprehensive, incorporating beat and colour effects similar to the DJM series.
The knobs, buttons and faders are well-spaced out across the console.
The performance pad modes include Gated Cue and Release FX, giving the device solid controller-style functionality.
The central jog wheel screens are reminiscent of those found on club-standard players, an excellent choice for DJs used to a pro rig.
- Brilliant screen and robust hardware combination
- Jog wheels feel substantial and feature tension adjustment
- The unit is reasonably lightweight and travels easily
- Lacks individual effects frequency selection controls found on flagship mixers
- Software updates don’t include some touchscreen features found in newer generation hardware
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
Our XDJ course is built from the ground up around mixing on Pioneer’s standalone devices. Learn how to optimise your music collection for use with their hardware and give your DJ sets the polish Pioneer gear is known for.
Pioneer XDJ DJ Course
8.5 hours
47 lessons
Beginner
Best flagship all-in-one systems (under £3,000)
Denon DJ PRIME 4+ (£1,979)
PRIME 4+ is a powerful tool for mobile DJs, offering comprehensive features in the all-in-one market.
The PRIME platform was among the first all-in-ones to offer standalone four-deck mixing, maintaining a strong position in the industry.
The layout is designed for versatile performance workflows, featuring smooth jog wheels and direct cloud connectivity to streaming options like Amazon Music.
Plus, it offers standalone stem separation capabilities in real time.
PRIME 4+ offers expansive options for music playback and audio routing parameters.
It remains a strong choice for DJs wanting comprehensive audio setups with control over different music zones and multiple music source options.
We like the under-unit SATA bay for permanently storing up to 4TB of local music files, keeping your core music collection directly accessible.
This device features a dedicated Zone output to play an alternative playlist into a second room while the main room receives the live performance mix.
- Fluid, high-resolution 10” touch screen console
- Effects are deeply adjustable with parameter controls, alongside a dedicated Zone audio output
- SATA bay to permanently store massive local music libraries
- Does not use the traditional club layout setup
- Screen profile extends slightly when laid flat, which requires specific care during transport
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ (£2,899)
If you want a setup that closely replicates a full club environment without buying separate media players and a mixer, the XDJ-AZ is the clear choice.
This is AlphaTheta’s flagship all-in-one system and the successor to the XDJ-XZ, resolving previous hardware limitations by offering full 4-deck standalone playback directly from USB storage, streaming, or connected devices.
It is designed to mirror a club installation closely, drawing layout elements from the CDJ-3000 and DJM-A9 mixers. The full-size jog wheels feel familiar, while the 10.1” touchscreen offers a modern, high-speed workflow.
Connectivity options are comprehensive, including Wi-Fi for streaming, CloudDirectPlay, and Pro DJ Link to expand the setup, alongside inputs for turntables or external media players. It works cleanly as the central hub of a studio or booth.
For DJs who want a premium system that feels like stepping into a club environment every time you switch it on, this is an excellent choice.
- Full 4-deck standalone playback without the need for external media units
- Club-standard layout heavily inspired by modern venue installations
- Wi-Fi, cloud integration, and advanced connectivity choices built in
- Large dimensions and weight profile compared to compact units
- Premium financial investment required
Find the best price from our recommended sellers here.
Standalone and modular equipment
This takes us back to the classic way of building a setup, as configuring individual decks and mixers separately allows a rig to adapt to your specific workflow over time. However, the costs can rack up fast.
We’ve put together three proven modular configurations popular among DJs with varying performance needs and budgets.
Turntables and a battle mixer (from £1,409)
Reloop RP 7000MK2 turntable (£475 x 2) / Numark Scratch battle mixer (£459), totalling £1,409
Spinning on physical platters offers a distinct, tactile experience.
Many performance DJs incorporate the benefits of the digital era by running Serato DJ Pro alongside high-torque turntables.
This rig is ideal for DJs who want to mix and scratch with a traditional battle-style layout.
It consists of two high-torque turntables featuring extended pitch ranges (+/- 50%) to adjust track tempo accurately.
This is practical for those looking to scratch, beat-juggle, or perform routines with significant BPM transitions.
While the mixer layout is straightforward, it unlocks Serato DJ Pro natively and incorporates a mini innoFADER for sharp cutting response.
The physical performance pads are limited to four per channel, which fits the standard requirements at this pricing tier.
Input and output options are comprehensive, connecting directly to professional monitoring systems via XLR or home environments via standard RCA links.
- Serato DJ Pro licence included with the hardware, removing the need for an entry subscription
- Turntables feature Ultra Pitch configuration for major creative tempo shifts
- No additional input inserts on the mixer console to connect multiple sources simultaneously
- Lacks an independent booth output control for complex layout venues
- No built-in digital hardware effects blocks on the mixer chassis
The advantage of a modular setup is that any part can be upgraded individually. Top options for upgrading the decks include the Technics 1200 MK7 (£895 x 2) or the Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 hybrid turntable (£1,199 x 2).
To step up the battle mixer console, we recommend the Pioneer DJ DJM-S5 (£749), or the RANE SEVENTY (£1,199).
Media players and a club mixer (from £3,969)
Denon DJ SC6000 PRIME (£1,285 x 2) / Allen & Heath XONE 96 (£1,969), totalling £4,539
This setup is ideal for digital DJs prioritizing precise audio output quality.
Separate media players paired with a dedicated club mixer provide an excellent architecture for modular mixing styles outside of traditional scratch setups.
The Denon SC6000 players feature dual-layer technology, meaning a single physical unit can output and control two separate tracks simultaneously, allowing four-deck mixing from a two-player footprint.
They operate on the standalone Engine DJ OS, utilizing an expansive 10” high-definition touchscreen console.
The players handle song analysis directly without laptop preparation, allowing you to use performance parameters like Touch FX directly on screen.
Allen & Heath’s XONE 96 analog mixer is highly regarded for its warm sound design and extensive send and return options, allowing you to route external hardware effects units cleanly.
The XONE 96 works exceptionally well for electronic genres like house and techno, where long linear faders and precise four-band EQ controls allow for highly smooth blending transitions.
- Warm, premium analogue sound layout and circuitry
- Four-deck performance mixing capability from two physical media players
- Direct touchscreen effects control built on each player deck
- Mechanical jog wheel profile differs from traditional Pioneer club systems
- The XONE mixer relies completely on external units for digital effects processing
The decks can be expanded over time by adding units like the Denon DJ LC6000 controllers (£599 x 2), which connect directly to control the secondary audio layers physically.
Alternatively, the mixer can be substituted for options like the Denon DJ X1850 (£1,399) to lower the initial total footprint cost to £3,969.
Flagship club standard rig (from £6,807 for two decks or £11,145 for four)
Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000 (£2,169 x 4) / Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 (£2,469), totalling £11,145
Investing in the standard configuration found across professional venue installations requires significant capital.
Pioneer DJ maintains the standard setup found across major club booths globally.
The CDJ-3000 models use a clear 9” multi-touch screen paired with detailed displays inside the physical jog wheel assembly.
Internal processing power cuts track load times significantly compared to older systems like the CDJ-2000 NXS2, making navigation direct and efficient.
The platform is optimized for performance stability in high-pressure venue environments, used across open-format, house, and electronic workflows.
The DJM-A9 mixer updates the central club mixer architecture, introducing updated channel preamps and extended connectivity options like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi infrastructure.
The onboard spatial beat effects offer deep sound options, incorporating parameters like Mobius processing for building tension during a mix.
See why the flagship Pioneer DJ rig sets the gold standard for clubland with our demo video!
- Direct, highly fast track processing and load phases
- Premium professional audio routing and output hardware
- Crisp console screens with precise track information feedback
- Extensive mixing utility options and assignment links
- The player units rely on physical cabling for shared database networks rather than integrated wireless options
- The central mixer console requires external switching devices to link multiple player units directly without separate hubs
The pairing of CDJ-3000 with DJM-A9 works beautifully. The mixer architecture is adaptable and can be substituted with alternative configurations if needed.
For an extra £500, you can choose Pioneer’s ultimate 6-channel flagship mixer, the DJM-V10, for example. Just don’t forget to add two more CDJ-3000s!
Take those 3000s to the limit with our CDJ Masterclass, and learn to deliver amazing DJ sets in the booth!
Pioneer CDJ Masterclass
10 hours
31 lessons
Intermediate
Make the most of your gear
We hope this comparison guide helps clarify your equipment options. At the end of the day, this gear is still just a means to an end: connecting tracks cleanly to keep the dancefloor moving.
Whatever gear you’ve got, you need the skills to back it up and actually make the most of it.
If you want to gain that confidence behind the decks, Crossfader has specific courses built around the gear and software you use. You’ll learn how to mix with clear step-by-step tutorials led by expert DJs, which take the guesswork out of DJing.
You can get started for free by signing up to Crossfader today, where you’ll get your personalised learning journey to help you meet your DJ goals and you’ll unlock two free DJ courses to get mxing right away.
Complete DJ Package
835 hours
1300+ lessons
Creative
What set up would you recommend to a person with no residual vision meaning no sight at all, everything these days is touch screen. Surely the technology is there for text to speech to be heard in the headphones so a totally blind person would know what track he is loading into the player. This is so frustrating as i have to go for the cheap rubbish Gemini CDM4000 which is easy to use but has no keylock or microphone EQ so you get what your given. so frustrating hence giving it all up. I can rock up to a vinyl gig but that means dragging a trolley around.
I’ve never heard of any technology that would allow you to route the TTS just through the controller’s headphones not the master output as the computer recognises it just as one audio device generally.
Where does the XDJ-AZ fit into this list?
It’s a flagship all-in-one that’s incredibly similar to the Opus Quad in many ways but overall and about the same price, I’d probably take the AZ over it.