Best DJ Controllers for Newbie DJs (Spring 2022)

The DJCentral music deck is designed to fit both beginners and expert in the game of DJing equally. The techniques to using the music deck are quite easy and simple to understand. Just be following a few instructions and reading through the user’s manual, you’re good to go!

It has a compact design and a DJUCED DJ software that can be helpful to make DJing much easier. Asides the DJUCED DJ software that comes with the DJCentral music deck, it also has a feature known as the Intelligent Music Assistant.

The function of the Intelligent Music Assistant is to help DJUCED suggest songs that correlate with the existing vibe and energy of the playing song(s).

If you’re a beginner in the DJing game, with this central music deck, you do not have to always look at the computer. This is possible because the Beatmatch guide has onboard light guards that’ll help you navigate through without hassle.

The desk also has a tempo guide to show you where to move the tempo fader. Furthermore, it has the beat align feature to identify where to turn the jog wheels. You’re at liberty to cue, pitchbend and trackbrowse with this DJCentral music deck because it has a double deck layout and and capacitive jog wheels.

The four control modes of the music deck are hot-cues, FX, rolls and sampler. All of which are indicated by the 8 multiple colored performance pads.

What makes it stand out?

• Easy to use
• For beginners and expert
• Lightweight

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Expensive

Do you wish to mix music? The Gemini SLATE is designed to make it easier than ever with RGB backlit pads, newly designed capacitive jog wheel, and a familiar layout designed to make it easy for all DJ’s from beginner to professional.

It has two full-featured decks, two channels of mixing, two rows of pads, and multiple colors all in a thin but strong enclosure, making the SLATE a dynamic and reliable controller that is portable enough for the most outrageous environments. The SLATE’s DJ tools, including pitch fader, key-lock, and advanced effect controls, give you instinctive control.

Furthermore, the full 2-channel mixer gives you constant access to the EQ and dedicated filter controls. Master RCA outputs, headphone, and microphone inputs give you all that you could need when it comes to I/Soothed pre-mapped FX controls for Serato DJ Intro bring immediate results upon first use, while the fully MIDI mappable and high-resolution controls give the SLATE the ability to easily be adapted for use with any of your favorite DJ applications.

It is blessed with a USB/MIDI software controller with built-in professional 24-bit PC/MAC audio interface and a 2-channel mixer with 3-band equalizer & dedicated filter control on each channel. Furthermore, it has an item weight of 4.7 pounds and a product dimensions of 18.9 x 11.42 x 4.33 inches.

What stands out?

• It is multifunctional
• Ideal for mixing good music
• Its 2-channel mixer enables constant access to the EQ
• It has two full-featured decks.

What cons did we manage to find?

• It can be relatively expensive

The Pioneer DDJ-SB3 is very similar to the DDJ-RB in many ways, but there are still some very notable differences. One, is that the RB features the full license key to Rekordbox, while this one only comes with Serato Intro. Upgrading will cost you almost $100, unless you catch it during a sale or opt for $10/month subscription.

The biggest selling point of the SB3 is that it has many trickle-down features from more expensive gear, providing an excellent way to get started in the DJing world. A somewhat-controversial, yet unique feature Pioneer put on this controller, is a button that literally scratches for you. It’s not going to necessarily teach you how to scratch, but it’s a fun little feature.

With headphones, you must make sure you have an 1/8” mini jack connector, because, unlike the SB and SB2, it doesn’t have the option of using headphones without it. The build is very lightweight, albeit a slightly “plasticky” feeling. Despite this, it’s quite durable. You’ll find 8 performance pads under the jog wheels, as well as trim, 3-band EQ, and individual channel filters, which is quite generous.

Speaking of the jogs, they’re well-made (aluminum construction), responsive, and reliable. While it is a two-channel controller, there are actually four “decks” available, once you hit the switch to go between deck 1 and 3 on one side, and 2 and 4 on the other. The metal transport buttons that look practically identical to the RB’s are a huge improvement on the previous model that had the rubbery ones. The pitch controls are small and short, but are good enough for accurate beatmatching. You can also use key lock for fixing pitch as you change the tempo.

What are our favorite features?

• Features “four” decks
• 3-band EQ, trim, individual effects knobs
• Durable, responsive jog wheels
• Improved transport controls
• 3 effects can be delegated to each deck

What could be better?

• Feels a bit plasticky
• Pitch faders are quite short
• Only comes with Serato Intro

The Mixtrack Pro 3 by Numark is undoubtedly one of the best beginner DJ controllers on the market, today. It comes with Serato DJ, although you can upgrade, should you like. The two channel controller features all of the necessary requirements and needs a beginner DJ will have, while also being capable of delivering a solid performance immediately.

The USB-powered controller is incredibly easy to set up and use, and only has RCA unbalanced ports on the rear, but overall, the design is interesting, yet intuitive. It isn’t the most compact nor lightweight controller out there, but it makes up for this in terms of features. As it is so wide, it gives you ample space around the control so you’re not contorting your hands and trying to make sure you don’t accidentally bump something unintentionally.

The mixer section is more than adequate, featuring 3 band EQ to kill with a dual hi/low pass filter, which is on surprisingly few beginner DJ controllers these days. Something else that is rarely featured on entry-level gear, are volume meters. This one has them, indicating up to three greens, an amber, and a single red LED, however, it is for the master out only, and not the cued-up track.

The jog wheels are touch sensitive, free-spinning, and can work pretty well for scratching (for the budget, that is), and can also be used to bend the pitch or as a shift-track scrubber. Another feature we absolutely loved, and is extremely hard to find on a controller in this price range, are the full-sized, 100mm pitch faders, perfect for learning how to control pitch without looking at the screen. You can assign 3 Serato DJ intro effects per deck, and these are managed by the touch strip, which we haven’t seen on a controller in this budget range.

Why is it special?

• Full-length pitch faders
• Easy to maneuver/navigate
• Unique touch strip
• 3-band EQs
• Volume indicators

What are the flaws?

• Isn’t the most compact/travel-friendly
• Doesn’t include full Serato DJ software

If you want the DJ controller with the best package, then you cannot say NO to this model It comes with a host of things that make it not just the best package option, but that with one of the best affordability on the market. If you are a DJ that wants are rig for scratching, then this comes with plenty of features that you would like.

One of the best things here are the controls. They are very comprehensive and are excellent on this dual-channel controller. Another excellent feature here are the dedicated controls. One of these are the Pitch and Time controls. These will certainly make your work more interesting. There is also the Key Lock. For scratching, there isn’t any other option that gives you such versatility.

Also, the Panel button comes with several functions and is one of the most versatile. It is super easy to use and you can use it to find important parameters like the BPM and Artists. Aside from all these, the pads feel really great to use, with the knobs displaying excellent tactile feedback as well.

There are several outputs here to boot, with the model features balanced booth ouputs. With this model, you certainly DVS plugin.

What are our favorite features?

• Decent construction
• Versatile
• Excellent output

What could be better?

• No AUX input

Pioneer’s DDJ WeGo4 is a two-channel controller with two band EQ, a dedicated filter knob, cues, short throw channel faders, and unique-looking, light up jog wheels. The biggest “pro” of the controller is the fact that it’s compatible with virtually all DJ software, and is also one of the most portable controllers on the market today.

Let’s go back to the compatibility with DJ software, first. TheWeGO4 is compatible with various software/DJ apps on all kinds of platforms. For mobile devices, it works with djay 2 on Android and iOS. On a laptop it can be MIDI-mapped to Rekordbox DJ, djay Pro, and Virtual DJ. IT can also be used with Pioneer DJ’s newer WeDJ software, made for iOS. This opens up the controller to all types of consumers, most notably for those who don’t have a laptop to use for DJing.

It features buttons for cueing the left and right decks, as well as the Master output. The volume faders, pitch faders, and the crossfader are all short throw, so the resolution isn’t the best when you’re adjusting levels/BPM, but they’re fine enough.

While it’s definitely convenient, there are a couple of things that weren’t as well-designed as we’d hoped. First, we would’ve liked to have seen at least 3 band EQ, but instead, this controller just has the lows and highs. In addition, the design of the controller is quite “toy-like” due to the jog wheel lights and chunky design.

What makes it special?

• Very convenient size/weight
• Compatible with all kinds of platforms/software
• EQ knobs

What cons did we find?

• Only 2 band EQ
• Volume/pitch/crossfader are short throw
• Design looks like a toy

This ultra-portable, pocket-sized controller is perfect for everyone: kids as well as adults, and absolute beginners as well as pros who want to practice while on the road. Despite being so small and weighing in at a mere 11.8 ounces, it has everything you’ll need to get started: a built-in sound card, plug-and-play connectivity, and Serato DJ intro. You can opt to upgrade to the full software version if you’d like, and it can be MIDI-mapped to virtually any DJ software.

The controller features all of the essentials: two channels, a crossfader, jog-wheels, and pitch faders. It also has four different pad modes so you can easily choose cue points, auto/manual looping, as well as sample playback.

While this mini controller has plenty to offer, there are certain aspects we weren’t fans of. First of all, if you really want to learn how to EQ mix, you can’t do it on this unit, considering it doesn’t have them. Rather, you’ll have to mix between songs through the crossfader, and the crossfader, alone. Second, it’s easy to accidentally bump the jog wheels considering they’re so small. You’ll have to really be careful with that, as well as accidentally hitting the crossfader or pitch faders. The pitch faders are also quite short, which can make hitting the proper BPM a bit more of a challenge, but it’s definitely possible.

All in all, if you’re looking for a controller that’s perfect for traveling, taking to gigs, and just about anywhere else, then this is undoubtedly the easiest one to pack along.

Why are we impressed?

• Extremely portable and lightweight
• Comes with Serato DJ intro/can be mapped to any other DJ software
• Great for adults, children, beginners, and pros
• Pad modes feature easy cue points, auto/manual looping, and sample playback

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Doesn’t have EQs
• Jog wheels and pitch faders can be easy to bump