Best DJ Controller For Beginners (2024)
Are you a beginner DJ who is just getting into the world of mixing? If this is the case, you will want a small, portable, and super user-friendly DJ controller. We are here to help you find the best DJ controller for beginners.
Comparison Chart
Best DJ Controller For Beginners Reviews
1. Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller
The Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller is a good choice for beginners who want a small, portable, and affordable DJ controller.
Review
In terms of its size and weight, the Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller is very small and lightweight. It is so small that you can easily fit it in any backpack, and so lightweight that you will barely notice it. This is a 2-channel DJ controller, which is not bad considering the low price at which it comes in at, so you can connect multiple devices to it. What is cool is that it also comes with the Numark Expansions Remix Toolkit, for advanced functionality.
The Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller comes with Serato DJ Lite included, which is a good beginner’s mixing program. Moreover, it comes with all of the basics, such as play-and-jog wheels, a fader, song navigation, master gain control, and more.
It may not come with the most features out of all DJ controllers, but it holds its own, especially considering the low price. When all is said and done, the Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller can do everything that you would expect a small and portable DJ controller like this to be able to do.
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2. Pioneer DDJ-SR2 Controller
This is a slightly more expensive DJ controller for beginners, but with the higher price tag comes increased functionality. It’s not very big or heavy, but it does come with quite a few nifty features that you are sure to appreciate.
Review
One thing you might like about the Pioneer DDJ-SR2 Controller is that it comes with a very intuitive layout. All of the buttons, levers, and functions are laid out in a way that makes them easily accessible at a moment’s notice. In terms of ease of use and user friendliness, it is definitely made for beginners. It also comes with headphones and a laptop stand!
This might not be the smallest DJ controller around, but it is still more than small enough to be considered portable. On that same note, it is also not very heavy, which makes life easier when it comes to transportation and storage. The Pioneer DDJ-SR2 Controller comes with a built-in sound card, so you can use the included headphones without issue. Moreover, when it comes to pads, meters, gain pots, jog wheels, loop buttons, and more, it has everything a beginner needs.
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3. American Audio Vms2 DJ Midi Controller
This is yet another slightly more expensive DJ controller that you can get your hands on. It is a bit pricey for beginners, but it comes with a lot of neat and useful features. There is also the fact that it’s not too large or heavy, and is actually made to be fairly durable and long- lasting.
Review
What we like here is that the American Audio Vms2 Dj Midi Controller comes with Virtual Dj Le Software, which is a pretty good piece of DJ software. In terms of size, this is another one of those models which is not exactly small, but also not too large. It comes small enough so we would still consider it to be portable, which can also be said for its weight; however, we would not consider it to be quite as portable as some of the other options we have looked at.
We like how the American Audio Vms2 Dj Midi Controller features a very user-friendly layout with lots of color and backlit buttons to make them easy to find. In terms of user-friendliness for beginners, this is a good option, in our opinion. Keep in mind that this is a 2-channel DJ controller, which should be enough for beginners. It comes with all of the basic features that you would expect, such as assignable faders, dual scratchers, assignable rotary controllers, and more.
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4. Hercules DJ Control Inpulse Deck
If you are looking for a DJ controller to learn the basics, get you used to a professional layout, and one that will still let you mix some pretty good music, the Hercules DJ Control Inpulse Deck is an option that you might want to look into. It’s small, portable, and affordable too.
Review
One of the neat aspects of this Hercules DJ Control Inpulse Deck is that it comes with a so-called intelligent music assistant, which lets you easily choose tracks, and even provides you with track suggestions based on today’s hottest music. One of the big benefits here is that it is designed with portability in mind; it is small and lightweight, making it perfect to take with you for an out-of-the-house DJ session. It is one of the more portable options around now, especially where beginners are concerned.
The Hercules DJ Control Inpulse Deck is perfect for beginners to learn the basics of being a DJ. Here you get comprehensive DJ software which comes with tutorials, which also makes it a good choice for beginners. Moreover, the layout is specifically designed to make it easy to get the hang of. The controls are very large, with a good amount of color and lighting.
The Hercules DJ Control Inpulse Deck is all about teaching you the layout of a DJ controller, which then comes in handy when you move to a larger and more professional setup. When it comes to mixers, faders, knobs, and scratchers, here you get all of the basics.
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5. SKP Pro Audio SMX-800 DJ Controller
When it comes down to it, the SKP Pro Audio SMX-800 DJ Controller might just be one of our very favorite options for beginners. It comes in at a moderate price, it is super portable, and has a layout that is perfect for beginners to learn the basics.
Review
Something you might like about the SKP Pro Audio SMX-800 DJ Controller is that it comes with Virtual DJ LE software included; this software is rated as being very user-friendly, plus it also comes with tutorials to help teach you how to use the controller and how to be a DJ in general.
When it comes down to it, the SKP Pro Audio SMX-800 DJ Controller is one of the most user-friendly DJ controllers for beginners right now. It is made in such a way that all of the buttons, controls, and sliders are easy to find and identify. While it might not come with the most features of all controllers, it is made to teach beginners the basics.
The SKP Pro Audio SMX-800 DJ Controller comes with all of the basic, dials, knobs, sliders, and wheels, plus they are all labeled clearly to make them easy to identify. The SKP Pro Audio SMX-800 DJ Controller is USB powered, so you can easily plug it into your computer, power it up, and get started. Keep in mind that this is a 2 channel controller.
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FINAL VERDICT
When all of the options have been looked at, we would recommend all 5. However, if you want a good mix of user-friendliness and lots of functions, we would recommend the American Audio Vms2 Dj Midi Controller. Once you are ready to move up to higher-end models, be sure to check out our choices for the best DJ controller.