For many DJs, a DJ controller is the perfect way to play. Plugging into your laptop and using your laptop’s processor, memory and hard drive to do all the important stuff like storing your music and handling playback, effects and so on, the controller gives you a tactile surface for your decks and mixer, a high-quality audio interface for your speakers and headphones, and often offers extra screens to feed back to you on what’s going on. But importantly – unlike all-in-one standalone DJ equipment that doesn’t need a laptop – with a DJ controller, the laptop is an integral part of your performance.
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Going down this route gives you a lot for your money, because the DJ unit doesn’t need to include a computer to do the work that your laptop already handles. Also, it can be convenient because all the music preparation work you’ve done on the software is waiting for you when you start to DJ – no exporting to USB devices to play from. All you have to do is plug your controller into your laptop and get going.
In this article, I’ll give you our seven DJ controller recommendations for 2025. These aren’t necessarily brand new, or even in a couple of cases particularly recent DJ controllers. But they are all currently available, and they are the ones that – for most of the kinds of DJ we work with here at the Digital DJ Tips school, most of the time – do the job more than adequately.
Contents
- Controller vs standalone – What’s the difference?
- Best all-rounder: Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10
- Best for Serato: Rane Four
- Best motorised: Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7
- Best big budget model: AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6
- Best for iPad: Reloop Mixon 8 Pro
- Best for Traktor: Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3
- Best entry-level unit: Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4
Controller vs standalone – What’s the difference?
One of the things that confuses newbies to the DJ technology scene nowadays is the difference between standalone units and DJ controllers. Essentially, DJ controllers only work when plugged into a laptop. Yes, you may be able to plug record decks or CDJs into them and play the audio through them without the laptop being connected, but if you want to use any of the advanced features such as loops, stems, keymixing, (usually) effects, access to your music library and so on, you need the laptop plugged in.
Standalone units, though, give you the option of DJing on them without the laptop – they achieve this by accessing your music in any number of ways such as a USB drive, across a network, via a streaming service, or from the cloud. These units have got the essential functions already built into them, meaning you don’t need a laptop to unlock those features.
However, most of these units will also work quite happily plugged into a laptop, so you can use them effectively as a controller if you wish. This is the part that often confuses newcomers, as these two types of gear look very similar (here’s a hint though: standalones usually have a big screen in the middle).
In this particular guide, we’ve only looked at DJ controllers (ie the units that need a laptop). If you’d like to know about standalones, check out our companion guide here.
7 Best DJ Controllers For 2025
Best all-rounder: Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10
This controller for Rekordbox and Serato is going to be the best choice for most people. It works primarily with Rekordbox, which is Pioneer DJ’s own software, and the same platform that powers all Pioneer DJ equipment from its cheapest controllers right up to pro DJ equipment in the DJ booth. But it also works with Serato, the other most popular DJ software out there.
It has four channels, a standard club layout that will be familiar to anyone who’s DJed on Pioneer DJ Pro gear. This layout will also familiarise any new DJ with the kind of layout to expect if and when they step up to pro DJ booth equipment.
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The DDJ-FLX10 has great jogwheels and onboard screens, and you can plug external equipment, such as record decks and other audio sources directly into it. Plus it has plenty of inputs and outputs for DJ booth speakers, an extra laptop, microphones, and so on.
The main difference between this and the previous incarnation of this unit, which was called the DDJ-1000, is that this one offers dedicated controls for real-time stems – although these are better suited to using it with its primary software Rekordbox, than with its secondary platform Serato.
✅ You can’t go wrong with the DDJ-FLX10. It’s as close as we’ve got to an industry-standard DJ controller out there
❌ Some features are baffling, such as the Mixpoint Link function, which most DJs are probably going to ignore
Price: $1599 / £1469 / €1649
Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full review: Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10
Find out more: Pioneer DJ website
Best for Serato: Rane Four
If you know the software you want to use is Serato, then this is probably your best choice. It’s a professional four-channel controller that (like the FLX10) can also accept external inputs and has lots of microphone inputs, extra audio outputs for things like a DJ booth monitor, and great control over real-time stems – this time optimised for Serato software.
It’s got dual laptop control, is extremely well-built, and offers an awful lot of hands-on control, making it a hugely fun unit to DJ on, whatever style you play or type of DJ you are.
If you like the look of the Rane Four but would prefer it to have motorised jogwheels, then the Rane Performer is practically identical in performance with only very minor changes but with the big difference of having fully motorised jogwheels like the Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7 below, and much improved in-jog displays as well. Check out our review here.
✅ If you want the ultimate control over Serato software, this is it
❌ Unlike what you might expect from a Rane controller, the jogwheels here aren’t motorised
Price: $1499 / £1444 / €1666
Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full review: Rane Four
Find out more: Rane website
Best motorised: Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7
Maybe surprisingly, this is a Serato-only controller, even though it’s made by Pioneer, whose own software Rekordbox doesn’t get a look in here. The reason? This is a scratch controller aimed at the Serato crowd, Serato being the dominant platform in that scene.
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Its mixer looks and feels similar to standalone scratch mixers, such as the Pioneer DJ DJM-S7, so it has just the two channels. And unlike the two controllers we’ve featured so far in this roundup, the jog wheels here are motorised. Cleverly, Pioneer DJ has engineered the jogwheels to also have screens in the middle, giving valuable feedback information – something that’s unique when it comes to motorised jogs.
Also uniquely to the REV series of controllers, the decks are laid out in what’s called “battle mode”, similar to what you’d get if you turned a turntable around 90 degrees, so that the tonearm was at the back rather than at the right-hand side, which also of course moves the pitch control to the top.
The reason for this, traditionally, is so DJs don’t accidentally jog the tonearm when scratching on a real turntable, but here it carries across into the controller world for familiarity’s sake.
If you like the look of the REV7 but don’t care for the extra weight, cost, or indeed feel of motorised jogwheels, then take a look at the DDJ-REV5 – it’s practically identical, just with a slightly reduced specification alongside a lower price tag and… static jogwheels. For many, it’s the sweet spot. Check out our review here.
✅ The ultimate scratch and open-format performance DJ controller for Serato
❌ Some won’t see the point of (or like) the battle layout of the decks
Price: $2159 / £1829 / €2042
Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full review: Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7
Find out more: Pioneer DJ website
Best big budget model: AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6
The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 is essentially a four-channel version of the DDJ-FLX4, which you’ll see lower down in this list. It has the same consumer build quality, the same entry-level inputs and outputs – however, it has two big things going for it.
First, it has full-size jogwheels which are very close to those you’ll see on professional gear in DJ booths. This means it’s completely different to use than the smaller FLX4, and many really like using full-sized jogs.
Second, it comes with compatibility with Serato DJ Pro as well as Rekordbox, which is unusual for a controller at this price point because most of them only work with Serato DJ Lite, requiring an expensive purchase or ongoing subscription to unlock the features of Pro. If you can live without Serato Pitch ‘n Time, which is necessary for key shifting your tracks, this is a good bonus.
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✅ Feels a lot like professional gear to play on
✅ Choice of decent software platforms out of the box
❌ Quite a lot of money for this specification
❌ You’ll still have to pay extra if you want Serato Pitch ‘n Time
Price: $899 / £719 / €849
Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full review: AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6
Find out more: AlphaTheta website
Best for iPad: Reloop Mixon 8 Pro
This is another four-channel controller for Serato software, but its unique selling point is that it is a controller for Algoriddim’s djay Pro, too. As such it has an iPad slot at the back, turning the controller into a stand for an iPad (up to iPad Pro size). Slot an iPad in, plug in the cable, and not only do you have a complete djay Pro iPad DJ set-up, but the iPad is charged via the power connection to the controller as well.
The controller itself is professionally built with four channels, great effects control over the software, and the usual wide array of external inputs and outputs for decks, audio sources, microphones, and outputs for booth and so on. It is also laid out a bit differently to the others, in that the decks are mirror images of each other rather than identically laid out, an older design idea that many DJs still prefer in a controller.
✅ A bold design with tight control over iPad software, offering something unique
❌ The jogwheels are rather small
Price: $999 / £1099 / €998
Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full review: Reloop Mixon 8 Pro
Find out more: Reloop website
Best for Traktor: Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3
If you want to use the Traktor software platform, this is the best choice. While Traktor is no longer a dominant platform in the industry, it’s still well thought of and still has its fans, being particularly suited for playing electronic music.
The controller itself is compact and also not particularly new, so in those respects, it’s similar to the now discontinued Roland DJ-707M. In this case though, its jogwheels are actually motorised to give a nice tactile feel, and although they are nothing like the turntable-esque jogwheels on the REV7, they’re still a lot of fun.
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The controller itself has deep and comprehensive control over Traktor software, is nicely built with the thoughtful inclusion of several screens, and can also accept external inputs, likewise offering a range of outputs.
✅ The best choice if you want a professional controller for Native Instruments’ Traktor software
❌ Its small size means, again, inevitably small jogwheels
Price: $899 / £839 / €899
Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full review: Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3
Find out more: Native Instruments website
Best entry-level unit: Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4
This wallet-friendly controller for Rekordbox and Serato is like a cut-down version of the FLX10 that we led this article with. Like the FLX10, it has familiar club-style controls and layout, meaning anyone who’s ever used club gear will be immediately comfortable on it. And again, this means that if you aspire to play on club equipment, it can start to get you used to what that equipment will feel like.
Read this next: Complete Guide To Switching From DJ Controllers to CDJs
It’s slightly better suited to Rekordbox than to Serato, which it also works with – although unlike the FLX10, it doesn’t unlock the pro version of Serato. And despite being a budget two-channel controller with no bells and whistles (for instance, there are no external inputs on this, and it has basic outputs and microphone channel), it is exceedingly reliable.
Essentially this is an update to the Pioneer DJ DDJ-400, which was itself a proven entry-level workhorse. Unlike the DDJ-400, though, the FLX4 can also work directly with Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox for iOS, iPhone, and iPad app, giving you an extra option for DJing with it away from the laptop.
✅ For a beginner or casual DJs, or as a second DJ controller alongside a more professional model for the pros, this is a great choice
❌ Looks and feels a bit cheap, notably more so than the DDJ-400 that it replaces
Price: $339 / £279 / €319
Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full review: Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4
Find out more: Pioneer DJ website
A few things to note…
One thing we haven’t mentioned is a piece of software called VirtualDJ. If you’re a VirtualDJ user, the good news is that your software will work with any of the controllers we’ve just covered – sometimes even better than some of the platforms the controllers are made for! So you can buy with confidence in that respect.
Another thing: There are many DJ controllers that we haven’t mentioned here that are perfectly fine, and the reason we haven’t mentioned them is that we think one of the ones listed, for most people, will do a better job. But in truth, there’s no such thing as a truly bad DJ controller nowadays.
Remember, ultimately, these units are controlling the DJ software, and the DJ platforms don’t change in any meaningful way when you plug a different brand of controller in. The fact is – if you master your DJ platform, pretty much any controller will let you do what you want with it.
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Finally…
This article has given you our absolute favourite recommendations out of the dozens and dozens of DJ controllers out there, concentrating on the most popular software and the controllers that, for most people, will do a perfectly good job.
Do take a look at the other resources we have on Digital DJ Tips if you’re in the market for DJ equipment, including our comprehensive reviews section, and also our standalone gear roundup covering systems that can (but don’t need to) work with a laptop. Again, you’ll find all of this in our reviews section. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask. We’re here to help.
Phil Morse
