DJ Equipment for Beginners - What Should You Buy?

August 2, 2023 Guides

If you want to get started with DJing, you now face a big problem. It’s not that it’s difficult to begin mixing itself, but the market and the selection of DJ equipment have increased significantly.

In the past, the situation was clear:

If you wanted to start DJing, you set up two Technics 1210s and a mixer and you were ready to go. Today, it’s not that easy anymore. You can mix the classic way with vinyl, there are various controllers that work with specific software. You could also mix with CD or media players, or use Serato with timecode vinyl.

So the possibilities have increased rapidly in recent years and the complexity has grown significantly. But there’s also good news: It has never been easier to start DJing than it is today.

So you don’t lose track, our buying guide will help you put together your perfect DJ starter set.

Mixing with DJ controllers
Mixing with vinyl
Which DJ mixer for beginners
DJ headphones for beginners
Mixing with media players

Mixing with DJ controllers

Getting started is easiest with controllers. The advantages are obvious.

Most affordable way to start DJing
Many helpful features thanks to software
Wide selection of software
Wide selection of manufacturers
Suitable for beginners to advanced DJs
Different layouts – something for everyone

The only disadvantage of digital mixing with a DJ controller is basically that you won’t be seen with such a device in a club or at festivals. There, it’s simply expected that you play on the large Pioneer NXS setups. But that’s not a problem either, because more and more Pioneer controllers replicate exactly this layout. So the controller remains the ideal entry and transition solution for home or live streams. You can create professional mixes with all devices and later transfer the controller layout to the NXS standard – if that time ever comes.

The following beginner DJ controllers are recommended. Each of these controllers works with a different DJ software, so you have the best beginner controller for every current software directly on your radar.

Recommended DJ controllers

AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2

Roland DJ-202

Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4

Numark Mixtrack Pro FX

The most affordable beginner controller comes from AlphaTheta and offers all the essential features you need to create your first mixes.

The DDJ-FLX2 works with rekordbox and Serato DJ and can also be used with all major streaming platforms.

You take it one step further with the Roland DJ-202.

This controller offers a wide range of features that are sometimes only available on higher-priced devices, such as a drum synthesizer. The controller works with Serato DJ.

The DDJ-FLX4 is Pioneer’s latest controller workhorse for the ambitious beginner who wants to work with the familiar NXS club layout.

In addition to a wide variety of features, this controller offers a Smart Mixing function. The DDJ-400 works with rekordbox as well as Serato DJ.

The Numark controller works with Serato DJ Lite and offers beginners all the features they need to successfully perform their first mixes and performances.

Especially the audio interface, the FX paddles and the quick access buttons for Serato leave nothing to be desired at the beginning.

Mixing with vinyl

If you want to mix with turntables, you are venturing into the most original form of DJing. This is the most difficult method, as there are no digital helpers like beat matching or cue points. However, the learning success and sense of achievement are all the greater when you nail your first clean transition.

You will also only experience the connection with the technology, the care, maintenance and the feeling of vinyl in this form of DJing. Some may dread the thought of having to carry various record cases and trolleys through airports again, while others cannot imagine anything else.

However, everyone has to admit that vinyl has an incredible attraction. You can feel what you are doing. Everything runs analog. There is no latency. Every action gets an immediate reaction and mistakes usually cannot be corrected. The respect factor should not be underestimated either. People are well aware of what it means to mix with vinyl and that it usually involves years of hard work.

Which turntables are recommended for beginners?

In any case, we recommend a direct drive turntable. It doesn’t even have to be expensive. Gemini or Synq currently offer an affordable candidate in a high-quality version. In principle, classic mixing can be done with any turntable – even with belt drive. However, if you want to incorporate scratching techniques, direct drive is a must.

The following turntables are fully recommended for mixing, so you can put together your first DJ turntable set.

Recommended models


Gemini TT-4000	Numark PT01 Scratch	Pioneer DJ PLX-500	Pioneer DJ PLX-1000
Affordable turntable with direct drive and USB interface. Thanks to the built-in phono preamp, no grounding is required.	Compact and portable DJ turntable optimized for mobile use and scratching.	The PLX-500 impresses with a powerful motor, high-quality workmanship, great design and excellent handling.	Turntable from Pioneer. If you are looking for a достой successor to the Technics 1210 but don’t want to spend that much money, you will find what you are looking for here.

Which DJ mixer for beginners

So that you can first learn the basics and are not overwhelmed by all the features and functions, we recommend starting with a 2-channel DJ mixer for the beginning. You can think about whether and which effects you want to use later on. There are also mixers without effects that are designed for pure and straightforward mixing.

You should also consider the intended use and what you want to mix with in the future. For vinyl and CDs, standard analog mixers without USB ports and extra features are sufficient. If you want to mix with media players or plan to integrate the mixer into DJ software later, you should take this into account beforehand – otherwise you might have to buy twice.

As mentioned above, a 2-channel mixer should be sufficient for a long time. Some DJs never need more than 2 channels in their entire career. Therefore, we initially advise beginners against buying a 4-channel club mixer. These are more suitable for large events, clubs with multiple DJ changes, and professionals.

The following DJ mixers are recommended for beginners


Epsilon Inno-Mix2	DJ-Tech DIF-1S	Pioneer DJ DJM-250 MK2	Pioneer DJ DJM-450
Analog beginner DJ mixer from Epsilon with solid build quality and Innofaders. Best price-performance ratio.	Analog and affordable DJ-Tech mixer with InnoFaders for a purist mixing experience. Ideal for vinyl and CD DJs.	Beginner model from Pioneer with 2 channels, Sound Color FX, and integrated audio interface.	If you are already planning ahead, you will be happy with the DJM-450. With integrated effects, adjustable curves, and Magvel faders, this mixer leaves nothing to be desired.

DJ headphones for beginners

So that you can mix effectively, you of course need headphones to pre-listen to your tracks. On the market, there are headphones specially designed for DJs that are tailored to DJ needs with swiveling ear cups and a sound profile specifically optimized for loud environments.

In principle, you can only compare the different technical specifications as well as the advantages and disadvantages. Everyone has their own definition of good sound, and whether you are satisfied with the wearing comfort over a longer period can only be determined by trying them out.

It is therefore worth comparing one model with another and perhaps even testing several models over an extended period of time. But don’t worry – sooner or later, everyone finds the perfectly matching headphones for themselves!

For beginner DJs, we recommend taking a closer look at the following headphones:

Recommended headphones


Zomo HD-1200	Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5	Zomo HD-3000	Sennheiser HD 25
Affordable headphones specifically developed for the needs of DJs.	The most affordable Pioneer DJ headphones stand out with a good sound profile and solid build quality.	Excellent sound at an attractive price-performance ratio. Comes with plenty of accessories.	The number 1 choice among DJs and sound engineers. Slightly more expensive, but still one of the best on the market. You can’t go wrong with these headphones!

Mixing with media players

Now we are slowly entering the premier league. At almost every festival and club in the world, you will now find a Pioneer NXS setup – the de facto standard in the professional DJ world. These media players offer every DJ a familiar working environment, and every good DJ in the world can and should be able to handle them. Since Pioneer’s NXS series is expensive, not everyone can or wants to spend that much money on the equipment.

However, there are good alternatives. Pioneer itself is increasingly integrating the NXS standard into its entire product range, so even with a more affordable device you get the workflow and layout of the bigger models. Other manufacturers also offer solid media players that are worth considering.

The term beginner is somewhat far-fetched when it comes to media players, as these devices operate standalone and represent the entry into the professional DJ world. However, advanced DJs who want to set up their DJ setup at home and do not want to spend several thousand euros on two media players will also find more affordable alternatives that are perfectly suitable to work with.

The following media players are recommended for the aspiring club expert:


Gemini MDJ-500	Gemini MDJ-600	Pioneer DJ XDJ-700	Gemini MDJ-900
An affordable media player from Gemini. For the price, you still get a lot. The large display and 5-inch jog wheels make your work easier.	The bigger brother of the MDJ-500 additionally offers a CD slot.	The XDJ-700 can play media from USB or via WiFi. Integration into Rekordbox is also possible. The touchscreen makes your work even easier. If you can do without a CD slot, this is the perfect choice for you!	All the features you need at an unbeatable price. The Gemini MDJ-900 is a fully equipped DJ media player for club use that also meets higher demands.