DJing can be exciting, yet, it might be challenging at first, especially if you are still starting out. Maybe you’ll get stuck on finding the best DJ mixer right away.
Well, you won’t anymore as we are dedicating our efforts to help beginners pick the right device for them.
We’ve searched far and wide to compile the 10 best DJ mixer for beginners in 2024.
Some of these products have a long-standing track record so you won’t go wrong with them, but there are also new entrant that are already great.
Whether your budget is just a hundred or few hundred dollars, there’s a great mixer on our list below. Just choose which fits best for you!
Contents
The Best DJ Mixers For Beginners
- Numark Mixtrack Pro
- Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller
- Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3
- Behringer Digital Pro Mixer DDM4000
- Pioneer DJ DJ Mixer DJM750MK2
- Allen & Heath XONE:23
- Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2 DJ Mixer
- Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB2 Portable
Runner Up | Editor's Choice | Also Great |
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Numark Mixtrack Pro
Numark is a leading brand when it comes to DJ equipment and advanced technologies onboard on these DJ tools. Numark Mixtrack Pro incorporates the quality and standards of its maker, so you know you’re using a well-crafted mixer designed by professionals.
It’s USB-powered with a built-in audio system that allows you to plug in headphones, mics and PA systems to start mixing right away without the need of an external audio interface.
It has a lot of professional features including 16 backlit multi-function pads, which you can add loops and launch samples, multi-function strip for FX control and track search, dedicated filter knobs, volume display and more.
You can enjoy the long, 100mm pitch sliders for beat matching and make beats in perfect sync. In includes Serato DJ Lite software you can use on both Mac and Windows PC.
Pros
- Has a reliable built-in sound card and mic output
- With basic controls to start DJing right out of the box
- Pitch faders are great for beat matching
Cons
- Crossfaders are not working well
- With RCA master output only
Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller
A pocket-sized DJ controller like the Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller is very handy and comfortable to make music mixes. This kind of DJ mixer has a built-in sound card with master gain, headphone output, and channel gain knobs.
It’s simple with not many controls, but it’s two channels with crossfaders and pitch faders make blending so easy.
If you feel like DJing whenever you go on vacation or anywhere while passing the time, this device is perfect for you. It has the Serato DJ Intro so you can play mixes and blends on the fly. It’s also compatible with other DJ software, perfect for small gigs, quick warm-ups before your show and practice at home.
Pros
- A portable device that you can set up with your laptop anywhere
- All plastic design
- Yet compact and durable
Cons
- Not robust enough for everyday gigging
- Some find the sound quality poor
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3
No matter what DJ style you have, the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 is right for you. Be it steppy synths, bass-heavy breakdowns or peak-time rewinds, you have everything you need for your DJing right from Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3.
It has two decks where you can easily access tools for looping, beat syncing and some quality effects to add the finishing touch to your music.
You can take advantage of the 16 RGB pads which you can use to trigger Hot cues, loops, and samples. Check out its jog and beat grid to adjust modes for more versatility.
It comes with the full version of the DJ software Traktor Pro 3, USB and high-end audio interface for you to perform your craft right away whether on or off the stage.
Pros
- Deck allows you to access usable features of the Traktor software
- Build quality is reliable
Cons
- Has only RCA output, no XLR
- Has great hardware
- Don’t expect it to be like its predecessors
Behringer Digital Pro Mixer DDM4000
A DJ mixer with mind-blowing features like the 32-bit Behringer Digital Pro Mixer DDM4000 is a great tool for your DJ software. It has a five-channel mixer with sampler, dual BPM counters, four FX sections, MIDI and digital crossfaders.
In addition, it also has four phono/line stereo channels, two microphone inputs, four stereo channels, programmable three-band EQ with kill function, faders and flexible crossfaders.
The four stereo channels can take up to eight signal sources that can be connected simultaneously. The BPM counters are accurate and ultra-fast for automatic BPM synchronization of the sampler, FX, external drum machines and more via MIDI.
Digital crossfaders have flexible curve adjustment, reverse button and BPM-synchronized crossfading.
Pros
- Can program each and every single button
- Knob and light
- Amazing sound quality
- No humming
- Faders and knobs have great functionality
Cons
- Got lots of buttons
- Might be a little confusing for new users
- Mixer randomly freezes and needs restart
- Microphone jack placement is a little awkward
Pioneer DJ DJ Mixer DJM750MK2
With straightforward controls, clean and neat layout with dedicated three-band isolators, you can’t go wrong with Pioneer DJ DJ Mixer DJM750MK2. It has inherited some great features from the popular DJM-900NXS2 like the FX filter and the Magvel crossfader.
With the advanced technology onboard, you’ll be able to get warm, high-quality audio with either analog or digital source or both.
You can automatically connect to a Mac or Windows PC with its built-in sound card and you can use rekordbox DJ for you want to perform with CDJs. It might not be that simple to navigate and get familiar with all the controls, buttons and faders that are in this mixer.
However, with the comprehensive instructions included, you’ll be able to get started without the need of a professional mentor.
Pros
- Amazing DJ mixer with a killer build quality
- Not much bells and whistles
- But has enough controls
- The best mixer with an unbeatable price
Cons
- The phono amp has a terrible muffled sound
- Might be better with booth/monitor output
Allen & Heath XONE:23
Allen & Heath XONE:23 is a 2+2 channel DJ mixer with two RCA line and phono inputs. It has all the professional features like those in the top-rated clubs.
It has the VCF filter system with frequency and resonance controls, VCA faders, illuminated switches, crossfader curve selector, three-band total kill EQ and a lot more. The two faders on this mixer have four inputs with independent level control, so you can play up to four sources in the mix simultaneously.
The front panel has gain knobs for the four channels and the four inputs have left and right sides with nine-segment LED meter each. Center section has three illuminated buttons each for engaging the high pass filter, low pass filter and for the external effects send and return.
Master outputs on the balanced XLR connectors and includes stereo booth output and a stereo record out for you to easily record your mixes to a portable device.
Pros
- Very responsive knobs and faders
- Warm sound
- No crackling
- Can do everything
- Like a real pro
Cons
- Not the cheapest you can get in the market
- Filter is shared between channels
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2 DJ Mixer
The most expensive on this list, Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2 DJ Mixer is both a DJ mixer and an audio interface. It’s the first 2+2 DJ mixer which features make to last that excels top-rated club mixers, turntables, and CDJs.
It has an advanced setup of Remix DeckTM technology, premium features and controls like faders, three-band EQ section on its sturdy aluminum chassis.
This mixer has the latest Traktor Scratch Pro 2 software on board with features intuitive controls of the Macro FX and Flux Mode. The latter tracks the time while you are playing around with your looping and cue points and let you drop back the exact precise moment.
It features backlit buttons for great visual feedback, especially if you are playing and performing inside dark clubs and parties.
Pros
- Awesome mixer
- Smooth faders and easy-to-use controls
- Excellent build quality
- Integrates well with analog sources and gear
Cons
- Not that portable
- Heavy to carry around
- Some users complain that crossfaders stop working after some use
Numark MixDeck Express
Another great quality product from Numark, the Numark MixDeck Express gives you utmost versatility, playability, and portability. It’s a portable full-featured three-channel DJ mixer that is bundled with Serato DJ Lite software, two CD decks, and dual USB flash drives.
You can play standalone with external inputs for mics and other sound sources or from your laptop.
Among its features are the XLR audio outputs, two unbalanced RCA outputs and two headphone outputs (1/8-inch and ¼-inch). There are two large touch-sensitive plates for scratching and mixing in any situation.
You can customize your mixes with its seamless looping with reverse and brake function and allows you to maximize the three-channel EQ/rotary kills, crossfaders, external features and more.
Pros
- Essential features are easily accessible and operable
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
Cons
- Software might be outdated
- Has delay on the cue to master (around 1-2 seconds)
Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB2 Portable
If you like the popular DDJ-SB, you’ll also be going to love Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB2 Portable since it shares most features and some more. It’s a two-channel controller with four-deck control and dedicated buttons for switching between channels.
It has large, low-latency job wheels for quick and accurate scratch response and four rubber pads to trigger the Sampler, Hot Cue, Manual, and Auto Loop.
In addition, it has a trim knob for you to quickly check and adjust the input volume for each channel. It has inherited high and low pass filter dials and if you hit the Filter Fade, you can add high pass filters to the crossfaders to easily manipulate the volume and bass filters with one hand.
Hence, the other hand can show off your signature mixes by playing with the loops, cues, FX and the samples.
Pros
- Easy to use and to set up
- Great controller
- No doubt about it
Cons
- Doesn’t actually come with software
- Encounters freezing when using the right-hand side of the mixer
- Jog wheels are not that reliable
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DJ MIXER FOR BEGINNERS
If you are that serious to be a DJ and you are looking for the perfect DJ mixer for you, maybe you’ve gone through a lot of review sites and watched several videos already.
So, in choosing the best DJ mixer, you have to consider your budget, build quality, reviews, your preferences, etc. We won’t go through each of them again and instead add a few more helpful tips.
Functions you really need
You’ll surely be overwhelmed by the buttons and controls of a mixer, but, you should know which functions you really need.
Don’t just pick a mixer because it has lots of controls, pick the one that can give you great playability and just have enough for your needs.
Software
Some mixers are undoubtedly designed with specific software in mind. With this, it’s very important to buy a DJ mixer that is perfectly compatible with the software you can confidently operate.
In addition, you got to study a little bit about software for you to be able to single out the best mixer. As you know, there are not only one or two mixers compatible with that software — there are hundreds, even thousands.
Inputs and Outputs
We’ll deal with these since beginners don’t usually take this into consideration. There is an RCA output for recorders (and similar devices) and XLR output for a sound system.
In addition, you also have to consider multiple I/O, as well as USB connectivity to be integrated on your laptops or phones for those that are designed to be used with cellphones.
For beginners, the above-mentioned things to consider are just a few that you need to pay attention to in your new DJ mixer. However, if you are really making music, you should start by watching this YouTube video.
This will give you a great and useful overview on how to get started with music mixing, especially with your new DJ mixer.
Editor’s Choice
At the very least, DJ mixers allow users to mix two or more audio signals from different sources. Advanced functionalities like integration, multiple inputs, and outputs among others not only make DJing challenging and fun, but also a craft that’s a treasure when mastered.
Mixdeck Express is a little expensive. But, if you are willing to pay more for its versatility, playability and its mind-blowing features, have this best DJ mixer for beginners in 2024. Nevertheless, you’ll never go wrong in choosing the Numark Mixtrack Pro.
