Stepping into the world of DJing is an electrifying journey. You've got the passion for music, the drive to create, and the ambition to control the dancefloor. But there's one hurdle that every new DJ faces: what equipment do you actually need to start?
The market is flooded with options, technical jargon, and endless reviews. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why we're here to help. We've filtered through the noise to bring you a clear, straightforward guide on the best DJ equipment for beginners available in 2025. This guide will focus on complete, easy-to-use setups that will have you mixing your first tracks in no time.
What Basic Equipment Do You Need to Start DJing?
Before we get to our top picks, let's cover the three essential components of any modern beginner DJ setup.
For those who want to embrace the classic art of vinyl mixing, the most important choice is your deck. We've created a complete guide to the best DJ turntables and the difference between direct drive and belt drive.
DJ Controllers: The Brains of Your Setup
This is the single most important piece of gear for a new DJ. A DJ controller combines a mixer, two (or more) jog wheels (the "turntables"), and performance pads into one all-in-one unit. It connects to your laptop or even a smartphone, allowing you to control DJ software like Serato, rekordbox, or Traktor. This is where you'll select tracks, beatmatch, apply effects, and truly craft your mix.
DJ Headphones: For Cueing and Mixing
You'll never see a DJ without a pair of headphones, and for good reason. DJ headphones are crucial for "cueing"—the act of listening to the next track in your headphones before you play it for the audience. This allows you to match the tempo (BPM) and beat of the new track to the one that's currently playing, ensuring a seamless and professional-sounding transition.
Speakers: Bringing Your Mixes to Life
While you can practice in your headphones, a good pair of "monitor" speakers is essential for hearing how your mix sounds in the room. For your first setup, a pair of active (self-powered) desktop monitor speakers is perfect. They provide a much more accurate sound than standard computer speakers, helping you understand how your basslines, mids, and highs are blending together.
Our Top 5 Recommended DJ Starter Kits for 2025
Here are our picks for the best all-in-one controllers and setups that provide incredible value and a perfect learning platform for aspiring DJs.
1. The All-Rounder: Pioneer DDJ-FLX4
If there's one controller that has defined the beginner market, it's the DDJ-FLX4. It’s the successor to the legendary DDJ-400 and is our top recommend for a reason. It perfectly mimics the layout of a professional CDJ and DJM club setup, meaning everything you learn on this controller will directly transfer to the gear you'll find in a professional DJ booth. It’s compatible with both rekordbox and Serato DJ and even features Bluetooth connectivity for mixing with a smartphone or tablet.
Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 DJ Controller - Graphite
Experience the ultimate DJ performance with the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 DJ Controller in Graphite
Product information
£16.12
Product Review Score
4.66 out of 5 stars
99 reviewsProduct links
2. The Budget-Friendly Choice: Numark Party Mix Live
Want to find out if DJing is for you without a huge financial commitment? The Numark Party Mix Live is your answer. It's incredibly affordable, easy to use, and even has built-in speakers for all-in-one practice. As the name suggests, it also features a set of built-in, beat-synced LED lights on the back that pulse with your music, adding a fun visual element to your first house parties.
Numark Party Mix Live with DJ Bundle
Get the ultimate DJ experience with the Numark Party Mix Live and unleash your creativity with this all-inclusive DJ bundle
Product information
£100.57
Product Review Score
4.62 out of 5 stars
38 reviewsProduct links
3. The Pro-Feel Experience: Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 500
Hercules has become a serious contender in the beginner market, and the Inpulse 500 is their flagship. What sets it apart are the pro-grade features packed into a beginner-friendly price. It has a solid metal backplate, large, high-quality jog wheels, and even pop-up feet to elevate the controller to the same height as a professional mixer. Its built-in "Beatmatch Guide" also provides light-up aids to help you learn how to nudge your jog wheels and mix by ear.
Hercules Inpulse 500 Controller & Headphones Bundle
Perfect setup for beginners and pros looking to elevate their DJ skills
Product information
£288.69 £273.49
Product Review Score
4.1 out of 5 stars
17 reviewsProduct links
4. The Ultra-Portable Powerhouse: Numark DJ2GO2 Touch
For the DJ on the move, nothing beats the DJ2GO2 Touch. This slim, portable controller is so small it can fit in front of your laptop keyboard. Despite its size, it features two touch-capacitive jog wheels, performance pads, and a built-in sound card. It's the perfect starter kit for students, for practicing on the train, or for anyone who values a minimal setup.
Numark DJ2GO2 Touch Bundle - Compact USB Controller
Take your DJ skills to the next level with this compact USB controller bundle from Numark
Product information
£75.98 £72.00
Product Review Score
4.51 out of 5 stars
229 reviewsProduct links
5. The Classic Vinyl Feel: Roland DJ-202
From a legendary name in music production, the Roland DJ-202 is a 2-channel, 4-deck Serato controller with a special trick. It includes a built-in drum machine featuring the iconic sounds of Roland's TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines. This allows you to not only mix tracks but also add your own live drum loops and rhythms, making it an excellent choice for aspiring producers and beatmakers.
Roland DJ-202 with Serato DJ Lite
The perfect blend of beginner-friendly features and professional quality for all your mixing needs
Product information
£339.00 £259.00
Product Review Score
4.42 out of 5 stars
174 reviewsProduct links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do DJ controllers work?
A DJ controller is a hardware device that sends signals to your DJ software. When you press "play," move a fader, or twist an EQ knob on the controller, it tells the software on your laptop to perform that same action on the digital audio file. The controller itself doesn't store music; it's the hands-on interface for the software that does all the heavy lifting.
Do I need a laptop for DJing?
For 99% of beginner controller setups, yes, you will need a laptop (or in some cases, a tablet or smartphone) to run the DJ software. The controller is the interface, but the computer is the brain that stores and processes your music library. More advanced, "standalone" DJ systems have computers built-in, but they are significantly more expensive.
What's the difference between a 2-channel and 4-channel controller?
A 2-channel controller lets you mix two music tracks at one time (Deck A and Deck B). A 4-channel controller lets you mix up to four tracks simultaneously. For a beginner, a 2-channel controller is all you need and is the best place to start. It simplifies the learning process and allows you to master the fundamentals of beatmatching and song structure.
Ready to Start Your DJ Journey?
Choosing your first set of DJ equipment is the first exciting step on a long and rewarding path. Any of the controllers on this list will provide a fantastic platform to learn the craft. The most important thing is to pick one that excites you, start practicing, and, most importantly, have fun.
Check out our full range of beginner DJ equipment, headphones, and speakers to build your perfect starter kit today!
