Best DJ Controller for Starters (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Nov 14, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links on this page costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure
The Numark Party Mix III leads for starters with 16 pads, a built-in light show, Bluetooth and USB-C, and Serato DJ Lite in the box. The Hercules Inpulse 200 MK3 follows as Runner-Up with 8 pads and beatmatch guide LEDs, while the Numark Mixtrack Go is the lightest pick at 1.1 lb.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Beginners who want a light show built into the controller: Numark Party Mix III Beginner Bluetooth DJ See pick 1More picks: Best DJ Controller for Beginners
- Beginners who want beatmatch guide LEDs by the jog wheels: Hercules DJControl Inpulse 200 MK3 See pick 2
- Players who want Traktor Pro 4 in the box: Native Instruments Traktor MX2 2-Channel DJ Controller See pick 3More picks: Best Pro DJ Controller
- Beginners who want the lightest controller here: Numark Mixtrack Go Beginner Mobile DJ Controller See pick 4
- Beginners who want speakers and headphones in the box: Hercules DJ Starter Kit See pick 5
Want the full range? Best DJ Controller ranks the top DJ controllers for every buyer, or browse all 36 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Numark Party Mix III Beginner Bluetooth DJ
- Mixer channels / decks not stated in the listing
- Pads: 16
- Software named in listing: Serato DJ Lite
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Best Overall with 16 pads, a built-in light show, Bluetooth and USB-C, and Serato DJ Lite in the box.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a light show built into the controller
- New players who want Serato DJ Lite in the box
Skip it if
- You want more than 16 performance pads
- You want a controller under 2 lb
The box holds the controller, a USB-C cable, a software download card, a smartphone and tablet stand, a 1/8-inch to stereo RCA adapter, a quickstart guide and a safety and warranty manual. It has 16 pads, a 3-band EQ and real-time Stems control, plus a built-in light show with 3 dynamic lights. The main RCA output connects to speakers, and the 1/8-inch headphone jack previews tracks. It runs on USB power and weighs 2.4 lb.
2Runner-Up
Hercules DJControl Inpulse 200 MK3
- Mixer channels / decks: 2
- Pads: 8
- Software named in listing: Serato Lite
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Runner-Up with 8 pads, beatmatch guide LEDs, 2 channels and Serato Lite for new players.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want beatmatch guide LEDs by the jog wheels
- New players who stream from Spotify and Apple Music
Skip it if
- You want more than 8 performance pads
- You want a controller under 2 lb
It has 8 performance pads, touch jog wheels and dedicated stems controls across 2 channels. Beatmatch Guide LEDs sit near the jog wheels and tempo faders, and the Intelligent Music Assistant suggests the next track by BPM and energy. It works with Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED, and streams from Spotify, Apple Music, Beatport, SoundCloud GO+, TIDAL and Beatsource. It weighs 2.2 lb.
3Also Great
Native Instruments Traktor MX2 2-Channel DJ Controller
- Mixer channels / decks: 2
- Pads: 16
- Software named in listing: Traktor
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Also Great with 16 pads, Traktor Pro 4, a pattern player and a microphone input.
Who it suits
- Players who want Traktor Pro 4 in the box
- Beginners who want 16 pads for stems and patterns
Skip it if
- You want more than 16 performance pads
- You want a controller under 6 lb
It has 16 color-customizable performance pads, a pattern player that turns the pads into a step sequencer, and dedicated Deck FX and Mixer FX controls. Traktor Pro 4 comes in the box with a two-month Beatport subscription. The built-in audio interface has a USB-C connector, RCA and mini-jack main outputs, a 1/4-inch microphone input and 1/4-inch and mini-jack headphone outputs. It weighs 6 lb.
4Lightest Pick
Numark Mixtrack Go Beginner Mobile DJ Controller
- Mixer channels / decks not stated in the listing
- Pads: 8
- Software named in listing: Serato DJ Lite
- 1-year warranty stated
- 1.1 lb, the lightest here
It earns Lightest Pick at 1.1 lb with 8 pads, Bluetooth and USB-C, and Serato DJ Lite in the box.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want the lightest controller here
- New players who want Bluetooth and USB-C connections
Skip it if
- You want more than 8 performance pads
- You want a controller under 1 lb
It has 8 backlit pads per deck, touch jog wheels and stems control for isolating vocals, drums and instruments. Serato DJ Lite and djay come in the box, with Bluetooth and USB-C connections. The 1/8-inch main speaker output and 1/8-inch headphone cue output connect to speakers and headphones. It weighs 1.1 lb.
5Also Great
Hercules DJ Starter Kit
- Mixer channels / decks: 2
- Pads not stated in the listing
- Software named in listing: Serato DJ Lite
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Also Great as a full kit with a 2-deck controller, 15-watt speakers and headphones in the box.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want speakers and headphones in the box
- New players who want a 2-deck controller with Serato DJ Lite
Skip it if
- You want more than 2 channels
- You want a controller under 2 lb
The kit holds the Starlight 2-deck controller with a built-in audio interface, 2 monitor speakers at 15 watts RMS, and sound-isolating headphones. Serato DJ Lite comes in the box for PC and Mac. The kit weighs 7.5 lb, and the speakers suit mixing at home.
Side by side
| Product | Mixer channels / decks | Jog wheel size | Pads | Standalone (no laptop) | Software named | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numark Party Mix III Beginner Bluetooth DJ | Not stated | Not stated | 16 | Not stated | Serato DJ Lite | 2.4 lb | 1-year |
| Hercules DJControl Inpulse 200 MK3 | 2 | Not stated | 8 | Not stated | Serato Lite | 2.2 lb | 1-year |
| Native Instruments Traktor MX2 2-Channel DJ Controller | 2 | Not stated | 16 | Not stated | Traktor | 6 lb | 1-year |
| Numark Mixtrack Go Beginner Mobile DJ Controller | Not stated | Not stated | 8 | Not stated | Serato DJ Lite | 1.1 lb | 1-year |
| Hercules DJ Starter Kit | 2 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Serato DJ Lite | 7.5 lb | 1-year |
How we ranked these DJ controllers
Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Mixer channels / decks weight 3
- Jog wheel size weight 2
- Pads weight 2
- Standalone (no laptop) weight 2
Buying advice: DJ controller for starters
Match the pads and channels to your first mixes
Pads trigger cues, loops, samples and stems, so count them before you buy. The Numark Party Mix III and the Native Instruments Traktor MX2 each have 16 pads, while the Hercules Inpulse 200 MK3 and the Numark Mixtrack Go each have 8 pads. Channels set how many decks you mix at once: the Inpulse 200 MK3, the Traktor MX2 and the Hercules Starter Kit each have 2 channels. Pick the pad count and channel count that fit the mixes you plan to make.
Check the software in the box before you buy
Serato DJ Lite comes with the Numark Party Mix III, the Hercules Inpulse 200 MK3, the Numark Mixtrack Go and the Hercules Starter Kit. The Native Instruments Traktor MX2 comes with Traktor Pro 4 and a two-month Beatport subscription. The Party Mix III and the Mixtrack Go also work with djay. Pick the controller whose included software matches the program you want to learn.
Weigh the controller if you move it between rooms
Weights here run from 1.1 lb to 7.5 lb. The Numark Mixtrack Go weighs 1.1 lb, the Hercules Inpulse 200 MK3 weighs 2.2 lb, the Numark Party Mix III weighs 2.4 lb, the Native Instruments Traktor MX2 weighs 6 lb and the Hercules Starter Kit weighs 7.5 lb. The Party Mix III runs on USB power, so one cable runs the controller from a laptop or a portable power bank.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best DJ controller for starters?
The Numark Party Mix III leads with 16 pads, a built-in light show, Bluetooth and USB-C, and Serato DJ Lite in the box. The Hercules Inpulse 200 MK3 follows with 8 pads and beatmatch guide LEDs.
Do beginner DJ controllers come with software?
Yes. Serato DJ Lite comes with the Party Mix III, the Inpulse 200 MK3, the Mixtrack Go and the Starter Kit, while the Traktor MX2 comes with Traktor Pro 4.
How many pads does a starter DJ controller need?
It depends on how you mix. The Party Mix III and the Traktor MX2 have 16 pads, and the Inpulse 200 MK3 and the Mixtrack Go have 8 pads.
Can I DJ with just a phone and a controller?
Yes, with the right controller. The Party Mix III and the Mixtrack Go connect over Bluetooth and USB-C to phones and laptops, and the Party Mix III runs on USB power from a portable power bank.
Gear that goes with it
Best DJ HeadphonesTop pick: OneOdio Wired DJ Hi-Res Over-Ear Headphones
Best Studio MonitorsTop pick: Yamaha HS4 Powered Studio Monitor in Black
Best DJ MixerTop pick: VTech Kidi Star DJ MixerMore DJ controllers guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Nov 14, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.