So you want to be a DJ? When you first start learning, it can be overwhelming because of the information overload. Not only do you need to master technique, you also have to find the best DJ equipment for you as a newbie. There are so many DJ products out there and sifting through them can be time consuming. We have tried a ton of gear over the years and put together a list of the best DJ equipment for beginners so you can spend less time researching and more time practicing. Each piece of DJ equipment fits a beginner’s budget and are perfect for hobbyists, bedroom DJs, or people starting off their public DJ career. In each section, we discuss our top picks and briefly explain what to look for when shopping. You’ll also find links to our other content where we go more in depth related to each specific type of equipment.
Our top recommendation for the best DJ controller for beginners is the Pioneer DDJ-SB3. Not only is it manufactured by one of the biggest brands in the industry, it’s affordable, feature-rich, portable, and works with Serato DJ — a popular option for many professional DJs.
Click here to check the best prices of the Pioneer DDJ-SB3.
Since the price point of a mixer and CDJs/turntables is high, we recommend starting out with a controller to learn the basics and save cash.
You’ll typically use a DJ controller with a laptop running software. The most popular options for software are Serato, Traktor, Virtual DJ, and Pioneer’s rekordbox dj. While all of them have similar feature sets, you’ll want to do your research to see which will fit your needs the best.
If you’re interested in scratching, for example, you’ll probably want to learn on Serato. If you think you’ll be playing many venues with CDJs, rekordbox dj will probably be a better fit. Many controllers are compatible with multiple software options, but some are designed and optimized for use with a specific software.
Our choice for the best DJ headphones for beginners are the Behringer HPX2000. These are far cheaper than many other options, allowing you to save money for other equipment without really sacrificing quality. The feature wide dynamic range and a single-sided cord to efficiently take them on and off during your set.
There are plenty of expensive options for DJ headphones, but as a beginner, you’ll just want a solid pair to practice with. You can avoid spending hundreds on the headphones your idols use until you’re playing more gigs or need increased sound quality for producing.
Check the best prices for the Behringer HPX2000 here.
We recently updated our list of our top 10 DJ headphones, so if you’re weary of the cheap cost of the HPX2000 model, check out that article.
Our top choice for the best DJ speakers for beginners are the Behringer Eurolive B210D. It’s a relatively low-powered speaker in comparison to some of the other options, but the cost and portability makes it perfect for DJs starting out.
If you’re a beginner, chances are you won’t be in the market for a crazy speaker setup. However, it is important to have some good speakers to practice on as you learn more about EQ mixing. You’ll want to be able to hear as many frequency ranges as possible to make sure that your mixes translate cleanly on expensive club/venue setups.
Starting out with Behringer Eurolive B210D speakers will at least give you a much better reference at home compared to computer or bookshelf speakers. You’ll also be able to use them for parties in smaller venues that don’t need a lot of output for attendees to listen in.
Click here to check the best prices and learn more about the Behringer Eurolive B210D speaker.
When you’re ready to upgrade your speakers for larger venues or to hear more frequency ranges, you’ll find our top 10 DJ speakers list useful.
Our best DJ backpack for beginners is the Rockville DJ Travel Backpack. This is an affordable bag to keep your laptop, DJ gear, headphones, and more safe. With a dedicated headphone compartment and dividers for other gear, this will help you stay organized as you head from gig to gig or travel around the world.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to make sure your controller will fit comfortably in whichever bag you select. There are also cases specifically designed for certain controllers, which will ensure you get the best fit.
Click here to learn more about the Rockville DJ Travel Backpack and check the best prices. It’ll also be wise to check to see if your gear is listed in the description to fit.
If this backpack isn’t a good fit for you, check our top DJ backpacks list to see our top recommendations.
Best DJ Equipment for Beginners
Mixer: Behringer DDM4000
First up on this list of the best DJ equipment for beginners is our top choice for a good entry mixer. Before we discuss the specifics of our recommendation, it’s important to remember that a mixer is only something you need if you are interested in DJing with vinyl records or CDJs. If you go the controller route, almost all of them have a mixer built in. The Behringer DDM4000 is our choice for the best DJ mixer for beginners. It is a budget-friendly mixer with advanced features like FX, looping, BPM counting, and MIDI capability. The mixer has 32-bit sound quality and includes a screen showcasing programs you’re using, which is a nice touch. If you’re just starting out as a DJ, this is a great mixer that won’t break the bank, especially considering all the features you get. Click here to check the best prices for the Behringer DDM4000.What are some other top DJ mixers for beginners?
If you’re planning to play on Pioneer CDJ setups for gigs, you might want to start on the Pioneer DJM-350 to get used to Pioneer’s layout and save to purchase the DJM-900 in the future. The DJM-350 has its limitations, but it also has great features. It’s a 2-channel mixer with Crush, Gate, Filter, and Jet effects available to apply to the master channel. While there are numerous other effects on higher-end models, these 4 are commonly used by EDM DJs. If you can’t find the DJM-350, you could also go with the Pioneer DJM-250 MKII. Want to learn more about the best DJ mixers on the market, check out our full list of our best DJ mixers for beginners or our top 10 DJ mixers.Controller: Pioneer DDJ-SB3
Our top recommendation for the best DJ controller for beginners is the Pioneer DDJ-SB3. Not only is it manufactured by one of the biggest brands in the industry, it’s affordable, feature-rich, portable, and works with Serato DJ — a popular option for many professional DJs.
Click here to check the best prices of the Pioneer DDJ-SB3.
Since the price point of a mixer and CDJs/turntables is high, we recommend starting out with a controller to learn the basics and save cash.
You’ll typically use a DJ controller with a laptop running software. The most popular options for software are Serato, Traktor, Virtual DJ, and Pioneer’s rekordbox dj. While all of them have similar feature sets, you’ll want to do your research to see which will fit your needs the best.
If you’re interested in scratching, for example, you’ll probably want to learn on Serato. If you think you’ll be playing many venues with CDJs, rekordbox dj will probably be a better fit. Many controllers are compatible with multiple software options, but some are designed and optimized for use with a specific software.
Thirsty for more content? Make sure to read our list of the top 10 DJ controllers.
Headphones: Behringer HPX2000
Our choice for the best DJ headphones for beginners are the Behringer HPX2000. These are far cheaper than many other options, allowing you to save money for other equipment without really sacrificing quality. The feature wide dynamic range and a single-sided cord to efficiently take them on and off during your set.
There are plenty of expensive options for DJ headphones, but as a beginner, you’ll just want a solid pair to practice with. You can avoid spending hundreds on the headphones your idols use until you’re playing more gigs or need increased sound quality for producing.
Check the best prices for the Behringer HPX2000 here.
We recently updated our list of our top 10 DJ headphones, so if you’re weary of the cheap cost of the HPX2000 model, check out that article.
Speakers: Behringer Eurolive B210D
Our top choice for the best DJ speakers for beginners are the Behringer Eurolive B210D. It’s a relatively low-powered speaker in comparison to some of the other options, but the cost and portability makes it perfect for DJs starting out.
If you’re a beginner, chances are you won’t be in the market for a crazy speaker setup. However, it is important to have some good speakers to practice on as you learn more about EQ mixing. You’ll want to be able to hear as many frequency ranges as possible to make sure that your mixes translate cleanly on expensive club/venue setups.
Starting out with Behringer Eurolive B210D speakers will at least give you a much better reference at home compared to computer or bookshelf speakers. You’ll also be able to use them for parties in smaller venues that don’t need a lot of output for attendees to listen in.
Click here to check the best prices and learn more about the Behringer Eurolive B210D speaker.
When you’re ready to upgrade your speakers for larger venues or to hear more frequency ranges, you’ll find our top 10 DJ speakers list useful.
Backpack: Rockville DJ Travel Backpack
Our best DJ backpack for beginners is the Rockville DJ Travel Backpack. This is an affordable bag to keep your laptop, DJ gear, headphones, and more safe. With a dedicated headphone compartment and dividers for other gear, this will help you stay organized as you head from gig to gig or travel around the world.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to make sure your controller will fit comfortably in whichever bag you select. There are also cases specifically designed for certain controllers, which will ensure you get the best fit.
Click here to learn more about the Rockville DJ Travel Backpack and check the best prices. It’ll also be wise to check to see if your gear is listed in the description to fit.
If this backpack isn’t a good fit for you, check our top DJ backpacks list to see our top recommendations.