Best Standalone DJ Controllers: 5 Top All-In-One Systems for All Kinds of DJs
Fun standalone controllers from AlphaTheta, Pioneer DJ, Denon DJ, and more.
Ready to upgrade to an all-in-one? These are the 5 best standalone DJ controllers on the market today.
Best Standalone DJ Controllers
There comes a time in every DJs life when it’s time to level up. The DJ controller and laptop combination is fine for at-home mixing but it doesn’t feel super professional, does it? No judgment here. We’re all on our own journey. However, having everything combined in one self-contained unit – decks, mixer, operating system and software, screen and audio interface – is pretty baller, not gonna lie.
If you’re on the lookout for an all-in-one system, here are our picks for the five best standalone DJ controllers – for a number of different DJ software applications. Beginner and feeling a little overwhelmed? Check this first.
Best Standalone DJ Controllers: AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ
If I had made this list even just a few weeks ago, I probably would have put the Pioneer DJ Opus-Quad at the top of the list. However, Pioneer DJ parent company AlphaTheta just dropped the long-awaited XDJ-AZ, and that’s the one I have to push.
With its tried-and-true Pioneer DJ layout that recalls the CDJ-3000 multi player with full-size jog wheels and the DJM-A9-style mixer, the new four-deck XDJ-AZ will be immediately familiar to longtime club DJs. It’s got Wi-Fi for streaming and accessing your cloud-based rekordbox library. It’s got a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen display with room for up to 13 tracks at a time (although just two waveforms). It’s also got built-in SonicLink for AlphaTheta wireless headphone use. All this makes it one of the best standalone DJ controllers.
Compatible with both rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. Sells for $3199.
- AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ product page
Best Standalone DJ Controllers: Denon DJ Prime 4+
AlphaTheta/Pioneer DJ controllers are undoubtedly great but they’re also very, very expensive. If you’re still trying to recover from the shock of seeing the price of the XDJ-AZ above, you should very seriously consider Denon DJ’s Prime 4+.
Offering similar functionality for a lot less money, Prime 4+ is a four-deck standalone with Wi-Fi streaming, a 10-inch HD multi-touch display with tilt adjust, metal jog wheels with central HD displays, and a lot more. You can stream from all the usual suspects like Beatport/Beatsource, Tidal and Amazon Music and even record sets straight to USB stick or SD card.
Denon DJ gear runs Engine DJ, the company’s own proprietary operating system. Although you can use the controller with Serato DJ Pro and Virtual DJ when connected to a computer, standalone is Engine DJ all the way so this may be a deal-breaker for those married to rekordbox.
Also available in limited-edition white if your bread and butter is weddings (or you’re a Stormtrooper).
- Denon DJ Prime 4+ product page
Best Standalone DJ Controllers: Numark Mixstream Pro+
Numark is Denon DJ’s budget-friendly branch – and that’s saying something for a company that is already tops for price-performance. The Numark Mixstream Pro+, then, is a standalone DJ controller that will treat your wallet right – and your ears.
This two-deck controller has pretty much everything you need in a compact package, including a seven-inch touchscreen, six-inch scratch wheels with Smart Scratch function, four dual-layer performance pads plus four additional regular pads for each deck, an effects section with four effects and two toggle switches, three-band EQ per channel – and even onboard speakers.
You can also stream with the Mixstream Pro+ thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi and WLAN, with support for Amazon Music, Tidal, Beatport, Beatsource, Soundcloud Go+, and Dropbox.
Features Engine DJ inside and offers support for Serato DJ and Virtual DJ, making it one of the best standalone DJ controllers.
- Numark Mixstream Pro+ product page
Best Standalone DJ Controllers: Denon DJ Prime Go+
Dropping just the other day, Denon DJ’s Prime Go+ is a refresh of the original two-deck model, which pretty much created its own all-in-one portable DJ controller product niche.
The new Prime Go+ has everything you love about the original, including two touch-capacitive jog wheels, dual-layer performance pads, high-resolution pitch sliders, a three-band EQ, and assignable FX. It also has a seven-inch multi-gesture touchscreen with customizable views and a new Day Mode for outdoor parties.
Speaking of new, the just-born Prime Go+ offers better battery life (more than four hours), improved Wi-Fi for streaming companies like Amazon Music and Tidal, and a new silver colorway.
- Denon DJ Prime Go+ product page
Best Standalone DJ Controllers: Pioneer DJ Opus-Quad
My gosh but the Pioneer DJ Opus-Quad is one gorgeous DJ controller. With its curved front panel and bronze highlights, it cuts a dashing figure. Apparently its even won some design awards.
However, a sleek look doesn’t mean anything without functionality to back it up. Thankfully, the four-deck Opus-Quad can walk the walk as well. Like the XDJ-AZ (above), it’s fully loaded, with Wi-Fi to stream from the cloud plus USB key and SD card support. It even has Bluetooth. I like the three screens, with touchscreen display in the center plus a traditional one above each deck.
As with the XDJ-AZ, Opus-Quad comes with rekordbox built-in and offers support for Serato Pro DJ.
At $3199, Pioneer DJ’s Opus-Quad is not cheap. It’s a premium product with premium – and professional – functionality. However, for the right DJ, likely one who values design and presentation as much as sound, this will certainly be the best standalone DJ controller.
- Pioneer DJ Opus-Quad product page
More Information
- All about DJ controllers
- All about DJing
This might also interest you
