The 5 BEST DJ Controllers $500-$1000 For 2023 - Numark, Roland, Pioneer, and more..

Traktor s3 it is Right there with the outputs just missing the group fx and the screens

If I already have a Serato Pro license from an old Vestax VCI-380 I need to replace, will the Numark NS4FX work with full Serato controls (such as 8 hot cues, recording, etc.) using my existing software?
Btw, years ago I picked up that VCI-380 based on your review. Thanks again!

Me as a DJ that tryed most of that midle tag controllers, I would put Roland 505 at last of the recomand list.
Best ones are DDJ 800 and Traktor S4mk3. They are very different, also the dj soft. But at this price point they are preaty professional!

Numark has nice djog's, but cheap knobs, but overall is decent. Is a good competitor with FLX6, and bay be a winner for Serato option.

Hi phil I own the denon mc6000mk 2 no issues still working fine in your opinion would it be worth up grading to the pioneer ddj 1000 srt ??

707M and the Prime Go rule my mobile DJ life in 2023! I hope they allow an update with PRIME GO to use Serato DJ like VDJ. Great vid

DJ 707M MI PREFERIDO

WoW..😯👍

I love my 707m I just wish Roland supported with accessories.

If I already own Serato Pro and play at bars/clubs, does the NS4FX make more sense as a value choice? The alternative would be an FLX4/6 or used SR2. The loudness from the Numark output doesn't seem that loud.

Wonder if Rane could make something in this price range

Waiting Pioneer to update the sr2. Or come out with a ddj 800 for serato.

Serato is getting pricey. Glad I got that upgrade from scratch live to Pro way back for nothing.

Hey Phil, I missed the live stream. But yea there’s another standalone/controller that can be had from time to time for just over the £1,000 mark. Which is the denon sc Live 4, back in November Amazon U.K. had it new for £1.089!. Which I mean pretty much everything I’ve learnt about the controller I e learnt from you videos. So for the that offer price when it’s on I’m thinking that’s probably the best bang for buck!?. Considering it is a stand alone and can be used as a laptop computer controller as it comes with serato pro unlocked. I was thinking is the new pioneer opus quad three times the price better, for some the pioneer name alone I’m sure will justify it!. But yes compared to the newmark NS4fx I think I’m correct in asserting the SC live 4 is a night and day better controller then the NS4. When as you say you factor in buying serato pro for it it Effectively makes both the same price when the live 4 is on offer!.

You mentioned the DDJ-800 is a bit "old", couldn't we say the same on the S4?

Does the sr2 from pioneer still a good choice?

Do you think there is gonna be S4mk4 anytime soon or any new flagship controller from native instruments?
I remember you said NI and Allen & Heath merged, are they gonna release any controller?

God I love traktor so much, I wish NI showed it more love. The s4 would be a no brainer for me.

I think the numark is great for people who already own a serato license, if I did I think I'd be happy with it for 500.

The Roland seems to me the best "workhorse" controller in this list, probably my top choice overall. I appreciate it being understated and portable.

The DDJ 800 is the "coolest" one, and it probably will be the most fun out of the bunch, and if you expect to be using CDJs in the future, it's the safest bet.


I hate the FLX 6, but I suppose the jogs are nice.

I absolutely love my 707m, it is so well made and the sound is excellent. Wondering what is replacement will be like,

I have numark mixstream Pro. E sono contentissimo. Non ho il pc scarico su chiavetta da cellulare... Mi diverto da dio... ❤

The Roland Dj controller is the only controller with 5 pin midi

Why didn't the Denon Go make the list?

I thought the Mixstream Pro would have made it for it's value but I suppose it's a better standalone than it is a controller

Still thinking that the Traktor s4 is the best value for money

I've had a Numark NS4FX for about a month now, and I'm ambivalent about it. It's a Guitar Center-exclusive product, incidentally, and GC has a two-week return window for controllers, so bear that in mind (and as such, Decksaver doesn't make a lid for it, at least not yet). I waffled a lot about taking it back, but now I've got it for keeps. The mic output is mentioned in every review, and it's as weak as everyone says. The jog wheels, to my feel, are very sluggish, with a significant lag when you're trying to nudge them.

Speaking of that, when trying to nudge the jogs, you will almost certainly come into contact with the pitch faders, because they're too close to the jogs, IMHO. Also, I'm coming from a Pioneer DDJ-SB3, and that (and, AFAIK, all Pioneers) have channel level meters (you also get separate master level meters, when you move up into higher realms of Pioneer gear). The Numark only has master level meters, which has been a significant adjustment for me.

The things I like: XLR outputs (the main reason I bought this--I needed them for a big warehouse gig) and the paddle effects switches, which are better system than Pioneer's, in my view, and they're placed well in the middle of the controller, as opposed to up top on the SB3. I find myself monkeying with effects more than I used to.

So for me, the NS4FX has a lot of debits in its column, but I'll keep working with it.

The 500-1000 market range seems surprisingly 'outdated'... DDJ800, S4Mk3, 707M, FLX6 (1st gen), all of them on the market for a longer time. Honorable mentions for the Prime Go (which can control VDJ) and Mixstream (VDJ + SDJLite). Another good video from you!