DJ controllers for beginners: which type to buy and what it costs (2026)

Updated 2026. "Which DJ controller should I buy?" is almost the first question anyone asks once they catch the DJ bug. Our honest answer: the best DJ setup for a beginner is not the most expensive one but the one that fits your budget, the music you want to play and where you will play it. This article explains the types of DJ gear and suggests a few models at each price level, with the prices currently listed in the Muse Inc DJ equipment store; it lists what else you need to buy and explains why we always say: learn first, buy later.

DJ gear for beginners: what types are there?

"DJ deck" is really a common name for three quite different groups of equipment. Once you know these three groups, you will understand why DJ gear can cost anything from a few million to over a hundred million dong.

DJ controller – needs a laptop

A controller is a control surface: usually two jog wheels, faders, EQ knobs, cue and play buttons… but it holds no music and cannot play music by itself. You plug the controller into a laptop, open DJ software such as rekordbox or Serato DJ, and everything you do on the controller drives the software. Some newer models also connect to a tablet or a phone.

Controllers are the cheapest and lightest option and enough to learn every basic skill; in return you depend on a laptop, and the feel differs from a club setup. The "mini DJ decks" many people search for are usually small 2-channel controllers.

All-in-one – no laptop needed

An all-in-one (also called standalone) puts two players, a mixer and a screen into one unit. You prepare your music on a computer (rekordbox for Pioneer DJ models), copy it to a USB stick, plug the stick in and play straight away without a laptop. Many models can still take a laptop and work as a controller when needed.

You play the way DJs play in clubs (music from USB), and the layout of the XDJ series is close to a CDJ + mixer setup, so a real booth feels less strange. The downside: they cost several times more than a controller and are bigger and heavier.

CDJ + mixer – the club standard

In clubs and at professional events DJs usually play on separate units: two (or four) CDJ players with a mixer in the middle, for example Pioneer CDJ-3000s with a DJM-A9 mixer. Each unit is a solid, flexible piece of its own, but the cost is high: a single Pioneer DJ CDJ 3000 costs 75,456,360 ₫ in the store right now, so a pair is over 150 million dong before the mixer.

Beginners hardly ever need to buy this setup, but they should practise on it, because it is what you will meet when you play out – the end of this article explains how to do that at low cost.

Which DJ gear to buy for your budget

Below are the models in the school's store, in three price ranges. Prices are the current list prices of the Muse Inc store and may change; the full specifications of each unit are on its product page.

Under about 12 million: a 2-channel controller to start

If you want an affordable DJ controller that still lets you learn seriously, this is the most sensible price range for a beginner.

• Pioneer DJ DDJ FLX2 – 6,393,600 ₫. A compact 2-channel controller that works with several DJ apps and connects to a laptop, tablet or phone. Good if you want to try DJing at the lowest cost, or need a mini controller to practise at home.
• Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV1 – 9,440,000 ₫. A 2-channel battle-style controller modelled on the PLX turntables and DJM-S mixers of scratch DJs, played with the free Serato DJ Lite. Lever FX switches effects on right under your hand, Tracking Scratch puts the track back where it belongs when you touch the jog wheel, and the microphone input mixes straight into the main output. It weighs about 2.1 kg and is easy to carry. Good if you love hip-hop and open format and want to start scratching early.
• Pioneer DJ DDJ FLX4 – 11,650,000 ₫. A 2-channel controller for rekordbox and Serato DJ Lite, with features that help beginners such as Smart Fader. If you are looking for the "DDJ-400", the FLX4 is its successor. It is the safe choice when you are not yet sure which direction you will take.

With a 2-channel controller you learn all the basic skills: beatmatching, cueing, EQ, transitions and building a short set. The school's Basic DJ course is taught on controllers too.

From 12 to 35 million: more channels or no laptop

• Pioneer DJ DDJ FLX6 – 17,726,000 ₫. A 4-channel controller for rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro, with larger jog wheels than the 2-channel models above. Right when you know you will keep playing and want room to grow.
• Pioneer DJ XDJ RR – 31,179,600 ₫. A 2-channel all-in-one: play straight from USB without a laptop, or plug in a laptop and use rekordbox. It is the first step into all-in-ones, and the XDJ-RR is also part of the school's teaching equipment.

Over 35 million: premium all-in-ones and 4-channel controllers

• AlphaTheta DJ Omnis DUO – 45,252,000 ₫. AlphaTheta's compact portable all-in-one system that plays on its own without a laptop. Good if you often take your gear to parties or play small events.
• Pioneer DJ DDJ FLX10 – 46,656,000 ₫. A 4-channel controller for rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. Good if you are used to playing with a laptop and want a controller that lasts for years.
• Pioneer DJ XDJ RX3 – 61,506,000 ₫. A 2-channel all-in-one that plays music from USB, works with rekordbox and Serato DJ, and has a layout close to a club CDJ + mixer setup. The school has practice rooms with an XDJ-RX3 at 250,000 ₫ an hour – the cheapest way to find out whether it suits you before spending over 60 million.

In short: how to choose?

• Not sure you will stick with it: DDJ-FLX2 or DDJ-FLX4.
• Into scratching and hip-hop: DDJ-REV1.
• Want to practise like in a club, without a laptop: an all-in-one, from the XDJ-RR up.
• Often take your gear to small gigs: Omnis DUO.
• Need more channels: DDJ-FLX6 or DDJ-FLX10.

What do you need besides the DJ controller?

Beginner DJ equipment is more than the deck. So what does a basic DJ setup include? Besides the controller you need a few more things – and remember to count them in your budget from the start.

1. Headphones. Headphones let you hear the next track while the speakers play another, so you need closed, over-ear headphones that isolate well, with a 3.5 mm and a 6.3 mm jack (or an adapter). In the store's headphones section, prices currently run from 750,000 ₫ to over 4.6 million dong.
2. Studio monitors. You need to hear your mix through speakers to know how it really sounds. Studio monitors give a more honest sound than ordinary music speakers; the school's practice rooms use Yamaha HS3, HS4 and HS8. See the studio monitors in the store.
3. A laptop (if you use a controller). Before you buy a controller, check the software's system requirements on the maker's site. With an all-in-one you do not need a laptop while playing, but you still need a computer to prepare your music.
4. A USB stick. A must if you play an all-in-one or CDJs: music is prepared in rekordbox and exported to USB. See also what every DJ must have on their USB.
5. Music. Use legal music sources: buy tracks from download stores, or use a streaming service your DJ software supports. A clearly named library split into tidy playlists makes you a far more confident DJ – the school's complete DJ course has whole sessions on music sources and library management.
6. Cables, power sockets and a table high enough to play standing – practising in the right position from the start helps you get used to a club booth faster.

Our advice: learn on the school's equipment first, buy later

Buying gear before you know how you like to play is the easiest way to choose wrong. After a few weeks of lessons you may find you love scratching (and need a battle-style controller), want to play clubs (and need to get used to CDJs), or just want to play for fun at home (and a small controller is enough). Here is how to learn first without buying anything:

• A free trial lesson. The first lesson – "Introduction to DJing" – is a free trial: you pick a free time, a teacher meets you at the school for an hour and lets you play a CDJ-3000 and a DJM-A9.
• The Basic DJ course (Level 1). About 3 weeks, 9 sessions: 8 with a teacher and 1 test, plus 8 hours of practice. You learn on a controller: the equipment and software, beatmatching, EQ, effects and your first 15-minute set. Tuition 9,500,000 ₫ (one-to-one or a group of up to 4), online 8,000,000 ₫. At the studio you need no gear of your own; online you need a laptop and a controller.
• Practice rooms by the hour. Anyone can book, no need to be a student; open 9:00–21:00 every day (prices below).
• DJ equipment rental. Need gear for a party or a small event before you decide to buy? The school rents out DJ equipment for practice and events; contact us for a quote.

Practice room prices per hour:

• XDJ-RX3 or XDJ-XZ room: 250,000 ₫ an hour for 2 people, plus 50,000 ₫ an hour for each additional person.
• CDJ-2000NXS2 + DJM-900NXS2 room: 350,000 ₫ an hour.
• Private CDJ-3000 + DJM-A9 studio (up to 4 people): 450,000 ₫ an hour.
• Vinyl room with turntables: 350,000–450,000 ₫ an hour.

A quick sum: 10 hours of practice on an XDJ-RX3 cost 2,500,000 ₫ – less than a twentieth of the unit's price. Bring your own headphones and music on USB (exported from rekordbox), or a laptop if you practise on a controller. Once you play comfortably and know what you need, come back to the list above – and feel free to ask a teacher before you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Want to try before you buy? Book the free trial lesson "Introduction to DJing", see the course and practice room prices, or message us on Zalo at 0902 957 911 for advice on gear and lesson times. Muse Inc is at (the back of) 409 Hai Bà Trưng, Xuân Hòa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, open 9:00–21:00 every day.