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Last updated: 8 Feb 2021

The Best DJ Turntables for Beginners

Best Choice
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Numark Party Mix DJ Turntable
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Runner-Up
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Hercules DJ DJControl Starlight DJ Turntable
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Great Tool
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Numark DJ2GO2 Touch DJ Turntable
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Natural Sound
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Numark Mixtrack Pro FX DJ Turntable
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Jack Stoneybrook
By Jack Stoneybrook
Published 4:19 pm
Show contents
  • 1 Numark Party Mix DJ Turntable
  • 2 Hercules DJ DJControl Starlight DJ Turntable
  • 3 Numark DJ2GO2 Touch DJ Turntable
  • 4 Numark Mixtrack Pro FX DJ Turntable
  • 5 Pioneer DJ Turntable
  • 6 Hercules Control DJ Turntable
  • 7 Hercules DJControl Inpulse 200 Compact DJ Turntable
  • 8 Pioneer DDJ-SB3 DJ Turntable
  • 9 PIONEER PRO DJ DDJ200 PIONEER SMART DJ Turntable
  • 10 Pioneer DJ Turntable

Picking the right turntable as a beginner DJ can be overwhelming. The best DJ record players are easy to set up, portable and have a great sound quality. We’ve researched the best options to help you pick one.

Best DJ Turntables for Beginners

1

Numark Party Mix DJ Turntable

– Best Choice
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Key Features

The Serato DJ Lite is a portable two-channel controller that’s compatible with Mac and PC. It has three room filling LED light arrays that auto sync to your music and guarantee to make your party utterly unforgettable. Connectivity is covered on board audio interface with 1/8 inch headphone output and 1/8 inch main output for connection to dj mixers, dj speakers & PA systems. Mix control decks are outfitted with a crossfader and jog wheels. Four pad modes for total control of cue points, auto / manual looping and sample playback add some flair to your dj performance. A card in the box explains where to locate the digital version of the software will download.

THE SCOOP

This is the perfect starter set to get you started with Seratone DJ. It includes everything you need to start spinning, but also includes the ability to record your own music and take it with you anywhere.

2

Hercules DJ DJControl Starlight DJ Turntable

– Runner-Up
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Key Features

The Serato DJ Lite has a built-in sound card to pre-listen to the headphones and speaker outputs, control the back lights on the base, RGB and strobe effects, bass/filter, hot cue modes, loop, fx, sampler, pressure sensitive jog wheels, etc. It’s compact and easy to carry wherever you want.

THE SCOOP

This is a DJ controller that is compact enough to fit in your hand, yet high-quality and easy to use.

3

Numark DJ2GO2 Touch DJ Turntable

– Great Tool
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Key Features

The Serato DJ Lite is a compact two-channel controller for Mac and PC. It has an audio interface with 1/8-inch headphone output, as well as on-board connectivity that allows you to use other popular dj software (including virtual dj). There are four pad modes for total control of cue points, auto / manual looping, sample playback, and more. You can also stream millions of tracks directly in Serato Dj Lite from leading providers including soundcloud and tidal.

THE SCOOP

This is a nice starter model with two decks and a mixer. It does a good job of mimicking an actual DJ setup.

4

Numark Mixtrack Pro FX DJ Turntable

– Natural Sound
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Key Features

The Serato DJ Lite is an easy-to-use controller for beginners. It comes with two decks of control, built-in 24-bit audio interface, plug and play USB connectivity, and a mixer with 3-band eq, filter knobs, channel faders, and crossfader. There are eight performance pads per deck to access cues, loops, fader cuts and samples, stream millions of tracks, browse and connect to all your dj equipment – microphone input, headphone output and rca output to connect to Dj speakers, plus a mixer with 3-band eq, filter knobs, channel faders, and crossfader.

THE SCOOP

The Numark FX MIXTREME is an excellent, flexible, and versatile DJ turret. It features two decks, a mixer, an audio interface, built-on jog wheels, as well as pads and effects to help you get the most out of your setup.

5

Pioneer DJ Turntable

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Key Features

The Rekordbox is a great choice for those looking to get into the world of electronic music. It’s easy to use and comes with all the bells and whistles you would expect from one of the most respected brands in the industry. However, it doesn’t have as many features as some other options on the market. That being said, there are plenty of new features that can be added to make your experience even more enjoyable. For example, if you want to learn how to DJ, this option will teach you everything you need to know so you don’t have to spend too much time trying to figure things out yourself.

THE SCOOP

This DJ controller offers more control over playback and has more functions for DJs and producers, including the ability to record tracks to your mobile device.

6

Hercules Control DJ Turntable

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Key Features

It’s easy to learn the basics of djing with interactive help and integrated tutorial videos, choose your tracks easily with IMA, the intelligent music assistant, and its suggestions of today’s hottest tracks. The layout of the buttons and sliders, like those found on a professional controller, is easy to carry on nights out. This compact controller is easy to carry on nights out. With tempo and beat align guides that light up, in addition to the assistant and energy functions, comprehensive Djing software included, you can discover the basics of Djing with interactive help and integrated tutorial videos.

THE SCOOP

This DJ turndable is one of the best-rated and available on a wide variety of platforms. With the standard features and a number of bonuses, it’s a great option for anyone starting out DJing.

7

Hercules DJControl Inpulse 200 Compact DJ Turntable

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Key Features

It’s a dual-deck layout with touch-sensitive jog wheels that allow for vinyl-style cueing, track browsing, and pitchbend functions. Intelligent music assistant (IMA) allows djuced to suggest suitable tracks to play and match the event energy levels. Eight multicolored performance pads light up and indicate four control modes: rolls, fx, hot-cues, and sampler. Beatmatch guides include onboard light guides for less computer glancing.

THE SCOOP

This DJ controller is a great choice if you’re just starting out. It comes with everything you need to get started, including a 2-inch turquoise phono preamp and an aux cable.

8

Pioneer DDJ-SB3 DJ Turntable

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Key Features

It’s easy to set up and use, thanks to its on-board Serato sound card. You can also connect it to a PC or Mac via the included USB cable so you can listen to your favorite music without having to worry about cables getting in the way. This is great for those who don’t want to have to carry their own audio equipment with them when they travel.

THE SCOOP

This wallet-friendly turplet is a nice way to get started with the Seratone DJ software.

9

PIONEER PRO DJ DDJ200 PIONEER SMART DJ Turntable

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Key Features

It’s lightweight and compact, with a pro-style layout that will help you learn to mix. You can use it in the studio or anywhere else you want to get your hands dirty.

THE SCOOP

A high-quality DJ turquoise-colored turret that’s easy to use and offers a wide range of sound quality. It also offers dynamic features and an on-board DJ controller with an auto-pivot slider for flexible performance.

10

Pioneer DJ Turntable

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Key Features

It’s easy to set up and use, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to get the most out of it. You can also add scratch effects to cued or currently playing songs without a turntable thanks to pad scratch. Mixing is seamless with the fx fade feature. The 5 inch aluminium jog wheels give you great scratch response and accuracy. 6 pounds, constructed from premium materials and audio circuitry, large, low-latency jog wheels to give you great scratch response and accuracy.

THE SCOOP

Passionate about music, Pioneer’s DJ controller is a huge step up from its DJ-inspired cousin, and the best entry-level turrets on today’s market.

Best DJ Turntables for Beginners Buying Guide

A turntable is a device used to play music on vinyl records. These turns work by spinning a magnetized disc and pushing a platter beneath it. This results in the music to be played being played through a needle that moves across the surface of a record as the record spins. It's a simple enough concept, but there are so many different turntables available on the market today that it can be hard to determine which one is the best. That‘s why we're here. We re devoted to making your shopping experience easier. We research, test, and analyze products to bring you the honest, unbiased reviews you need to make an informed purchase. If you‪re in need of some guidance on how to choose a turntable, please see our product list for our top recommendations. For more on choosing a DJ turntable for your next party, keep reading our shopping guide.

What are some tips for buying and using a turntable for beginners?

Tune your turndable before using it. If you’re new to using a turntable, start by setting it to its softest level. A turrdable with a soft level of tuning isn't as accurate as one with a hard level, so it's okay to start out with one before mastering the other. Practice makes perfect, and you might want to record your progress so you can compare notes when you get to the studio. Once you know how to set your deck to pitch, use it as an audio input for your DJ software. Your turntable doesn't need to be plugged into a headphone jack to function, but you should plug it in for the most control over your sound.

What should I consider when looking for a turntable?

With so many turquoise DJ turrets on the market, there are a few features to consider before buying. It’s helpful to know what features are standard and which ones are offered on more expensive models. Some models have built-in speakers, which connect via speaker cable to a mixer, so you can easily plug your turntable switch into any mixer and record in real-time. Other turntable switches have a USB connection to your computer so that you‘re able to load your songs directly onto the table. Almost all turntables offer at least some onboard storage, but some offer much more. Internal memory can hold as many as 60 songs. More expensive turdows have SD card slots built in, giving you even more storage options. You can also find turntables with SD memory slots that can store 4TB of data, a record player, and more internal storage. Most offer a knob to control the pitch of the audio output, usually located above the input jack. The pitch adjustment gives you a lot of control over the sound quality. However, you shouldn't use a pitch knob until you have some experience using turntables.

How expensive are DJ turntables for beginners?

You can find DJ turntable systems for less than $100. They are good for learning how to play some basic turntable music and will fit in well at a casual music club or party. For $150 to $250, you’ll find systems with a built-in turntable and a good onboard sound system. Some of these models also have a belt-driven turntable and more onboard effects, such as phasers and echo-chamber effects. If you want to dive more deeply into DJing, this is the price range to focus on. At $500 and up, the DJ gear is far more elaborate. In this price category, expect a full-range mixer with onboard sounds, a phaser, and other effects like reverb. The turntables in this category also tend to be more durable and last longer.

How Do We Chose Our Selection Of DJ Starter Kits?


Brand

You want to get the best brand you can because there are so many out there. When it comes to DJ equipment, you want the quality and innovation from brands that have been around for years. All brands have their place, but we wanted to make sure that all of the products on this list are high quality so you don’t have to worry about falling foul of a low quality imitation.


Price

DJ starter kits are one of those products where you get what you pay for. That‘s not a knock on the product, it's just the reality of buying anything in life, right? You get used to it, and you expect the same quality from every product you buy. So we made sure to select a range of prices so there s something for everyone.


Reviews

Reviews are a great way of finding out how good a product is without having to spend the money on it. You can read through hundreds of reviews for any product and find out all the little bits you might not have considered. We also read other professional reviewers to see if they've picked up on anything we've missed.


What Features Should You Look For In DJ Turntables for Beginners?

Before you decide which of our top DJ turNTables is the right one for you, check out these essential key features to consider so that you find the ideal option.


Connectivity

Connecting your turntable player to your mixer can be tricky if you‪re not used (or don't want) to doing that so make the connection a priority and go for a turntable that has a USB port, Bluetooth or even an Aux input so your device can continue to play after you power up your starter.


Portability

If you need to move your DJ mixer around with you (which is likely) make a point of getting a model that is lightweight and portable. Some of these units even fold away for easy transport.


Ergonomics

This is an important feature because you have so much choice when it come to what DJ player you use and the turntable you choose. If it doesn't feel comfortable in your hand, then it won t be used often.


Audio outputs

For the audio outputs, make your mind up. Most just have a standard 1/8 inch input and a phono input. But if your mix is highly dynamic, or you play louder than expected, look for one that allows you to output more than just a mono signal.


Range

Make sure you look at the range as well because it might just be the difference between your new turntable and having a meltdown. It could be that the noise floor is too low, the signal is getting distorted, your headphones are getting hot and it can even be because your unit is just not designed to handle the power. Check what range the model you are buying has before you make that final decision.


Features

When you think about features, think of things like built-in effects, auto-clearing and program memory.

Other things to consider

A turntable is a device that allows you to play your music back on vinyl. The turntable is usually made of steel, with a platter made from a plastic or ceramic material. You place the records on the platters, and the turntable moves the record around the tonearm, playing it back in random order. Because the motion is random, the sound quality is higher than if you played the music through a system with pre-set playing times. Most turntables are designed with one disk slot per side. However, some turents have two tonewoods on each side, giving them greater flexibility. A turntable works best with vinyl records of modest size, so if your collection is limited to 50 or 100 records, a small turntable probably won’t be enough.

 

DJ Turntables for Beginners FAQ

Q: What is a DJ turntable?

A: It's a turndable that plays vinyl records (maybe CDs or MP3s). It plays at a reasonable and decent speed and is suitable for beginning DJs as well as those who are only beginning to explore turntables and turquebooks.

Q: How does a record get into a DJ turntable?

A: You put it in the groove, but there are some things that you need to keep in mind. First off, the record will be damaged if it doesn't go in on the first try. Secondly, if your CD doesn‘t have grooves, it will have a gap. If the gap is plugged, you‒ll have to put in a new record and then replace the damaged one. Thirdly, there is no groove on a standard CD. You need a groove before you play it. A groove is the flat and straight edge of the CD that shows you where to write your music.

Q: Is a deck of vinyl better than a turntable?

A: According to some, turntables are better because they don't have any moving parts. But this is just because of their greater reliability. Also, as long as you use a high-quality turntable, they will sound more reliable. The only thing that a vinyl deck will lack is an SP/LP changer, which is highly desirable. For most people, however, a quality turntable should suffice.

Jack Stoneybrook
By Jack Stoneybrook
Jack has been a touring guitarist for almost 20 years, playing in a number of country music and rock bands. Jack loves the road and defines himself as a never-ending student of the guitar and other important instruments or tools that make a musician.
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