Best beginner DJ setups

Start here: the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4. It's the controller most beginners end up on, and for good reason — it works with both rekordbox and Serato, so you learn on the software clubs and bars actually use, and the layout teaches beatmatching and hot cues without burying you in menus. Buy it once and it'll carry you well past your first gigs.

Who the others suit:

• Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 — the friendliest teaching tool: built-in beatmatch and tempo guides walk you through mixing, plus a solid effects section.
• Numark Party Mix III — the cheapest way to find out if DJing sticks; small, light, with a light show for house parties.
• The Next Beat by Tiësto SX1 — a playful, budget-friendly option with touch jog wheels and several software choices.
• Roland DJ-202 — compact and sturdy, a good fit if you want a small desk setup and Roland's build quality.
• Numark Mixstream Pro — the step up to standalone: mix from USB or streaming without a laptop, once you're past the basics.

Skip the four-channel club units for now — they cost far more and teach you nothing extra while you're learning.