Rane’s mixers and controllers are legendary in scratch and electronic music communities for their durability and sound. Synonymous with high-end battle mixers (like the Seventy-Two MKII), Rane’s gear features tactile controls, Mag Four faders, and extensive Serato integration. Their controllers, like the Rane ONE and Performer, offer motorized platters, setting them apart for serious turntablists. Rane’s focus on precision and professional build quality keeps them at the front for true performance DJs.

Citronic is a British company recognized for its cost-effective, entry-level DJ equipment. Well-suited for mobile discos, small bars, and event DJs, Citronic’s mixers—including the PRO-2b—offer essential features at very accessible price points. Their no-frills, dependable products make them a staple in the budget and educational market, as well as for DJs looking for straightforward gear to get started.

Native Instruments developed Traktor DJ software and the iconic Kontrol S-series controllers, revolutionizing digital DJing. Seamless hardware-software integration is their forte, with features like Stems, Remix Decks, and strong effects engines. While Traktor faces stiffer competition in recent years, its community swears by its cutting-edge creative power, detailed mapping capability, and reliability for electronic music performance.

Allen & Heath’s Xone series mixers are legendary for analog sound quality and creative filter sections. These are staple tools for house, techno, and underground DJs who value sonic purity and tactile mixing. Their mixers, like the Xone:96 and Xone:PX5, are renowned for robust construction and club-friendliness. The company also makes digital mixers and broadcast audio gear, but Xone remains their DJ flagship.

Founded in Germany, Reloop is a respected maker of both controllers and mixers. Their products, such as the Mixon series and RMX mixers, appeal to DJs across all skill levels. Reloop often includes unique features, such as touch FX and hybrid analog-digital setups. With a reputation for innovation and reasonable pricing, Reloop is popular in Europe and steadily growing worldwide.

Roland is a legendary music tech brand known for its drum machines and synthesizers. Their DJ line stands out by integrating sequencers (e.g., TR drum sounds) into controllers like the DJ-505. This lets DJs create and manipulate beats live, bridging the gap between traditional DJing and live performance. Roland gear is robust, musically versatile, and appeals to creative performance artists.

Hercules led the affordable controller boom in the 2000s, delivering compact, plug-and-play devices for beginners. Their Inpulse series now offers feature-rich yet accessible controllers with strong learning tools, built-in tutorials, and compatibility with DJUCED and Serato. Hercules is a top pick for home hobbyists and educators, and its long legacy is tied to user-friendly DJ gear.

Behringer’s main reputation is for budget-oriented pro audio, but they offer competitive DJ mixers and controllers (like the DJX and CMD series). Known for aggressively priced equipment with decent reliability, Behringer’s DJ gear targets venues and hobbyists looking for value. Their DDM4000 mixer is a cult favorite for budget-conscious DJs needing extensive features.

Akai Professional is renowned for revolutionizing music production with the MPC line, but they’ve also left a mark with innovative DJ controllers. Akai’s entry into DJing saw tightly integrated Serato hardware like the AMX and AFX, featuring touch controls, performance pads, and portable form factors. Akai stands out for its emphasis on expressive, hands-on performance—often combining pad-based sampling and remixing with conventional DJ controls—making their gear a favorite for creative DJs and producers bridging the two worlds.

Gemini, established in the 1970s, was among the first major American DJ equipment brands. Once known for budget turntables and mixers, their modern offerings include controllers like the G4V and the SDJ-2000. Gemini has built its legacy on providing affordable, reliable products for mobile DJs, hobbyists, and price-conscious buyers. The brand remains a solid entry point for those looking to start DJing without breaking the bank, offering a balance of core features and functionality.

Mixars is an Italian brand that draws on the country’s strong engineering tradition. Best known for the Duo MKII battle mixer, Mixars focuses on durable, high-performance mixers and turntable products at midrange prices. Their gear is a hit among turntablists thanks to superb faders and Serato DVS integration. Mixars has a growing reputation as a challenger brand for those wanting professional specs at a more approachable price point.

Ecler is a Spanish company with a long heritage in professional audio, particularly renowned in Europe. Their mixers, like the Ecler Warm4, are celebrated for analog richness, reliability, and a minimalist design ethos. Ecler’s gear often finds favor with house, techno, and audiophile DJs who appreciate tactile mixing and warm sound. Although less visible than mainstream giants, Ecler remains a boutique favorite in discerning DJ circles.

Vestax was, for decades, a Japanese innovator synonymous with DJ creativity: famed for their high-torque turntables, battle mixers, and iconic products like the PMC-05Pro series. Though the company famously ceased operations in the 2010s, Vestax gear is still revered, especially among scratch DJs. Their legacy endures in the secondhand market and continues to influence new hardware design with its inventive approach and cult following.

Omnitronic is a German brand known for affordable DJ mixers and accessories catering to the home and mobile entertainment segment. Their mixers, such as the TRM-202 MK3, are highly regarded in the rotary scene, providing an analog, hands-on mixing style at a much lower price point than boutique models. Omnitronic appeals to budget-conscious DJs who still want a touch of classic rotary finesse.

Pioneer DJ, now operating under AlphaTheta Corporation, is the undisputed industry leader in DJ equipment, dominating clubs, festivals, and professional studios worldwide. Their flagship products, such as the CDJ media players and DJM mixers, are standard fixtures in clubs and events globally. Pioneer DJ consistently sets the benchmark for robustness, sound quality, and seamless integration with DJ software such as rekordbox. Their controllers cater to every market segment, from beginner (DDJ-200) to professional (DDJ-REV7, OPUS-QUAD), and new AlphaTheta branding signals further innovation in sound quality and standalone gear.

MasterSounds, a UK-based boutique brand, specializes in hand-built, audiophile rotary mixers. Their Radius and Linear mixers are revered in the house and techno communities for pure analog signal paths, warm sound, and minimalist design. Founded by DJ Ryan Shaw, MasterSounds brings high-end craft and luxury to the DJ booth, with meticulous attention to detail and build quality.

Denon DJ, part of inMusic Brands, is known for pushing the envelope in digital DJing. Their Prime series introduced stand-alone units with touchscreens, Wi-Fi streaming, and Engine DJ software. Denon is lauded for its build quality, creative performance features (like the SC6000 Prime’s dual-layer playback), and club-ready mixers. Their hardware often rivals or betters resale value against competitors and challenges Pioneer’s dominance in the pro segment.

Soundcraft is a British audio giant, better known for professional mixing consoles in broadcast and live sound. However, their Signature series desks have found a place among DJs for those seeking hybrid performance and studio-grade sound in larger setups. Soundcraft’s reputation for excellence in audio engineering carries over into their live mixers adopted by technically minded or live performance-focused DJs.

Numark is a pioneer in affordable DJ tech and innovation. Market leaders in entry-level and mid-tier controllers, Numark’s products emphasize versatility and accessibility. Their Mixtrack series is immensely popular with beginners, while higher-end offerings like the NS7 and Mixstream Pro+ bring features like onboard screens and standalone functionality. Numark’s reliability, approachable price points, and integration with Serato and Engine DJ make them crucial in democratizing DJing.

Formula Sound is a UK-based manufacturer with deep roots in analog mixing technology and club installation. Their PM-90MK2 and PM-100 mixers are built for durability, sound clarity, and customizability—engineered to stand up to heavy club use. Formula Sound’s boutique approach is beloved by venues and audiophile DJs who demand a bespoke, highly reliable piece of hardware.