The 10 best DJ mixers

We continue our recent rundown of the best tech (which has covered DJ controllers, studio and DJ headphones and turntables) with the best DJ mixers. There are plenty of DJ mixers out there, from the best for beginners, all the way up to what's used in clubs and by your favourite DJs. It's up to you to find what suits you and your DJ style, but out this list of DJ mixers may make things a little bit easier when you're trying to work out what to add to your setup. We've included mixers with six channels, four channels and two channels, as well as those best for battling and rotary mixers if that's what you prefer. Have a look through DJ mixers by the likes of Pioneer DJ, Rane, Numark, Allen & Heath and more below.

Pure analogue beauty from Allen & Heath with its Xone:96 mixer. The Xone:96 draws inspiration from its predecessor, the iconic XONE:92, and this is instantly recognisable in the mixer's layout. Xone's 4-band EQ features in each of the four channels, there's a 32-bit 24-channel sound card (which supports DVS control of Native Instruments’ TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 software), two independent USB connections - each with six stereo inputs - and the Xone VCF filters. One of these is a controlled harmonic distortion called CRUNCH. Other features include two stereo sends, four stereo returns and a dedicated master insert. Anyone using the Xone:K controllers will be pleased to hear that the X-Link feature allows the mixer to be connected to the controllers. Coming in a sleek, grey finish, it's a looker that'll compliment any DJ setup out there. £1380

A piece of kit made to push your skills on the decks further. The Pioneer DJ DJM-V10 has six channels, opening up the opportunity to put together a premium, wide-ranging setup including CDJs, drum machines or whatever other gear is necessary. Sound up there with the best is guaranteed thanks to 64-bit mixing and dithering processing, 32-bit A/D and D/A converters and a low-jitter clock circuit. Specially-developed for this mixer is a 4-band EQ, allowing you extensive control over your sounds, and compressor knobs on each channel means you can jump between old and new tracks, being able to tweak the weaker-sounding track to make it sound just as fresh as the new one. If you're one for the use of effects, you'll be happy with the inclusion of Beat FX, which features the newly-added Shimmer. The send section also allows for live remixing and the creation of sounds on the spot. A proper investment for those dedicated to the DJ game. £2,655

Pioneer DJ's DJM-900NXS2 gives you everything you want and need to deliver a DJ set of the highest standard. A 96 kHz/64-bit digital signal processor with enhanced dithering technology and a low-jitter clock ensures the delivery of analog sound, and you get six effects (Sweep, Filter, Crush, Dub Echo, Noise and Space) through the Sound Color FX feature on each of the four channels. There's also the X-Pad section, allowing parameter adjustment with your finger and 14 different types of Beat FX. If you want to add some character to a track during your mix, you can even add an echo effect to vocals. The mixer's also compatible with rekordbox, NI's TRAKTOR PRO 3 software, Serato DJ Pro, TC Supply's ShowKontrol, RMX-100 for iPad and the DJM-Rec app. All those features naturally mean it doesn't come cheap, but what's to say it's not going to be a sound investment? £1,799

Sitting at the lower end of four-channel DJ mixers, and therefore a snip at £135, the Numark M6 USB gives you everything you need to develop your skills at not much of a cost. As the name suggests, USB connection is present, allowing for plug-and-play connection and the ability to blend in tunes from external software, as well as using it with turntables or CDJs. The computer connection allows you to record sets, while each of the four channels comes with gain, three-band EQ, and LED metering. There's also an XLR microphone channel, so if you're recording a radio show or have an MC join you on your sets, this is all completely doable. £169

If you're looking for a way to liven up your life and learning to DJ is that, then the Allen & Heath Xone:23 is an ideal mixer to get you started. You can grab one for £235 so it's not a huge bank breaker. The 2+2 channel mixer is small and compact, so will fit neatly into your home setup, whether that's in your bedroom or in a shared living room. The layout's also fairly simple and there's not too many knobs and buttons (which are illuminated) on there to get used to. Features include a Voltage Control Filter (VCF) system with low- and high-pass filters (plus frequency and resonance controls), 3-band true total kill EQ, and an external FX loop for connection to third-party units. Any scratchers out there will be pleased to know it can be upgraded with the latest Innofader. £235

Another mixer that's not too expensive in the grand scheme of things is Pioneer DJ's DJM-250MK2. This 2-channel mixer takes inspiration from the much pricier DJM-900NXS2, notably with the inclusion of the Magvel crossfader (for smooth scratch techniques) and the Sound Color FX filter which features on both channels. There's also 3-band isolators, a built-in USB sound card and its rekordbox compatible. Just plug it into your computer and you're away. Any users of Native Instruments' TRAKTOR Pro 3 software can also get hooked up easily, while two headphone outputs allow for back-to-back sets when you're locking yourself in for a mixing sesh with a pal. £299

A DVS mixer for Serato DJ Pro, the Reloop ELITE is a 2-channel mixer perfect for a pro setup. It's got 16, well-sized RGB pads, which allows control of 12 performance modes on each deck in Serato. 24-bit resolution sound is made possible via the DUAL 10 In/Out USB 2.0 Audio Interface. If there's two of you using the mixer, this is made easier with two USB ports. This also allows the use of MIDI controllers and if you're using the mixer with RP-8000 MK2 turntables, each deck will be automatically recognised. Everything you need to know is there on a plate, thanks to two OLED displays showing info on effects, BPM and beat parameters, as well as the setup menu. The deep black metallic finish is not only stylish and sleek, it's also resistant to scratches which may come about from, erm, heavy scratching. £1,059

"Built like a tank for non-stop, heavy-duty use," is what RANE says about the Seventy-Two MKII. No, it's not a tool for a building site, it's the brand's premium 2-channel scratch battle mixer. It comes in solid steel casing with two die-cast aluminium FX paddles to withstand fast finger action in the heat of the DJ battle. 16 MPC-style performance stand out in the middle of the mixer, with three MAG FOUR faders with reverse, contour and cut-in adjustment below them. Song selection and FX control is made more accessible with a 4.3" touchscreen, which displays moving waveforms from Serato DJ Pro. Other key features include SP-8 Sampler Level and an assignable channel selector. The likes of DJ Jazzy Jeff and Scratch Bastid are fans of the Seventy-Two, so you're in good company if you add this one to your setup. £1,485

The DJ connoisseurs' choice, the Rane MP2015 rotary mixer sure isn't cheap at over £2500 but, my word, does it look good with those silver knobs, black body and mahogany outer casing. Looks aside, the four-channel MP2015 scores five stars in performance, too. You're guaranteed advanced sonic control thanks to 3-band Isolator EQs with crossover points and the filter section which gives you sweepable low pass, low/high pass and high pass filter controls with variable resonance parameters. There's also the Submix Channel which allows you to group multiple inputs, making multi-source mixing so much easier, while there are two USB ports, allowing for the simultaneous connection of two different laptops if needed. With the likes of Derrick Carter and Mark Farina having input into the creation of the MP2015, it's no wonder it came out so good. £2,559

Sometimes you just don't want to blow months' worth of savings in one go and that's completely OK. That's where Omnitronic's TRM202 MK3 rotary mixer comes in handy because it's a much more affordable option than the RANE MP2015. Priced at £248, the 2-channel TRM202 MK3 comes with an integrated 3-band frequency isolator and ALPS knobs (Blue Velvet RK27). You can switch between two line and phono inputs or sources on each channel, while the kill cut feature means low, mid and high frequencies can be completely gotten rid of during a mix. For those of you practising your craft at home, a record output makes this ideal for recording your own set. If it's jungle or garage you're mixing, then an MC can join if needed as there's also a mic input with separate level control. It's also worthing checking the MK4 version of this which has four channels. £248

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Commercial Content Editor, follow him on Twitter

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