Best Beginner DJ Setup in 2025

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Back in the day, 2 Technics-1200s and a 2 channel mixer was all you needed. Now the options are seemingly endless. Let our decades of experience and up to date knowledge guide your first leap into the world of digital DJing.

What you need – The basics.

Here it is, your first setup – A DJ controller, a pair of headphones, some small speakers and software that runs on the computer, phone, or tablet you already own. This is the least expensive and easiest way to learn the art of DJing. There are a TON of options on the market, but there is an established pipeline that will take you from bedroom beat slinger to massive festival systems. You don’t want to waste time learning on exotic or goofy setups that won’t translate to the big leagues do you? Right. Here is the best combo to get you familiar with the professional standard without dropping the $10,000 needed for a pro level setup.

THE CONTROLLER: AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2

Priced at $179, this compact 2-channel controller is designed to make your entry into DJing seamless and enjoyable.

For most people getting started having a dedicated controller that hooks up to your laptop, smartphone, or tablet is the cheapest and fastest option.

PROS

  • Versatile Software Compatibility: The DDJ-FLX2 works with popular DJ applications like rekordbox, djay, and Serato DJ Lite. This flexibility allows you to choose the software that best fits your style and experience level.
  • Smart Mixing Features: With Smart Fader and Smart CFX, the DDJ-FLX2 simplifies transitions and effects, enabling smooth mixes even for beginners. These features help you achieve professional-sounding sets with minimal effort.
  • Streaming Service Integration: Access a wide range of music through streaming services like Beatport Streaming, SoundCloud Go+/DJ, TIDAL, and Apple Music (via djay).
  • Portable and Lightweight: Weighing only 2.6 lbs, the DDJ-FLX2 is easy to transport, making it ideal for bedroom practice sessions or your first house parties.
  • Built-in Audio Interface: Unlike some entry-level controllers, the DDJ-FLX2 includes an integrated sound card, allowing direct connection to speakers and headphones without additional equipment.
  • Industry Standard Setup: While not nearly as fully featured as a pro level rig the basic buttons, wheels, and knobs are all here, laid out in a way that will make playing on CDJs and a dedicated mixer seem familiar, although more complicated.

CONS

  • Build Quality: For $179 it’s great, but the knob, fader, and buttons do feel like toys compared to higher end setups. Don’t expect this controller to take a ton of abuse.
  • Limited Controls: To replicate all the most vital features of club setup you’d need to step up to the DDJ-FLX4 with its more advanced looping and queuing, track selection, trim, and effects controls. All of these can be handled on your laptop through software but it can be annoying.

🔍 Final Thoughts

The AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2 stands out as a great choice for beginner DJs in 2025. Its combination of user-friendly features, software compatibility, and affordability makes it a compelling option for those completely new to the game. Whether you’re practicing at home or performing at small events, the DDJ-FLX2 provides the basic tools you need to develop your skills. However if you are an advanced beginner or are absolutely certain that club gigs are in your future we recommend stepping up to the DDJ-FLX4 with it’s larger range of controls.

THE HEADPHONES: Behringer HPX6000 DJ

Easy on the ears. Easy on the wallet.

As a beginner DJ, finding the right set of headphones can be a daunting task. DJ headphones are a different beast than the iPods or Skullcandy earbuds you use for casual listening. With a range of features and wildly differing price points ($18k for a pair of Hifiman Shangri Las? EXCUSE ME!) the world of pro headphones is a wild place. Thankfully we’ve done the hard work for you and found the Behringer HPX6000 DJ headphones. We strongly feel they are the best option for a beginner setup.

PROS

  • Sound vs Price
    The biggest point in favor of these phones is the low price. These headphones are super affordable, which is a major plus for beginners who are still figuring out what equipment they need. Despite their low price point, the HPX6000 headphones offer good sound quality, with clear highs and defined bass. They also have a decently wide frequency range suitable for DJing. Unlike the consumer headphones that you might be used to, the Behringers don’t overly color or boost any frequencies – a must for accurate mixing.
  • Comfort
    Comfort is a major concern for DJ headphones, with cheaper models often sacrificing in this area to save cost. Thankfully the Behringers strike a good balance with well cushioned ear cups and an adjustable headband that can fit a variety of head sizes. This is important for long DJ sessions, as a pair of too-cheap headphones will leave your earlobes feeling like they’ve been chewed on by an angry Pitbull.

    Swiveling ear cups, which are relatively rare at this price point, allow one ear to monitor the main mix while you cue over the headphones. This is usually reserved for much pricier DJ headphones and was a smart addition by the designers at Behringer. As a bonus, the swivel feature allows the headphones to be easily folded and stored in the included carrying bag.

CONS

  • Build Quality
    You can’t make audio gear for the masses without sacrificing in some areas. These headphones are made primarily of plastic, which can make them feel a bit cheap or flimsy compared to more expensive models with sturdy metal parts. But at this price point that is to be expected. They are still solid enough for home use and light gigging. Treat them right and they will treat you right.
  • Accuracy
    While the HPX6000s are a great choice for beginner DJs (or even a backup pair for more advanced DJs), they don’t meet the needs of producers or engineers who require more precision and accuracy in their monitoring. While they offer good sound quality, they aren’t as precise or accurate as studio-grade headphones, which are designed to provide a completely flat frequency response and a neutral sound signature. So don’t expect them to pull double duty in a live setting and in the studio.

Conclusion

Overall the Behringer HPX6000 DJ headphones offer a lot of value for the price, and they’re a great choice for beginner DJs who are still figuring out what they need. With good sound quality, comfortable design, and unique features like swiveling ear cups, these headphones are a solid investment for your first set of headphones. At this price, if you have a few too many beverages while playing and lose them at the club, replacement will be less than your average bar tab.

Speakers – Mackie CR3-X

Surprisingly good sound from super small speakers

Let’s be perfectly honest. As a beginner you really don’t need massive studio monitors. You just need some cheap reliable speakers that push a little thump without getting you evicted for waking up the neighbors. However, there is a ton of garbage on the market. Just because you are starting out doesn’t mean you want a couple of unreliable speakers that transform into expensive paperweights right after the return window expires. These are solid little monitors that punch way above their weight class along with the reliability of a Pro Audio famous name like Mackie.

Sound Quality

Can a 3 inch woofer, 3/4 inch tweeter, and 50 watts of power really push enough air to DJ? As long as you aren’t trying to fill up a cavernous space, the answer is absolutely yes. Sure the low end frequency limit is 80hz, leaving a large swath of the gut shaking low end of dance music completely missing. But that’s also the range that will have your neighbors calling the cops on you. For learning and practicing DJing in your bedroom, office or living room, these are more than adequate.

Value

The Mackie CR3 X monitors offer unmatched value for their price. They get the job done, are reasonably sturdy and sound surprisingly good for their diminutive size. They can also pull double duty for watching videos and gaming, a nice plus for apartment dwellers or room renters short on space.

They also feature a headphone jack on the front of the speakers. A nice little addition that comes in handy for everyday use outside of DJing.

Cons

Look, these aren’t professional grade monitors. If you see yourself moving up to producing your own tracks, these aren’t going to cut it. If your journey includes writing, arranging and mixing you’ll need to shell out for some good quality professional reference grade monitors.
Similarly if you fancy starting a mobile DJ business or throwing your own events, you’ll need a live sound rig. Two 6 inch tall speakers aren’t going to rock a crowd larger than 6 people in your living room.

Conclusion

Overall, the Mackie CR3 X monitors are a great choice for beginner DJs who want a name-brand monitoring system that offers decent sound quality and durability for a fraction of the cost of their bigger relatives. That’s why these little Mackies are a no-brainer choice for our beginner DJ recommendations.