The 10 Best DJ Setups In 2026

There’s no shortage of high-quality DJ gear available that delivers exceptional sound quality and a range of mixing options.

The best DJ setups used by established professional DJs typically combine comprehensive controllers with DJ software to control their performance at high-profile events.

This guide breaks down the DJ setups used by the world’s most celebrated DJs, from EDM icon Martin Garrix to techno legend Carl Cox.

Essential DJ Equipment

Whether you’re a novice DJ or an established professional, understanding what DJs use will help you enhance your setup.

Here’s a brief overview of the essential DJ equipment needed, from the best DJ controllers to must-have DJing peripherals.

DJ Controller

Whether creating a DJ set for beginners or performing at major festivals, a DJ controller is a core aspect of your setup.

A DJ controller drives the entire mixing process, featuring inputs for headphones and other accessories, such as microphones.

Different DJ controllers offer compatibility with DJ software, so it’s essential to research this compatibility when selecting a model.

They include jog wheels for searching through tracks and scratching, and some also include pads for triggering loops and samples.

Most DJ controller setups also include a full mixer, with faders and knobs for managing EQ and other settings when blending tracks.

DJ Mixer

While most DJ controllers include a mixer in the setup, some DJ setups require a separate, dedicated DJ mixer to mix songs together.

For example, if you’re DJing with traditional turntables or CDJs, a dedicated mixer can be used to bring this DJ gear together.

Different mixers come with various DJ tools, including volume sliders and EQ controls, alongside a crossfader in the center of the panel.

The crossfader is essential for DJing with vinyl records and mastering a range of scratch DJing techniques.

DJ Software

While vinyl DJs can perform sets without software, most DJs require DJ software to manage and mix from their digital files.

There are many options for DJ software to choose from, ranging from free-to-use programs to the best DJ software for Mac owners.

Your choice of DJ controller will impact your DJ software options based on compatibility, with laptop DJing offering more scope.

It’s an essential element of any digital setup that works in tandem with an audio interface, allowing DJs to control a range of techniques.

DJ Headphones

A history of DJ equipment would be incomplete without DJ headphones, which are essential for monitoring tracks while mixing.

While it is possible to mix with regular headphones, most DJs use over-the-ear models with removable cups for one-ear listening.

This allows DJs to monitor an incoming track through the headphones while still hearing the playing track through the club’s speakers.

The best DJ headphones feature a wide frequency response, paired with a coiled cable that allows DJs to move freely.

Learn more: Find out how ZIPDJ helps DJs discover exclusive tracks.

The 10 Best DJ Setups In 2025

New DJs can learn a great deal about mixing from established professionals and explore their DJ setups for inspiration about the best gear.

Let’s break down the 10 best DJ setups from the world’s leading artists, covering the core features and overall budget range.

10. James Hype

With nearly a decade of experience in the industry, James Hype has established a firm presence as a DJ and music producer.

Known for his eclectic blend of tech house and EDM, his energetic, multi-genre DJ setshave earned him a large following.

Hype’s DJ setups have varied over the years, but the DJ has been seen using a combination of Pioneer CDJ-3000 players and a DJS1000 sampler.

Other Pioneer DJ hardware also used in many live shows includes the CDJ-2000 Nexus and DJM-900 Nexus mixer.

As such, Hype’s setup provides excellent inspiration for DJs who are invested in Pioneer’s ecosystem and looking for classic hardware.

9. Armin Van Buuren

Widely regarded as one of the best house music DJs of all time, Armin Van Buuren’s track record reflects his enduring appeal.

Buuren’s career began back in the mid-1990s, and his DJ setups have evolved to include cutting-edge tools and hardware.

The Technics SL1200Mk2 turntables, which launched his career, are still seen in use alongside modern digital equipment.

He’s known for using a selection of mixers, including the Pioneer DJ DJM-2000NXS and the Allen and Heath Xone DB4.

Like many other DJs, Buuren’s digital turntables of choice are also Pioneer, with the CDJ-2000-NXS paired well with the brand’s mixers.

He’s also on record using the Philips M1X-DJ speakers system alongside his smartphone when performing ad hoc sets on the move.

8. Jeff Mills

Few techno DJs have achieved the same degree of recognition as Jeff Mills, the pioneer of multi-deck DJing.

One of the world’s best techno DJs, Mills has utilized a diverse range of equipment throughout his decades-long career.

Naturally, with his roots firmly in the 1990s techno scene, Jeff Mills is no stranger to the Technics SL-1200 Mk2 turntables.

With an emphasis on complex mixing that involves multiple tracks simultaneously, it’s no surprise to find robust mixers in his sets.

This includes the versatile Vestax PMC-500 mixer, which was used in his 2013 performance at Rachdingue.

More recently, Mills has been seen using the Pioneer DLM-1000 six-channel digital mixer, paired with the Pioneer CDJ-2000 Nexus.

Recommended read: Grow your brand with these DJ content ideas.

7. Richie Hawtin

Like Jeff Mills, Richie Hawtin’s lengthy history in the techno scene has seen him exploring a range of hardware and DJing tools.

His eclectic career has seen him release numerous singles and albums, including a short film inspired by the Detroit techno scene.

Behind the decks, Hawtin has been spotted using various equipment, with a focus on Allen and Heath mixers.

These include the Xone:92, K2, and 1D, with additional mixers such as the Rane MP2015 and the high-end PLAYdifferently Model 1 Mixer.

As with Mills, these mixers offer extensive channel and EQ options that are essential for delivering intricate techno sets.

Hawtin’s mastery of these tools has helped him become one of the best underground DJs of the last few decades.

6. Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris needs little introduction, with the Scottish DJ well established as one of the best club DJs working today.

In addition to his club appearances, Harris has frequently taken center stage at festivals such as Coachella and Tomorrowland.

A prolific producer known for using a range of synths, Harris’s choice of DJ gear echoes the setups of his contemporaries.

This includes a Pioneer-heavy selection of mixers and controllers, with the Pioneer CDJ-2000s and DLM-900 Nexus mixer in his arsenal.

Like many famous DJs, Harris often incorporates a pair of Technics SL-1210MK2 turntables in his setup for playing vinyl records.

5. Martin Garrix

Another hugely successful EDM DJ with a heavy emphasis on Pioneer equipment is Martin Garrix, the Dutch DJ and producer.

Garrix has frequently joined Calvin Harris and other EDM artists at Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Ultra Music Festival.

His gear often includes Pioneer’s iconic DJM-2000 mixer paired with the Pioneer CDJ-2000 Nexus, but other brands are also used.

This includes the premium Denon DJ SC5000 Prime CD player, along with Behringer VMX200 and DJX750 five-channel mixers.

Garrix’s other equipment from Denon he’s been known to use includes the DJ X1800 Prime mixer, with the Sweep FX feature and BPM FX units.

4. Skrillex

One of the world’s most famous DJs, Skrillex, represents another example of how Pioneer’s equipment has become industry standard.

Skrillex has used a range of Pioneer gear in his DJ setups, including the CDJ-2000 CD players and the Pioneer DJM-800 mixer.

He has also been known to use four CDJ-2000 NXS 2s in a set, exploring multi-track mixing across various genres.

His equipment list also includes the Audio 2 DJ Soundcard from Native Instruments, as well as the Rane Sixty Two Performance Mixer with Serato Live.

Additional gear used by Skrillex in his live performances includes the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1 Performance DJ Controller.

3. Steve Aoki

Few mainstream DJs have solidified the reputation of Pioneer DJ gear as much as the EDM icon Steve Aoki.

The classic Pioneer DLM-800 mixer, used by Aoki, has been placed in the National Museum of American History.

Other gear from the Pioneer brand Aoki is known to use includes the CDJ-2000 and Pioneer EFX-1000 Professional DJ Effector.

Aoki’s technical rider also outlines his requirements for the Rane SL3 for Serato Scratch Live in his setups when performing at venues.

This features a professional galvanic-insulated 24-bit DJ interface with inputs for multiple turntables and CD decks, allowing for various combinations.

2. Carl Cox

Like Jeff Mills, Carl Cox has been DJing since the early days of techno and is widely regarded as one of the best in the genre.

Having frequently performed at the world’s best clubs, Cox has been seen using mixers and other hardware from various manufacturers.

For digital-based mixing, Cox often uses the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S8 Controller, praising it for its versatility and robust features.

Cox has praised this controller for its ability to deliver on-the-fly remixes and increase his creative scope when performing.

On the mixer front, he’s been seen with a Vestax PMC-CX Rotary Mixer, while the Pioneer DJM-2000NXS Mixer also appears in his sets.

Naturally, Pioneer gear is also frequently used, including the Pioneer RMX-1000 Remix Station Platinum Limited Edition.

The Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS-M Platinum Edition and Pioneer DJM-2000NXS Mixer are other popular models Cox is known to use.

1. David Guetta

One of the world’s richest DJs, David Guetta’s career has gone from strength to strength since its inception in the early 2000s.

The Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer has helped define dance music and push the boundaries of DJ performances.

His attention to quality in the recording studio carries across to his DJ setups, which include a range of controllers, mixers, and CD players.

The ubiquitous Pioneer equipment is present, ranging from the CDJ-3000 to the quirky Pioneer DJ RMX-1000 Remix Station.

Guetta has also utilized the Pioneer EFX-500, which provides a wide range of effects to apply to tracks during DJ sets.

Outside of Pioneer equipment, he’s been known to use the Numark MX05 and TDC05 CD players in his live performances.

How To Build The Best DJ Setup

Delivering outstanding mixes requires investing in the necessary DJ gear that provides a streamlined and intuitive workflow.

Here are some factors to consider to help you build the best DJ setup for your requirements:

• Available budget: Your options for DJ gear will be largely informed by how much you’re willing to spend. If money is an issue, consider purchasing old DJ equipment on the second-hand market.
• DJing experience level: Experience level is another critical factor when choosing gear, with beginner and intermediate DJs requiring fewer features than professionals. Equipment featuring tools like key shifting, in addition to basic cue points, will require an increased budget.
• Preferred music style and genre: Different DJing styles require different tools, so if you’re considering scratch DJing with vinyl, introducing turntables will add to your costs.
• Professional DJing requirements: If you’re joining the ranks of mobile DJs or working in other professional settings, your equipment’s requirements may change. Investing in a club mixer is essential for mastering the features it offers before performing at a venue.

As your DJing evolves, you can incrementally upgrade your controllers and headphones to higher-quality brands and models.

Summary

The best DJ setups offer extensive performance features with tactile control that allows DJs to explore a range of mixing techniques.

Before you start DJing, check out the DJ gear outlined in this article and see what many DJs in the industry use for their sets.

Once your skill level improves, you can introduce gear like effects units and explore these new features in your live performances.