Looking to buy a Rekordbox controller or standalone DJ unit from Pioneer DJ/AlphaTheta, but not sure which to go for? In this article, I’ll explain to you what makes Rekordbox software and Rekordbox controllers/standalones different from the pack, and then give you our seven best DJ units for Rekordbox in 2025, with both high-end and entry-level choices. Beginner or advanced, there is something for you in what follows.
What’s different about Rekordbox?
Rekordbox started life as a music library program, for preparing music to export to USB and play on Pioneer DJ’s club DJ systems – still the pro standard.
But as soon as Pioneer DJ added the ability for it to work as “real” DJ software with controllers, it instantly became a contender – and now, having reached Rekordbox 7 (at the time of writing), it is pretty much neck-and-neck with Serato as the market leader. Rekordbox is nowadays Pioneer DJ/AlphaTheta’s own software that comes bundled with many of the company’s DJ controllers and standalones.
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Uniquely, any work you do to your music library when using Rekordbox as software with a DJ controller, can also be used when DJing “standalone” with Pioneer DJ/AlphaTheta all-in-ones (ie exporting your playlists to a drive that you plug in to such gear, away from laptops completely). This is something none of the other software platforms can offer. Therefore, in this roundup, we cover both types of equipment.
If you’re buying a pure Rekordbox DJ controller in 2025, there is not a huge amount of choice, and there are only three controllers we’d recommend. But we have also included our “all-in-one” standalone DJ systems that let you DJ with or without a laptop.
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7 Best Rekordbox DJ Controllers & Standalones 2025
1. Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10
The DDJ-FLX10 is a direct replacement for the now-discontinued DDJ-1000 (and, actually, the Serato-focused DDJ-1000SRT too), and brings everything the DDJ-1000 had, plus more. You get deep control over Rekordbox’s new Track Separation (aka stems) feature, an on-board DMX interface for easy lighting control via Rekordbox Lighting, and improved sound quality.
It’s also got hardware Beat FX onboard based on those you’ll find on the high-end DJM-A9 mixer and can work as a “real” mixer too, with external inputs for four sources and two mics, meaning the experience of using it is very much like DJing on pro Pioneer DJ club gear.
One for pro DJs who play open-format, and those who want an experience that’s as close to a CDJ / DJM set-up as possible in a controller. As a bonus, it also unlocks Serato DJ Pro, for an alternative software platform.
✅ Best control over Rekordbox software in any DJ controller❌ You may be paying for a lot of features you may never want or need
Price: $1599 / £1469/ €1649Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our review: Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 review Find out more: Pioneer DJ website
2. AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ
Launched to replace the ageing Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ, the AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ improves on it in almost every area with full four-channel control, a much better screen, next-generation software internally, far more powerful hardware, cloud music and streaming compatibility, and other modern functions that make it technically on a par with the Opus Quad (see below).
Unlike that unit though, this one looks and feels very similar to both club gear and the XDJ-XZ which it replaces, which for many is exactly what they’ve been waiting for this brand to launch. If you want something that looks and feels like club gear with the best of controller innovations built in as well, one that works both standalone and with the big software platforms, this is it. In other words, a great all-rounder.
It’s not all good news however – they’ve trimmed some of the inputs and outputs to cut costs over the XDJ-XZ, but for most people this still has everything they could possibly want – and of course, a price tag to reflect that.
✅ The XDJ-XZ replacement that so many DJs have waited so long for❌ It’s big, it’s heavy, and it’s expensive
Price: $3199 / £2799 / €3299Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our review: AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ review Find out more: AlphaTheta website
3. Pioneer DJ Opus Quad
Actually released before the XDJ-AZ, this unit divides opinion – from our point of view, it’s a desirable, striking and powerful unit that isn’t trying to replace club gear for that style of DJ, but aiming to entice a different type of DJ into this ecosystem with its slightly retro but arguably quite stylish look.
Read this next: AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ vs Pioneer DJ Opus Quad: High-End Showdown
It would be just as at home in the living room of the DJ who wants a signature piece as it would in a stylish bar or lounge – or indeed as a flagship mobile DJ controller for a high-end wedding DJ, just to give you some examples of where we have seen people loving this.
Under the hood it’s a powerful four-channel standalone DJ unit which is also compatible with Serato and Rekordbox, with lots of screens including a gorgeous 10-inch main screen, cloud library compatibility, and high-quality components and sound. It’s not as flexible with external gear as the XDJ-AZ but it is designed as a true all-in-one for DJs who want something that can do the job on its own, and with some style at that.
✅ A bold new design for a bold new DJ unit, its power matches its looks❌ Its looks aren’t for everyone
Price: $3199 / £2899 / €3299Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our review: Pioneer DJ Opus Quad ReviewFind out more: Pioneer DJ website
4. AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6
The DDJ-GRV6 is a replacement for the ill-conceived DDJ-FLX6 and improves on it in pretty much every way. It’s a relatively large controller with four channels instead of two, and full-sized jogwheels which are similar to those found on professional AlphaTheta gear.
This unit drops some of the gimmicks (that answered questions no one ever had) from its predecessor, and adds in a pretty useful new feature – its “Groove Circuit” function. In short, this lets you do some clever things with stems, especially with the drums, and it’s quite good fun…if far from essential. Note it works as advertised with Rekordbox, but the features are different when used with Serato.
Other than that, it’s an overgrown DDJ-FLX4, and sound quality-wise, input and output-wise, and build quality-wise, it has a lot more in common with that unit than the DDJ-FLX10 above it. But for many people, the full-sized jogwheels will be enough to make this a no-brainer over its smaller sibling, and it also unlocks Serato DJ Pro, which is unusual at this price point (note: Serato’s advanced key shift/sync freatures don’t work on Serato DJ Pro – and it’s costly to get them.)
✅ Looks good. The jogwheels feel really nice, and you get four full channels of software control❌ Still a consumer controller at heart, just an overgrown one
Price: $829 / £719 / €849Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our review: AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 reviewFind out more: AlphaTheta website
5. Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4
A very popular unit and our recommendation at this price point, this entry-level two-channel controller takes the CDJ/DJM club set-up as its influence, and distils it into a portable device for home use and maybe bar gigs.
The deck controls and Beat FX layout help new DJs get up to speed with Pioneer DJ’s hardware workflow for easier transition when they start gigging at clubs, but this time they are strictly controlling the software effects – no hardware mixing or onboard effects on this unit, like with the DDJ-FLX10.
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Its predecessor, the DDJ-400, became a much-loved controller even among pro DJs, because it was small, laid out in a familiar way, and sturdy. The DDJ-FLX4 builds on that legacy, and as a first controller it is an ideal choice, not least because this improved model has some cool new tricks to help beginner DJs blend songs together more smoothly.
Buy one, and I suspect you would end up keeping it as a back-up or second device even after upgrading to something bigger down the line.
✅ Proven beginner controller that still feels similar to using club gear❌ It’s new dark grey, rounded look is a step backwards from the DDJ-400 in some people’s eyes
Price: $299 / £279 / €289Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our review: Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 ReviewFind out more: Pioneer DJ website
6. Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3
This is another unit that can work as both a Rekordbox controller and standalone DJ console. If you think you’re going to want to DJ with a laptop occasionally (maybe at home, when using streaming services for example) but you also want to be able to DJ without one (when gigging, for instance), then this may be a good choice.
It’s not best-in-class at anything, being only two channel and lacking the modern DJing features of, say, the DDJ-FLX10, but for not an awful lot more than that unit, you’re getting that standalone capability too (and it also works with Serato).
Not everyone wants all the latest bells and whistles, and if your priorities are a well-built, reliable, professional looking yet relatively portable DJ console that can do a bit of everything, you may decide this ticks enough of your boxes to be a no brainer for you. It’s certainly a very popular unit.
✅ A workhorse – reliable, pro looking, jack of all trades❌ There is no key shift or key sync when using it in standalone mode
Price: $2099 / £1699 / €1999Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our review: Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3 ReviewFind out more: Pioneer DJ website
7. AlphaTheta Omnis Duo
This all-in-one standalone DJ unit is probably best seen as an answer to the Denon DJ Prime Go/Go+. Two channel but still powerful (it runs on the same tech as the Opus Quad), it has a built-in battery meaning it can be used anywhere you can get it to – along with a suitable speaker, of course. It also has a lot of Bluetooth tech built into it, which is unusual for a DJ controller. They recently added Wi-Fi Apple Music compatibility, which definitely makes this more attractive to DJs wanting something they can use for casual DJing at home or for taking the odd request to an out and about gig as well.
Read this next: Best All-In-One Standalone DJ Systems 2025
The company has gone for a bold blue livery for this unit, marking it out from more standard DJ gear in the same way the Opus Quad is marked out from such gear, although achieving a very different look from that unit. But also like the Opus Quad, it can work happily with or without a laptop attached.
✅ A distinctive product, and the first ever unit from Pioneer DJ/AlphaTheta with a built-in battery❌ Clearly, ahem, influenced by the Denon DJ Prime Go, to which it bears more than a passing resemblance
Price: $1499 / £1369 / €1549Our rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our review: AlphaTheta Omnis Duo ReviewFind out more: AlphaTheta website
Finally…
Still confused about the right choices to make when buying new DJ gear? Grab a copy of our 2025 DJ Gear Guide when you join Digital DJ Tips for free.
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