Overview

As the DJ controller market continues to evolve, ‘all-in-one DJ systems‘ (sometimes referred to as standalone DJ controllers) have fast become a popular alternative to DJ’ing with a laptop.

In this buyer’s guide, we’ll provide a simple overview of the 5 best all-in-one DJ systems in 2022, along with everything you’ll need to make a buying decision.

As the market leaders in this category, these are the 5 best standalone DJ systems you’ll find anywhere on the market. They’re all priced between $1,100-2,600 USD.

Not what you’re looking for? Check out other similar posts on our best DJ controller series page.

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Who are these all-in-one DJ systems for?

An ”all-in-one” (or standalone) DJ system will be most applicable if you roughly fall into one of these 3 categories:

1. You’re an experienced DJ that’s looking for a high-end DJ system for their home or studio setup.
2. You’re a mobile DJ that’s looking for a ‘no laptop required’ professional unit for their gigs.
3. You’re a passionate bedroom or ‘hobbyist’ DJ that likes the idea of DJing without a laptop.

How to choose?

Once you’ve decided that an all-in-one DJ system is what you’re looking for, then it really comes down to which one you prefer – and of course, what DJ software you plan on using.

The 5 on this list are all high-end DJ systems, all with more functionality than most DJs would ever realistically use in a typical DJ set or at a gig. Specs and connections wise, they’re all designed for professional use.

With that said, what’s MOST important is that you consider their unique selling points, and what that means to you and your situation!

An important note before we get started

One common problem with some of these ‘best controller’ blogs you see online is they tend to date very quickly. This is mainly due to the rate at which new DJ controllers (or DJ systems) hit the market.

This post, however, is regularly updated by our team as things change or appropriately when new models get released. 

In other words, whenever you’re reading this, you can rest assured it’s as up-to-date as you’re going to get!

Let’s jump into the 5 best all-in-one DJ systems in 2022!

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Description:

Released at the beginning of 2019, the Prime 4 from Denon DJ has to be the most advanced all-in-one DJ system available in the market today.

It comes with Denon’s proprietary Engine DJ music management & DJ software as standard (operating system built-in), and will also work as a DJ controller with Serato DJ Pro or Virtual DJ.

Jump down to No.6 on this post for more on Engine DJ.

Power supply:

It’s ready to go out-of-the-box, either as a standalone unit or as a DJ controller powered through your laptop/USB port.

Product slide show:

Highlights:

Leading the way with regards to innovation, there’s no shortage of things to talk about with the prime 4. It has a large marketing-leading touchscreen, built-in hard drive and SD card inserts, and also supports higher-quality uncompressed music files such as FLAC and WAV.

The unit also has wired & WIFI connectivity, allowing for the use of supported streaming services including TIDAL, Beatport Link, Beatsource Link and SoundCloud Go+.

You can also import your music library from the leading DJ software providers, allowing DJs that are currently using Serato, Rekordbox or Traktor to easily synchronize it and move it over. Same goes for iTunes.

Key features/specs:

• 4-channel all-in-one DJ system; comes with Denon’s Engine DJ music management & DJ software.
• Both wired & WIFI connectivity options within Engine; supports streaming platforms including Beatport Link, Beatsource Link, SoundCloud and TIDAL.
• Option to sync and import your music library from all the leading DJ software providers.
• Multicore processor powered.
• Rugged metal chassis.
• Multi-function 10-inch glass, colour touchscreen with adjustable stand and advanced library search options.
• Supports uncompressed audio files including FLAC, ALAC and WAV files.
• Keep your entire music collection on board; load your music either via the built-in SATA hard drive (hard drive not included), USB port, or the SD card insert.
• 6-inch touch-capacitive metal jog wheels with HD display in centre for track artwork or your personal logo – plus customizable RGB light for visual preference.
• 14 FX controls taken from Denon’s X1800 pro club mixer.
• 8 performance pads for each channel for Hot cue, Loop, Roll, Slicer, and samples.
• StagelinQ connectivity for Event/Pro DJ lighting and video control.
• 4 USB inputs and 2 dedicated Mic channels.
• Dedicated ‘Zone Outputs’ allow you to control a different location (or room) through one of the 4 channels.
• Powerful Key Sync controls for seamless harmonic mixing.
• External outputs to connect turntables or CDJs; all pro inputs & outputs as standard (record your DJ sets from any connected source).
• Size: Width 728.47mm x Depth 496.82mm x Height 103.63mm.
• Weight: 9.7kg.

Key takeaways/conclusion:

This top-of-the-range DJ system is well ahead of its time in the market, with its versatility and connectivity specs making it an excellent all-in-one option for any mobile DJ. Or more generally – for ANY DJ that has a thing for the ‘latest tech’.

Its built-in hard drive space and SD inserts are unique in the market, giving DJs the option to easily carry around their entire music collection ‘on board’. You can even control multiple room outputs in a venue with this thing if you wanted to.

Whilst it won’t be for everyone, the possibilities are endless with the Prime 4!

Approximate price:

Expect to pay somewhere between $1,800-2,200 USD.

Need more help deciding?

Watch Denon’s feature overview or check out this full video review. Also visit the manufacturer’s product page.

Where to buy?

Here are some handy links based on location:

Note: Commissions may be earned from the above links. See our affiliate declaration.

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Description:

Released at the end of 2019, the XDJ-XZ is Pioneer’s flagship 4-channel all-in-one DJ system. It comes bundled with their proprietary music management and DJ software, Rekordbox, and also works as a DJ controller (w/connected laptop) with Serato DJ Pro and Virtual DJ.

Power supply:

It’s ready to go out-of-the-box, either as a standalone unit without the use of a laptop or as a DJ controller powered through your laptop/USB port.

Product slide show:

Key features/specs:

• 4-channel all-in-one DJ system (note, you can only use 2 channels in standalone mode).
• Also works as a DJ controller with Serato DJ Pro and Virtual DJ.
• With ‘Link’ export mode you can plug in CDJs to use the other 2 channels.
• Prepare your music in Rekordbox and transfer onto USB sticks; pre-set cue points, loops, add beat countdowns, analyse keys and much more.
• 7-inch LCD touch screen + colour on-jog displays.
• Full-sized 8-inch mechanical jog wheels, identical to that found on Pioneer’s CDJ-2000NSX2 media players.
• 3 x USB ports; useful for back-to-back DJ changeovers without laptops, and for recording your set on a spare USB.
• 2 x laptop connections for DJ changeovers or back-to-backs with laptops.
• 6 Built-in ‘Sound Colour’ FX and 14 ‘Beat FX’ taken from Pioneers’ DJM pro club mixers.
• 8 multi-colour rubber performance pads for each channel to trigger various in-software features.
• 2 x Mic input with dedicated 3 band EQs, talkover adjuster and feedback reducer.
• Dedicated onboard room/master EQ controls.
• External outputs to connect turntables or CDJs; all pro inputs/outputs as standard.
• Size: Width 878mm x Depth 466.1mm x Height 118.4mm.
• Weight: 13kg.

Key takeaways/conclusion:

The Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ is the largest (and easily the heaviest) DJ system on this list. It has lots of pro functionality that would typically appeal to mobile DJs, with its 3 x USB ports, dual laptop plugins, a dedicated dual-Mic area, and onboard master EQ control area.

At around $2,500 USD, it’s also the most expensive unit on this list, with the Denon Prime 4 coming in about $500 cheaper depending on where you get it from. Regardless of price, the XDJ-XZ is unique in its own right, as it’s literally the only standalone unit on the market that almost identically replicates a CDJ club experience. And considering the most basic club setup would cost roughly 3 x the amount, there’s no doubt that’s a massive selling point!

Whilst the XDJ-XZ may not compete with the Prime 4 in the ‘latest tech & innovation’ department, it really depends on what’s most important to you (ie, that massive selling point I’ve just mentioned!). Just bear in mind, it only works with two channels in standalone mode (not four) – which could be an issue for some.

Approximate price:

Expect to pay anywhere between $2,200-2,600 USD.

Need more help deciding?

Watch Pioneer’s intro video or check out this full video review. Also visit the manufacturer’s product page.

Where to buy?

Here are some handy links based on location:

Note: Commissions may be earned from the above links. See our affiliate declaration.

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Description:

The Prime 2 is a 2-channel all-in-one DJ system from Denon DJ. It comes with Denon’s proprietary Engine DJ music management & DJ software (operating system built-in) and also works as a DJ controller with Virtual DJ. It was released to the market in January 2020.

Jump down to No.6 on this post for more on Engine DJ.

Power supply:

The Prime 2 will be ready to go out-of-the-box, either as a standalone unit without the use of a laptop or as a DJ controller powered through your laptop/USB port.

Product slide show:

Key features/specs:

• 2-channel all-in-one DJ system; comes with Denon’s Engine DJ music management/DJ software.
• Both wired & WIFI connectivity options within Engine; supports streaming platforms including TIDAL, Beatport Link, Beatsource Link and SoundCloud Go+.
• Option to sync and import your music library from all the leading DJ software providers and iTunes.
• Multi-function 7-inch glass, colour touchscreen with advanced library search options.
• Supports uncompressed audio files including FLAC, ALAC and WAV files.
• Keep your entire music collection on board; load your music either via the built-in SATA hard drive (hard drive not included), multiple USB ports, or the SD card insert.
• 6-inch touch-capacitive metal jog wheels, with HD display in centre for track artwork or your personal logo, plus customizable RGB light for visual preference.
• 14 FX controls taken from Denon’s X1800 pro club mixer.
• 8 performance pads for each channel for Hot cue, Loop, Roll, Slicer, and samples.
• StagelinQ connectivity for Event/Pro DJ lighting and video control.
• 2 dedicated Mic inputs with EQ, level, and talkover controls.
• Powerful Key Sync controls for seamless harmonic mixing.
• Size: Width 644.8mm x Depth 410.1mm x Height 120.2mm.
• Weight: 7.2kg.

Key takeaways/conclusion:

The Prime 2 has most of the same ‘tech leading’ features that we spoke about with the prime 4 – such as the built-in hard drive and SD card inserts, and wired & WIFI connectivity. With its smaller, non-adjustable touchscreen, it’s basically a stripped-down 2-channel version of it.

At around $1,500 USD, the Prime 2 is about $500 cheaper than the XDJ-RX3 (Pioneer’s 2-channel standalone contender that’s next on this list), and there’s no question that it’s way more advanced from a tech/innovation perspective. And whilst you can’t connect turntables or CDJs with this unit, it still has just about everything that most mobile DJs are ever going to need.

If we were to assume that you’re sold on getting an all-in-one DJ system from Denon, then the only question you really have to ask yourself is – ‘do I just pay an extra $400 (give or take) and get the Prime 4’?

Approximate price:

Expect to pay anywhere between $1,400-1,850 USD.

Need more help deciding?

Watch this feature overview from Denon or check out this full video review. Also visit the manufacturer’s product page.

Where to buy?

Here are some handy links based on location:

Note: Commissions may be earned from the above links. See our affiliate declaration.

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Description:

The XDJ-RX3 is a 2-channel all-in-one DJ system from Pioneer DJ (the latest in the ‘RX’ series). It comes with their music management/DJ software, Rekordbox, and is also compatible with Serato DJ Pro (support coming in early 2022).

It was launched to market in November 2021, making it the most recent DJ system on this list to be released.

Power supply:

It’s ready to go out-of-the-box, either as a standalone unit without the use of a laptop or as a DJ controller powered through your laptop/USB port.

Product slide show:

Key features/specs:

• 2-channel, 4-deck all-in-one DJ system, comes with Rekordbox and compatible with Serato DJ Pro.
• Prepare your music in Rekordbox and transfer onto USB sticks; pre-set cue points, loops, add beat countdowns, analyze keys and much more.
• Large, high-res 10.1-inch touch screen – now with rapid browsing, playlist bank, touch preview and countdown timer.
• Improved audio design of the circuit board for better sound (compared to previous model).
• 6-inch touch-capacitive jog wheels with tension adjustment and colour ‘on jog’ displays.
• Dual-USB ports onboard for standalone mode. Load your tracks on one and record your mixes on the other; also useful for back-to-back DJ changeovers without laptops.
• Supports high-quality uncompressed audio files including AIFF, WAV and FLAC.
• Built-in ‘Sound Color’ and ‘Beat FX’ taken from Pioneer’s DJM pro club mixers; now includes an extra 6 Beat FX and 2 additional Sound Color FX as found on the XDJ-XZ.
• 8 fully-illuminated performance pads on each channel with secondary pad layer modes (with gated Hot Cues). Pads trigger hot cues, Beat loop, Slip Loop and Beat Jump.
• External outputs to connect turntables or CDJs plus 2 Mic inputs; all pro inputs/outputs as standard.
• Size: Width 728.1mm x Depth 469.5mm x Height 118.4mm.
• Weight: 9.3kg

Key takeaways/conclusion:

Coming in at around $2,000 USD, The XDJ-RX3 is the upgrade from Pioneer’s previous 2-channel standalone contender, the XDJ-RX2.

With a more refined design than the previous model, the RX3 also inherits the layout and workflow of a professional Pioneer club setup, creating a seamless transition from the bedroom.

It has a new high-res, 10.1-inch screen (the biggest on ANY standalone system from Pioneer to date), with a more powerful processor than the RX2, allowing tracks to load quicker – all in all, offering a much better browsing experience than before!

Pioneer has also added ‘on jog’ displays on the jog wheels this time around. The small screens show if you have things like vinyl mode, beat sync or slip mode engaged, and you can also display track artwork or a custom logo.

Simply put, if your heart is set on an all-in-one DJ system from Pioneer—and, if you think you’re never going to use 4 channels—then this is likely the one for you! It’s approximately $500 USD cheaper than the 4-channel XDJ-XZ, and it’s got just about everything your average bedroom DJ (or indeed mobile professional) would likely ever need.

It’s also worth mentioning that you ARE able to connect CDJs and turntables with the RX3, unlike its closest competitor in this category, Denon’s Prime 2. Just don’t forget, there’s no WiFi connectively, so no streaming services.

Approximate price:

$2,000 USD when it came out (Nov 2021).

Need more help deciding?

Watch Pioneer’s walkthrough video or check out this full video review. Also visit the manufacturer’s product page.

Where to buy?

Here are some handy links based on location:

Note: Commissions may be earned from the above links. See our