Let's face it, DJs get the coolest toys.
Guitarists get pedals and amps. Vocalists get microphones and (occasionally) Auto-Tune. DJ gadgets, however, include watches, headphones, decks, lighting, speakers, and tons more.
Here you'll find the most exciting DJ gadgets and accessories out there that you may have overlooked.
1. BassMe personal wearable subwoofer, £69.98 (RRP 83.99)
The phrase ‘feel the bass’ gets thrown around a lot, particularly at raves and clubs, but this is the first time you can say it and truly mean it.
The BassMe is a wearable subwoofer that transmits the sensation of the bass directly to you, so you can actually ‘feel’ it rather than just hear it.
You attach it to the right side of your chest to experience immersive sounds and haptics you couldn’t otherwise feel. The ergonomic design makes comfort a priority, too, so it’s a great experience overall.
While most are using it with their phone or gaming system via Bluetooth, it could be a chance for DJs to open up a new avenue of mixing. Syncing up tracks on the fly by ‘feeling’ the bass beat? Now that’s cool.
Related: Home DJ set ups—the ultimate guide
2. Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X, £126
If you’re a DJ that likes to add your own beats, bass lines or vocals to a track, the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X is a dream come true.
It’s a small, rounded square mixer that allows you to perform, mix and record all simultaneously—exactly what the best DJ gadgets should do.
Compared to the original GO:MIXER, this new and improved model comes with a TRRS cable that allows you to make an analogue connection to the headphone jack on your smartphone or laptop.
It also lets you connect a headset or plug-in mic and features a switch that minimizes distortion.
What’s more, you can add up to seven input sources, so you can create a track from scratch by adding a backing track or drum machine to one of the stereo line-level device outputs.
Building a track from one mixer about the size of a mobile phone? The future is here, and it’s fantastic.
3. Pioneer DJ PLX-500, £349
For all you turntable DJs out there who had their eye on the standout Pioneer PLX-1000 but couldn’t afford its high-end price tag, help is at hand. The company synonymous with the best decks in the world have now released a ‘budget’ version that feels anything but.
The Pioneer PLX-500 comes with all the features you’d expect of a good mid-range turntable: vibration damping, USB out and plenty of torque.
Some have questioned its stability and slower pickup speeds, but for sub-£400, it’s a dream piece of kit, and one of the best DJ gadgets available in the UK.
Need to replace the turntable-shaped hole in your life at the right price? Look no further.
Related: Why does a DJ need insurance?
4. Kam Cluster FX-Bar, £139
With all of the work that goes into a mobile DJ set—the decks, the MIDI controller, the hundreds of playlists—it can sometimes be easy to forget about the lighting.
Thankfully, a brand new and incredibly affordable solution is the Kam Cluster FX-Bar.
Rather than having to squeeze several lights into your car or van, this handy bundle provides an all-in-one set that includes the following:
- two red and green cluster laser lights
- two multicolour LED Par Cans
- a controller bar
- a stand
- a wireless remote
All of this is contained within one simple carry bag. If you have to dash to a gig, it could be a real lifesaver, making this one of the best DJ accessories to get your hands on.
5. Z-Jay Tablet, £TBC
It may still be in the crowdfunding stage and not yet fully released, but we think the Z-Jay tablet is such a game-changing DJ gadget that we just had to share it.
Essentially, it’s your classic DJ combination of two decks and a mixer—but replicated entirely on three linked touchscreen tablets.
That’s right, one integrated system and one interlinked device. Built-in speakers, Bluetooth, effects package, 25GB storage and even a built-in sampler mean you can take it anywhere and connect all your usual extras thanks to two aux-in ports—but it can also work as a stand-alone device if necessary.
Versatile technology is exactly what DJs need the most, and the Z-Jay tablet seems to combine portability with functionality for the ultimate DJ gadget.
Stay updated with the Z-Jay’s development on their Instagram.
Related: How to get wedding DJ gigs
6. BST FL-SMALLCASE Universal Flight Case, £80
Becoming a touring DJ is exciting, but preparation is key if you fly to some of your destinations.
That’s where the BST FL-SMALLCASE universal flight case comes in—it’s one of the most underrated DJ accessories out there.
You can use it to securely store your deck as you travel, as it comes with aluminium edges and ball-shaped protection corners to shield it from damage. It also has butterfly catches for added protection, as the case can’t open during transit.
The dimensions are 450x250x120mm, so you can check if it’s suitable for your equipment. If you need something bigger, look at the rest of the range at thedjshop.co.uk.
7. USB portable eye-care desk lamp, £11.59
It’s good to have a bit of light in the DJ booth, which is often quite dark to work in.
This lamp is reasonably priced yet comes with a range of features that make it perfect for DJing—the ability to adjust the angle across 180 degrees is especially convenient. You might find it useful to direct it at the mixer to improve visibility and make your life easier.
Since it provides glare-free eye protection through its flicker-free LED light, it won’t cause eye fatigue associated with regular lamps and torches. You can also control its brightness with the three-level touch control feature.
It’s great for setting up in a darker room, as it increases visibility as you connect cables to the back of your units. It could be a real lifesaver if you find yourself in this predicament!
Specialist DJ insurance through Insure4Music
Want to protect your DJ accessories and gadgets? You might want to take out specialist DJ insurance to give yourself peace of mind.
With Insure4Music, the cover protects your equipment against theft, loss, and damage, both in and out of your home, up to the value of £50,000.
You can also include up to £5m of Public Liability cover to protect you against third-party claims.
Find out more about our cover here or click the button below to get an instant online quote today.
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.