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Experts recommend Native Instruments S4 Mk3 more than Traktor Kontrol S2

As of 15 Jan 2025, experts prefer Native Instruments S4 Mk3 over Traktor Kontrol S2, but both DJ Controllers have solid expert endorsements.

As per this month's meta ranking, Native Instruments S4 Mk3 received 3 recommendations: from gear4music.com (20 Oct 2023), Guitar Center (6 Jan 2025) and Passionate DJ (31 Mar 2022). Traktor Kontrol S2 was also endorsed 3 times: by MSpot (23 Jul 2022), Home DJ Studio (26 Feb 2024) and Passionate DJ (31 Mar 2022). However, experts generally ranked Traktor Kontrol S2 lower than Native Instruments S4 Mk3 in their articles, which caused it to rank lower in ReviewFinder ranking.

Rank Change Price DJ Controller
gear4music.com
Guitar Center
Equipboard
Music Radar
Prime Sound
LandR
MSpot
Home DJ Studio
Music Critic
Passionate DJ
12
- $920
Native Instruments S4 Mk3
The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3 DJ Controller is a versatile and feature-packed device that is well-suited for DJs who require multiple channels and a variety of inputs and outputs for their performances.
7
13
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
14
- $339
Traktor Kontrol S2
The Traktor Kontrol S2 DJ Controller is a well-designed and feature-rich two-channel controller suitable for beginner and professional DJs, with a club-standard layout, smooth and accurate physical controls, and compatibility with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
5
-
12

Curious to see this month's entire DJ Controllers ranking? It's here

About our ranking methodology

Endorsement summary:

  • On 31 Mar 2022 Passionate DJ ranked Native Instruments S4 Mk3 as #2 and Traktor Kontrol S2 as #12
    Rank DJ Controller Comment
    ... ... ...
    #2 out of 13 Native Instruments S4 Mk3
    Best DJ Controllers Over $1000
    ... ... ...
    #12 out of 13 Traktor Kontrol S2
    Best DJ Controllers Under $500
    ... ... ...
  • On 23 Jul 2022 MSpot ranked Traktor Kontrol S2 as #7
    Rank DJ Controller
    ... ...
    #7 out of 10 Traktor Kontrol S2
    ... ...
  • On 26 Feb 2024 Home DJ Studio ranked Traktor Kontrol S2 as #5
    Rank DJ Controller Comment
    ... ... ...
    #5 out of 5 Traktor Kontrol S2
    Best For Traktor
  • On 20 Oct 2023 gear4music.com ranked Native Instruments S4 Mk3 as #7
    Rank DJ Controller
    ... ...
    #7 out of 13 Native Instruments S4 Mk3
    ... ...
  • On 6 Jan 2025 Guitar Center ranked Native Instruments S4 Mk3 as #13
    Rank DJ Controller Comment
    ... ... ...
    #13 out of 15 Native Instruments S4 Mk3
    Best DJ Controller for TRAKTOR
    ... ... ...

After counting and adding up the 91 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Native Instruments S4 Mk3 outranks Traktor Kontrol S2. This is not to say that Traktor Kontrol S2 is a bad option. Like Native Instruments S4 Mk3, it is recommended by experts, but less.

MetaRanking Common points from expert reviews summarized.
As can be seen below, Native Instruments S4 Mk3 outranks Traktor Kontrol S2 by 2 positions. This indicates that, as of 15 Jan 2025, Native Instruments S4 Mk3 is more critically acclaimed than Traktor Kontrol S2.
Rank Change Price DJ Controller
gear4music.com
Guitar Center
Equipboard
Music Radar
Prime Sound
LandR
MSpot
Home DJ Studio
Music Critic
Passionate DJ
1
- $1499
Rane Four
12
3
-
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
2
- $299
Pioneer DDJ-FLX4
The Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 DJ Controller is a versatile and user-friendly option suitable for both beginner and intermediate DJs, offering a wide range of effects and compatibility with various devices and software options.
-
9
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
9
3
- $275
Pioneer DDJ REV1
The Pioneer DDJ REV1 DJ Controller is a versatile and reliable controller suitable for both beginner and advanced DJs, with a battle-style layout, powerful effects section, and compatibility with Serato DJ software.
4
14
-
-
-
-
-
3
-
10
4
- $300
Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500
The Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 is a durable and versatile DJ controller with a user-friendly interface, a variety of effects, and compatibility with Serato DJ Pro and DJUCED software.
6
-
-
2
-
-
-
2
-
-
Show all rows
Expert Reviews There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. Below are their opinions.

Expert reviews [9]

87
Total expert reviews: 9
  • with a score: 2
  • without a score: 7
Highest score by Home DJ Studio
94
Average score based on 9 reviews
87
Lowest score by Music Radar
80

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20

Expert reviews [8]

91
Total expert reviews: 8
  • with a score: 3
  • without a score: 5
Highest score by Music Radar
100
Average score based on 8 reviews
91
Lowest score by BestDJStuff
84

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
From Seller:
  • Jog mode: Classic spin-to-nudge function, as well as scratch capability
  • Beat grid adjust mode: Use the jog wheel to manually adjust beat grid in TRAKTOR
  • Club-standard layout with identical deck design, 2-channel mixer, and fast control of key TRAKTOR features
  • Read more
From Seller:
  • New large motorized jog wheels with haptic feedback in three modes: Feel a 'click' for cue points and loops when scrolling through tracks
  • RGB LED Ring surrounding each jog wheel visualizes deck rotation in jog and turntable modes, track tempo, and deck selection (A and B in blue, C and D in orange)
  • Read more
Video Reviews Most popular unboxing/review videos.
Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 by Native Instruments - Demo & Review
Review by Crossfader
Very popular! 240K views!
Play video review
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 Demo
Review by Sweetwater
Popular! 31K views!
Play video review
Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 Review & Demo - Best Native Instruments Controller For Traktor Pro 3?
Review by Digital DJ Tips
Popular! 81K views!
Play video review
Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 - Demo & Review
Review by Crossfader
Very popular! 171K views!
Play video review
TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK3: What's New? | Native Instruments
Review by Native Instruments
Very popular! 123K views!
Play video review
Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3 Review & Demo + Native Instruments Traktor Pro 3 New Features
Review by Digital DJ Tips
Popular! 84K views!
Play video review

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