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
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... ... ... Source: passionatedj.com - On 23 Jul 2022
MSpot ranked Traktor Kontrol S2 as #7 Rank DJ Controller ... ... #7 out of 10 Traktor Kontrol S2 ... ... Source: www.mspot.com - 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 TraktorSource: homedjstudio.com - On 20 Oct 2023
gear4music.com ranked Native Instruments S4 Mk3 as #7 Rank DJ Controller ... ... #7 out of 13 Native Instruments S4 Mk3 ... ... Source: www.gear4music.com - 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... ... ... Source: www.guitarcenter.com
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.
| 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 | - | - |
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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]
- 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 |
- 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
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- 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