# Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 vs Roland DJ-202: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 (Hercules DJ) and Roland DJ-202 (Roland) among dj controllers. Roland DJ-202 is the cheaper of the two at $299.

## Side by side

| Spec | Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 | Roland DJ-202 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $349.99 | $299 |
| Brand | Hercules DJ | Roland |
| Released | 2020-07 | 2017-11 |
| Channels | 2 | 2 |
| Jog wheel size (in) | 5.5 in | ~5.9 in (~150 mm) |
| Pads per deck | 8 | 8 |
| Standalone | No | No |
| Built in soundcard | Yes | Yes |
| Audio outputs | 2x 1/4" master (L/R), 2x RCA master (L/R), 1x 1/8" headphones, 1x 1/4" headphones | 1x RCA master (L/R), 1x 1/4" headphones, 1x MIDI OUT |
| Software bundle | Serato DJ Lite, DJUCED | Serato DJ Lite (Serato DJ Pro upgrade-ready) |
| Deck control | 2 decks | 4 decks (2-channel mixer with 4-deck switching) |

## Key differences

- Jog wheel size (in): Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 5.5 in vs Roland DJ-202 ~5.9 in (~150 mm)
- Audio outputs: Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 2x 1/4" master (L/R), 2x RCA master (L/R), 1x 1/8" headphones, 1x 1/4" headphones vs Roland DJ-202 1x RCA master (L/R), 1x 1/4" headphones, 1x MIDI OUT
- Software bundle: Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 Serato DJ Lite, DJUCED vs Roland DJ-202 Serato DJ Lite (Serato DJ Pro upgrade-ready)
- Deck control: Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 2 decks vs Roland DJ-202 4 decks (2-channel mixer with 4-deck switching)

## What reviewers say

**Roland DJ-202** — Only one whitelisted tester (MusicRadar) covers this exact model, in a roundup verdict with no measured lab data. MusicRadar calls it a great, surprisingly well-featured four-deck Serato controller, praised for sturdy jog wheels and on-board Roland 808/909/707 drum machines, but flags cheap-feeling performance pads and lock-in to Serato DJ. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500: https://www.hercules.com/en-us/product/djcontrol-inpulse-500/ (hercules.com, verified 2026-06-20)
- Roland DJ-202: https://www.roland.com/us/company/press_releases/2017/ROLAND-ANNOUNCES-DJ-505-AND-DJ-202-DJ-CONTROLLERS/ (roland.com, verified 2026-06-20)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/dj-controllers/hercules-djcontrol-inpulse-500-vs-roland-dj-202/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 ($349.99) vs Roland DJ-202 ($299) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/dj-controllers/hercules-djcontrol-inpulse-500-vs-roland-dj-202/
License: CC BY 4.0.