Hercules DJ
Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500
$349.99
Released 2020-07
Best DJ Controllers · head-to-head
Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 vs Roland DJ-202
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Roland DJ-202 is cheaper at $299. Every spec and price links to its source.
Roland
Roland DJ-202
$299Cheaper
Released 2017-11
Which is better: the Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 or Roland DJ-202?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Roland DJ-202 is the cheaper at $299.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| 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) |
| Release | 2020-07 | 2017-11 |
Sources — Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500: hercules.com (verified 2026-06-20). Roland DJ-202: roland.com (verified 2026-06-20).
What's the difference between the Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 and Roland DJ-202?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500
No sourced tester review yet.
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.)
Praised: Solid, tactile jog wheels and light-but-sturdy chassis; On-board Roland 808/909/707 drum machines with sequencing and vocal FX; Serato integration is peerless for the price; excels as a four-deck Serato controller.
Flagged: Performance pads feel cheap, especially given the on-board drum machines; Designed specifically for Serato DJ; won't play nice with other software without serious MIDI mapping; Feature-cramming means lots of screenless menuing and a learning curve.