Best DJ Controllers · head-to-head

Numark Party Mix II vs Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Numark Party Mix II is cheaper at $99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Numark Party Mix II or Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Numark Party Mix II is the cheaper at $99.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Numark Party Mix II Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500
US price $99 $349.99
BrandNumarkHercules DJ
Released20212020-07
Channels 2 2
Jog wheel size (in) 4 in (capacitive touch) 5.5 in
Pads per deck 4 8
Standalone No No
Built in soundcard Yes Yes
Audio outputs 1x 3.5 mm master, 1x 3.5 mm headphones 2x 1/4" master (L/R), 2x RCA master (L/R), 1x 1/8" headphones, 1x 1/4" headphones
Software bundle Serato DJ Lite Serato DJ Lite, DJUCED
Deck control 2 decks 2 decks
Release 2021 2020-07

Sources — Numark Party Mix II: numark.com (verified 2026-06-20). Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500: hercules.com (verified 2026-06-20).

What's the difference between the Numark Party Mix II and Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Jog wheel size (in): Numark Party Mix II 4 in (capacitive touch) vs Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 5.5 in
  • Pads per deck: Numark Party Mix II 4 vs Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 8
  • Audio outputs: Numark Party Mix II 1x 3.5 mm master, 1x 3.5 mm headphones vs Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 2x 1/4" master (L/R), 2x RCA master (L/R), 1x 1/8" headphones, 1x 1/4" headphones
  • Software bundle: Numark Party Mix II Serato DJ Lite vs Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 Serato DJ Lite, DJUCED

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Numark Party Mix II

Across 2 testing outlets (MusicTech, Digital DJ Tips), the Numark Party Mix II earns a consistently positive verdict as a budget beginner DJ controller. Both reviewers were struck by how sturdy and well-built it feels for its low price, citing solid knobs, smooth-moving faders, and metal jog plates rather than the cheap feel typical of entry-level gear. The main knocks are the limited EQ control (no three-band parametric EQ) and the weak built-in speakers, which one outlet notes any decent portable Bluetooth speaker would beat. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

Praised: Feels sturdy and well-built despite the low price (solid knobs, smooth faders, metal jog plates); Great value / fun for beginners at its price point.

Flagged: Built-in speakers are weak, easily outperformed by a decent Bluetooth speaker; Lacks a three-band parametric EQ for precise tonal control.

Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500

No sourced tester review yet.

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