The Front Desk Review

Native Instruments · Updated June 2026

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3: price, specs & release date

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3, released 2018-11. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.

Source: djtechtools.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger

GoldDeskmark68/100#3 of 18 in class

The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 is listed at $899 on djtechtools.com as of 2026-06-27, #12 cheapest of 18 DJ controllers (median $674); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Gold Deskmark — 68/100 pay-blind standing, #3 of 18 in class.

Verified Jun 27, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below

Cheapest DJ controllers: Numark Party Mix II — $99

See Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 on Amazon Live price at the store — may differ from the dated listed price above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 — Native Instruments
Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Price history

$899
2019-07-22↓4% on record2026-06-27

How we know these prices

The curve above is one dated record of this product's price on its own source page — our own tracking combined with Internet Archive snapshots reaching back before we began. Every archived point links to the snapshot that proves it, so you can verify each one yourself.

Verify each point — 6 archived snapshots

Is the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 a good buy?

At $899, the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 is #12 cheapest of the 18 DJ controllers we track, where the median is $674. On the spec sheet, its channels of 4 is the highest of the 18, and its pads per deck of 8 is at the median of the 18.

Evidence of Record

Our data

No independent lab has measured this product yet. 1 outlet has it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.

A coverage record, not a rating. How we count

Review consensus · sourced & dated

What reviewers say about the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3

Only one whitelisted outlet, Engadget, covered this exact model, and only as a launch preview/announcement rather than a lab test, so no measurements exist and its impressions are largely forward-looking. It highlights the motorized 'Haptic Drive' jog wheels and per-deck displays as the standout S4 MK3 upgrades. Sound on Sound and MusicRadar never reviewed this model; treat this as preliminary.

Based on 1 review · 2018-09-06

Tested by Engadget

Consistently praised

  • Motorized 'Haptic Drive' jog wheels let you feel cue points as you roll the wheel
  • Per-deck displays give immediate visual feedback, reducing reliance on the laptop screen
  • Configurable jog-wheel torque and start/stop speed

Commonly flagged

  • Jog-wheel 'feel' benefits were described speculatively ('Hopefully...'), not confirmed by extended hands-on testing

Where reviewers disagree Single-source only, so no cross-source comparison is possible. The deep-testing music outlets (Sound on Sound, MusicRadar) did not review this exact model, leaving haptic jog-wheel performance and audio quality unverified by any hands-on lab test.

The sources (1)

Engadget hands-on ·

This means you can set a cue point and "feel" it as you roll the wheel back and forth — something those who like to mix the old-fashioned way (me included) will appreciate.
The other major difference with the S4 is the addition of displays for each deck — similar to those found on the S8, just smaller — for more immediate visual feedback (track title, waveform etc), so you don't need to look at your laptop as much.
Hopefully, this means backspins/rewinds and even gentle nudges (to tighten up your mix) will feel more intuitive and natural.

Specifications

Price (US)$899 Launch MSRP/MAP (USD); current street price ~$829
BrandNative Instruments
Released2018-11
Channels4
Jog wheel size (in)5.5 in (motorized, haptic)
Pads per deck8
StandaloneNo
Built in soundcardYes
Audio outputs2x XLR master (L/R), 2x RCA master (L/R), 2x 1/4" TRS booth, 1/4" and 1/8" headphones
Software bundleTraktor Pro 3 (included)
Deck control4 decks

Source: djtechtools.com (verified 2026-06-20) · corroborated by digitaldjtips.com. $899 launch MSRP/MAP corrected from draft's $939 — confirmed by NI fact sheet and Digital DJ Tips launch coverage (available from 1 Nov 2018). 5.5-inch motorized Haptic Drive jog wheels confirmed from DJ TechTools. 8 RGB pads/deck and XLR+RCA master / TRS booth outputs confirmed from multiple reviews. Ships with Traktor Pro 3.

Is the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 worth it vs cheaper DJ controllers?

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 against its closest cheaper and pricier DJ controllers on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 18 ranked

ProductPriceChannelsJog wheel size (in)Pads per deckStandaloneBuilt in soundcard
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 this$89945.5 in (motorized, haptic)8NoYes
Hercules DJControl Inpulse T7$849.9927 in (motorized platters)8NoYes
Pioneer DDJ-1000$119948.11 in (206 mm)8NoYes

Frequently asked questions

What do reviewers say about the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3?

Only one whitelisted outlet, Engadget, covered this exact model, and only as a launch preview/announcement rather than a lab test, so no measurements exist and its impressions are largely forward-looking. It highlights the motorized 'Haptic Drive' jog wheels and per-deck displays as the standout S4 MK3 upgrades. Sound on Sound and MusicRadar never reviewed this model; treat this as preliminary. Praised: Motorized 'Haptic Drive' jog wheels let you feel cue points as you roll the wheel; Per-deck displays give immediate visual feedback, reducing reliance on the laptop screen; Configurable jog-wheel torque and start/stop speed. Flagged: Jog-wheel 'feel' benefits were described speculatively ('Hopefully...'), not confirmed by extended hands-on testing. (From 1 tester review.)

How much does the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 cost?

The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 has a US price of $899 (Launch MSRP/MAP (USD); current street price ~$829), as of 2026-06-20.

How does the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 compare on price?

At $899, the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 is #12 cheapest of the 18 DJ controllers we track, where the median is $674.

Has the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3's price dropped?

Yes — since 2019-07-22 the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 has fallen 4.3%, from $939 to $899.

What is the lowest price the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 has been?

The lowest we have recorded for the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 is $899 on 2026-06-27 — which is its current price.

Is now a good time to buy the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3?

At $899, the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 is at the lowest price we have recorded since 2019-07-22.

When was the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 released?

The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 was released 2018-11.

What are the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3's key specs?

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 (Native Instruments): channels 4, jog wheel size in 5.5 in (motorized, haptic), pads per deck 8, standalone No, built in soundcard Yes. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-20.

Price of record: $899 at djtechtools.com, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:

See Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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