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DJ Tech Reviews

Pioneer DJ DJM-S5

Pioneer's cheapest S-series scratch mixer: the Magvel fader and USB bus power, but four clicky pads a side.

Pioneer DJ DJM-S5 at an angle

Photos: Pioneer DJ / AlphaTheta Corporation

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88%

of 8 reviews recommend it4.0/5 from 3 Guitar Center owners

See reviews
Best for
Serato DJs learning to scratch who want the S-series layout and a portable setup.
Skip it if
You play rekordbox, want hardware effects, or perform routines that need eight pads.

The Internet’s Opinion

From 8 professional reviews and 1 owner review: a fair amount of evidence.

Seven of eight professional reviews recommend it as the cheapest way into Pioneer's S-series scratch layout, for its Magvel Fader Pro, USB bus power and full-size effect paddles. The repeated reservations are fiddly shift and mode combinations, four clicky pads per side, no hardware effects and no power adapter in the box. Owner evidence is thin: Thomann does not list it and Guitar Center holds three reviews, one long enough to read.

7 recommend1 mixed0 avoid

What people praise

  • Same Magvel Fader Pro crossfader as Pioneer's dearer scratch mixers
  • USB-C bus power allows a laptop-powered, portable setup
  • Full-size, lockable effect paddles
Show 4 more
  • Unlocks Serato DJ Pro and Serato DVS at no extra cost
  • Plenty of pad modes, including Scratch Bank, set separately per deck
  • Feels like a professional mixer, with a metal top plate
  • Clear, punchy sound for the price

What to know first

  • Fiddly shift and mode combinations to reach pad modes, loops and settings
  • Only four clicky plastic pads per side
  • No hardware beat effects; it relies on Serato's own FX
Show 4 more
  • No power adapter in the boxReplaceable part
  • Dearer than the Numark Scratch, its nearest rival
  • Output level is lower than mains-powered mixers
  • No split cue control on the panel

Owner ratings, as the retailers publish them

See the 8 reviews behind this

8 professional reviews (7 recommend, 1 mixed); 1 owner review read at Guitar Center (Thomann does not list the product)Compiled 2026-10-10How this is compiled

Video reviews

  • DJcityTVMay 2022Recommends

    Pioneer DJ DJM-S5 Review - The Ultimate Affordable Battle Mixer? | Beatsource Tech

    Pioneer DJ DJM-S5 Review - The Ultimate Affordable Battle Mixer? | Beatsource Tech

    DJcityTVMay 2022Recommends
  • Cleveland TerryJul 2022Recommends

    Pioneer DJ DJM S5 Review - A Great Entry level mixer ft Pri yon Joni

    Pioneer DJ DJM S5 Review - A Great Entry level mixer ft Pri yon Joni

    Cleveland TerryJul 2022Recommends

Plays from YouTube when you press play. Picked from the reviews counted above, including one that disagrees where there is one.

Prices

Before you buy

Released
May 2022
Status
Current

Works with

  • Serato DJ ProFree with mixer

    Plugging it in unlocks Serato DJ Pro and Serato DVS at no cost; unlike the DJM-S7 and S11, no Pitch 'n Time DJ expansion voucher is included Manufacturer spec sheet (Pioneer DJ), checked 2026-10-11

  • rekordboxNot listed

    Pioneer DJ lists Serato DJ Pro as the S5's only DJ software, where the DJM-S7 and S11 also list rekordbox Manufacturer spec sheet (Pioneer DJ), checked 2026-10-11

  • VirtualDJPaid licence

    Needs a Pro Infinity or Pro Subscription licence; without one the mixer works for 10 minutes per session Manufacturer spec sheet (VirtualDJ (Atomix Productions)), checked 2026-10-11

  • djayMac, Windows, iOS

    Algoriddim lists the DJM-S5 as supported hardware in djay on Mac, Windows and iOS Manufacturer spec sheet (Algoriddim), checked 2026-10-11

  • USB bus powerNo mains needed

    Runs on power from the computer's USB port, or from a USB power adapter of 5 V / 500 mA or more when used without a computer Manufacturer spec sheet (Pioneer DJ), checked 2026-10-11

You’ll also need

  • USB power adapterNot in the box

    Needed only to run it without a computer; the box holds one USB cable, a quick start guide, precautions for use and, in Europe, a warranty card Manufacturer spec sheet (Pioneer DJ), checked 2026-10-11

  • Turntables and control vinylNot in the box

    Serato DVS with turntables uses control vinyl, and none is supplied Manufacturer spec sheet (Pioneer DJ), checked 2026-10-11

  • A laptop with Serato DJ ProFor effects and pads

    There are no on-board beat effects; effects, pad modes and DVS all run through Serato DJ Pro on a PC or Mac Manufacturer spec sheet (Pioneer DJ), checked 2026-10-11

  • Second USB cableFor two DJs

    One USB cable is included; connecting a second device needs another cable that meets the USB 2.0 standard Manufacturer spec sheet (Pioneer DJ), checked 2026-10-11

Key specs

Channels
2
Crossfader
MAGVEL FADER PRO magnetic crossfader with Feeling Adjust
Effects
No onboard FX; 2 effect levers control up to 57 Serato DJ Pro effects, 2 banks; Scratch Cutter
Inputs
2 x line/phono (RCA, switchable), 1 x aux (RCA)
Mic inputs
1 x XLR / 1/4 in TRS combo
Outputs
Master XLR, booth/master 2 RCA, 2 x headphones (1/4 in + 3.5 mm)
All 13 specifications
USB audio interface
2 x USB Type-C (one PC/Mac, one power-only), 24-bit / 48 kHz
Weight
3.4 kg (7.5 lb)
Performance pads
4 per deck, 20.6 x 20.6 mm, click type
Frequency response
20 Hz – 20 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio
108 dB (USB), 94 dB (line), 82 dB (phono)
Power
USB bus-powered, 5 V / 500 mA
Dimensions
245 x 363.5 x 107.9 mm (W x D x H)

13 of 13 figures sourced; hover one for its source

Our take

Dex JonesWritten from the sources on this page, not from a loan unit.

Seven of eight professional reviews recommend it, citing the same Magvel Fader Pro as Pioneer's dearer scratch mixers, USB bus power and full-size effect paddles. The common complaints are fiddly shift and mode combinations (seven reviews), four clicky pads per side and no hardware effects, and no power adapter comes in the box. Owner evidence is thin, with one readable review. Buy it to learn scratching on Serato; reviewers steer working battle DJs to the DJM-S7 or S11.

What it is

Status, October 2026: current. Pioneer DJ still lists it among its DJ mixers.

What it is

The DJM-S5 is a two-channel scratch mixer for Serato DJ Pro from Pioneer DJ, announced in May 2022 (Pioneer DJ product page). It sits beside the DJM-S7 and DJM-S11 in Pioneer DJ's scratch range, and Pioneer DJ calls it its first mixer that can run on USB power from a computer.

Plugging it into a computer unlocks Serato DJ Pro and Serato DVS at no cost, though unlike the S7 and S11 it comes with no Pitch 'n Time DJ voucher, and Pioneer DJ does not list rekordbox for it. VirtualDJ needs a Pro Infinity or Pro Subscription licence, and Algoriddim lists it for djay on Mac, Windows and iOS. Without a computer it works as a standalone mixer for turntables or other sources.

It has no onboard effects. Two large effect levers, the same size as the S11's, control up to 57 Serato DJ Pro effects across two banks and switch on Scratch Cutter, which applies one of six cutting patterns in time as the control vinyl moves. Crossfader Hot Cue replays the latest hot cue each time the fader leaves the edge. Each deck has four click-type performance pads, switchable to pads 5 to 8, with 13 pad modes. The crossfader is a MAGVEL FADER PRO with Feeling Adjust.

Inputs are two line/phono pairs and an aux on RCA, plus an XLR/1/4" TRS mic combo. Outputs are a master on XLR, booth/master 2 on RCA and 1/4" and 3.5 mm headphone jacks. Two USB-C ports handle the computer and power, the second needing a 5 V, 500 mA adapter that is sold separately. It measures 245 x 363.5 x 107.9 mm and weighs 3.4 kg. The box holds one USB cable, a quick start guide and the precautions for use.

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