What to buy a DJ? 10 gift ideas they'll actually use

DJing isn't just about a controller and a laptop. Anyone who plays for people needs space for their music, spare cables in case something fails, headphones that last all night and, more and more often, lights or fog so the event doesn't feel like sitting around in a living room. That's exactly why there's plenty to choose from when picking a gift for a DJ. Smaller things like a memory card, a cable, a headphone case or a light effect will please anyone who mixes, and if you want to give something bigger, go for quality DJ headphones or a portable turntable. We've ranked the tips in a countdown from ten, so the biggest gift is waiting for you at the end.

A DJ's music library keeps growing while space on the laptop or phone keeps shrinking, so extra room for music and set backups always comes in handy. The SanDisk Ultra 64 GB is an affordable, reliable microSD card the DJ will use in a phone, a recorder or any device with a card slot. If you want to give more space and speed, go for the Samsung T7 external SSD, which fits in a pocket and copies a whole library in a few minutes. You'll find more models among our memory cards and external drives.

A broken cable can stop a whole party, which is why an experienced DJ always carries a spare. The quality UDG Ultimate Audio Cable USB cable connects a controller to a laptop and, thanks to its rugged build, handles frequent plugging in. To connect a controller to speakers or a mixer, the ADJ RCA to jack cable is a good fit and one of our most popular audio cables. Before buying, just check which connectors the DJ's controller has. You'll find more among our USB cables and audio cables.

DJ headphones travel with the DJ to every event, but in a backpack they easily get crushed, scratched or have their headband snapped, right when they're needed most. The hard UDG Creator Headphone Hard Case protects headphones from knocks and has room inside for a cable or an adapter. If you'd prefer a softer case, go for the Gator G-CLUB-HEADPHONE. It's a small gift that saves big money on new headphones. You'll find more models among our DJ headphone cases.

Even the best music sounds better when lights move along with it, which is why light effects are a popular gift for DJs who play house parties, weddings or smaller events. The LWS LED Ball Light is a small rotating disco ball you simply plug in and put on a table. If you want more of an effect, the Light4Me Airship projects coloured beams around the room and the Light4Me PARTY LIGHT 1 LED flashes to the beat of the music. You'll find more lights among our light effects.

Lights only really stand out when the beams pass through fog, so a fog machine is the perfect partner for light effects and turns an ordinary room into a club. The Light4Me FM 500 LED V2 is a compact fog machine with LED lighting, suitable for house parties and smaller events. For larger halls and stages there's the more powerful Light4Me FOG 1200 LED. Don't forget to add some fluid so the DJ can fire up the first fog right away. You'll find more models among our fog machines.

A DJ is constantly choosing and listening to music, whether at home, on the road or while preparing a set, and a portable speaker lets them play new tracks anywhere. The NEXT Audiocom Modus2 is one of our best-selling speakers, plays loud and is easy to take to a garden party. If you want a smaller, cheaper model for a backpack, go for the Zealot S32 PRO. You'll find more models among our portable speakers.

A DJ controller is expensive, delicate gear that gets carried by car, by train and through packed clubs, so without a bag it easily gets scratched or damaged. The Revoltage DJ BAG 2025 is a padded bag with pockets for cables, headphones and a laptop, so the DJ can pack all their gear in one go. If they have a specific controller, such as the Pioneer DDJ-FLX6, they'll love a made-to-measure UDG Creator hardcase. Before buying, check the controller's dimensions so the bag fits. You'll find more models among our DJ bags.

Scratching is a discipline many DJs want to try, and a portable turntable is a fun way to start without a big setup. The Numark PT01 Scratch runs on batteries, has a built-in speaker and a scratch switch, so the DJ can scratch literally anywhere, even in the park or at a cabin. It's a gift that will also please record collectors, as they can play any vinyl on it. You'll find more models among our DJ turntables.

DJ headphones have to play loud, isolate well from club noise and survive a fall from the table, so ordinary listening headphones aren't enough for a DJ. A legend among DJs is the Sennheiser HD-25, which can be taken apart with every part replaceable, so they last for years. A cheaper, lighter version is the Sennheiser HD-25 Light. If you want to stay on a lower budget, go for the Revoltage HD210 MKII, one of our best-selling DJ headphones. You'll find more models among our DJ headphones.

Every DJ eventually longs for a new controller with more channels, better jog wheels or built-in effects. With this gift, however, be careful, because choosing a controller depends on which software the DJ uses. Some use Rekordbox, others Serato or Traktor, and not every controller works with all of them, plus the number of channels, the size and whether the DJ likes standalone units without a laptop also matter. So only buy a controller if you're confident enough to surprise them and you know what they play on. You'll find inspiration among our DJ controllers and DJ mixers.

For a DJ who has everything, buy something that expands their playing or their show. A good choice is the Sennheiser HD-25 headphones, the Numark PT01 Scratch portable turntable or the Light4Me FM 500 LED V2 fog machine. If you're not sure, a gift voucher is a safe choice.

For under £20 you can buy a DJ small but useful things: a SanDisk Ultra 64 GB memory card, a spare UDG USB cable, Revoltage HD210 MKII headphones, the LWS LED Ball Light disco ball or the Zealot S32 PRO portable speaker.

For under £45 you can choose from bags, lights and fog. A good choice is the Revoltage DJ BAG 2025, a UDG headphone case, the Light4Me Airship light effect or the Light4Me FM 500 LED V2 fog machine.

DJ headphones should be closed-back, isolate well and have swivelling ear cups so they can be used on one ear. Professional classics are the Sennheiser HD-25 or HD-25 Light, while the Revoltage HD210 MKII is a cheaper choice. You'll find more among our DJ headphones.

For a house party a DJ will appreciate lights and fog that create a club atmosphere, such as the Light4Me Airship together with the Light4Me FM 500 LED V2. If they also need sound, go for the NEXT Audiocom Modus2 portable speaker.