Best Needles For Scratching / DJ Cartridges For Turntable Reviews 2022

If you are looking for the best DJ scratch needles, then you don’t need to go anywhere else because you have reached the right blog. In this article, we have thoroughly researched all the best Dj needles for scratching available in the market to make your selection more convenient.

All the unique features of DJ scratch needles like tracking ability, output, durability, rigidity, frequency response, and tracking force range have been separately mentioned along with other characteristics. You just need to go through this blog and make the most elegant choice for you.

Do you need a special needle for scratching?

As you know, scratching is a must for your vinyl or any other kind of record player. For this purpose, there is a variety of needles available in the market. It is not about a special needle it is about the quality of scratching you want for your player. You must have a needle that gives durability both to the record player and to itself. You might need to spend some reasonable money on this purpose. Thus, the spending is worth it in this case.

Best Needles For Scratching / DJ Cartridges For Turntable – Comparison Table

Name	Preview	Frequency Response	Tracking Force Range	Price
Shure M44-7		20 to 20,000 Hz	1.5g to 3 g	Check Price
Numark CC-1 Premium		20 to 22,000Hz	3g to 6g	Check Price
Ortofon OM Pro S		20 to 22,000Hz	3g to 6g	Check Price
Ortofon OM Pro S Single Pack		20 to 22,000Hz	3g to 6g	Check Price
Numark CS-1		20 to 22,000Hz	3g to 6g	Check Price
Ortofon OM Q.Bert		20 to 18,000Hz	3g	Check Price
Ortofon Concorde MK2 Mix Twin		20 to 20,000Hz	3g	Check Price
Ortofon Concorde MK2 DJ Twin		20 to 20,000Hz	3g	Check Price
Ortofon Concorde MK2 Scratch Twin		20 to 18,000Hz	4g	Check Price
Ortofon OM Q.Bert premounted		20 to 18,000Hz	3g	Check Price

10 Best Needles For Scratching – Reviews 2022

Let’s have a comprehensive look at all the best turntable needles for scratching.

1. Shure M44-7 Standard DJ Turntable Cartridge

The M44-7 is the battle needle that gives you ultra high output and skips resistance. It has been specially designed for turntablists and scratch DJs. Now, it has become the choice of many DJs worldwide. It doesn’t skip even under the most demanding circumstances. The construction is highly durable due to its wide diameter S-type cantilever and a tracking force of 1.5 to 3.0 grams. It will produce a resonant and powerful sound with its 9.5 mv output and keep your vinyl free from any wear.

• Ultra-high output and skip resistance.
• Ultra-low record wear.
• Big bass sound emphasis.
• Clear and accurate sound reproduction.
• For vinyl record listening and archiving, it has a complete line of phonograph cartridges.

2. Numark CC-1 | Premium, Ultra-Robust DJ Cartridge

CC-1 is a needle that is known for its versatility and adaptability to every DJ’s style. With a combination of superior tracking and high output, you can scratch with consistent fidelity and quality. By having a sleek Numark design that is quite robust and easy to handle, this needle will provide you with excellent performance in every condition.

You know what there is no better feeling than listening to classic music playing on a turntable having suitable speakers with it. That is just amazing!

• High versatility and skip resistance.
• You can hear every detail with a 20 to 20,000 Hz full-range frequency response.
• It is a highly robust, reliable, and precisely engineered needle.
• The design is quite slim and sleek which is easy to handle.
• The versatility of the cartridge makes it suitable for every DJ style.

3. Ortofon OM Pro S premounted on the headshell

If you want a replacement or direct mounting on your tonearms, then Ortofon OM Pro S is one of the best needles for scratching available on the market. It is a highly practical and convenient solution for all customers. It comes in two parts single and pre-mounted. The single version has just a cartridge and no headshell while the pre-mounted version comes with an already mounted cartridge and a headshell. It is one of the best turntable needles for scratching.

• Universal mount fitting capability on a wide range of tonearms.
• Minimum scratching due to spherical stylus.
• It comes with a solid cantilever and it makes it highly durable for hectic activity on the turntable.
• It shows consistent performance and all-rounder.
• It is not just good for scratching you can also enjoy the good sound quality.
• It is lightweight, very clear and you can produce very clean music.

4. Ortofon OM Pro S Single Pack – 1 x DJ Cartridge fitted with stylus

Now, we have Ortofon OM Pro S single, which has a spherical diamond stylus to minimize scratching and solid cantilever to survive heavy activity at the turntable. The pro-S is a highly versatile device for any kind of setting. It is an all-rounder and provides you with always consistent performance. Most importantly, you don’t need to worry about its sound quality.

• Spherical diamond style is highly suitable for minimizing wear and tear.
• It is a general-purpose DJ.
• Rugged cantilever.
• Consistent performer.
• Fine all-rounder.
• Easily mounted on the headshell.
• Well worth the money.
• Crystal clear sound.
• Great for scratching and also quite good for mixing.

5. Numark CS-1 | Professional DJ Cartridge Optimized for Dance Music 

The Numark CS-1 is a professional cartridge that has been specially designed and optimized for dance music. With a combination of high output, full-range frequency response, and fine tip circular diamond stylus, CS-1 is highly suitable for mobile DJs and dance clubs. It is highly versatile and skips resistance device.

• Good channel separation nominal of 32Db.
• The good output of 6mv.
• Equally compatible with turntables, technics, and Stanton.
• Sensational sound quality.
• Good up-gradation.
• Designed for professional turntables.
• You can replace the stylus in the future.
• You can easily install it.

6. Ortofon OM Q.Bert Needles For Scratching

The Ortofon Q.Bert single cartridge has been equally appreciated by both turntablists and mix DJs due to its unrivaled tracking ability, strong output, and sonic characteristics. To reduce noise from worn vinyl, it features a subdued high end. For bringing scratching to the front of the sound stage, it comes with accentuated mid-range. The Q.Bert has been specially designed for scratching and tracing the grooves of your records. Owing to its enormous output, it is perfect for scratching all kinds of music with deep bass frequencies.

• Highest tracking ability.
• Ultra-high 11Mv output.
• Lowest wear and tear.
• Unsurpassed handling.
• Easy to install.
• Loud audio and great for Traktor.
• Fresh sound.
• Specially designed for scratching and back-cueing.

7. Ortofon Concorde MK2 Mix Twin Cartridge

Here we have the general-purpose model for back-cueing and scratching. With a high-quality spherical stylus and solid cantilever, it gives you extraordinary performance and durability. You can enjoy reasonable output, good tracking ability, and high sound quality while listening to any kind of music. MK2 mix is one of the highest value Dj cartridges with excellent handling ability and transparent sound spectrum.

• Excellent cost-to-performance ratio.
• High sound quality.
• Excellent handling.
• Good tracking ability.
• Wide stylus cut for better needle view.
• Reinforced superior group.
• Interchangeable finger lift.
• Great for scratching.
• Solid built.
• A groovy all-rounder.
• The pre-mounted stylus an aluminum flight case.

8. Ortofon Concorde MK2 DJ Twin Cartridge

The Concorde DJ is known for its accurate sound reproduction and excellent groove handling. Owing to its versatility, it is also categorized among the best needles for scratching. The spherical stylus and balanced cantilever increase its rigidity. It not only gives you good tracking ability but also provides you with stringency and the lowest wear. You can fit it with all DJ turntables along with a removable headshell. It has been specially designed to meet the need of all the modern turntable DJ’s.

• Twin cartridges with a pre-mounted stylus.
• Accurate sound reproduction.
• Excellent groove handling.
• Sturdy model for scratching.
• Universal device for all the DJ turntables.
• Good tracking ability.
• Outstanding rigidity.

9. Ortofon Concorde MK2 Scratch Twin Cartridge

The Concorde MK2 scratch has an extra high output and unprecedented tracking ability. The turntablists and scratching DJs can achieve a high level of performance by using this cartridge. It has been specially designed for DJs who are looking for good tracking ability and capability to trace the grooves. High 10 Mv output makes it a perfect choice for scratching all kinds of music with deep frequencies. The scratch has been designed to produce highly energetic sound with extended highs and solid bass reproductions.

• Unprecedented tracking ability.
• Supreme ability to trace the grooves.
• A very high output of 10 Mv.
• Solid bass reproduction.
• Providing energetic sound.
• Best club scratching needles.
• Easy to use.
• Excellent sound.
• Moving magnets.
• Maximum scratch performance.
• Universal design for all the modern DJ turntables.

10. Ortofon OM Q.Bert premounted on the headshell

The Ortofon Q. Bert is a highly convenient solution for users who want easy and direct mounting and replacement. It has a Q.Bert  neon logo at the top of the shell. The Ortofon has been specially designed for scratching. You can enjoy unprecedented tracking ability and sonic characteristics by having this needle.

• Universal mount fitting on a wide range of S-shaped tonearms.
• Low wear.
• Ultra-high output.
• Neon printed logo on the top of headshell.
• Unrivaled tracking ability.
• Awesome cartridge for spinning, scratching and mixing.
• Thrasher’s needles.

Frequently asked questions