The Technics SL-1200 has been the industry-standard turntable for DJs for decades. However, vintage, reissue, and iterative models are not affordable for everyone, including beginners. There are a few criteria to look for when considering a turntable (or two) for DJing.
First, it should be direct drive, which allows for precision. Secondly, it should have a manual tone arm that’s replaceable. Most DJs prefer S-shaped arms. Lastly, look for models with a pitch fader instead of the 33/45 or similar switch found on most models for home audio. Pioneer, Denon, Numark, and Audio-Technica are a few brands to consider.