23 Best Techno DJs

Best Techno DJs

Techno began in the 1980s, reaching prominence globally by the 1990s. With such a rich history, understanding who the best techno DJs are is tough! Are they the ones with the best tune selection? The ones who also produce big hits? Or how about the ones with the longest careers?

We look at all of these factors and more to show you the best of the best.

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1. Charlotte de Witte

Charlotte de Witte

You can’t discuss techno (or EDM as a whole) without mentioning Charlotte de Witte. Starting off our list is one of the most influential DJs ever to enter the scene.

Charlotte de Witte is also a techno producer, and is known for her minimal sounds and acid tones. Reaching prominence quickly, the artist reached fame with a list of incredible releases. Obtaining support from other popular techno artists quickly, she remains one of the best in the scene.

Charlotte runs a record label named KNTXT. She releases most of her productions under this label.

2. Enrico Sangiuliano

Enrico Sangiuliano

Based out of Italy, DJ Enrico is known for his association with Drumcode, a massive techno label. Enrico has been on the scene for years, with tracks of top quality constantly hitting the scene.

Beloved for his consistent music, many find that Sangiuliano’s tracks are some of the best in techno. Releasing songs with deep boom-bap drums and hypnotic electronic effects, his tracks are easily some of the best on the scene.

3. Daniel Avery

Daniel Avery

Originally working under the alias “Stopmakingme,” Avery began his career in 2009. Working as a producer, he used this alias for a few years. Eventually, Daniel Avery chose to use his birth name instead of the alias, quickly reaching popularity afterward.

Sitting as one of the most iconic and beloved techno DJs in the scene after more than a decade, Avery’s tracks are unique. The DJ brings a softer, more melodic touch to techno rather than blisteringly loud bangers. His studio albums and varied releases have helped spread his influence through all EDM genres.

4. Daft Punk

Daft Punk

While technically more suited to the House genre, Daft Punk is a name so legendary among EDM that you can’t fail to mention them. The pair of DJs reached incredible fame for their extensive body of work. Formed in 1993, DJs Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo revolutionized electronic music.

With several hits that fit into the techno genre, Daft Punk would spread their influence through the scene. Releasing four studio albums, movie soundtracks, and countless singles and remixes, their fame cannot be understated.

Eventually, the pair would disband in 2021. The breakup came nearly a decade after their last studio release, Random Access Memories. Though no longer releasing music, the pair have an incredible following due to their amazing music.

5. Adam Beyer

Adam Beyer

Often called the “face of commercial techno music,” Adam Beyer is one of the most mainstream artists. It’s difficult to understate how famous Beyer is!

Beyer is known as the boss of Drumcode, running a techno-based festival. The Swedish artist is one of the most recognizable names in techno and EDM. Working frequently with other artists, Beyer has countless tracks for all tastes. While most of his music fits within techno, it’s not uncommon for the artist to bridge across to different subgenres.

Whether he’s running Drumcode, planning a festival, or releasing new artists, Beyer’s influence on the scene is massive.

6. Nina Kraviz

Nina Kraviz

Though her former career was in dentistry, Kraviz is now known as the face of women in techno music. The artist released her debut studio album more than a decade ago in 2012. Since then, she’s released dozens of hits and danceable tracks.

The Russian artist owns a record label named Trip, where most of her music is released. Her music can range from soft, quiet lullabies to some of the hardest tracks in the EDM scene of EDM. If you’re looking for a female artist that can do it all, Nina Kraviz is a can’t-miss act.

7. Carl Cox

Carl Cox

One cannot mention techno or EDM without mentioning Carl Cox. Born in 1962, the artist is one of the most prolific and influential artists in electronic music. Many believe that without Carl Cox, EDM would be a completely different genre, if it existed at all!

The British producer, DJ, and artist is one of the leading industry veterans. Known for playing music that celebrates life and sets a great mood, the artist has been active since 1991.

8. Jeff Mills

Jeff Mills

One of the pioneering Americans in the techno scene, Mills came onto the scene in the early 1980s. Working as a record producer and DJ, Mills is known for being a crowd-pleaser with his songs.

Serving as a great curator with strong technical abilities, Mills quickly made a name for himself. Founding Axis Records in 1992, most of his creations are under his label. Mills returned in 2019 for another strong studio release.

9. Amelie Lens

Amelie Lens

Belgian-born Amelie Lens is a relative newcomer on the scene compared to many others on this list. Hitting the scene in 2016 with her debut single Exhale, Lens has received immense support from the scene.

With the support of so many big-name artists, Lens received nearly instantaneous fame. Now serving as one of the key players in techno, Lens is an act you can’t miss.

10. Joris Voorn

Joris Voorn

Bridging between techno and house, Joris Voorn’s lengthy career is full of banger tracks. Starting his career in 1997, Voorn would wait until 2000 until he would release his first single.

Since the turn of the millennia, he’s released four studio albums and several EPs. His discography contains a fantastic

11. Deborah de Luca

Deborah de Luca

Hailed as the Queen of Naples, Deborah de Luca began their career as a club dancer and waitress. Working toward stardom in the techno scene in the meantime, her dedication to her craft would lead to her becoming one of the most well-known names.

Founding her label in 2013, Sola_mente imprint, de Luca has released most of her work under her label.

12. Peggy Gou

Peggy Gou

South Korean producer Peggy Gou has been making waves in recent years. Producing her music since she was 8 while studying classical music, Peggy brought these lessons into her music.

Known for stylish, glamorous shows, Gou’s shows are extravagant and bright affairs. Once the music mixes with the incredible stage show, it’s impossible not to dance along.

13. Dubfire

Dubfire

Dubfire once released music with another DJ, Sharam Tayebi. Forming a progressive house group called Deep Dish, Dubfire would eventually move on to release his music.

The Grammy award-winning DJ would find immense success in his solo career. Now one of the most prominent names in minimal techno, Dubfire’s music is a can’t-miss discography.

14. Richie Hawtin

Richie Hawtin

Beginning in the 1990s, Richie Hawtin is hailed as one of the best techno DJs in the world. Hawtin has been awarded with the Best Techno DJ award three times in his career.

With a career spanning decades and countless bangers under his name, Richie Hawtin is a core of the techno world. Few EDM fans haven’t heard music either influenced by or directly made by Hawtin.

15. Mladen Solomun

Mladen Solomun

Known mostly by his stage name of Solomun, the Bosnian-German DJ is one of the most influential you can find. With four DJ Awards winners under his belt, Solomun is a multi-talented artist.

Winning awards for Best Producer, Best DJ, and Best Melodic House DJ, Solomun has had his fingers in dozens of genres. Influenced by funk, hip-hop, and soul, Solomun’s music crosses genres. No matter what your tastes, Solomun likely has a track you’d love.

16. Maceo Plex

Maceo Plex

Eric Estornel, better known as Maceo Plex, is a Cuban-American DJ. Also known as Maetrik and Mariel Ito, the artist’s multicultural life bridges genres in his music.

Raised between the mammoth cities of Dallas and Miami, Estornel mixes multiple genres into his music. Active since 1993, Estornel bridges deep house, tech house, and progressive house with strong techno roots.

17. Aphex Twin

Aphex Twin

Richard James, best known as Aphex Twin, is one of the most prolific EDM artists in the genre's history. Beginning his career in 1985, the Irish-born British DJ is still massively influential in the industry.

Using pianos, turntables, synthesizers, and more, Aphex has been part of multiple labels. Working with Warp, Sire, Rephlex, and Apollo, Aphex’s music crosses dozens of genres His work in techno, ambient, IDM, and experimental electronic music has helped lay the foundation for EDM.

18. Sven Vath

Sven Vath

Having won three DJ Awards, Sven Vath is a German DJ that’s worked in several genres. Beginning his career in Electrica Salsa, Vath would later move to techno. His work in techno is what much of his career has been built around.

While some DJs aren’t trained, Sven Vath has deep knowledge about music and the industry. As such, his pieces are often filled with nuance and technical abilities that many other DJs aren’t able to show off.

19. Testpilot

Testpilot

Did you know that some artists switch their names as they switch genres? Such is the case with Testpilot, a DJ much more famous under the name Deadmau5. The Canadian DJ has received six Grammy nominations and produced music across dozens of genres. From progressive house music to techno, Testpilot’s music is inescapable.

If you like Testpilot, be sure to check out his other aliases! Though most known as Deadmau5, Testpilot often works with other artists. He’s been known to work with Rob Swire, MC Flipside, Kaskade, and many other artists. There are few names in EDM as notable as Testpilot’s.

20. Diesel

Diesel

Speaking of artists known more under a different name, DJ Diesel is more of a dubstep and deep house artist. However, his music is massive in all of EDM, with the artist one of the most notable names in the industry.

Though the music industry knows the DJ as Diesel, the artist’s birth name is Shaquille O’Neal. Crediting music – mostly bass-heavy genres like dubstep and deep house – as giving his life purpose post-retirement, Diesel began an illustrious career as a musician.

Now headlining some of the biggest festivals and playing alongside titanic names, Diesel is one of the most well-known artists. Bridging genres and subgenres with ease, Diesel’s music shows the influence of some of the greatest techno artists.

21. Helena Hauff

Helena Hauff

Based out of Hamburg, Germany, Helena Hauff is another can’t-miss woman in the industry. One of the most important parts of her process is the equipment she uses to make her art.

Recording using analog equipment, Hauff skips out on the more modern and easy-to-use tools. Pulling from acid house, EBM, and industrial music, Hauff makes techno with a more minimalist approach.

22. Robert Hood

Robert Hood

Considered a founding father of minimal techno, Robert Hood is the founder of the label M-Plant. Working as a producer and DJ, Hood also helped found and establish the group Underground Resistance. Alongside him were Jeff Mills and Mad Mike Banks.

His work in the scene is inescapable – but why would you want to? As one of the strongest names that’s helped techno grow, Robert Hood is a legend of the industry.

23. Maya Jane Coles

Maya Jane Coles

Closing out our list is one of the most impressive artists of all. Baked out of London, Maya Jane Coles writes, produces, and engineers all of her music.

Also singing on many of her tracks, Coles is a DJ that can’t be missed. Whether you’re listening for a stunning vocal performance or a beat you can’t help but dance to, Coles is an incredibly versatile artist.

Top Techno DJs, Final Thoughts

No matter what your favorite EDM genre is, techno has likely influenced the space immensely. With some of the pioneers of the industry calling techno their home, there’s countless artists for you to enjoy.

For more information on the best artists in music, be sure to browse the rest of our extensive site!

P.S. Remember though, none of what you've learned will matter if you don't know how to get your music out there and earn from it. Want to learn how to do that? Then get our free ‘5 Steps To Profitable Youtube Music Career' ebook emailed directly to you!

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