That is why digital djing (laptop djing) is so cool, you can choose and tune everything, optimizing quality, functionality, space and expense 
Lemur is an iOS and android application that lets you build and program your own touch interface midi controllers; its my favroite because of the flexablity this affords, including the ability to have seamless state tracking if button, knob, and fader values betwen the target (when the target is software) and the interface on your touch drvice
For me it’s CNTRL:R.
+10
Top 3 for me are:
DDJ SX (and SX2)
Numark MC-6000 (especially for mobile DJs)
Traktor S4
For my own personal stuff, I’m transitioning to using an audio 6 and an x1 Mk2 with whatever mixer I can plug into.
hands down most fun i’ve ever had with a controller - NS73
Throw in my vote for APC 40. I’ve had many pieces of gear over the years and I feel like it’s been one of the most versatile tools for me. If you’re talking about an all in one, the amount of controls you get are fantastic with multiple pot banks as well as the multicolor launchpad. Standard plug+play with Ableton is nice, but the main reason I suggest this is that objectively my best sets came from using a custom mapped APC and Traktor with the controls labeled. Used the MIDI out to the color coded pads to give me an idea of what was happening without having to look up at the screen (i.e. clipping, FX activators, active loops, etc). Only time I had to look up was to change tracks.
Obviously most industry standard CDJs can double as a MIDI controller as well, including HID. If you want to talk about the “best”, this is the most used for a reason.. but seeing as it’s a pretty subjective topic, I see the APC as a very versatile MIDI controller due to the amount of control it provides you.
The DDJ-RX is a cracking piece of kit imo. Also the sound output is amazing!
Traktor X1 Mk2. Would also say the Traktor D2 as well, but I’m having some on and off issues with mine at the moment.
What’s the problem?
Occasionally crashes Traktor on starting up. Seems to be a driver issue of some kind, but I’d be hesitant to use it out at a gig for the time-being, given the above.
If I was buying new now I would really struggle to decide between a Numark NS7 III and the new Denon MCX-8000. I love the idea of being able to use 2 different DJ programs on the same controller at the same time.
What laptop? Is it Windows with Intel HD3000 graphics?
Windows 10 with an ATI Radeon graphics card.
Oh. There are some GPUs that can cause issues with the D2/S5/S8 screens. Check yours isn’t one of them.
OG Traktor S4 MKI (although I would like to have the MKII). It has all the control you could ever want; a sensible layout, looper function, can have the +fader modded, tons of literature online and great mappings for crazy effects with the jogwheels. Although it’s not the defacto Pioneer stuff you’ll find in a club, it has been in my experience the controller you’ll find everywhere.
S4 is butter honestly. I used a VCI-100 for many years, and then a VCM-600 for the last couple (among other things, pioneer/denon stuff and such) and it’s actually ridiculous how noticeable the difference was - moreso vs. the vcm. It was so much easier to make accurate and smooth adjustments that I feel like mixing became significantly easier for me. Never really experienced such a profound difference with something like that before. Would I pay retail price for something like that? Prob not… but maybe I’m just cheap. Definitely don’t regret dropping the 300 on it though. I don’t think it’s perfect but it gets surprisingly close as a dj controller.
I go for the Xone 4D. Great Mapping opportunities plus the mixer unit. With the Stems view on the Laptop, it is now also possible to easily mix them.
2 different programs at the same time? Do tell.