Mini MIDI Keyboards are perfect for studios of any size or for producing on the move. They are low cost, lightweight and jam-packed with useful features. Step up your production game with a compact and portable studio companion.

In this guide, we will be showcasing the features, cost and design of each of the top-rated Mini MIDI Keyboards on the market. Find the perfect keyboard for your style of production.

Without further ado,

Here are the Top 10 Mini MIDI Keyboards:

Rank	Model	Price	Rating
1.	AKAI MPK Mini MK3	$119
2.	AKAI Professional APC Key 25	$129
3.	Arturia MiniLab MKII	$119
4.	M-Audio Oxygen 25 IV	$129.95
5.	Novation Launchkey Mini MK3	$109.99
6.	Alesis VMini	$69
7.	Nektar IMPACT LX25+	$149.99
8.	Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32	$139
9.	Donner DMK 25	$109.99
10.	Alesis Qmini	$59

 

AKAI MPK Mini MK3 | $119

Introducing the 3rd iteration of the best-selling 25-key MIDI Keyboard; the AKAI MPK Mini MK3. The MPK Mini is the highest rated Mini MIDI Keyboard available on Amazon with over 7,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

This USB powered MIDI controller comes with eight backlit MIDI beat pads, 25 velocity-sensitive keys, eight 360-degree assignable knobs, a built-in arpeggiator and much more.

The MPK Mini MK3 is available in three unique colour varieties: Black, White and Standard. It also comes complete with the MPC Beats software which includes six virtual instruments and an expansive 2GB sample collection. Simply plug in, install, and play!

If you’re able to expand your budget for a well-known brand MIDI keyboard packed with features, I would personally recommended AKAI’s MPK Mini MK3.

If you’d like to check out the MPK Mini’s extensive list of features, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

AKAI Professional APC Key 25 | $129.00

Next up, we have the AKAI Professional APC Key 25. For only $129, this one of a kind MIDI Keyboard contains an abundance of unique features. The APC Key 25 is the ultimate companion for drum pad enthusiasts.

Utilize the 40 tri-colored pads using the APC Key 25’s seamless integration with Ableton Live. Easily trigger samples, clips and one-shots on the go. It’s lightweight, highly portable design makes it easy to create on the go.

Control parameters in your favourite DAW using the eight assignable knobs. Complete with dedicated octave up and down buttons, transport controls and scene launch parameters, the APC Key 25 contains all the essential tools for all kinds of musicians.

The APC Key 25 comes with everything you need to create music including Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Twist and more.

If you’d like to check out the APC Key 25’s extensive list of features, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

Arturia MiniLab MKII | $119

Taking the fourth spot on our list, we have the Arturia MiniLab MKII. With a design influenced by classic Arturia synths, the MKII is available in two stunning color schemes: White and Inverted Black.

The MiniLab MKII comes with 16 mappable rotary encoders, eight backlit velocity and pressure sensitive pads, as well as two intuitive touch sensors for pitch bend and modulation.

This powerful controller also comes with several admired software titles including Analog Lab Lite, Ableton Live Lite & UVI Grand Piano. With access to thousands of sounds at your fingertips, the Arturia MiniLab MKII is compatible with all popular DAWs.

If you’d like to check out the MiniLab MKII’s extensive list of features, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here to view the White Edition or click here to view the Inverted Black Edition.

 

M-Audio Oxygen 25 IV | $129.95

 

Taking the 4th spot on our list, we have the Oxygen 25 IV from M-Audio. This versatile and impressive piece of hardware contains all the features you could want in a MIDI Keyboard of it’s size. Retailing at $129.95, the Oxygen 25 IV is well worth it’s price tag.

Unleash your creative potential using the 25 full-size keys, eight velocity sensitive trigger pads and eight assignable knobs for virtual instrument manipulation. Instantly experience the Oxygen 25’s potential with plug-and-play automatic mapping to all popular DAWs. 

The Oxygen 25 IV comes with a comprehensive production software package valued at over $100. This includes ProTools | First | M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, Xpand!2 and much more. 

The Oxygen’s incredible list of features is too extensive to be able to fit in this short description. If you’d like to read more about M-Audio’s Oxygen 25 IV, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 | $109.99

Next on our list we have one of Novation’s top selling products: the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3.

The Launchkey’s 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads and pitch and modulation touch strips make it instantly recognisable and distinct from other keyboards in it’s price range. Create drum beats, trigger one-shots and launch clips all using Novation’s reputable drum pads.

The Launchkey works in complete alliance with the Ableton Live software and comes with a copy of Ableton Live Lite. Record MIDI, launch clips, stop/mute/solo tracks and more all from the Launchkey hardware.

Although this 25-key MIDI keyboard works flawlessly with any DAW, I would highly recommend this controller to any Ableton Live user.

If you’d like to check out the Launchkey’s extensive list of features, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

Alesis VMini | $69

If you’re looking for a cost-effective and compact MIDI Keyboard, you can’t beat the Alesis VMini. Featuring the reputable Alesis blue LEDs and expressive keys, this keyboard is jam-packed full of incredible features.

The VMini comes with four velocity-sensitive backlit pads, four backlit assignable knobs and more, all in a light-weight and portable design. It also contains the conventional octave, pitch bend, modulation, and sustain buttons.

The Alesis VMini comes with ProTools | First Alesis Edition software, as well as a variety of additional virtual instruments so you can start creating immediately after unboxing. If you’re looking for a bang for your buck, look no further than the Alesis VMini.

If you’d like to read more about the VMini’s extensive list of features, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

Nektar IMPACT LX25+ | $149.99

With an average rating of 4.6/5 stars on Amazon, the LX25+ is well deserving of a spot on our list. The IMPACT LX25+ is for producers who are able to stretch their budget to $149.99, the most costly controller in our top 10.

With the additional cost comes an extraordinary array of additional features including full-sized keys, pre-configured mapping for all popular DAWs, 8 hyper-sensitive LED pads, iOS compatibility and more.

The IMPACT’s ‘Mixer’ mode instantly assigns the eight encoders to control eight DAW mixer channels. In ‘Instrument’ mode, you can control virtual instruments, such as Serum or Sylenth1, directly from the MIDI Keyboard.

If you’d like to check out the LX25’s extensive list of features, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 | $139

Complete with many of the traditional features you can expect, the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 goes above and beyond what’s anticipated in a MIDI Keyboard.

With a price lower than many 25-key MIDI Keyboards, this beautifully designed keyboard comes with a comfortable 32 keys, eight touch-sensitive control knobs, two touch strips for intuitive expression and much more. With complete integration with leading DAWs, the M32 has all the tools you need to turn an idea into a finished track. 

Complete with more than 6100 sounds and 10 GB of additional content, this keyboard comes with everything you need to inspire creativity and step-up your production game.

This sleek and feature-heavy controller is Amazon’s Choice for 32 key MIDI Keyboards. If you’d like to learn more about the Komplete Kontrol M32, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

Donner DMK 25 | $109.99

Coming in at number nine, we have the Donner DMK 25. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, the DMK 25 is the tenth best selling MIDI controller on Amazon.com.

If you’re looking for a Keyboard with all the tools for live performance or recording, the DMK 25 is one of the only Mini MIDI Keyboards with four fully assignable faders. Not to mention the eight hyper-sensitive backlit pads, six dedicated transport buttons, four mappable knobs and pitch and modulation touch bars.

The DMK 25 is available in two impressive color varieties: White and Black. The four programmable memory banks make it possible to instantly recall your preferred control settings. It features the lightning-fast USB-C type connection so you can forget the need for any additional adapters.

If you’d like to check out the Donner DMK 25’s extensive list of features, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

Alesis Qmini | $59

Last but not least, we have the Alesis’ 32-key Qmini which offers a larger number of keys without the need to expand your budget. The Qmini’s simple and minimalistic interface highlights the additional number of keys for producers looking for two-handed playing.

The Qmini’s universal compatibility makes it one of the most impressive MIDI Keyboards on this list. While it seamlessly integrates with all popular DAWs such as Ableton Live, the Qmini also works with iOS devices for use with apps including Garageband via an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter.

Alesis’ Qmini comes complete with ProTools | First Alesis Edition, AKAI Professional MPC Beats, four virtual instruments from AIR Music Tech and 60 free MIDI controller lessons from Melodics.

If you’d like to check out the Alesis Qmini’s extensive list of features, read reviews or purchase this keyboard, click here.

 

| Which Mini MIDI Keyboard Is Right For Me?

Every producer is different and every keyboard is different. Deciding which keyboard to purchase can be a difficult decision, but it doesn’t need to be. If you’re looking to find the right Mini MIDI Keyboard to suit your style of producing, here are my recommendations:

If you’re after a MIDI Keyboard that comes complete with an array of additional software, instruments and sounds, I would suggest:
⋅ Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32

If you’re budget is tight, I would suggest:
⋅ Alesis VMini

If you frequently use Session View in Ableton Live or record using drum pads, I would suggest:
⋅ AKAI Professional APC Key 25 or Novation Launchkey Mini MK3

If you’re after a simple keyboard without any additional pads, knobs or faders, I would suggest:
⋅ Alesis Qmini

If you’re looking for a keyboard with full-sized, sensitive keys and a sustain pedal port, I would suggest:
⋅ M-Audio Oxygen 25 IV or Nektar IMPACT LX25+

 

Want To Know More?

Here at Live Aspects, we have dozens of useful lessons and tutorials created to enhance your music production skills and help speed up the learning process. You can access our huge range of music theory lessons and production tips and tricks here.