Best 61 Key MIDI Keyboard (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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The M-AUDIO Oxygen 61 MKV leads this list for the best 61 key MIDI keyboard with 61 velocity-sensitive keys, 8 beat pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders. Its bundle adds MPC Beats, Ableton Live Lite and virtual instruments for music production.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	M-AUDIO Oxygen 61 MKV USB MIDI Keyboard	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Nektar Impact GXP61 61-Key Keyboard Controller	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Samson Carbon 61 USB MIDI Controller	Check on Amazon
5	Also Great	Novation 61SL MkIII 61-Key MIDI Controller Keyboard	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Beat makers who want 8 beat pads and 9 faders: M-AUDIO Oxygen 61 MKV USB MIDI Keyboard See pick 1More picks: Best MIDI Keyboard with Pads
Players who want keys with aftertouch: Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller See pick 2More picks: Best MIDI Keyboard with Aftertouch
Players who want semi-weighted keys with aftertouch: Nektar Impact GXP61 61-Key Keyboard Controller See pick 3More picks: Best MIDI Keyboard with Weighted Keys
Players who want semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys: Samson Carbon 61 USB MIDI Controller See pick 4
Music makers who want an 8-track sequencer on board: Novation 61SL MkIII 61-Key MIDI Controller Keyboard See pick 5

Want the full range? Best MIDI Keyboard ranks the top MIDI keyboards for every buyer, or browse all 44 guides.

The 5 picks, ranked

1Best Overall

M-AUDIO Oxygen 61 MKV USB MIDI Keyboard

Keys: 61
Pads: 8
Knobs / faders: 9
Aftertouch not stated in the listing
Software named in listing: Ableton Live Lite
USB-MIDI
1-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with 61 velocity-sensitive keys, 8 beat pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders.

Who it suits

Beat makers who want 8 beat pads and 9 faders
Players who want Smart Chord and Smart Scale modes

Skip it if

You want more than 8 beat pads
You want more than 9 faders

The controller gives 61 velocity-sensitive keys with 2 banks of 8 backlit pads, 8 assignable knobs and 9 assignable faders. Smart Chord and Smart Scale modes join an arpeggiator, pitch and mod wheels and a sustain pedal input. The bundle adds MPC Beats, Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 and Mini Grand with 5 MPC Expansion packs, and it carries a 1-year warranty.

2Runner-Up

Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Keys: 61
Pads: 12
Knobs / faders: 9
Aftertouch
Software named in listing: Ableton Live Lite
USB-MIDI

9.5Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Runner-Up with 61 keys with aftertouch, 12 performance pads and 9 encoders.

Who it suits

Players who want keys with aftertouch
Beat makers who want 12 performance pads

Skip it if

You want more than 12 performance pads
You want more than 9 encoders

The controller gives 61 keys with aftertouch, 12 pressure-sensitive performance pads and 9 encoders. Sustain and auxiliary pedal inputs sit beside USB-C power, and the keys come in black. The software suite adds Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite, NI The Gentleman, Loopcloud and Melodics.

3Also Great

Nektar Impact GXP61 61-Key Keyboard Controller

Keys: 61
Pads not stated in the listing
Knobs / faders not stated in the listing
Aftertouch
Software named in listing: Cubase LE
USB-MIDI
2-year warranty stated

9.3Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Also Great with 61 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and Cubase LE in the box.

Who it suits

Players who want semi-weighted keys with aftertouch
Users who want Cubase LE in the box

Skip it if

You want more than 61 keys
You want a keyboard under 11 lb in weight

The controller gives 61 semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch, pitch bend and modulation wheels and octave and transpose buttons. Cubase LE, Retrologue 2 and a sound content package come in the box, and it carries a 2-year warranty.

4Also Great

Samson Carbon 61 USB MIDI Controller

Keys: 61
Pads not stated in the listing
Knobs / faders not stated in the listing
USB-MIDI
1-year warranty stated

9.1Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Also Great with 61 velocity-sensitive semi-weighted keys and an integrated iPad slot.

Who it suits

Players who want semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys
iPad users who want an integrated iPad slot

Skip it if

You want more than 61 keys
You want a keyboard under 7.4 lb in weight

The controller gives 61 velocity-sensitive semi-weighted keys with an assignable data encoder and a volume slider. Traditional MIDI Out, a sustain pedal input and USB connections join dedicated transpose and octave buttons. An integrated iPad slot sits on the controller, and it carries a 1-year warranty.

5Also Great

Novation 61SL MkIII 61-Key MIDI Controller Keyboard

Keys: 61
Pads not stated in the listing
Knobs / faders not stated in the listing
Software named in listing: Cubase
USB-MIDI
2 year warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Also Great with 61 semi-weighted keys, an 8-track sequencer and 5 LCD screens.

Who it suits

Music makers who want an 8-track sequencer on board
Players who want 5 LCD screens for parameter feedback

Skip it if

You want more than 5 LCD screens
You want more than 8 sequencer tracks

The controller gives 61 semi-weighted keys with RGB LED per key, an 8-track sequencer and 5 LCD screens. MIDI I/O, CV/Gate out and analog clock out connect hardware synths, and integrations cover Logic and Reason with HUI compatibility for Cubase, Studio One and Reaper. The box adds a braided USB cable and a 12V DC power supply, and it carries a 2-year warranty.

Side by side

Product	Keys	Pads	Knobs / faders	Aftertouch	Software named	USB-MIDI	Weight	Warranty
M-AUDIO Oxygen 61 MKV USB MIDI Keyboard	61	8	9	Not stated	Ableton Live Lite	Yes	7.6 lb	1-year
Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller	61	12	9	Yes	Ableton Live Lite	Yes	18.7 lb	Not stated
Nektar Impact GXP61 61-Key Keyboard Controller	61	Not stated	Not stated	Yes	Cubase LE	Yes	11 lb	2-year
Samson Carbon 61 USB MIDI Controller	61	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Yes	7.4 lb	1-year
Novation 61SL MkIII 61-Key MIDI Controller Keyboard	61	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Cubase	Yes	14.4 lb	2 year

How we ranked these MIDI keyboards

Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.

Keys weight 3
Pads weight 2
Knobs / faders weight 2
Aftertouch weight 1
USB-MIDI weight 1

Buying advice: 61 key MIDI keyboard

Count keys, pads and controls

All five controllers here give 61 keys, so pads and controls decide between them. The M-AUDIO gives 8 beat pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders, and the Arturia gives 12 performance pads and 9 encoders. The Samson gives an assignable data encoder and a volume slider, and the Novation gives an 8-track sequencer with 5 LCD screens. Compare the control count on each pick against the controls you reach for while producing.

Check aftertouch and key action

Aftertouch adds expression after a key is pressed, and key action describes the weight of the keys. The Arturia and Nektar controllers give keys with aftertouch, and the Nektar and Samson controllers give semi-weighted keys. The M-AUDIO gives velocity-sensitive keys, and the Novation gives semi-weighted keys with RGB LED per key. Match the key action to the playing style you use most.

Weigh software and connections

Bundled software decides what you can run on day one. The M-AUDIO bundle adds MPC Beats and Ableton Live Lite, the Arturia suite adds Analog Lab Pro and Ableton Live Lite, and the Nektar box adds Cubase LE and Retrologue 2. Connections also differ: the Arturia runs on USB-C power, the Nektar gives a MIDI 5-pin out, and the Novation gives MIDI I/O with CV/Gate out.

Frequently asked questions

Do all of these keyboards have 61 keys?

Yes. The M-AUDIO, Arturia, Nektar, Samson and Novation controllers each give 61 keys. Pads, knobs, faders and software bundles decide between them, since the key count stays the same.

What is aftertouch on a MIDI keyboard?

Aftertouch lets a player add expression after pressing a key. The Arturia and Nektar controllers give keys with aftertouch, so choose one of those two when aftertouch matters to your playing.

Which controller includes a sequencer?

The Novation 61SL MkIII gives an internal 8-track pattern-based sequencer with MIDI and analogue clock controls. The M-AUDIO gives an arpeggiator with Smart Chord and Smart Scale modes.