Best MIDI Controller Keyboard (2026): 5 Picks Compared

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

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The Akai MPK Mini Plus II leads this list for best midi controller keyboard: a 37-key controller with 8 pads, 8 knobs and aftertouch in a portable unit. The Oxygen Pro 61 and the iCON iKeyboard 6X 61 cover 61 keys, while the Launchkey Mini 37 and FLkey 2 37 cover 37 keys with 16 pads each. Choose by key count first, then by pads, knobs and software.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus II 37-Key	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	M-AUDIO Oxygen Pro 61 USB MIDI Keyboard	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	iCON Pro Audio iKeyboard MIDI Keyboard Controller	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 USB MIDI	Check on Amazon
5	Also Great	Novation FLkey 2 37 USB MIDI Controller	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Players who want 37 keys with aftertouch: Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus II 37-Key See pick 1More picks: Best MIDI Keyboard with Aftertouch
Players who want 61 semi-weighted keys: M-AUDIO Oxygen Pro 61 USB MIDI Keyboard See pick 2More picks: Best MIDI Keyboard with Weighted Keys
Players who want 61 keys with a joystick: iCON Pro Audio iKeyboard MIDI Keyboard Controller See pick 3More picks: Best 61 Key MIDI Keyboard
Players who want 37 mini keys: Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 USB MIDI See pick 4More picks: Best 37 Key MIDI Keyboard
Players who want 37 full-size keys: Novation FLkey 2 37 USB MIDI Controller 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

Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus II 37-Key

Keys: 37
Pads not stated in the listing
Knobs / faders: 8
Aftertouch
Software named in listing: Ableton Live Lite
USB-MIDI
1-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with 37 keys, 8 pads, 8 knobs and aftertouch in a portable unit.

Who it suits

Players who want 37 keys with aftertouch
Players who want 8 pads and 8 knobs

Skip it if

You want 61 keys instead of 37
You want 16 pads instead of 8

The MPK Mini Plus II has 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys, 8 RGB pads with aftertouch and 8 assignable rotary knobs. It includes an arpeggiator, chord mode and note repeat, plus a color display and 3 CV/Gate outs. It connects over USB-C with a full-size MIDI Out and weighs 3.1 lb. It includes Ableton Live Lite and MPC Beats software and carries a 1-year warranty.

2Runner-Up

M-AUDIO Oxygen Pro 61 USB MIDI Keyboard

Keys: 61
Pads: 16
Knobs / faders: 9
Aftertouch
Software named in listing: Ableton Live Lite
USB-MIDI
1-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Runner-Up with 61 semi-weighted keys, 16 pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders.

Who it suits

Players who want 61 semi-weighted keys
Players who want 16 pads and 9 faders

Skip it if

You want 37 keys instead of 61
You want a 3-year warranty

The Oxygen Pro 61 has 61 velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and assignable zones. It has 16 RGB pads, 8 assignable knobs and 9 assignable faders, plus pitch and modulation wheels. It includes a sustain pedal input and a 5-pin MIDI Output. It weighs 10.6 lb, includes Ableton Live Lite and MPC Beats software, and carries a 1-year warranty.

3Also Great

iCON Pro Audio iKeyboard MIDI Keyboard Controller

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

9.7Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great with 61 keys, a pitch and modulation joystick and an arpeggiator button.

Who it suits

Players who want 61 keys with a joystick
Players who want an arpeggiator button

Skip it if

You want 37 keys instead of 61
You want pitch and mod wheels

The iKeyboard 6X 61 has 61 keys with a combined pitch and modulation joystick. Octave up and down buttons and transpose up and down buttons sit on the unit, with a combined gate and arpeggiator joystick. An arpeggiator button activates the arpeggiator function. It connects over USB-MIDI.

4Also Great

Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 USB MIDI

Keys: 37
Pads: 16
Knobs / faders not stated in the listing
Aftertouch
Software named in listing: Ableton Live
USB-MIDI
3-year warranty stated

9.2Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great with 37 mini keys, 16 pads with polyphonic aftertouch and an OLED display.

Who it suits

Players who want 37 mini keys
Players who want 16 pads with aftertouch

Skip it if

You want 61 keys instead of 37
You want full-size keys

The Launchkey Mini 37 has 37 mini synth-action keys and 16 pads with polyphonic aftertouch. It has an OLED display, scale and chord modes and an arpeggiator. It works with Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase, Reason, Reaper, FL Studio and Ardour. It weighs 2.1 lb, includes Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE, and carries a 3-year warranty.

5Also Great

Novation FLkey 2 37 USB MIDI Controller

Keys: 37
Pads: 16
Knobs / faders: 8
Aftertouch not stated in the listing
Software named in listing: FL Studio
USB-MIDI
3-year warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great with 37 full-size keys, 16 pads and 8 encoders for FL Studio.

Who it suits

Players who want 37 full-size keys
Players who want 8 encoders for mixing

Skip it if

You want 61 keys instead of 37
You want mini keys

The FLkey 2 37 has 37 full-size keys, 16 velocity-sensitive pads and 8 encoders. It has pitch and mod wheels, an OLED display, scale and chord modes and a 5-pin MIDI output. It is made for FL Studio and includes six months of FL Studio Producer Edition. It weighs 4.8 lb and carries a 3-year warranty.

Side by side

Product	Keys	Pads	Knobs / faders	Aftertouch	Software named	USB-MIDI	Weight	Warranty
Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus II 37-Key	37	Not stated	8	Yes	Ableton Live Lite	Yes	3.1 lb	1-year
M-AUDIO Oxygen Pro 61 USB MIDI Keyboard	61	16	9	Yes	Ableton Live Lite	Yes	10.6 lb	1-year
iCON Pro Audio iKeyboard MIDI Keyboard Controller	61	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	Not stated
Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 USB MIDI	37	16	Not stated	Yes	Ableton Live	Yes	2.1 lb	3-year
Novation FLkey 2 37 USB MIDI Controller	37	16	8	Not stated	FL Studio	Yes	4.8 lb	3-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: MIDI controller keyboard

Count keys before you compare controls

Key count is the first split. The Oxygen Pro 61 and the iCON iKeyboard 6X 61 have 61 keys, while the Akai, Launchkey Mini 37 and FLkey 2 37 have 37 keys. The 61-key models cover more notes at once, while the 37-key models are the smaller options. Pick the key count that fits your space and playing style.

Compare pads, knobs and faders

Pads and knobs decide how much you can control without a mouse. The Akai has 8 pads and 8 knobs, the Oxygen Pro 61 has 16 pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders, and the Launchkey Mini 37 and FLkey 2 37 have 16 pads each. The FLkey adds 8 encoders for mixing. The iCON offers a joystick, octave buttons and transpose buttons instead.

Check software and warranty before buying

Software differs across these five. The Akai and Oxygen Pro 61 include Ableton Live Lite and MPC Beats, the Launchkey Mini 37 includes Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE, and the FLkey 2 37 includes six months of FL Studio Producer Edition. The Akai and Oxygen Pro 61 carry a 1-year warranty, while the Launchkey Mini 37 and FLkey 2 37 carry a 3-year warranty. Match the software to the DAW you use.

Frequently asked questions

How many keys do I need in a MIDI controller?

It depends on what you play. The Oxygen Pro 61 and iCON iKeyboard 6X 61 have 61 keys, while the Akai, Launchkey Mini 37 and FLkey 2 37 have 37 keys. More keys cover more notes at once, so pick the count that fits your playing and desk space.

Do these keyboards include software?

The Akai and Oxygen Pro 61 include Ableton Live Lite and MPC Beats. The Launchkey Mini 37 includes Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE. The FLkey 2 37 includes six months of FL Studio Producer Edition.

Which controller has aftertouch?

The Akai has aftertouch on its keys and pads, the Oxygen Pro 61 has aftertouch on its keys, and the Launchkey Mini 37 has polyphonic aftertouch on its pads.

Are the FLkey keys full-size or mini?

The FLkey 2 37 has 37 full-size keys. The Akai has 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys, and the Launchkey Mini 37 has 37 mini synth-action keys. The Oxygen Pro 61 and iCON have 61 keys each, with the Oxygen keys semi-weighted.