Best MIDI Keyboard with Aftertouch (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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The Arturia KeyLab mk3 leads this list for players searching for aftertouch: 61 keys with aftertouch, 12 pressure-sensitive pads and 9 encoders. If you need 88 weighted keys, the Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII is the pick, since it is the only one here with 88 keys and a hammer-action keybed.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller	Check on Amazon
2	Most Keys	Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII 88 Key Weighted	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Native Instruments S-Series Komplete Kontrol S49 MK3	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	M-AUDIO Oxygen Pro 49 USB MIDI Keyboard	Check on Amazon
5	Lightest Pick	Samson Graphite 49 Key USB MIDI DJ	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Players who want 61 keys with aftertouch and 12 pads: Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller See pick 1More picks: Best MIDI Keyboard with Pads
Players who want 88 weighted keys and aftertouch: Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII 88 Key Weighted See pick 2More picks: Best MIDI Keyboard with Weighted Keys
Players who want polyphonic aftertouch on 49 keys: Native Instruments S-Series Komplete Kontrol S49 MK3 See pick 3
Players who want 16 pads with Note Repeat for beats: M-AUDIO Oxygen Pro 49 USB MIDI Keyboard See pick 4
Players who want the lightest board here at 8.8 lb: Samson Graphite 49 Key USB MIDI DJ 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

Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Keys: 61
Pads: 12
Knobs / faders: 9
Aftertouch
USB-MIDI

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with 61 keys with aftertouch, 12 pressure-sensitive pads, 9 encoders and sustain and auxiliary pedal inputs.

Who it suits

Players who want 61 keys with aftertouch and 12 pads
Players who want sustain and auxiliary pedal inputs

Skip it if

You want 88 keys for piano parts
You want more than 12 pads

The KeyLab mk3 has 61 keys with aftertouch, 12 pressure-sensitive pads and 9 encoders. It has sustain and auxiliary pedal inputs, and it runs on USB-C power. It weighs 18.7 lb.

2Most Keys

Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII 88 Key Weighted

Keys: 88, the most here
Pads: 16
Knobs / faders: 9
Aftertouch
USB-MIDI

9.7Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Most Keys with 88 weighted keys, aftertouch, a hammer-action keybed, 16 pads, 9 faders and 9 knobs.

Who it suits

Players who want 88 weighted keys and aftertouch
Players who want 16 pads with 9 faders and 9 knobs

Skip it if

You want a board under 33.1 lb
You want fewer than 88 keys

The KeyLab 88 MkII has an 88-note Fatar TP/100LR keybed with aftertouch, velocity-sensitive keys, hammer action and a piano feel. It has 16 RGB-backlit pads, 9 faders and 9 rotary knobs. Analog Lab V software is included. It weighs 33.1 lb.

3Also Great

Native Instruments S-Series Komplete Kontrol S49 MK3

Keys: 49
Pads not stated in the listing
Knobs / faders not stated in the listing
Aftertouch
1-year warranty stated

9.5Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great with 49 semi-weighted keys in a Fatar keybed and polyphonic aftertouch as standard.

Who it suits

Players who want polyphonic aftertouch on 49 keys
Players who want a full-color screen for browsing sounds

Skip it if

You want more than 49 keys
You want a board under 12.1 lb

The S49 MK3 has 49 semi-weighted keys set in a Fatar keybed with polyphonic aftertouch as standard. It has a high-resolution full-color screen for browsing, tweaking and mixing, and NKS technology for a direct connection to Kontakt and partner instruments, effects and sounds. It weighs 12.1 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.

4Also Great

M-AUDIO Oxygen Pro 49 USB MIDI Keyboard

Keys: 49
Pads: 16
Knobs / faders: 9
Aftertouch
USB-MIDI
1-year warranty stated

9.3Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great with 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 16 pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders.

Who it suits

Players who want 16 pads with Note Repeat for beats
Players who want NKS support for Native Instruments presets

Skip it if

You want more than 49 keys
You want more than 16 pads

The Oxygen Pro 49 has 49 velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and assignable zones. It has 16 RGB backlit pads with Note Repeat, 8 assignable knobs and 9 assignable faders. It includes a choice of one of three Komplete 15 Select bundles and bundled DAW recording software. It weighs 9.3 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.

5Lightest Pick

Samson Graphite 49 Key USB MIDI DJ

Keys: 49
Pads: 4
Knobs / faders: 9
Aftertouch
USB-MIDI
1-year warranty stated
8.8 lb, the lightest here

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Lightest Pick at 8.8 lb with 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and 9 faders.

Who it suits

Players who want the lightest board here at 8.8 lb
Players who want traditional MIDI Out with USB

Skip it if

You want more than 4 trigger pads
You want more than 49 keys

The Graphite 49 has 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 9 programmable faders, 8 encoders and 16 buttons. It has 4 velocity-sensitive trigger pads in 2 banks and a large LCD display. It includes traditional MIDI Out and USB connections. It weighs 8.8 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.

Side by side

Product	Keys	Pads	Knobs / faders	Aftertouch	Software named	USB-MIDI	Weight	Warranty
Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller	61	12	9	Yes	Not stated	Yes	18.7 lb	Not stated
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII 88 Key Weighted	88	16	9	Yes	Not stated	Yes	33.1 lb	Not stated
Native Instruments S-Series Komplete Kontrol S49 MK3	49	Not stated	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	12.1 lb	1-year
M-AUDIO Oxygen Pro 49 USB MIDI Keyboard	49	16	9	Yes	Not stated	Yes	9.3 lb	1-year
Samson Graphite 49 Key USB MIDI DJ	49	4	9	Yes	Not stated	Yes	8.8 lb	1-year

How we ranked these MIDI keyboards

Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has 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 keyboard with aftertouch

Start with the key count you need

Key count sets the range you can play without shifting octaves. The KeyLab 88 MkII has 88 keys, the KeyLab mk3 has 61 keys, and the S49 MK3, Oxygen Pro 49 and Graphite 49 each have 49 keys. If you play piano parts that span the full range, the 88-key board is the one to compare first. If you play one part at a time, 49 keys is enough for the part.

Check what aftertouch the board offers

Aftertouch adds expression after you press a key down, by sending extra control as you hold the key. The S49 MK3 has polyphonic aftertouch as standard, which means each key sends its own aftertouch signal. The KeyLab mk3, KeyLab 88 MkII, Oxygen Pro 49 and Graphite 49 have aftertouch, and only the S49 MK3 names it polyphonic. If you play chords and want each note to carry its own aftertouch, polyphonic aftertouch is the feature to look for.

Weigh the pads, knobs and faders you need

Pads, knobs and faders decide how much you can control without touching the mouse. The KeyLab 88 MkII and Oxygen Pro 49 have 16 pads each, the KeyLab mk3 has 12 pads, and the Graphite 49 has 4 pads in 2 banks. For knobs and faders, the KeyLab 88 MkII has 9 faders and 9 knobs, the Oxygen Pro 49 has 8 knobs and 9 faders, the Graphite 49 has 9 faders and 8 encoders, and the KeyLab mk3 has 9 encoders. The S49 MK3 takes a different path, with a high-resolution full-color screen for browsing, tweaking and mixing.

Frequently asked questions

What is aftertouch on a MIDI keyboard?

Aftertouch sends extra control while you hold a key down, after the first press. All five keyboards here have aftertouch, and the S49 MK3 has polyphonic aftertouch, so each key sends its own signal.

Is 49 keys enough for a MIDI keyboard?

For one part at a time, yes. The S49 MK3, Oxygen Pro 49 and Graphite 49 each have 49 keys, while the KeyLab mk3 has 61 keys and the KeyLab 88 MkII has 88 keys for wider parts.

Which MIDI keyboard with aftertouch is the lightest?

The Samson Graphite 49, at 8.8 lb. The Oxygen Pro 49 weighs 9.3 lb, the S49 MK3 weighs 12.1 lb, the KeyLab mk3 weighs 18.7 lb and the KeyLab 88 MkII weighs 33.1 lb.

Do I need weighted keys for aftertouch?

No. The KeyLab 88 MkII has weighted keys with a hammer-action keybed. The S49 MK3, Oxygen Pro 49 and Graphite 49 have semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, and the KeyLab mk3 has 61 keys with aftertouch.