May 2024
MIDI Controllers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of MIDI controllers rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2024.
Summary
On 3 May 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 86 MIDI controller endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
69 MIDI controllers were endorsed in total, only 13 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 3 May 2024, Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed MIDI controller with 4 expert endorsements. 3 experts out of 4 recommended it as the '#1 MIDI controller' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Novation: 15 MIDI controllers
(#1 is Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note)
-
Akai Professional: 9 MIDI controllers
(#1 is Akai MPK Mini MKII 25)
-
Arturia: 7 MIDI controllers
(#1 is Arturia MiniLab MkII)
-
M-Audio: 6 MIDI controllers
(#1 is M-Audio Hammer 88)
-
Nektar: 5 MIDI controllers
(#1 is Nektar Impact LX25 Plus)
Price breakdown
At a glance - May Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | MIDI Controller |
Consordini
|
Prime Sound
|
E-Home Recording Studio
|
Spy
|
The Guitar Junky
|
Music Critic
|
Keyboard Kraze
|
Gearank
|
Music Radar
|
Digital Piano Judge
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $92 |
Akai MPK Mini MKII 25
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $349 |
Akai Pro MPK249
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
3
|
- | $109 |
Arturia MiniLab MkII
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $110 |
Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | Check price |
NI Komplete Kontrol S88 MkII
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
7
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | Check price |
Akai Professional MPD226
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
+1 | $99 |
Akai MPK Mini MK3
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
+1 | Check price |
Native Instruments Maschine Mk3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
-2 | $499 |
M-Audio Hammer 88
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
10
|
- | $120 |
Nektar Impact LX25 Plus
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
16
|
- | $119 |
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
- | $320 |
Nektar Impact LX88 Plus
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
|
18
|
- | $999 |
Arturia Keylab 88 MKII
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 #1 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 as #1.
Consordini
A Personal Favorite
|
Authentic MPC pads.
Intuitive thumbstick.
Arpeggiator.
Note repeat.
Fantastic software bundle.
8 assignable knobs.
Sustain pedal input.
|
Small keys take some practice.
|
Prime Sound
Editor's Choice
|
Portable
Plenty of bundled software
Excellent value for money
Impressive pad quality
|
Comes with just eight pads
Knobs lack a satisfying click and feel lightweight
|
The Guitar Junky
Editor's Choice
|
Has the learning curve to progress as you go
Fun to use and beginners won't have trouble understanding
Budget-friendly and with the sleek look
|
Software seems a bit intimidating at first
Some complaints of flimsy keys
|
Music Critic
|
Can easily fit into backpacks and on a production desk.
8 rubber drum pads that are velocity sensitive.
|
We ranked Akai Pro MPK249 #2 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Akai Pro MPK249 as #1.
Music Critic
Best Value
|
Has an all-in-one controller with keyboard and trigger pads.
Comes with 8 control knobs, 8 faders, and 8 switches.
Semi-weighted action with 49 full-size keys that are pressure sensitive.
|
Digital Piano Judge
|
Assignable knobs and faders give a full performance workspace.
Easy to set up.
Arpeggiator, note repeat and other inbuilt effects.
Lights up, so you can see what you are doing on stage.
Semi-weighted keys for a piano feel.
|
Expensive
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend MIDI controllers.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of MIDI controllers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2024 ranking
Consordini
Prime Sound
E-Home Recording Studio
Spy
The Guitar Junky
Music Critic
Keyboard Kraze
Gearank
Music Radar
Digital Piano Judge
We ranked Arturia MiniLab MkII #3 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Arturia MiniLab MkII as #1.
Prime Sound
Best Slim Keys Controller
|
Impressive portability
16 rotary controllers
Seamlessly integrates with Analog Lab Litem Ableton Live Lite, and other software
|
Some might not fancy the touch strip controllers
|
Gearank
Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers Under $200
|
Great value for money
Lots of encoders and pads
Synth action keys feel great
|
Knobs feel cheap
Touch strips feel like a compromise
Pads a bit small
|
We ranked Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note #4 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Prime Sound
Budget Pick
|
USB-Powered
Portable and compact design
Comes with Ableton Live Lite 9 software
25 synth-style mini keys
|
Lacks a thumb joystick
|
The Guitar Junky
|
Many options and controls for more ways to create music
Small and compact
Easy to bring around
Solid build and looks like it's made to last
|
Keys may not be the most responsive
Takes a lot of time to set up and learn from
|
Music Critic
|
Designed for Ableton Live.
Comes in equipped with 16 velocity sensitive multi-color pads.
8 knobs, control buttons, and dedicated navigation.
|
We ranked NI Komplete Kontrol S88 MkII #5 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Consordini
Best All-Rounder (Runner-Up)
|
Very good hammer-action keys.
Aftertouch.
Touch strip, pitch bend, and modulation wheel.
RGB color indicators.
Pre-mapped integration with all Complete instruments.
Two high-res colour screens.
Komplete Kontrol and Komplete 12 Select included.
|
No drum/sample pads.
|
Gearank
Best MIDI Keyboard Controller Over $1000
|
Best for integration with NI Komplete Software
The Fater keybed strikes a good balance between piano-like hammer action and synth action feel
KOMPLETE SELECT is included free
|
Those who play hammond style organs will find its piano action isn't the best for organ slides
|
Music Radar
The best smart MIDI controller for your plugins and DAW
|
Tight Komplete and DAW integration
Provides playing assistance
Spend less time with your mouse
|
No sliders
|
We ranked Akai Professional MPD226 #6 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
We ranked Akai MPK Mini MK3 #7 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Gearank
Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers Under $200
|
Solid, durable build
The pads are nice and big
Great as a portable controller to use with a laptop
|
The small keys are a put-off if you're used to full-size keys
|
We ranked Native Instruments Maschine Mk3 #8 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
We ranked M-Audio Hammer 88 #9 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Consordini
Best Weighted Keys
|
Incredibly realistic/responsive feel.
88-keys.
Pitch bend and modulation wheels.
Three pedal inputs.
Assignable fader and wheels.
|
Limited functionality.
No drum pads.
|
Digital Piano Judge
|
Great for learning to play the piano.
Comes with software included.
Hammer action gives more expression and velocity sensitivity.
|
Big and bulky model.
The keys are not the best quality.
No pads or sliders.
|
We ranked Nektar Impact LX25 Plus #10 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Prime Sound
Best Value
|
Eight velocity-sensitive drum pads are excellent for tapping drum beats
Works seamlessly with most DAWS
Excellent value for price
|
Relatively bulky
No semi-weighted keys
|
The Guitar Junky
|
Lightweight and can be brought around easily
Can control and map DAW effortlessly
Cool design that lights up when played
|
Keys create a dull thud sound when pressed
Not suitable for continued use as you progress
|
We ranked M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 #11 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Consordini
Best Beginner Controller
|
Low price.
Lightweight.
Transport controls.
|
No pads.
Not the most versatile.
|
Music Critic
|
49 full-size, semi-weighted velocity sensitive keys with 1/4-inch sustain pedal input.
Comes equipped with octave range buttons, transport controls, pitch bend and modulation wheels.
USB connection.
|
We ranked Nektar Impact LX88 Plus #12 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Music Radar
The best piano-sized controller
|
A full-size keyboard
Solid but portable
Great value
|
Keys aren't hammer-action
|
We ranked Arturia Keylab 88 MKII #13 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Gearank
Best MIDI Keyboard Controller Under $1000
|
The Fatar keybed is one of the best in this price range
CV/Gate lets you control old analog synth hardware
Has both 5-Pin and USB MIDI
Solid metal build
|
Keys feel slightly spongy compared to the more expensive Kawai VPC1
|