Experts recommend Akai Pro MPK249 more than Arturia Keylab 88 MKII
As of 15 Jan 2025, experts prefer Akai Pro MPK249 over Arturia Keylab 88 MKII, but both MIDI Controllers have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Akai Pro MPK249 received 2 recommendations: from Equipboard (28 Jul 2024) and Music Critic (16 Feb 2024). Arturia Keylab 88 MKII was also endorsed 2 times: by Keyboard Kraze (5 Jan 2025) and Sweetwater (15 Apr 2024). However, experts generally ranked Arturia Keylab 88 MKII lower than Akai Pro MPK249 in their articles, which caused it to rank lower in ReviewFinder ranking.
| Rank | Change | Price | MIDI Controller | higherhz.com  | guitarandmusicinstitute.com  | Gearank  | Keyboard Kraze  | Sweetwater  | Equipboard  | Music Radar  | Music Critic  | Prime Sound  | The Guitar Junky  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | - | Check price |  Akai Pro MPK249 The Akai Pro MPK249 is a MIDI controller keyboard with 49 semi-weighted keys, a range of controls, and excellent build quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians and producers. | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | - | - |
| 21 | - | $999 |  Arturia Keylab 88 MKII The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is a highly praised MIDI controller keyboard that offers a realistic piano playing experience, versatile control options, and a wide range of connectivity, making it a valuable tool for musicians and producers in both studio and live performances. | - | - | - | 9 | 10 | - | - | - | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire MIDI Controllers ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 28 Jul 2024 Equipboard ranked Akai Pro MPK249 as #1
Rank MIDI Controller #1 out of 7 Akai Pro MPK249 ... ... Source: equipboard.com - On 16 Feb 2024 Music Critic ranked Akai Pro MPK249 as #3
Rank MIDI Controller Comment ... ... ... #3 out of 10 Akai Pro MPK249 Best Value... ... ... Source: musiccritic.com - On 5 Jan 2025 Keyboard Kraze ranked Arturia Keylab 88 MKII as #9
Rank MIDI Controller Comment ... ... ... #9 out of 13 Arturia Keylab 88 MKII Best 88 Key MIDI Controller... ... ... Source: keyboardkraze.com - On 15 Apr 2024 Sweetwater ranked Arturia Keylab 88 MKII as #10
Rank MIDI Controller ... ... #10 out of 12 Arturia Keylab 88 MKII ... ... Source: www.sweetwater.com
After counting and adding up the 88 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Akai Pro MPK249 outranks Arturia Keylab 88 MKII. This is not to say that Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is a bad option. Like Akai Pro MPK249, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Akai Pro MPK249 outranks Arturia Keylab 88 MKII by 18 positions. This indicates that, as of 15 Jan 2025, Akai Pro MPK249 is more critically acclaimed than Arturia Keylab 88 MKII.
| Rank | Change | Price | MIDI Controller | higherhz.com | guitarandmusicinstitute.com | Gearank | Keyboard Kraze | Sweetwater | Equipboard | Music Radar | Music Critic | Prime Sound | The Guitar Junky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | Check price |  Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 The Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 MIDI Controller is a compact and versatile option for musicians and producers looking for a portable and affordable MIDI controller for creating electronic music and controlling parameters in music production software. | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | - | $99 |  Akai MPK Mini MK3 The Akai MPK Mini MK3 is a highly regarded MIDI controller that offers a range of features and functionality, including 25 mini-sized keys, programmable knobs, and a compact and lightweight design, making it a reliable and versatile option for musicians and producers. | - | - | - | - | 5 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - |
| 3 | - | Check price | Akai Pro MPK249 The Akai Pro MPK249 is a MIDI controller keyboard with 49 semi-weighted keys, a range of controls, and excellent build quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians and producers. | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | - | - |
| 4 | - | $109 |  Arturia MiniLab MkII The Arturia MiniLab MkII is a compact and portable MIDI keyboard controller with 25 mini-sized keys, 16 assignable knobs, and USB connectivity, making it a versatile option for musicians and producers on-the-go. | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | - |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [6]
Total expert reviews: 6
- with a score: 1
- without a score: 5
| Highest score by midilifestyle.com | 100 |
| Average score based on 6 reviews | 100 |
| Lowest score by midilifestyle.com | 100 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
Expert reviews [10]
Total expert reviews: 10
- with a score: 4
- without a score: 6
| Highest score by strongmocha.com | 100 |
| Average score based on 10 reviews | 90 |
| Lowest score by Doom Squad Music | 68 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
From Seller:
- Pro Keyboard Performance - 49 semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive full-size keys and a premium piano-style keybed for unprecedented response and natural feel
- Beat Making Essentials - 16 RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads each with 4 banks for 64 pads - the perfect solution for triggering samples, loops, one-shots, melodics and more
- Read more
From Seller:
- 88 note Fatar TP/100LR keybed
- High quality, aftertouch, velocity sensitive, hammer-action, piano feel keyboard
- 16 RGB-backlit performance pads
- Control bank with 9 faders and 9 rotary knobs
- Please note: stand not included
- Read more