The 6 best budget MIDI controllers under $100 and $200 for beginners

A good MIDI controller is often one of the most powerful tools a musician/producer can buy, and you don’t have to pay a small fortune.

I’ve tested a range of budget controllers to find the best options available between $100 and $200. These MIDI controllers are ideal for beginners on a tight budget but are good enough for advanced musicians.

Quick recommendations

Akai’s MPK Mini Mk3 and MPC Studio are my favorite budget MIDI controllers. I use them individually or together; these two are the best $100 and $200 I’ve ever spent.

For those looking for something with more keys while keeping the budget low, the Nektar Impact LX49+ or M-Audio’s Keystation 61 Mk3 is the way to go.

Contents

Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.

• Why trust me
• How I chose and tested
• Everything I recommend

Why you should trust me

MIDI controllers have played a significant role in my career for so many years I’m not sure what I’d do without them.

As a professional pianist, I love nothing more than 88 beautifully weighted hammer-action keys, but budget MIDI controllers are perhaps the most called-upon weapons in my arsenal.

Having worked as a composer, performer, and producer over the past two decades, I’ve been fortunate to spend time in comfortable studios with high-end hardware. But, as musicians, we have to work where and when needed, which often means limited space and working on the road.

Budget MIDI controllers are often the reason I can complete projects and meet deadlines even in imperfect circumstances, and I never travel without one.

How I chose my top picks

Before going over some basic criteria for my list, I want to make it clear that a budget MIDI controller doesn’t mean low quality.

Generally (with some exceptions), the more you pay for an instrument or equipment, the higher-quality components are used, and the better the overall sound or performance you get.

However, MIDI controllers are slightly different because they don’t generate sound; they all do roughly the same thing.

Paying more for a controller might bring more keys, more assignable controls, or a better keyboard action, but the gap between cheap and expensive controllers isn’t so great that it hinders productivity.

Typically, the most significant difference is that cheaper controllers are smaller with lighter keys but more than capable of a professional workload.

The first step was to set an appropriate budget, and I’ve gone for $100 to $200. There are cheaper controllers available, and I might venture a few dollars below $100 (not far), but this price range provides some excellent options.

I’m focusing on keyboard controllers, primarily 25-37 keys with one or two larger options and a few pad controllers.

I tested a range of MIDI controllers, prioritizing the following qualities:

• portability (great for travel or limited space),
• assignable controls,
• features/functions (arpeggiators, chord modes, etc.),
• software bundles,
• ease of use.

After testing, I picked out my favorites and a few worth honorable mentions. As always, I keep value for money in mind, even with budget controllers.

Here are my top picks for the best budget MIDI controllers:

• Best under $100: Akai MPK Mini Mk3
• Best under $200: Nektar Impact LX49+
• Best for media composers: Arturia MiniLab 3
• Best pad controller: Akai MPC Studio
• Best keys for Ableton: Novation Launchkey 37 Mk3
• Best pads for Ableton: Novation Launchpad X

Best under $100: Akai MPK Mini Mk3

• Keys: 25, mini
• Aftertouch: No
• Pads: 8, MPC-style
• Encoders: 8
• Faders: None
• Pitch/Mod: Joystick

I’ve owned every MPK Mini controller since the model debuted, and the Mk3 is the best yet. I use it with a laptop, and I never travel without it.

The keyboard action is better than ever, and the MPC-like pads are still better than the rest. It’s an absolute bargain at just under $100.

The MPK Mini Mk3 is a portable MIDI controller with 25 mini keys. The keyboard action is never a significant concern on such small keyboards, but it’s noticeably better than previous models (more responsive).

The latest MPK Mini has more assignable controls than ever. It has eight endless rotary encoders and a small OLED display showing parameter values.

I love that the encoders are endless because it makes life easier when switching between multiple VSTs.

The overall workflow is great, with dedicated buttons for frequently-used functions like Full Level (pad velocity), Note Repeat, and Octave Up/Down. A joystick, rather than wheels, makes it easy to control and blend pitch and modulation.

Note Repeat is a great feature; beatmakers love it because it allows you to trigger repeated 16th/32nd note patterns just by holding the button, which is perfect for hip-hop, trap, etc. The built-in arpeggiator is also a favorite feature for beatmakers.

The reason I love this controller so much, above anything else, is that it has eight genuine MPC-style pads. Despite being smaller than MPC pads, they have the same excellent feel and responsiveness.

The MPK Mini Mk3 comes with the MPC Beats DAW, and while I don’t use it for larger projects, it’s perfect for beatmakers and beginners.

See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Best under $200: Nektar Impact LX49+

• Keys: 49
• Aftertouch: No
• Pads: 8
• Encoders: 8
• Faders: 8
• Pitch/Mod: Wheels

Nektar is an often overlooked brand, but one you should consider if you want to maximize your budget.

The Impact LX49+ is an absolute workhorse and outstanding value for money at under $200. It’s not quite as polished as some of the other controllers on the list, but it gets the job done.

The Nektar Impact LX49+ has 49 full-size, velocity-sensitive keys. The keyboard action is good; the synth-action keys are very light but responsive.

I chose this controller because it’s a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, and that’s often best on a tight budget. It comes with an impressive range of assignable controls, and it makes life easier by auto-mapping to all major DAWs.

It features eight performance pads, which I found to be surprisingly good for finger-drumming even at high tempos.

There are eight assignable rotary encoders and nine faders, and while they don’t have a premium feel, they are robust enough to get the job done.

The encoders and faders each show default parameter settings (attack, decay, etc.), which provide helpful visual feedback but are fully assignable.

Additional visual feedback comes from a small LCD screen showing parameter values as you make changes.

One of the most beneficial aspects of a good MIDI keyboard is a hands-on workflow, and the LX49+ provides that with its assignable encoders/faders, and a complete set of transport controls.

You even get extended DAW control via dedicated Mixer, Instrument, Preset, Mute, and Track selection buttons, which is fantastic at this price.

It comes with the Bitwig Studio 8 DAW, so you can start making music immediately.

See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Best for media composers: Arturia MiniLab 3

• Keys: 25, mini
• Aftertouch: No
• Pads: 8
• Encoders: 8
• Faders: 4
• Pitch/Mod: Touch strips

I love the MiniLab 3 for media composition on the go because it’s one of the few small controllers with assignable faders.

I like the pads, too, although I’d prefer they were stacked in two rows of four. Overall, it’s one of the best portable MIDI keyboards money can buy.

The MiniLab 3 is a portable MIDI keyboard with 25 mini keys and various assignable controls. The keyboard action is nice and light, with just enough resistance; it’s second only to the MPK Mini Mk3.

While I prefer Akai’s controller for beatmaking and general production, the MiniLab 3 is a dream for media composers thanks to an excellent selection of assignable controls.

The MiniLab 3 has four assignable faders, which is a big part of why I love it. As a media composer working with orchestral VSTs, assignable faders are a must for precision control over dynamics and expression and a rarity on such small controllers.

Beyond the faders, there are eight assignable rotary encoders that feel more premium than the price would suggest.

One of the best things about this controller is that the controls auto-map to the included Analog Lab software.

Analog Lab 5 has over 500 presets (some of the best keyboard instrument emulations on the market), and with the controls auto-mapping to each preset, it’s almost like a mini hardware instrument.

Browsing and selecting presets is easy with a small OLED display and clickable encoder.

The hands-on workflow continues with dedicated buttons, two touch strips, and pads serving as transport controls.

The eight velocity-sensitive pads are very good; they feel nice to play (not a cheap plastic feel) and very responsive. I’m a longtime MPC user and tend to prefer Akai pads, but Arturia isn’t too far behind.

The software bundle includes Ableton Live Lite and a Loopcloud trial.

See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Best pad controller: Akai MPC Studio

• Pads: 16, MPC
• Aftertouch: Yes

Like many Akai fans, I have wanted a budget MPC controller for a long time, and this is it.

You can’t use it without a computer like you can other MPC units, but once you get started, it feels every bit like a genuine MPC. The pads feel great, as expected, and the extended touch strip is excellent for live performance.

Akai’s MPC Studio is a MIDI controller with 16 genuine MPC pads. I often state that MPC pads are better than the rest and only do so from experience.

I started with an original Maschine Mikro around 2011, and it was fantastic. But the pads felt too close to hard plastic and were less responsive than I’d like when playing 16th or 32nd notes.

Soon after, I bought a used MPC, and although I’ve tried more brands since, the MPC remains my number one choice for performance pads.

The MPC Studio is lightweight and portable but still looks and feels like a premium product.

Along with the 16 pads, it has all the dedicated functions you’d expect from a regular MPC, like Note Repeat, Full Level, Pad Mute, and bank selection.

The most interesting new addition is the 5.5-inch assignable touch strip that you can use to do all sorts of interesting things. You can use the touch strip to seamlessly adjust the rate of note repeats on the fly, adjust filter cutoffs, and much more; it’s incredible for performance.

You can’t use the MPC Studio without a computer, but you can work in standalone mode or as a VST in your DAW.

Its color LCD screen and transport controls help provide the classic MPC workflow, reducing the need to look at your computer.

The software bundle includes the MPC 2 software (128-track sequencer) and over 100 instruments and effects. Like the MPK Mini, this controller goes almost everywhere with me.

See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Best keys for Ableton: Novation Launchkey 37 Mk3

• Keys: 37
• Aftertouch: No
• Pads: 16
• Encoders: 8
• Faders: None
• Pitch/Mod: Wheels

Although it doesn’t top my list, the Launchkey 37 Mk3 is the perfect Ableton companion.

The extra octave (compared to the Launchkey Mini) makes a huge difference, and the full-size synth-action keys feel great. I love that it has 16 RGB pads rather than the standard eight.

Novation’s Launchkey 37 Mk3 is an Ableton-optimized portable keyboard controller with 37 full-size keys. Being optimized for Ableton doesn’t mean that it’s not suitable for any DAW, but it’s definitely best for Ableton users.

The first thing I love about this controller is that it has full-size keys. It’s easy to adapt to mini keys, but larger keys make it feel more comfortable to play trickier parts. The synth-action keyboard is a step above average for a portable controller.

Another thing I love is that Novation went for 16 RGB pads rather than eight. The velocity-sensitive pads aren’t the best for finger-drumming but are ideal for triggering scenes or loops during live performances.

The Launchkey 37 Mk3 has full-size pitch and modulation wheels, another rarity on smaller MIDI controllers. It offers an impressive hands-on workflow, regardless of your DAW, with dedicated transport controls and an LCD screen.

There are eight assignable knobs above the RGB pads, and they feel very robust; if I had one minor complaint, it’s that I wish they were endless.

The Launchkey 37 has a built-in arpeggiator for creating simple or complex patterns. It also has fixed scale and chord buttons that keep you in the right key or allow you to trigger complex chords from a single note.

The software bundle starts with Ableton Live 10 and includes an XLN Addictive Keys instrument, Spitfire LABS Expressive Strings, and some handy effects plugins.

See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Best pads for Ableton: Novation Launchpad X

• Pads: 64
• Aftertouch: Yes, polyphonic

I don’t use Ableton regularly, but if I did, I’d own a Launchpad X. Having tested it and had the pleasure of using an X on a couple of projects, I can appreciate how much it improves the production workflow.

This particular model highlights how far the Launchpad has come with features like polyphonic aftertouch.

The Launchkey X is a performance pad MIDI controller for Ableton. It boasts a 64-pad matrix that matches the color-coded tracks/clips in your Ableton Session. The RGB pads are velocity and pressure-sensitive with polyphonic aftertouch.

You might think that polyphonic aftertouch is wasted on such a device, but with Dynamic Note and Scale Modes, the Launchpad X becomes a very expressive instrument.

You can play the pads like a keyboard in chromatic or specific scale configurations. In these modes, polyphonic aftertouch brings the controller to life.

As a pianist, I often find that I approach melody differently when using pads, and it’s an excellent way to shake things up.

Although intended for Ableton, you can use the Launchpad X with other DAWs, and it offers advanced integration with Live Loops in Logic Pro 10.6 and above. You can even control external hardware with the 64-pad matrix.

The Launchpad X is a slimline, lightweight controller, but it’s well-built and more than capable of surviving life on stage.

Like all good MIDI controllers, it provides a pretty good hands-on workflow, with dedicated buttons to arm tracks for recording, access your mixer view, etc.

The extensive software bundle includes Ableton Live Lite, AAS Sessions Bundle, XLN Addictive Keys, DAW Cassette, and Klevgrand Roverb.

See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Honorable mentions

Here are a few more budget-friendly options that didn’t make my top six.

• PreSonus Atom. This is a great option if Studio One is your DAW of choice, and it’s a solid entry to the pad controller market for PreSonus. This model has 16 velocity-sensitive pads and four assignable knobs.
• Akai MPK Mini Plus. It’s basically an MPK Mini Mk3 with 37 keys instead of 25. It has a few additional features, like full-size pitch/mod wheels. I use the smaller version more because it takes slightly less space when I travel. Otherwise, this model would top my list.
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32. Although it lacks the versatility of the bigger Komplete Kontrol models, it’s a nice little controller and comes with some outstanding Native Instruments libraries.
• Arturia KeyStep 37. This is a controller and sequencer that offers something different. It’s not as beginner-friendly as the other options but an excellent controller.
• Akai APC Key25 Mk2. An excellent alternative to the Launchkey or Launchpad because it’s optimized for Ableton and offers 25 keys and 40 pads.
• M-Audio Keystation 61 Mk3. The Keystation series has been around for so long, and what you see is what you get. It’s a simple 61-key controller, ideal for anyone wanting to record more realistic piano parts.

Recent updates

• July 12, 2024: I’ve published an updated selection, added quick recommendations and honorable mentions, and explained the picking criteria in more detail.
• March 2, 2024: I’ve checked the accuracy of the picks and ensured all the controllers are still widely available for purchase.
• February 24, 2023: After testing, comparing, and using a wide range of affordable MIDI controllers in real recording applications, both in the studio and on the go, I compiled a list of the best options to buy under $100 and $200.

Final thoughts

All of the controllers mentioned above are excellent choices for various reasons. You can’t go wrong if you pick the one that best suits your setup and requirements.

In addition to being excellent controllers, the devices above are suitable for professionals and straightforward enough for most beginners.

Lastly, whichever controller you choose from this article will be money well spent.