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The 3 best small 25-key MIDI controllers in 2025: True tiny powerhouses

Making music on the go or with limited space is the norm for most musicians, which is why we love the portability of 25-key MIDI controllers.

The Akai MPK Mini Mk3 is the best small MIDI keyboard I’ve tested, and I never travel without mine. It has everything you need to produce tracks on the go, and the MPC-style pads push it ahead of the competition.

If you need something even smaller, without pads, etc., the Arturia MicroLab is a fantastic 25-key MIDI controller to have. It’s as straightforward as it gets, and it looks great.

Contents

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

Why you should trust me

James Nugent, writer at Higher Hz

Over the past 20 years, it’s fair to say that I’ve spent most of my career in a studio of some description, whether writing, composing, or recording.

I had very little space in the early days, and my stage piano often stayed in a case while I worked with a small MIDI controller.

But, when I started traveling for trade shows (around 10 years ago), I truly realized the value of a good 25-key controller.

I’ve recorded ideas and finished projects in hotels, airports, train stations, and anywhere that inspired me (or deadlines insisted).

I’ve depended on my trusty little MIDI controllers so many times, and they never let me down.

How I chose my top picks

A 25-key MIDI controller will never offer the versatility or realism of 49, 61, or 88 keys. But they do something that larger controllers can’t, and that’s fit in a backpack.

Alternatively, they allow you to be more productive at home if you have limited space.

So, I shortlisted a bunch of 25-key controllers to test in the following areas:

  • portability (they’re all portable, but some are ultra-portable),
  • assignable controls,
  • functions/features,
  • RGB pads.

Most popular 25-key MIDI controllers share a very similar feature set, so it’s less about identifying them and more about finding out which performs best.

The controllers that perform best in the above areas will make my list, and I’ll save some of the others for the Honorable mentions section.

Here are my top picks for the best 25-key MIDI controllers in 2025:

Check the Honorable mentions for several other options that are worth considering.

Best overall: Akai MPK Mini Mk3

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

As mentioned, I never travel without this little controller, and that’s no exaggeration; it’s my favorite by a long shot.

I love it mainly because of the MPC-style pads, but the keyboard action is better than ever, too. Whether you’re traveling or working from home, the MPK Mini Mk3 is my top pick.

Akai MPK Mini Mk3
Akai MPK Mini Mk3 25-key MIDI controller | Image: Akai

The Akai MPK Mini Mk3 is a tiny powerhouse, thanks to an impressive feature set and a range of assignable controls.

One of the most significant selling points is its eight MPC-style pads with two banks. Although the pads are slightly smaller than MPC pads, their feel and responsiveness are unmatched by any other small controller.

Along with the MPC-style pads come some familiar MPC-style features, like Full Level and Note Repeat, which make creating complex rhythmic parts simple.

Assignable controls come in the shape of eight endless rotary knobs, which is a lot for such a compact unit. It’s worth keeping in mind that not all similar controllers offer endless knobs, meaning others are often less flexible.

The MPK Mini Mk3 also has some dedicated function buttons that help create a speedy workflow. One of the standout features is a powerful built-in arpeggiator capable of fairly complex patterns.

A joystick, rather than a wheel, provides pitch and modulation control, and you can view real-time feedback on a small OLED display.

Add an attractive software bundle, and the MPK will have you making music in no time. It’s the best!

Read my full Akai MPK Mini Mk3 review for more details and test results.

What I like

  • MPC-style pads.
  • Endless encoders.
  • Intuitive joystick.
  • Improved keyboard action.

What I don’t like

  • Nothing to note.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Most flexible: Arturia MiniLab 3

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

The MiniLab 3 is one of the best 25-key MIDI controllers available and the closest to challenging the MPK for the top spot on my list.

Although I see it as second best, it offers extensive assignable controls and a software bundle that will tempt many to place it above all others.

Arturia MiniLab 3
Arturia MiniLab 3 25-key MIDI controller | Image: Arturia

Arturia MIDI controllers always look fantastic; sleek, modern, and ultra-cool, the 25-key MiniLab is no exception.

The MiniLab 3 has the most impressive collection of assignable controls of any controller on this list. It comes with eight assignable rotary knobs and four faders.

I believe that the faders add an entirely new layer of dynamic and expressive performance, and I wish more manufacturers would follow suit.

I regularly record orchestral parts, and I love the MiniLab’s faders when controlling expression; they remove the need for an additional controller.

It has eight performance pads (16 with two banks), which are second only to the MPK Mini’s MPC-style pads.

In addition to the many assignable controls, the MiniLab 3 isn’t short on features. It has excellent production tools like a built-in arpeggiator and an advanced Chord Mode.

It also has 5-pin MIDI in/out, making it an obvious choice for anyone looking to connect external gear.

Arturia provides a free software bundle with some of the best virtual instruments I’ve ever seen. If you want to hit the ground running, Arturia has everything you need right here.

Read my full Arturia MiniLab 3 review for more details and test results.

What I like

  • Assignable faders.
  • Quality RGB pads.
  • Outstanding software bundle.
  • Portable.

What I don’t like

  • Would prefer a joystick over touch strips.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Best for Ableton: Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3

  • Keys: 25
  • Aftertouch: No
  • Pads: 16
  • Encoders: 8
  • Faders: None
  • Pitch/Mod: Touch strips

While I can’t say that the Launchkey Mini Mk3 is the best mini MIDI keyboard overall, it’s the best for Ableton users.

Everything about it is very good, there are no real complaints, and if you use Ableton already, it’s an easy choice.

Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 25-key MIDI controller
Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 25-key MIDI controller | Image: Higher Hz

Where most small MIDI controllers offer eight velocity-sensitive pads, the Launchkey Mini Mk3 provides 16.

The pads aren’t the best on the list, but there’s something to be said for having hands-on access to all 16 without switching banks. They are especially handy when performing longer pieces with many scenes.

Although the difference in keyboard feel from one mini MIDI keyboard to another is rarely worth mentioning, the Launchkey Mini Mk3 is one of the best, especially for fast synth parts.

It comes with some production tools that make it easy to make music quickly.

The first standout addition is the built-in arpeggiator, followed by a clever Chord Mode that allows you to trigger advanced chords from a single key. Chord Mode allows you to adjust chord shapes and voicings.

Mutate Mode is like a somewhat aggressive randomizer, and I know from experience that a good randomizer can often get you out of a creative block.

Although Ableton isn’t my main DAW, I really enjoyed using the Launchkey Mini, and I can understand why it would be the first pick for Ableton users.

What I like

  • Portable.
  • Ableton-optimized.
  • Good keyboard action.
  • Assignable controls.

What I don’t like

  • Endless encoders would be better.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Honorable mentions

Here are a few 25-key controllers that never made the list but are too good not to mention.

  • Arturia MicroLab. The MicroLab is ultra-portable; it’s as straightforward as it gets. It’s not much bigger than the size of its 25 mini keys and comes in a range of funky colors.
  • Akai LPK25 Mk2. The LPK25 is a fantastic small MIDI keyboard and an excellent alternative to the MicroLab. It comes with a software bundle tailor-made for hip-hop beatmakers looking for a portable solution.
  • M-Audio Oxygen Pro 25. This controller is relatively expensive, but it gives you full-size keys, aftertouch, 16 RGB pads, and assignable controls while maintaining its small stature.
  • Novation FLkey Mini. It is similar to the Launchkey Mini Mk3 in some ways, but it is aimed at FL Studio users. It’s certainly worth checking out for the right users.

Recent updates

  • July 23, 2024: I’ve published an updated selection, now consisting of the top three controllers that overdeliver for their compact size. I’ve also explained the picking criteria and testing methodology in more detail, and added quick jump links and honorable mentions.
  • January 4, 2024: I’ve checked the accuracy of the picks; no changes in recommendations.
  • July 27, 2023: I’ve reviewed the text for clarity and made a few minor changes to the structure.
  • April 13, 2023: After testing and comparing a wide range of 25-key MIDI controllers, I compiled the original list of what I believe are the best small MIDI keyboards on the market.

Final thoughts

Creativity should have no limits; these little controllers remind us of that.

We might have to adapt to our environment or the physical aspects of our equipment, like the number of keys, but although adapting may change our way of working, it doesn’t mean anything is impossible.

These controllers are small, but the potential for what we can do with them is anything but small.

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