10 Best Small Midi Keyboard 2025 in the United States

The AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 is a compact MIDI keyboard controller that is highly suitable for music production, especially for beginners and home studio enthusiasts. With its 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys, this keyboard offers a responsive playing experience, making it great for creating melodies and chords. The standout feature is its 8 backlit drum pads, which are perfect for beat making and triggering samples, enhancing your music production workflow.

One of the key strengths is its portability. Being USB powered, it’s easy to connect to your computer and take it anywhere, which is fantastic for musicians on the go. It also includes a built-in arpeggiator and a 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control, giving you more creative options during your sessions.

The keyboard comes with 8 assignable knobs that allow for detailed control over virtual instruments and effects, making it suitable for mixing and adjusting sounds in your digital audio workstation. Plus, it offers a complete music production starter kit with software and sound content, which is a great value for those just starting out. The mini keys, while good for portability, may not be ideal for everyone, especially those used to full-sized keys. Additionally, the learning curve with the software and features might be steep for absolute beginners. Lastly, while the drum pads are responsive, some users may find them slightly small for extensive beat production. The AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 stands out as an excellent choice for aspiring music producers and beat makers looking for a versatile and portable MIDI keyboard controller.

The AKAI Professional MPK Mini Plus is a versatile small MIDI keyboard, ideally suited for music producers looking for portability without compromising on features. With 37 keys, it offers a wider range than typical mini keyboards, which usually have 25 keys, making it more suitable for playing melodies and harmonies. The keys provide a responsive action, which is essential for expressive performance.

Connectivity is a standout feature here, with USB, CV/Gate, and MIDI I/O options allowing you to integrate it easily with various studio equipment, making it highly adaptable for different production setups. Whether connecting to a laptop or controlling modular gear or synthesizers, this keyboard offers the flexibility needed by both beginners and seasoned producers.

The included M-Audio BX3 speakers complement the keyboard well, providing a robust 120W output for clear and immersive sound. These speakers have a bass reflex design and a computer-optimized tweeter waveguide, which ensures balanced audio with deep bass. They are versatile enough to be used as DJ speakers, PC speakers, or studio monitors, thanks to their diverse input options.

However, portability might be slightly compromised due to the additional width from the extra keys and the need to transport speakers. Additionally, while the keyboard's compatibility with popular software like Ableton Live, Avid Pro Tools, and FL Studio is a plus, users reliant on other DAWs might need to check for compatibility.

As a bundle, it offers a comprehensive package for those setting up a home studio or looking to upgrade their existing equipment.

The Akai Professional MPC Key 37 is an impressive standalone production synthesizer, drum machine, and MIDI keyboard that caters to producers and beat makers who prefer a portable yet powerful music creation tool. With 37 synth-action keys featuring aftertouch, it offers a responsive playing experience suitable for electronic music styles. The inclusion of 16 velocity-sensitive RGB MPC pads enhances creative possibilities for dynamic beat-making and sampling.

One of the standout features is its ability to function without a computer, thanks to its robust multi-core processor and built-in MPC2 software, which supports a vast number of plugins. The 7-inch touch display aids in intuitive navigation, making it user-friendly for both intermediate and advanced users. Connectivity options are quite comprehensive, with USB, MIDI, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth available, enhancing flexibility in various setups.

Software compatibility is broad, supporting any DAW compatible with Windows or Mac OS, and the integration with popular platforms like Ableton and Native Instruments is a notable plus. The 32GB storage (with 22GB available for users) and a built-in audio interface make it a versatile all-in-one solution. Its size and weight (8.82 pounds) may slightly hinder portability for some users looking for ultra-light options. As it is designed with intermediate users in mind, beginners might find its extensive features overwhelming. Additionally, while its plastic construction might raise concerns for some about durability, it remains a top choice in its category. For those seeking a standalone music production device with comprehensive connectivity and rich features, the Akai Professional MPC Key 37 is an excellent option.