2021 Top 5 Mini Midi Keyboards

Mini Midi Keyboards are becoming a crucial tool in today’s music industry. If you are a producer on a budget or a producer looking to add new tools to their collection, mini Midi Keyboards are a must buy. They give producers the power to create wherever and whenever. I personally swear by these machines, as they have helped me grow as a musician. Starting off, I never had enough money to buy bigger keyboards. When I initially purchased a mini midi (AKAI’s MPK Mini) I was pleasantly surprised at the power of the tool. With 2 octaves of space, I rarely felt boxed in when creating melodies. After many years of production (and a couple new mini keyboards) I felt educated enough to share what I have learned with other producers. This is my list of the top 5 Mini Midi Keyboards in 2020. I have included a good mix of price points to accommodate every producer, regardless how much they have to spend.

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MKII

I personally have been using this Midi keyboard over the past couple years and I love it. AKAI has always been a leader in this space, and this is one of there most popular products. If money is not a factor, AKAI has released a Mach-3 version of this keyboard. It is one of the more versatile keyboards as it also has 8 pads for drums. I have found it easy to take it everywhere, fitting nicely in my backpack. I have used it on a plane, bus, car, boat, you name it. Extremely easy to setup and use. This is by far my favorite midi keyboard.

Pros

• Industry standard
• Portable
• All around great deal
• Great features and software

Cons

• Keyboard tends to be a bit weird at times (personal experience)
• Pitch and modulation knob is a negative if you prefer sliders

Nektar SE25

Our cheapest top 3 option, Nektar leads the pack in affordability and portability. Even though it is small, it works seamlessly, competing for one of the best keyboards out there. I have been pleasantly surprised by this little guy, as Nektar have packed as much into its small frame as they can. Its fun and super easy to take everywhere. When using this keyboard on the go, it makes the Novation Launchkey and the MPK Mini look bulky in comparison.

Pros

• Ultra Portable
• Sleek
• Cost effective
• Great for all mobile music makers
• Works well with all DAWs

Cons

• No pads along with limited extra features (no sliders for pitch and modulation)

Novation Launchkey Mini MK3

If you work in ableton, this is the midi keyboard for you. Like the MPK Mini, it boasts a combination of keys and drum pads. Twice as many drum pads as the MPK Mini, but less sensitivity. Great if you are looking for sheer volume of drum pads, not so great if you are a talented fast finger drummer. Even though it was built for ableton, it is easy enough to use the Launchkey in any other DAW. Novation has always been good about this, as I used to use the Launchpad in Ableton before I switched over to Logic Pro, and I was able to change the hardware over seamlessly. This company has a great record when building new midi keyboards, and if you are willing to spend a little more this is one of the best options you will ever have.

Pros

• 16 pads and a host of other features
• Great sound design features (arp and chord)
• Great visual design

Cons

• Expensive for many beginners
• Less sensitive pads

Midiplus AKM320

The Midiplus AKM320 is the cheapest keyboard on this list, and my recommended keyboard for beginners. Currently $35 on amazon, this keyboard is a steal. Boasting all the basic features you would want (pitch and modulation wheels and volume slider) this keyboard is a great pickup if you are looking for something simple and cheap. It does not boast the expansive number of features as the Launchkey and MPK Mini, but it will get the job done. It is bulkier than the Nektar SE25, which is why it is rated lower on this list, but you will still be able to take it everywhere with ease. If you are looking to make an economical investment this is 100% the keyboard for you.

Pros

• Great value, easy to learn and use

Cons

• No pads or other “bells and whistles”
• Not as reliable as the Nektar SE25

Korg microKEY 2 Air 25

This is perfect for the traveling musician with a little cash to splash. More expensive then the Midiplus and Nektar versions, but it has an amazing feel. It is an extremely light keyboard, yet the keys have a great feel to them. The Korg microKEY can run off battery power, has BLUETOOTH capabilities, and a phone app for easy use. Some of these features you won’t find on the other afformentioned keyboards. If you are frequently finding yourself in impromptu music sessions, then you will fall in love with this keyboard. As a bonus, it offers a nice selection of added software further adding to its value.

Pros

• Perfect for traveling musicians
• Bluetooth adds a lot of value
• Great mobility

Cons

• No pads and limited extra features, there are better options for stay at home producers

Honorable Mention: ROLI Seaboard Block

This is the coolest keyboard I have ever had the pleasure of using. It is best for playing and performance, as its state-of-the-art keyboard allows for insane sound control by just playing its keys. You can bend, warp, change, and create sounds in so many unique ways. Other miniture midi’s can’t come close to its potential. It takes some time to learn, but it is far ahead of the game in terms of performance ability. It comes with a whole host of software, as well as compatibility with ROLI’s other products. It is by far the cheapest option out of other keyboards with its capabilities, and if your looking to push the barrier of what is possible with sound, this is the keyboard for you. It takes time to learn, but it is worth every second. It is not a beginner’s mini midi. Hey if you want to get it, go for it. I cannot stop you. It is ridiculously fun, and you can whip this thing out anywhere.

Pros

• Great for advanced producers
• Fun & cheap for what it offers
• Sound creation is only limited by the musician using this device

Cons

• Hard to learn and get used to
• High price point among “conventional” mini midis

If 👏 you 👏 can 👏afford 👏 two 👏of 👏 them, fuc*ing do it. You will be able to add more variety to your work as any of these devices will compliment the other.

However…

My Official Reccomendation

If it has to be just one, I recommend getting something like a MPK Mini Mk 2 (I still use my Mk 2 all the time) as a great all-around keyboard.