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Checked September 2026 · 10 picks

Best MIDI Controllers for Windows (2026)

The best MIDI controllers for Windows are Akai Professional APC Mini MK2, Akai Professional MPD218 and Akai Professional MPK Mini IV. Akai Professional APC Mini MK2 is best for budget ableton live clip launching and mixing (price not published). Akai Professional MPD218 is best for beatmaking and drum programming on a budget (price not published). Akai Professional MPK Mini IV is best for compact beat and melody production on the go ($99).

  1. #1Akai Professional

    Akai Professional APC Mini MK2

    PAID

    A slim 64-pad and fader controller built for hands-on Ableton Live control.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  2. #2Akai Professional

    Akai Professional MPD218

    PAID

    A MIDI-over-USB pad controller with 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC pads and 6 assignable knobs.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported+ iOS

  3. #3Akai Professional

    Akai Professional MPK Mini IV

    $99once

    Compact 25-key USB-C MIDI controller with pitch/mod wheels, 8 pads, and 5-pin DIN MIDI output.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported+ iOS

  4. #4Arturia

    Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3

    $299once

    49-key USB-MIDI controller with LCD display, arpeggiator, and Analog Lab V integration.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  5. #5Arturia

    Arturia MiniLab 3

    $149once

    A 25-key universal MIDI controller with pads, faders, encoders, and a bundled software suite.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  6. #6M-Audio

    M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 MK3

    PAID

    An ultra-portable 32 mini-key USB MIDI keyboard controller for Mac and PC.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported+ iOS

  7. #7Native Instruments

    Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32

    $139once

    NI's smallest keyboard controller with 32 synth-action keys and deep NKS/Komplete integration.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  8. #8Nektar Technology

    Nektar Impact GX61

    PAID

    A 61-key USB MIDI controller keyboard with built-in Nektar DAW integration.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  9. #9Novation

    Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4

    $139.99once

    A 25 mini-key DAW controller with polyphonic-aftertouch pads, Scale/Chord modes, and an arpeggiator.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  10. #10Novation

    Novation Launchpad Mini

    $129.99once

    A compact 64 RGB-pad MIDI grid controller for clip launching in Ableton Live.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

Questions people ask

Akai Professional APC Mini MK2 by Akai Professional. It is best for budget ableton live clip launching and mixing and costs an unpublished price.