TL;DR Looking for the good stuff? Here are our picks for the 7 best MIDI keyboards under $200 to buy right now.

Keep on reading to get the details for each one.

Do You Need A MIDI Keyboard?

The music production landscape has shifted dramatically in the last decade and even though it’s now possible to create chart topping hits with nothing but a computer, still nothing beats the immediacy of a physical instrument. 

This is why having a solid MIDI keyboard at the heart of your studio can sometimes mean the difference between a good-enough take and one of those possessed-by-the-ghost-of-Bhetoven type of takes. 

But alas, it is a fine line we must walk as musicians these days, with new gear dropping left and right it can be easy to blow a whole paycheck on an impulsive Guitar Center shopping spree. So to help, we put together this list of the 7 best MIDI Keyboards that you can buy right now for under $200. This list covers the whole spectrum of needs, giving you the nitty gritty on what makes each MIDI keyboard stand out from the competition.

But first, since these are affiliate links, it means that if you make a purchase from one of the links on this page we get a small percentage of profit. That being said, these are still our honest top picks for best MIDI keyboards under $200, whether you purchase through these links or not.

What Is A MIDI Keyboard?

A MIDI keyboard is a controller for music software and hardware instruments. MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface , which is the protocol by which digital keyboards, synths, and other electronic musical devices can communicate with one another. 

Midi controllers are generally used to produce sounds in software instruments, usually from within a daw (Digital Audio Workstation). Via MIDI note messages and MIDI CC(Continuous Controller) messages, a keyboard is able to tell the software what notes to play, and when to play them

What To Look For In A MIDI Keyboard?

It can be easy to forget that not all MIDI Keyboards are created equal. Some of the key features to look out for in a MIDI keyboard include:

  • Aftertouch
  • Keybed Action
  • Extra knobs/pads
  • I/O
  • Octave range
  • Included software bundle
  • Portability
  • Durability

(Which are the same key points we looked at when making this list.)

And so, without further ado, here are the 7 Best MIDI Keyboards Under $200.

1. Native Instruments – Komplete Kontrol A25

Price: $169.99

Native Instruments has become somewhat of a household name among music producers. So it comes as no surprise to see them at the top of our list. The Komplete Kontrol A25 is a stylish 25 key MIDI keyboard with a custom designed semi-weighted key bed and 8 touch sensitive encoders.

The A25 comes with some standard features such as class compliant midi over usb, an expression pedal input, and classic style pitch and mod wheels. But where this beauty really shines is its tight integration with Komplete Kontrol(an industry standard suite of software instruments and effects).

The 8 touch sensitive encoders feel great and together with the oled screen allow you to browse your entire library of sounds within Komplete Kontrol, loading instruments with key parameters pre mapped to the 8 encoders, all without even a glance at the computer screen.

Now if you have been there before you will know exactly why this is such a critical feature. Good music requires a vibe, It is an expression of the soul, not the brain. A computer on the other hand is the exact opposite.

So every time you have to stop what you’re doing and look at that screen, it takes you out of that mood. Combine this with the fact that the A25 comes bundled with, “powerful synths, high-impact drums, studio-grade effects, and an array of shapeable sounds” and it’s a no-brainer (no pun intended).

Pros: 

  • High value software bundle
  • Custom semi-weighted key bed
  • Tight integration with Komplete Kontrol instruments

Cons:

  • Only 25 keys
  • No aftertouch

You can check it out for yourself here.

2. M-Audio – Oxygen Pro 25

Price: $199.99

M-Audio has been designing and manufacturing professional audio and music equipment for over 30 years. It is one of the top companies when it comes to quality and affordability, making their Oxygen Pro 25 keyboard a hot commodity. 

This keyboard features semi-weighted keys, which give you the feel of an acoustic piano without the hefty price tag. The keys are also velocity sensitive, meaning that the harder you press on them, the louder or softer your note will be.

The 16 onboard rgb backlit pads are perfect for tapping out beats mpc style and the 8 knobs give you plenty of options for tweaking your sounds as well.

And while the lack of an expression pedal input may seem questionable at first, it makes up for this by offering full on polyphonic aftertouch, which at this price point is pretty rare. 

Last but not least Oxygen Pro 25 even comes bundled with 6 different VST instruments and a whopping 7 MPC expansions, packed with high quality royalty free samples. And we all know a producer is nothing without his sample library.

Pros: 

  • Aftertouch
  • Semi weighted keys
  • Lots of extra controls
  • High value sample library

Cons:

  • Only 25 keys
  • No expression pedal input

Ready to cut to the chase? Check it out here.

3. M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3

Price: $199.99

M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 is a fantastic choice for those looking for an intuitive, easy to use keyboard. With its semi-weighted full size keys, the M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 provides a smooth and expressive playing experience.

It has all the features you would expect from a modern MIDI controller including pitch bend and modulation wheels, octave up/down buttons, transpose buttons (octaves up or down), 5 pin MIDI din outputs, etc…

But what really makes it stand out is the 61 semi weighted keys. In fact at this price point it is virtually the only option with 61 full size semi weighted keys.

This option will be especially attractive to those who may still be learning to play piano since it comes bundled with tutorials from Melodics.

Pros: 

  • 61 full size keys
  • Includes tutorials for those that are still learning
  • Compatible with Ipad

Cons:

  • No aftertouch
  • Minimal amount of controls

Check this bad boy out right here.

4. Novation Launchkey 37 MK3

Price: $199.99

Novation is one of the most popular manufacturers in the world of electronic music equipment, and their Launchkey line is one of the best-selling budget-friendly MIDI keyboard controllers on the market. 

The Launchkey 37 mk3 offers a lot for its relatively low price, with velocity-sensitive keys, 8 backlit drum pads that can be used to trigger samples or virtual instruments, as well as pitch bend and modulation wheels. 

And when all else fails, you can use the Novation Components app to completely customize your keyboard with things like custom scales.

It also comes bundled with Ableton Live Lite 9 (a powerful DAW) which is perfect for beginners who want to get started right away. Novation’s customer service has been known to be responsive and helpful, so you won’t have any problems getting this keyboard up and running. 

While it doesn’t have aftertouch capabilities like some more expensive models do, this is still an excellent choice for people who are just starting out.

Pros:

  • Tight integration with Ableton Live
  • 16 velocity sensitive pads for launching clips
  • Arpaggeator

Cons:

  • No aftertouch
  • Synth action keybed

Get the latest price here.

5. Novation FLKey 37

Price: $199.99

Novation is a company with a reputation for innovation in the music world, and they don’t disappoint with their FLKey 37 MIDI keyboard. They were the first to push the boundaries with their Ableton Live focused launchpad series, and now they have done it again with a keyboard designed specifically for FL Studio  .

 It has an ultra-portable size that can be easily taken anywhere you need to go, but still offers the quality performance of other keyboards on this list .  The keys are velocity sensitive, so they will respond accurately to how hard or soft you strike them.

16 velocity sensitive pads proudly line the top of the keyboard’s chassis, just begging to be hit with a couple strategically placed samples. Like we mentioned in our Top 10 DAWs For Artists To Use In 2022 article, FL Studio is already well known in the Hip Hop and EDM Genres, so Finally having a dedicated keyboard design is sure to leave plenty of producers with a smile on their face.

And if you don’t already own a license For FL Studio then this is a great place to start because it comes bundled with a free 6 month trial of FL Studio: Producer Edition.

Pros:

  • Tight integration with FL Studio
  • 16 velocity sensitive pads for tapping out beats.
  • Built in plugin browsing directly from the keyboard

Cons:

  • No aftertouch
  • Synth action keybed

Interested? Check the price here.

6. Arturia Keystep 37

Price: $199.99

In terms of features, the Arturia Keystep 37 is one of the most robust models on our list.  It has a 37 key velocity-sensitive Key bed, an extensive set of IO on the back(more on this in a minute). The keys on this model are synth action, so they have a much lighter feel. 

Keys like this are nice for playing quick arpeggios, but if you’re after a set of keys that will more closely resemble an acoustic piano experience, then you should probably look elsewhere. 

That being said, this is actually the keyboard that I am currently using in my home studio. While the keystep 37 is lacking in some regards it more than makes up for it with some hard to find features like sync and cv outputs for controlling modular synthesizers, A built in 64 step 8 note polyphonic step sequencer, and a chord mode that includes a “strum” control for lifelike articulations.

And If you’re interested in trying out Ableton Live, you will get a free license for Ableton Live Lite as part of a software bundle with your purchase. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Pros: 

  • 64 step sequencer
  • CV outputs
  • Chord and scale modes

Cons:

  • Synth action keys
  • No aftertouch

See it for yourself here.

7. Keith McMillen Instruments QuNexus Keyboard

Price: $199.99

This may be the last spot in our list but that doesn’t mean the Keith Mcillan instruments QuNexus Keyboard is a piece of gear you should take lightly. One thing that immediately stands out about this keyboard is the lack of traditional piano keys. 

Instead it features “smart sensor” keys that can sense velocity, pressure, and  x/y axis location. This unlocks a whole new dimension of playability for musicians interested in performance or sound design. And it is even capable of controlling instruments through MPE(MIDI Polyphonic Expression).

And it all comes wrapped up in an incredibly sleek, portable, and durable design. This might not be the most traditional type of keyboard but for the creative, forward thinking design alongside a solid feature set it easily deserves a spot on this list.

Pros:

  • MPE capable
  • Velocity, pressure, and location sensing keys

Cons:

  • Only 25 keys
  • Unique design may be too much for the traditional pianist

Learn more about this unique keyboard here.

Closing Thoughts

Midi Keyboards can be surprisingly complex pieces of kit. And since they play such an important role in the music production process, it can get stressful when the time comes to start shopping around.

Hopefully this blog took some of that weight off your shoulders. Good luck on your Midi Keyboard journey and have a great time making music!