What I’m trying to showcase here is not the best 25-key MIDI keyboard controller but the best mini MIDI keyboard controller for portability and travel use.
My review will tackle size, weight, build quality, keys, and added features for each portable MIDI keyboard.
That way, you can EASILY slide this piece of gear in and out of your travel bag without breaking your back, getting to gigs, or making beats on the move.
So, let’s get on the hunt for the best ultra-portable mini MIDI keyboards!
5 Best Mini MIDI Keyboards
1. Novation Launchkey Mini
Best Value
Weighing in at 2.1 pounds and a footprint of 325mm in width and 175mm in depth, the Novation Launchkey Mini is one of the larger ultra-portable MIDI keyboards included in my list.
And with all the features and workflow options, it would have been unjust not to add this mini MIDI weapon to my review.
The Launchkey Mini is the smallest and most compact MIDI keyboard in the Novation Launchkey range. It’s even smaller than its big brother, the Launchkey 25 Mk2.
Good things come in small packages, and if you’re an Ableton Live user looking for a portable solution, it is hard to go past the Launchkey Mini.
This product is one of the best mini MIDI controllers packed with other EXCELLENT features on top of the 25 touch-sensitive mini-keyboard keys.
16 backlit RGB drum pads have been included to launch clips and create drum patterns from Ableton’s famous session view and drum racks.
It also has 8 rotary encoders, plus multiple buttons to access sound banks and tweak the filters and parameters of your instruments on the fly.
Pros
- Lightweight, portable
- Provides 32 RGB velocity drum pads
- Great software bundle, including Ableton Live Lite, Addictive Keys and 4 gigs of royalty-free loops and samples.
- Fixed chord mode to add a fixed chord shape
- USB port connectivity
Cons
- Custom built and midi mapped for Ableton Live users in mind
- Slightly heavier than some of its competitors
2. CME Xkey Air
Portable Pick
The CME Xkey is unique because it supports full-sized synth-style keys. It also comes with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch.
It allows you to get that high-end MIDI keyboard, synth feel, and performance out of a PORTABLE 25-key MIDI controller.
Due to the aluminum body and full-sized keys, the Xkey weighs 1.3 pounds and has a footprint of 388mm in width, 135mm in depth, and 16mm in height.
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Pros
- Lightweight and ultra-portable
- High-quality aluminum housing
- 25 keys with synth-like sensitivity and feel
- Plug and play MIDI connectivity
Cons
- Only compatible with Mac OSX and IOS
- Basic MIDI features
3. Akai Mpk Mini Mk2
Best Settings
Weighing in at 1.65 pounds and taking up a footprint of 317mm width and 180mm depth, the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 is quite possibly one of the most popular portable mini MIDI controllers on the market today.
Akai has forged its name in the music-producing scene, bringing out some of the most iconic pieces of production hardware, such as the Akai MPC MIDI keyboard controllers.
They have included some of the elements inside this mini MIDI keyboard controller.
The Mpk Mini keyboard controllers come with 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys, 8 assignable backlit MPC-inspired drum pads for finger drumming, and creating patterns that the two banks buttons can accesson the controller.
This has 8 assignable knobs for manually playing with effects and instruments. It also has Akai’s newly added feature, the thumbstick. It’s a replacement for the traditional mob and pitch wheel.
Pros
- Great value
- Plug and play connectivity to all major DAWs
- 8 MPC style drum pads, plus 2 X banks
- 8 X 260-degree rotary knobs
- Adjust pitch and modulation effects
Cons
- Users have complained that the pads are not extremely sensitive
- Sometimes the MPC styled drum pads can trigger ghost notes
4. Akai LPK 25
The LPK25 is Akia’s bare-bones ultra-portable mini MIDI keyboard controller.
Weighing in at 0.09 pounds, with a footprint of 337mm width and 96mm depth, I am not moving into lightweight midi controllers that lack the bells and whistles of the Akai Mpk and Novation Launchkey Mini.
Considering the size, the LPK25 has 25 mini keyboard keys that have a good feel and response. The keys are great for jamming up ideas and getting ideas and projects started on the go.
The LPK keyboard controllers come with buttons that allow you to an octave up and down the scale of the controller and quickly go into arpeggiator and sustain mode.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- USB power / USB midi
- Plug and play with all major DAWs
- Great Value
Cons
- Basic model
- No assignable pads or knobs
- limited pitch and modulation effects
5. Korg nanoKEY2
Korg is better known for the synths and famous effects unit, the Kaoss Pad. But they are now also players in the midi controller industry with their Nano series of the pad and MIDI keyboard controllers.
The Korg nanoKey2 has a unique keypad system; these low-profile velocity-sensitive keys look more like buttons than traditional keyboard keys.
Don’t be fooled by the unusual keys on the naonKEY2 MIDI keyboard controllers; these keys are still playable, and with 4 adjustable velocity curves, producers can customize the sensitivity to their style.
This is the LIGHTEST mini MIDI keyboard controller I have reviewed, with a total weight of only 0.54 pounds. This is the same weight you would expect when you buy a wireless keyboard for your laptop.
The footprint of this controller is fairly standard for an ultra-portable MIDI keyboard at 325mm width and 83mm depth.
But due to the low profile keys, the height is only 16mm, making the nano key SUPER CONVENIENT for backpack and travel bag use.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Low profile
- Low USB power usage
- 25 velocity-sensitive keys
Cons
- Non-traditional keys
- Slight clicking sound when playing the keys
Compact MIDI Controller: Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Finding the right ultra-portable mini MIDI keyboard controller is a personal preference and can be broken down through your main intentions with this gear piece.
Size
When it comes to anything portable, size counts. So I have found the best mini keyboards for you with the SMALLEST FOOTPRINTS around.
Your controller will take up less room in your backpack or duffel bag, take up less real estate on your home music production studio desk, and easily fit into your setup for triggering keys during your live performances.
USB
You don’t want to be messing around with external power units while making electronic music on the road.
That’s why all of the best MIDI controllers reviewed in this post are USB-powered and MIDI over USB.
You can simply plug and play. No drivers, no installs, and no updates; just make music and create audio art!
Due to the small size and footprint of the controller, you will not be playing full-size, semi-weighted synth keys like the modern-day Beethoven.
The keys still need to be responsive and playable to create ideas and jam on the move. You can always go into Ableton or your DAW of choice when you get home.
With these, you can edit and add automation and effects to your instruments to add more movement and texture.
Build Quality
No doubt, your controller is going to see some action.
It’ll be perfect whether it’s about getting dragged around the country or the globe getting banged around the overhead compartment and boot of the car.
So, build quality is a CONCERN you have to consider when buying a portable and best mini MIDI keyboard.
You should also look for additional carry cases that will fit your controller and protect it from any major damage like wear and tear that could happen to your MIDI keyboards.
The Verdict
So what’s the best compact, portable, lightweight midi controller for you?
Well, that depends on what you want to get done. There’s absolutely no one-size fits all solution to this.
If you’re looking for a great value 25-key mini MIDI keyboard controller that is portable but still has all the knobs and pads to create hot tunes, then the CLEAR WINNER is the Novation Launchkey Mini.
This controller is packed with knobs, keys, banks, and buttons. Plus, it’s shipped with a great software bundle to get you making beats on the run.
However, if you are in the market for the best ultra-portable mini midi controller, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting the CME XKey Air.
MORE OPTIONS: The Best MPC You Can Get for Beginners
Changelog:
December 19, 2022 – minor formatting updates
May 12, 2022 – updated article images
April 21, 2022 – minor content edits
