Best DAW Controllers 2025

Top-rated daw controllers 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $2,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For DAW Control For Mixing For Automation For Professional Workflow For Studio Efficiency

BRANDS: Elgato SSL Softube Intech Studio DJ Techtools Behringer

AKAI Professional APC 40 Mk2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

AKAI Professional APC 40 Mk2

by AKAI Professional

Professional Workflow Studio Efficiency DAW Control

Key Feature:

• Enhanced productivity

✓ PROS

• Hands-on DAW control
• Automation and transport control

✗ CONS

• Software updates affect functionality
• DAW-specific compatibility issues

AKAI Professional APC 40 Mk2USB ControllerIntuitive control of Ableton Live with visual feedbackSeamless integration...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 338303

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 ISO Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 ISO Bundle

by Native Instruments

Professional Workflow Automation Mixing

Key Feature:

• Automation and transport control

✓ PROS

• Improved mixing workflow
• Hands-on DAW control

✗ CONS

• Desktop space requirements
• Expensive professional models

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 ISO Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black*Groove...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 452052

$567

Buy at Thomann View Details

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black ISO Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black ISO Bundle

by Native Instruments

Studio Efficiency DAW Control Automation

Key Feature:

• Automation and transport control

✓ PROS

• Enhanced productivity
• Hands-on DAW control

✗ CONS

• Expensive professional models
• Learning curve for complex controllers

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black ISO Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black*Groove...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 579882

$571

Buy at Thomann View Details

Softube Console 1 Mk2 Stand Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Softube Console 1 Mk2 Stand Bundle

by Softube

Studio Efficiency DAW Control Automation

Key Feature:

• Hands-on DAW control

✓ PROS

• Automation and transport control
• Improved mixing workflow

✗ CONS

• Expensive professional models
• Learning curve for complex controllers

Softube Console 1 Mk2 Stand Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Softube Console 1 Mk 2*Hardware controller incl....

⭐ 4.4/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 589218

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

DJ Techtools Midi Fighter Twister white - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

DJ Techtools Midi Fighter Twister white

by DJ Techtools

DAW Control Mixing Professional Workflow

Key Feature:

• Improved mixing workflow

✓ PROS

• Hands-on DAW control
• Automation and transport control

✗ CONS

• DAW-specific compatibility issues
• Software updates affect functionality

DJ Techtools Midi Fighter Twister whiteUSB Controller16 High-resolution encoders including Push Switches and Chroma...

⭐ 5.0/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 342848

$318

Buy at Thomann View Details

Neuzeit Instruments Drop - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Neuzeit Instruments Drop

by Neuzeit Instruments

Studio Efficiency Mixing Automation

Key Feature:

• Improved mixing workflow

✓ PROS

• Improved mixing workflow
• Automation and transport control

✗ CONS

• Software updates affect functionality
• Expensive professional models

Neuzeit Instruments DropMIDI & USB Master ControllerFor live and studio setupsTwo layerseach with eight faderseight...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 621443

$879

Buy at Thomann View Details

Asparion D400F - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Asparion D400F

by Asparion

Studio Efficiency DAW Control Mixing

Key Feature:

• Professional mixing surface feel

✓ PROS

• Automation and transport control
• Improved mixing workflow

✗ CONS

• Expensive professional models
• Desktop space requirements

Asparion D400FExtension for DAW ControllerExtension for D400T (article no. #458510#) - cannot be used...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 458511

$703

Buy at Thomann View Details

SSL UF1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

SSL UF1

by SSL

Mixing Automation Professional Workflow

Key Feature:

• Enhanced productivity

✓ PROS

• Professional mixing surface feel
• Improved mixing workflow

✗ CONS

• Desktop space requirements
• DAW-specific compatibility issues

SSL UF1USB DAW controllersTransport buttons and weighted jog/scrub wheelTouch-sensitive 100 mm motorized fader4 + 1...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 567897

$669

Buy at Thomann View Details

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black

by Native Instruments

Automation DAW Control Professional Workflow

Key Feature:

• Automation and transport control

✓ PROS

• Professional mixing surface feel
• Improved mixing workflow

✗ CONS

• Learning curve for complex controllers
• Software updates affect functionality

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black, Groove Production Studio, Consisting of pad controller and software...

⭐ 4.5/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 421554

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Softube Console 1 Fader Mk III - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Softube Console 1 Fader Mk III

by Softube

Automation Professional Workflow Studio Efficiency

Key Feature:

• Improved mixing workflow

✓ PROS

• Automation and transport control
• Hands-on DAW control

✗ CONS

• Desktop space requirements
• Expensive professional models

Softube Console 1 Fader Mk IIIDAW ControllerHybrid hardware controller with software console emulationIdeal addition to...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 595125

$1,165

Buy at Thomann View Details

Presonus Faderport 16 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Presonus Faderport 16

by Presonus

Professional Workflow Mixing Studio Efficiency

Key Feature:

• Enhanced productivity

✓ PROS

• Enhanced productivity
• Improved mixing workflow

✗ CONS

• Expensive professional models
• Software updates affect functionality

Presonus Faderport 1616-Channel DAW Production Controller16 professionaltouch-sensitive 100 mm motorised faders (dual...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 424629

$977

Buy at Thomann View Details

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Icon P1-X

by Icon

Studio Efficiency Mixing DAW Control

Key Feature:

• Improved mixing workflow

✓ PROS

• Automation and transport control
• Professional mixing surface feel

✗ CONS

• Desktop space requirements
• Learning curve for complex controllers

Icon P1-XExpanderSuitable for Icon V1-MExtends Icon P1-M (Art.#579523#) by 8 additional channels8 Touch-sensitive...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 579524

$538

Buy at Thomann View Details

Behringer X-Touch Extender - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Behringer X-Touch Extender

by Behringer

Automation Mixing Studio Efficiency

Key Feature:

• Improved mixing workflow

✓ PROS

• Professional mixing surface feel
• Improved mixing workflow

✗ CONS

• Software updates affect functionality
• DAW-specific compatibility issues

Behringer X-Touch ExtenderUniversal Remote Control for DAWsMackie Control Mode for integration with any music...

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 415600

$336

Buy at Thomann View Details

SSL UF8 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

SSL UF8

by SSL

Mixing Professional Workflow Studio Efficiency

Key Feature:

• Enhanced productivity

✓ PROS

• Hands-on DAW control
• Professional mixing surface feel

✗ CONS

• Software updates affect functionality
• Desktop space requirements

SSL UF8USB DAW Controller8 Touch-sensitive 100 mm motorized faders8 + 1 Rotary control with push function8 TFT LCD...

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 508557

$1,275

Buy at Thomann View Details

#15

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Icon V1-X

by Icon

Professional Workflow Mixing Automation

Key Feature:

• Enhanced productivity

✓ PROS

• Hands-on DAW control
• Enhanced productivity

✗ CONS

• Software updates affect functionality
• DAW-specific compatibility issues

Icon V1-XExpanderSuitable for Icon V1-MExpands Icon V1-M (Art. #579412#) by 8 additional channelsUp to 7 V1-X can be...

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 579413

$917

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best DAW Controllers

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced daw controllers typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Best DAW Controllers 2025

AKAI Professional APC 40 Mk2

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 ISO Bundle

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black ISO Bundle

Softube Console 1 Mk2 Stand Bundle

DJ Techtools Midi Fighter Twister white

Neuzeit Instruments Drop

Asparion D400F

SSL UF1

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black

Softube Console 1 Fader Mk III

Presonus Faderport 16

Icon P1-X

Behringer X-Touch Extender

SSL UF8

Icon V1-X

How to Choose the Best DAW Controllers

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying daw controllers?

How much should I spend on daw controllers?

Are expensive daw controllers worth the investment?

What are the best brands for daw controllers?

Should I buy daw controllers online or in-store?

Related Best Lists

Best Active Nearfield Monitors

Best USB Audio Interfaces

Best Broadband Acoustic Absorbers

Best Preamps

Best Digital Converters

Best Headphone Amps

Cookie Preferences

Essential Cookies

Analytics Cookies

Functional Cookies

Marketing Cookies