Best Master Keyboards (up to 49 Keys) for Electronic Music 2026
Perfect master keyboards (up to 49 keys) for electronic-music - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3 Kompl. 15 Ult.
Production
Compact Setups
Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Fits on most desks comfortably
✓ PROS
- • Good balance of portability and range
- • Sufficient for basic chord playing
✗ CONS
- • May need octave switching frequently
- • Usually non-weighted keys
Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3 Kompl. 15 Ult.*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3*USB...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601872
$1,242
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
AKAI Professional MPK mini Plus Bundle
Production
Electronic Music
Compact Setups
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
✗ CONS
- • May need octave switching frequently
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
AKAI Professional MPK mini Plus Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, AIR Music Technology AIEP3 Complete BDL*Plugin Bundle...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 560237
$252
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Arturia KeyLab 49 mk3 Black
by
Arturia
Compact Setups
Studio Work
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Sufficient for basic chord playing
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for most production work
- • Sufficient for basic chord playing
✗ CONS
- • May need octave switching frequently
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
Arturia KeyLab 49 mk3 BlackUSB MIDI keyboard with 49 velocity-sensitive keys and aftertouch12 Illuminated...
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596110
$462
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia KeyStep Pro Chroma
by
Arturia
Production
Home Studios
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most production work
✓ PROS
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
- • Suitable for most production work
✗ CONS
- • Usually non-weighted keys
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
Arturia KeyStep Pro ChromaUSB/MIDI Controller Keyboard with Sequencer37 Mini keysvelocity-sensitiveaftertouchLEDs above...
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 580796
$516
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3 Komplete 15
Home Studios
Compact Setups
Production
Key Feature:
• Fits on most desks comfortably
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for most production work
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
✗ CONS
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3 Komplete 15*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3*USB...
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601319
$912
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Arturia KeyLab 49 mk3 White
by
Arturia
Studio Work
Production
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
- • Good balance of portability and range
✗ CONS
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
Arturia KeyLab 49 mk3 WhiteUSB MIDI keyboard with 49 Velocity-Sensitive keys and Aftertouch12 illuminated...
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 596111
$455
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Novation Launchkey 49 MK4 WH
by
Novation
Electronic Music
Production
Bedroom Producers
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
- • Suitable for most production work
✗ CONS
- • Usually non-weighted keys
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
Novation Launchkey 49 MK4 WHUSB MIDI KeyboardWith 49 semi-weighted keys16 patented FSR drum pads with polyphonic...
⭐
4.6/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 612950
$285
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3
Production
Bedroom Producers
Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Sufficient for basic chord playing
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for most production work
- • Sufficient for basic chord playing
✗ CONS
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
- • Usually non-weighted keys
Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3USB Keyboard ControllerFatar keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch and 49 semi-weighted...
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 570925
$659
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Novation FLkey 49
by
Novation
Electronic Music
Studio Work
Production
Key Feature:
• Fits on most desks comfortably
✓ PROS
- • Good balance of portability and range
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
✗ CONS
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
- • May need octave switching frequently
Novation FLkey 49USB MIDI Keyboard49 velocity-sensitive keysOptimised for controlling FL Studio16 RGB-illuminated...
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 564270
$252
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Arturia Keystep Pro Black Edition
by
Arturia
Compact Setups
Home Studios
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most production work
✓ PROS
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
✗ CONS
- • Usually non-weighted keys
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
Arturia Keystep Pro Black EditionUSB/MIDI Controller Keyboard with Sequencer37 velocity-sensitive mini-keys with...
⭐
5.0/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523778
$483
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 MK3 Alpine
by
Arturia
Production
Electronic Music
Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Often includes pitch and mod wheels
✓ PROS
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
- • Good balance of portability and range
✗ CONS
- • May need octave switching frequently
- • Usually non-weighted keys
Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 MK3 AlpineUSB MIDI-Keyboard49 Velocity-sensitive keys8 Velocity-sensitive RGB-illuminated...
⭐
4.6/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586648
$202
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Nux NTK-37
by
Nux
Bedroom Producers
Electronic Music
Compact Setups
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
- • Suitable for most production work
✗ CONS
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
- • May need octave switching frequently
Nux NTK-37USB MIDI Keyboard ControllerWith 37 semi-weighted standard keys with aftertouchSimple and seamless...
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 613274
$241
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Novation FLkey 37
by
Novation
Home Studios
Production
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Sufficient for basic chord playing
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for most production work
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
✗ CONS
- • May need octave switching frequently
- • Usually non-weighted keys
Novation FLkey 37USB MIDI Keyboard37 velocity-sensitive keysOptimised for controlling FL Studio16 RGB-illuminated...
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 540030
$219
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 MK3 White
by
Arturia
Electronic Music
Bedroom Producers
Production
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most production work
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for most production work
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
✗ CONS
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 MK3 WhiteUSB MIDI Keyboard49 Velocity-sensitive keys8 Velocity-sensitive RGB-illuminated...
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 567139
$202
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Arturia Keystep Pulse Case Bundle
by
Arturia
Electronic Music
Bedroom Producers
Home Studios
Key Feature:
• Fits on most desks comfortably
✓ PROS
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
✗ CONS
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
- • Usually non-weighted keys
Arturia Keystep Pulse Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Arturia Keystep*Master Keyboard*32x Velocity-sensitive keys...
⭐
4.7/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 512424
$219
How to Choose the Best Master Keyboards (up to 49 Keys)
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 master keyboards (up to 49 keys) 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.
