Best Master Keyboards (up to 49 Keys) Under $100 2026
Affordable master keyboards (up to 49 keys) under $100 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Miditech Midistart Music 49
by
Miditech
Home Studios
Compact Setups
Production
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
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
Miditech Midistart Music 49MIDI Master keyboardWith 49 large keys with velocity sensitivityPitch bend and modulation+/-...
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 232222
$92
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Nektar SE49
by
Nektar
Studio Work
Compact Setups
Bedroom Producers
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for most production work
- • Sufficient for basic chord playing
✗ CONS
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
- • Usually non-weighted keys
Nektar SE49USB MIDI controller keyboardWith 49 velocity sensitive keys7 Switchable velocity curves - 4 user presets3...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 464983
$81
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Midiplus AK490
by
Midiplus
Home Studios
Bedroom Producers
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Often includes pitch and mod wheels
✓ PROS
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
- • Good balance of portability and range
✗ CONS
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
Midiplus AK490USB MIDI Keyboard49 Velocity-sensitive keysPitch bend and modulation wheelOctave selector button6.3 mm...
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 456711
$87
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Miditech Minicontrol-32
by
Miditech
Home Studios
Studio Work
Bedroom Producers
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
✗ CONS
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
Miditech Minicontrol-32Compact USB Master KeyboardWith 32 velocity-sensitive mini keysOctave / - ButtonsTranspose / -...
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 395535
$65
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Swissonic EasyKey 49
by
Swissonic
Compact Setups
Studio Work
Home Studios
Key Feature:
• Sufficient for basic chord playing
✓ PROS
- • Good balance of portability and range
- • Suitable for most production work
✗ CONS
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
- • May need octave switching frequently
Swissonic EasyKey 49MIDI Keyboard49 Full-size velocity sensitive keysAluminium housing with plastic side...
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 337441
$98
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Korg microKEY 37 MkII
by
Korg
Studio Work
Bedroom Producers
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Sufficient for basic chord playing
✓ PROS
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
- • Sufficient for basic chord playing
✗ CONS
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
- • May need octave switching frequently
Korg microKEY 37 MkII37-Key MIDI KeyboardCompact Natural Touch mini keyboardPitch Bend wheelModulation wheelOctave...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 374933
$98
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Miditech i2-mini 32 Bluetooth
by
Miditech
Compact Setups
Electronic Music
Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most production work
✓ PROS
- • Good balance of portability and range
- • Often includes pitch and mod wheels
✗ CONS
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
- • Usually non-weighted keys
Miditech i2-mini 32 BluetoothUSB Masterkeyboard32 Velocity-sensitive mini keysOctave and transpose buttonsPitch bend...
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 443125
$65
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Miditech i2-mini 32 Plus
by
Miditech
Bedroom Producers
Compact Setups
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Fits on most desks comfortably
✓ PROS
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
- • Suitable for most production work
✗ CONS
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
- • Usually non-weighted keys
Miditech i2-mini 32 PlusUSB Master KeyboardClass compliant32 Dynamic mid-size buttonsOctave +/- keysCombined pitch bend...
⭐
4.6/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 489355
$61
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3
by
M-Audio
Electronic Music
Bedroom Producers
Compact Setups
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Sufficient for basic chord playing
- • Suitable for most production work
✗ CONS
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3USB MIDI Keyboard49 Velocity-sensitive keysPitch bend and modulation wheelOctave...
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 445575
$96
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Nektar Impact GX 49
by
Nektar
Bedroom Producers
Compact Setups
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Sufficient for basic chord playing
- • Good balance of portability and range
✗ CONS
- • May need octave switching frequently
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
Nektar Impact GX 4949-key USB KeyboardVelocity sensitive full size keys with "Synth Action"4 Velocity curvesA...
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 386506
$98
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Behringer Swing
by
Behringer
Production
Studio Work
Compact Setups
Key Feature:
• Sufficient for basic chord playing
✓ PROS
- • Good balance of portability and range
- • Suitable for most production work
✗ CONS
- • Limited for advanced piano playing
- • Can feel restrictive for some styles
Behringer Swing32-Key USB MIDI Controller KeyboardVelocity sensitive with aftertouch64 step sequencer with 8x...
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 507887
$61
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Miditech Garagekey mini
by
Miditech
Electronic Music
Compact Setups
Home Studios
Key Feature:
• Good balance of portability and range
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for most production work
- • Fits on most desks comfortably
✗ CONS
- • Usually non-weighted keys
- • Not ideal for two-handed piano parts
Miditech Garagekey miniUSB Master Keyboard37 Mini keysWith velocity and octave switchVery space-saving designNo driver...
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 271459
$53
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.
