Best Master Keyboards (up to 61 Keys) 2026
Top-rated master keyboards (up to 61 keys) 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 Kompl. 15 Ult.
General Performance
Live Performance
Electronic Dance
Key Feature:
• Good for chord progressions and melodies
✓ PROS
- • Good for chord progressions and melodies
- • Manageable size for most setups
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than smaller models
- • Heavier than smaller controllers
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 Kompl. 15 Ult.*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3*USB...
⭐
4.9/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601873
$1,286
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3
General Performance
Electronic Dance
Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Suitable for live performance
✓ PROS
- • Five full octaves for most music
- • Good for chord progressions and melodies
✗ CONS
- • Usually semi-weighted or synth action
- • More expensive than smaller models
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3USB Keyboard ControllerFatar keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch and 61 semi-weighted...
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 570926
$824
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Novation 61SL MKIII
by
Novation
Pop Music
Live Performance
Rock
Key Feature:
• Five full octaves for most music
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for most setups
- • Suitable for live performance
✗ CONS
- • Usually semi-weighted or synth action
- • Still limited for full piano repertoire
Novation 61SL MKIIIController Keyboard with Sequencer61 semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouchPitch and...
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 450574
$658
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Korg Keystage 61
by
Korg
Studio Production
Rock
Pop Music
Key Feature:
• Often includes extensive control features
✓ PROS
- • Good for chord progressions and melodies
- • Suitable for live performance
✗ CONS
- • May not fit smaller studio spaces
- • More expensive than smaller models
Korg Keystage 61MIDI Controller Keyboard61 Semi-weighted keys with velocity sensitivityChannel or polyphonic aftertouch...
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 576783
$439
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Intuitive Instruments Exquis Deluxe Dark Wood
Studio Production
General Performance
Pop Music
Key Feature:
• Often includes extensive control features
✓ PROS
- • Good for chord progressions and melodies
- • Five full octaves for most music
✗ CONS
- • May not fit smaller studio spaces
- • More expensive than smaller models
Intuitive Instruments Exquis Deluxe Dark WoodMulti-Touch MPE ControllerSpecial model with wooden side panelsIlluminated...
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 600946
$373
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
AKAI Professional MPK 261
Studio Production
Electronic Dance
Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Good for chord progressions and melodies
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for most setups
- • Good for chord progressions and melodies
✗ CONS
- • Heavier than smaller controllers
- • Still limited for full piano repertoire
AKAI Professional MPK 261USB/MIDI Pad and Keyboard Performance Controller with 61 Keys61 semi-weighted keys16 MPC Pads...
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 338301
$328
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Novation Launchkey 61 MK4
by
Novation
Pop Music
Electronic Dance
Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Good for chord progressions and melodies
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for most setups
- • Often includes extensive control features
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than smaller models
- • Usually semi-weighted or synth action
Novation Launchkey 61 MK4USB MIDI KeyboardWith 61 semi-weighted keys16 patented FSR drum pads with polyphonic...
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 594589
$362
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia AstroLab Wooden Legs Set
by
Arturia
Live Performance
Rock
Pop Music
Key Feature:
• Good for chord progressions and melodies
✓ PROS
- • Five full octaves for most music
- • Good for chord progressions and melodies
✗ CONS
- • May not fit smaller studio spaces
- • Still limited for full piano repertoire
Arturia AstroLab Wooden Legs Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Arturia AstroLab*Stage Keyboard*61 semi-weighted keys in...
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 593800
$1,792
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 Komplete 15
General Performance
Live Performance
Rock
Key Feature:
• Good for chord progressions and melodies
✓ PROS
- • Five full octaves for most music
- • Manageable size for most setups
✗ CONS
- • Usually semi-weighted or synth action
- • More expensive than smaller models
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 Komplete 15*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3*USB...
⭐
4.7/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601322
$1,022
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 Black
by
Arturia
Live Performance
Rock
Pop Music
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for most setups
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for most setups
- • Five full octaves for most music
✗ CONS
- • May not fit smaller studio spaces
- • Usually semi-weighted or synth action
Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 BlackUSB MIDI Keyboard with 61 Velocity-Sensitive Keys and Aftertouch12 illuminated...
⭐
4.4/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 596112
$582
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia AstroLab Stand Set
by
Arturia
Studio Production
Live Performance
Pop Music
Key Feature:
• Suitable for live performance
✓ PROS
- • Often includes extensive control features
- • Suitable for live performance
✗ CONS
- • Heavier than smaller controllers
- • Still limited for full piano repertoire
Arturia AstroLab Stand Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Arturia AstroLab*Stage Keyboard*61 semi-weighted keys in standard...
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 593799
$1,649
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61
Pop Music
Rock
Electronic Dance
Key Feature:
• Suitable for live performance
✓ PROS
- • Good for chord progressions and melodies
- • Often includes extensive control features
✗ CONS
- • Usually semi-weighted or synth action
- • Still limited for full piano repertoire
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61Compact Controller KeyboardNewly developed semi-weighted keyboard with 61...
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 447977
$230
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Nux NTK-61
by
Nux
Pop Music
Rock
Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for most setups
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for most setups
- • Suitable for live performance
✗ CONS
- • May not fit smaller studio spaces
- • Heavier than smaller controllers
Nux NTK-61USB MIDI Keyboard ControllerWith 61 semi-weighted standard keys with aftertouchSimple and seamless...
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 613277
$351
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 White
by
Arturia
General Performance
Electronic Dance
Studio Production
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for most setups
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for live performance
- • Five full octaves for most music
✗ CONS
- • May not fit smaller studio spaces
- • Still limited for full piano repertoire
Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 WhiteUSB MIDI Keyboard with 61 Velocity-sensitive Keys and Aftertouch12 Illuminated...
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596113
$542
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Midiplus X-6 III
by
Midiplus
Pop Music
Electronic Dance
Rock
Key Feature:
• Good for chord progressions and melodies
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for most setups
- • Good for chord progressions and melodies
✗ CONS
- • Still limited for full piano repertoire
- • Usually semi-weighted or synth action
Midiplus X-6 IIIUSB MIDI Keyboard61 Semi-weightedstandard-size velocity-sensitive keys4 Assignable knobs6 Assignable...
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 546975
$219
How to Choose the Best Master Keyboards (up to 61 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 61 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.
