Best Master Keyboards (up to 88 Keys) for Studio Recording 2026
Perfect master keyboards (up to 88 keys) for studio-recording - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 Komplete 15
Classical Piano
Professional Performance
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Full piano range and capability
✓ PROS
- • Professional piano performance standard
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
✗ CONS
- • May be overkill for electronic production
- • Requires significant space
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 Komplete 15*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3*USB...
⭐
5.0/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601323
$1,396
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 Kompl. 15 Ult.
Piano Education
Classical Piano
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Full piano range and capability
✓ PROS
- • Professional piano performance standard
- • Best expression and dynamic control
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to transport frequently
- • Most expensive category
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 Kompl. 15 Ult.*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3*USB...
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601874
$1,649
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 White
by
Arturia
Concert Performance
Jazz Piano
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional piano performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Best expression and dynamic control
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
✗ CONS
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
- • Difficult to transport frequently
Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 WhiteUSB/MIDI Controller KeyboardFatar keyboard (TP/110) with hammer action and 88 weighted keys...
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612845
$1,042
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Studiologic SL88 GT mk2
by
Studiologic
Jazz Piano
Classical Piano
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional piano performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Full piano range and capability
- • Best expression and dynamic control
✗ CONS
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
- • Requires significant space
Studiologic SL88 GT mk2Controller Keyboard with 88 KeysWeighted hammer action TP/400 Wood with aftertouch100...
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610040
$989
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Doepfer LMK2+ 88 GH without Case
by
Doepfer
Jazz Piano
Concert Performance
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Usually weighted hammer action
✓ PROS
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • May be overkill for electronic production
- • Requires significant space
Doepfer LMK2+ 88 GH without Case, Master Keyboard*Built-in version without housing*Graduated 88 keys hammer keyboard...
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 449789
$1,374
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Doepfer PK88 GH without Case
by
Doepfer
Jazz Piano
Professional Performance
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Best expression and dynamic control
✓ PROS
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
- • Professional piano performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • May be overkill for electronic production
Doepfer PK88 GH without Case, Master Keyboard*Built-In Version Without Housing*Hammer Action88 KeysGraduated Hammer...
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 449788
$1,044
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH black
by
Doepfer
Professional Performance
Piano Education
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Best expression and dynamic control
✓ PROS
- • Full piano range and capability
- • Usually weighted hammer action
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH blackMaster keyboardHammer action keyboard with 88 keysGraded hammer action keyboard (TP/40GH) with...
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 316487
$1,869
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Novation Launchkey 88
by
Novation
Jazz Piano
Piano Education
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Usually weighted hammer action
✓ PROS
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to transport frequently
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
Novation Launchkey 88USB MIDI Keyboard ControllerWith 88 half-weighted full-size keysAdjustable dynamic curves16 RGB...
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 543170
$417
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 White
by
Arturia
Classical Piano
Piano Education
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional piano performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Usually weighted hammer action
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • May be overkill for electronic production
- • Most expensive category
Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 WhiteUSB MIDI Keyboard88 velocity-sensitive keysEight velocity-sensitive pads with...
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586181
$416
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII
by
Arturia
Concert Performance
Piano Education
Classical Piano
Key Feature:
• Best expression and dynamic control
✓ PROS
- • Best expression and dynamic control
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Most expensive category
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkIIUSB/MIDI Keyboard ControllerWith 88 keys and CV connectionsWeighted Fatar keyboard with hammer...
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 468786
$989
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Nektar Impact LX88+
by
Nektar
Classical Piano
Concert Performance
Jazz Piano
Key Feature:
• Usually weighted hammer action
✓ PROS
- • Professional piano performance standard
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • May be overkill for electronic production
- • Most expensive category
Nektar Impact LX88+USB MIDI Controller KeyboardWith 88 velocity-sensitive keysExtensive DAW integration incl. track...
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 400076
$285
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3
Studio Recording
Concert Performance
Jazz Piano
Key Feature:
• No limitations for any piano repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Professional piano performance standard
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Difficult to transport frequently
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3USB Keyboard ControllerFatar keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch and 88 weighted keys...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 570927
$1,209
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Kawai VPC1 Stage Bundle
by
Kawai
Classical Piano
Professional Performance
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Usually weighted hammer action
✓ PROS
- • Usually weighted hammer action
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Most expensive category
Kawai VPC1 Stage Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Kawai VPC1*Master Keyboard*88 Key master keyboard in stage piano...
⭐
4.4/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 536010
$1,502
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 Black
by
Arturia
Piano Education
Jazz Piano
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional piano performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Full piano range and capability
- • Best expression and dynamic control
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Most expensive category
Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 BlackUSB/MIDI Controller KeyboardFatar keyboard (TP/110) with hammer action and 88 weighted keys...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612849
$1,055
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH grey
by
Doepfer
Professional Performance
Classical Piano
Concert Performance
Key Feature:
• Full piano range and capability
✓ PROS
- • Usually weighted hammer action
- • Professional piano performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
- • Most expensive category
Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH greyMaster keyboardHammer action keyboard with 88 keysGraded hammer action keyboard (TP/40GH) with...
⭐
4.8/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 265017
$1,859
How to Choose the Best Master Keyboards (up to 88 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 88 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.
