Best Miscellaneous Controllers Under $500 2026

This is a small white USB-MIDI controller with 16 pads that respond to how hard you hit them. It suits you if you want to play beats or sounds from a computer or iPad and like having an X-Y pad and buttons close at hand. Keep in mind it draws power over USB, and iPad use needs an active USB hub and an Apple Camera Connection Kit that is not included.

If you want to scroll through digital pages hands-free, this footswitch could be a good fit for you. It connects wirelessly over Bluetooth LE to an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Android device, and you can switch between three control modes. It will not work for you if you use a Windows computer.

You get a small Bluetooth pedalboard with four backlit pads that send MIDI commands to your iPhone, iPad or Mac. It works up to 10 m away and takes optional pedals or switches through its two Jack inputs. It suits you if you want to change programs or banks wirelessly, and you should plan on AAA batteries and the BlueBoard app to run it.

If you want a compact way to make beats and play drum parts, this one is worth a look. It has 16 light-up pads that respond to how hard you hit them, plus 16 knobs called encoders for tweaking sounds. It works with Windows 7/8, Mac OS X 10.7 or later, and iPad with an extra kit.

If you want to make beats or play drum sounds from your laptop, this pad controller is a good fit for you. The eight pads respond to how hard you hit them, and the eight knobs let you adjust DAW plug-ins and virtual instruments right from the device. It works without installing a driver and comes with MPC Beats software and drum samples, so you can start playing soon after you plug it in.

• Weight1.09 kg

This compact pad lets you map up to 12 zones using standard drum clamps. It needs a phone to set up and doesn't have its own sounds. Perfect for drummers who want a flexible touch controller without the bulk of a full kit.

• Weight0.74 kg

The Airturn Quad 500 is a wireless controller with four ATFS-2 pedals on a pedal board. You can use it to turn pages on digital content, run teleprompter apps, or remotely control iOS, Android, Windows PC and Mac devices over Bluetooth 5. Its built-in battery lasts up to 150-200 operating hours per charge, so it suits you if you want hands-free control of your tablet or computer while you play.

• Weight0.6 kg

You get a wireless Bluetooth controller with a trigger pad, made for drummers and percussionists. You can set how sensitive the pad is, then use it to control audio, lights, effects and MIDI commands. It also works as a page turner or slide remote, so it can suit you if you read digital music or give presentations.

The Midimix is a neat little controller – perfect for bedroom producers or anyone just starting out with a DAW. It gives you real fader action, which is a huge upgrade from mouse control, and the Totalsync feature is seriously clever. It's not a replacement for a full-fledged mixer, but it's a fantastic, affordable way to get hands-on with your tracks.