Rank #7 in Best MIDI Keyboard Controller 2026: 10 Ranked on Price Per Key
Akai Professional MPK Mini IV 25-Key USB-C MIDI Controller
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Akai Professional MPK Mini IV is a black 25-key USB-C MIDI keyboard controller, listed at £90.20 with a 4.5 rating from 925 reviews. It is the later of the two 25-key Akai boards in this guide and it sits at number seven.
At £90.20 for 25 keys, the MPK Mini IV works out at roughly £3.61 a key. The 49-key M-AUDIO Keystation 49 MK3 at £75 is about £1.53 a key, and the 49-key Nektar SE49 at £64 is about £1.31 a key — both give you almost twice the keys for less. It also costs £11.20 more than the 25-key Akai MPK Mini MK3 at £79, and that cheaper board carries 30,642 ratings against this model's 925. The star breakdown supplied with this listing adds up to 100 ratings, 76 of them five-star, while the headline count is 925. What the extra money buys is not keys: it is 8 MPC pads, 8 assignable 360° knobs, a colour screen and a bundled instrument collection. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing, not from our own testing.
How those 925 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.5 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £90.20 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5, from 925 ratings |
| Star breakdown | 100 ratings listed (76 five-star) against a headline count of 925 |
| Keys | 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys, 10 octaves up/down |
| Price per key | About £3.61 |
| Pads and knobs | 8 MPC pads (velocity and pressure sensitive) with RGB feedback, 8 assignable 360° knobs |
| Connections | USB Type C, 5-pin MIDI DIN output, 6.35mm TS sustain pedal input |
| Included software | Ableton Live Lite 12, with mapping for Logic Pro and FL Studio, plus 1000+ drums, keys, synths, bass and FX from AIR, Akai Pro and Moog |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Bought the Mpk mini 4 after having the 2 and the 3. Solid little travel keys! Usb c is a nice touch because it feels more relevant and current. The keys are small, as expected but they're responsive enough for getting my ideas down quickly. The pads are my fave part. They are great for finger drumming, triggering samples or just vibing!For the size it does a lot. It's not trying to replace a full keyboard but for beat making, quick melodies, baselines, chords and travel-friendly it is incredible. Great controller and a good choice if you just want something portable and useful.”
Verified purchase“Decent and includes Ableton Live Lite and drivers for Logic Pro, FL Studio etc. It's perfect for both beginners and experienced users.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best MIDI Keyboard Controller 2026: 10 Ranked on Price Per Key.
Questions people ask
How many keys does the Akai MPK Mini IV have?
25 touch-sensitive mini keys, with 10 octaves up/down, as listed by Akai Professional.
What pads and knobs does it have?
8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC pads with dynamic RGB feedback, plus 8 assignable 360° knobs and a push/turn encoder.
What software is included?
A VST/AU and standalone suite of 1000+ pro-grade drums, keys, synths, bass and FX from AIR, Akai Pro and Moog, plus Ableton Live Lite 12 and mapping for Logic Pro and FL Studio.
How does it connect?
USB Type C for Mac or Windows, a 5-pin MIDI DIN output for drum machines and sound modules, and a 6.35mm TS input for a sustain pedal.
How much does the Akai MPK Mini IV cost and how is it rated?
It is listed at £90.20, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 925 ratings.
Why does a 25-key board cost more than a 49-key one?
The listing puts the money into 8 MPC pads, 8 assignable 360° knobs, a full-colour screen and the bundled software rather than into keys; at £90.20 for 25 keys that is about £3.61 a key, against about £1.53 for the 49-key Keystation 49 MK3 at £75.
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