Rank #5 in Best MIDI Keyboard Controller 2026: 10 Ranked on Price Per Key
Nektar SE49 49-Key USB MIDI Controller
- Rating
- 4.6
- Ratings
- 1,429
- Rank
- #5
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Nektar SE49 sits at number five in this guide, and it is the cheapest keyboard in it: 49 full-size, velocity-sensitive keys for £64.00. Divide that out and you are paying about £1.31 a key. The 25-key Akai MPK Mini MK3 above it costs £79 — £15 more for 24 fewer keys, which works out at roughly £3.16 a key.
That is the argument of this guide in a single product. The extra money on the mini boards buys pads, knobs and bundled software, not keys. The SE49's own listing mentions no pads and no rotary knobs; what it describes instead is Nektar DAW Integration, so you can change tracks, change instrument sounds and hit record, play or rewind without reaching for the mouse. It carries 4.6 out of 5 from 1,429 ratings. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing — we have not tested the keyboard ourselves.
How those 1,429 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.6 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £64.00 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 from 1,429 ratings |
| Keys | 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys, with a choice of velocity curves |
| Price per key | About £1.31 (£64.00 divided by 49 keys) |
| Against the 25-key Akai MPK Mini MK3 | £15 cheaper (£64 v £79) |
| Dimensions and weight | 24 x 85 x 10 cm (D x W x H); 1.81 kg |
| Connection | USB, 1 USB 2.0 port; no 5-pin MIDI output listed |
| Platform (as listed) | The bullet text says OS X, Windows and Apple iOS, but the spec fields say "Mac, iOS" and "ios, macintosh" — the listing disagrees with itself |
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 Nektar SE49 have?
49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys, with a choice of velocity curves so you can adjust the keyboard response to your playing style.
Do I need a power supply for it?
The listing does not ask for one — it is USB-powered, and one review notes that no power supply is needed and that the USB cable is included.
Which software does the Nektar SE49 work with?
The listing says any DAW or MIDI music software on OS X, Windows and Apple iOS, and names Bitwig, Cubase, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Digital Performer, Mixcraft, Reason, Reaper, Sonar and Studio One.
Is it compatible with Windows?
The bullet text says it is, listing OS X, Windows and Apple iOS, but the two spec fields say only "Mac, iOS" and "ios, macintosh" — on this point the listing contradicts itself.
Does the Nektar SE49 have drum pads or knobs?
The listing mentions neither. The control it describes is Nektar DAW Integration for changing tracks or instrument sounds and for record, play and rewind without using the mouse.
How does the price compare with the mini keyboards in this guide?
At £64.00 for 49 keys it is £15 less than the 25-key Akai MPK Mini MK3 at £79 — roughly £1.31 a key against £3.16.
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