Akai Professional
MPK Mini MK3
$119Cheaper
Released 2020-08
Best MIDI Keyboards · head-to-head
MPK Mini MK3 vs KeyLab Essential 49 mk3
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. MPK Mini MK3 is cheaper at $119. Every spec and price links to its source.
Arturia
KeyLab Essential 49 mk3
$299
Released 2023-05
Which is better: the MPK Mini MK3 or KeyLab Essential 49 mk3?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The MPK Mini MK3 is the cheaper at $119.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | MPK Mini MK3 | KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $119 US street price / MSRP | $299 Arturia store MSRP (US$299) |
| Brand | Akai Professional | Arturia |
| Released | 2020-08 | 2023-05 |
| Keys | 25 | 49 |
| Key type | synth | synth |
| Drum pads | 8 | 8 |
| Knobs | 8 | 9 |
| Faders | 0 | 9 |
| Aftertouch | No | No |
| Connection | usb | usb_midi_din |
| Bundled software | MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, NI Komplete Start | Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite, NI Komplete Select, UVI Model D, Loopcloud 2-month |
| Release | 2020 | 2023 |
Sources — MPK Mini MK3: gearnews.com (verified 2026-06-19). KeyLab Essential 49 mk3: arturia.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the MPK Mini MK3 and KeyLab Essential 49 mk3?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Keys: MPK Mini MK3 25 vs KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 49
- Knobs: MPK Mini MK3 8 vs KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 9
- Faders: MPK Mini MK3 0 vs KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 9
- Connection: MPK Mini MK3 usb vs KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 usb_midi_din
- Bundled software: MPK Mini MK3 MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, NI Komplete Start vs KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite, NI Komplete Select, UVI Model D, Loopcloud 2-month
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
MPK Mini MK3
Only one whitelisted tester, SoundGuys, reviewed this exact model hands-on over 10 days, scoring it 7.6/10. They call it an excellent, affordable all-round USB-MIDI keyboard praised for velocity-sensitive pads, endless 360-degree knobs and bundled MPC Beats software, but flag unforgivably stiff pads and missing onboard transport controls. No lab measurements were taken. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Excellent value as an affordable all-round MIDI keyboard; Velocity-sensitive pads and endless 360-degree knobs; Rare built-in OLED screen and bundled MPC Beats software for beginners.
Flagged: Pads are unforgivably stiff, hard to finger-drum consistently; No onboard transport controls, making live performance harder; No MIDI-out port and a thumbstick less intuitive than touch strips.
KeyLab Essential 49 mk3
Two whitelisted testers cover this 2023 Mk3: Sound on Sound reviewed the exact 49-note unit, MusicRadar the 61-note version of the same line. Both call it a slick, good-value refresh, praising the new mid-panel screen, deep Analog Lab V integration, scripted multi-DAW support and the synth-style key action. Both are qualitative with no lab measurements; Sound on Sound flags more integration limits. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: New mid-panel screen and refreshed, tidy layout; Deep, near-seamless Analog Lab V integration; Strong scripted multi-DAW integration across the major DAWs.
Flagged: No CV outputs; Cannot shift control to other devices in Bitwig/Live; ARP/Chord/Scale modes require menu diving.