Akai Professional
MPK Mini MK3
$119Cheaper
Released 2020-08
Best MIDI Keyboards · head-to-head
MPK Mini MK3 vs Komplete Kontrol M32
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. MPK Mini MK3 is cheaper at $119. Every spec and price links to its source.
Native Instruments
Komplete Kontrol M32
$129
Released 2019-03
Which is better: the MPK Mini MK3 or Komplete Kontrol M32?
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 | Komplete Kontrol M32 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $119 US street price / MSRP | $129 |
| Brand | Akai Professional | Native Instruments |
| Released | 2020-08 | 2019-03 |
| Keys | 25 | 32 |
| Key type | synth | synth |
| Drum pads | 8 | 0 |
| Knobs | 8 | 8 |
| Faders | 0 | 0 |
| Aftertouch | No | No |
| Connection | usb | usb |
| Bundled software | MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, NI Komplete Start | Komplete Kontrol software, Komplete Select, Ableton Live Lite, Maschine Essentials |
| Release | 2020 | 2019 |
Sources — MPK Mini MK3: gearnews.com (verified 2026-06-19). Komplete Kontrol M32: native-instruments.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the MPK Mini MK3 and Komplete Kontrol M32?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Keys: MPK Mini MK3 25 vs Komplete Kontrol M32 32
- Drum pads: MPK Mini MK3 8 vs Komplete Kontrol M32 0
- Bundled software: MPK Mini MK3 MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, NI Komplete Start vs Komplete Kontrol M32 Komplete Kontrol software, Komplete Select, Ableton Live Lite, Maschine Essentials
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.
Komplete Kontrol M32
Only one whitelisted, hands-on tester (Engadget) covered the Komplete Kontrol M32 in its five-controller roundup. Engadget praised its studio-grade build, satisfying clicky buttons and encoder, best-in-roundup touch-sensitive knobs and an Arturia-rivaling keybed, but flagged that it failed on Windows 10 out of the box (needing a firmware update), has no pads, and is barely portable at 18.7in/2.3lb with fiddly Ableton transport setup. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Studio-grade build with satisfying, clicky buttons and encoder; Best touch-sensitive knobs in its class; keybed in the same league as Arturia; Integrates seamlessly with NI's Komplete Kontrol software.
Flagged: Failed on Windows 10 out of the box; needed a firmware update; No drum pads; Barely portable for its size/weight (18.7in, 2.3lb); fiddly Ableton transport setup.