Akai Professional
MPK Mini MK3
$119Cheaper
Released 2020-08
Best MIDI Keyboards · head-to-head
MPK Mini MK3 vs A-49
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. MPK Mini MK3 is cheaper at $119. Every spec and price links to its source.
Roland
A-49
$175
Released 2012-10
Which is better: the MPK Mini MK3 or A-49?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The MPK Mini MK3 is the cheaper at $119.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | MPK Mini MK3 | A-49 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $119 US street price / MSRP | $175 Current street price per Thomann |
| Brand | Akai Professional | Roland |
| Released | 2020-08 | 2012-10 |
| Keys | 25 | 49 |
| Key type | synth | synth |
| Drum pads | 8 | 0 |
| Knobs | 8 | 2 |
| Faders | 0 | 0 |
| Aftertouch | No | No |
| Connection | usb | usb_midi_din |
| Bundled software | MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, NI Komplete Start | Ableton Live Lite |
| Release | 2020 | 2012 |
Sources — MPK Mini MK3: gearnews.com (verified 2026-06-19). A-49: roland.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the MPK Mini MK3 and A-49?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Keys: MPK Mini MK3 25 vs A-49 49
- Drum pads: MPK Mini MK3 8 vs A-49 0
- Knobs: MPK Mini MK3 8 vs A-49 2
- Connection: MPK Mini MK3 usb vs A-49 usb_midi_din
- Bundled software: MPK Mini MK3 MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, NI Komplete Start vs A-49 Ableton Live Lite
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.
A-49
No sourced tester review yet.