Updated: 18 Dec 2025

10 Best vj midi controllers of 2025

Updated: 18 Dec 2025

#1

Best Choice

KORG KO-NANOKNTST NanoKontrol Studio Bluetooth Mobile MIDI Controller

9.9

KORG

Read more

Main highlights

USB and wireless for more music production freedom

Perfect size for intuitively controlling your music

A full array of controllers that cover everything from DAW control to DJ performance
#2

Best Value

Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 37 Mini Keys, 8 MPC Pads, Sequencer, MIDI/CV/Gate I/O, Music Production Software

9.8

Akai Professional

Read more

Main highlights

Record and Compose Without a Computer - Connect to your production station and use the built-in 64-step sequencer featuring one track for drums and one for melodies or chords, with up to 8 notes each

Full Creative Control - A dynamic 37-Key MPK Mini keybed for 3 full octaves of melodic and harmonic performance. Easily connect to your DAW or studio equipment with the USB-powered MIDI Controller

Advanced Connectivity - Connect to different sound sources with CV/Gate and MIDI I/O. Control modular gear, sound modules, synthesizers, and more to bring new sound sources into your music production
Curious about how we select the top products for you? Explore How It Works

How do we rank
Our AI-powered platform ranks products using multiple weighted factors from millions of products and user reviews across the web, providing the most valuable and real data. Higher scores rank first.
#3

AKAI Professional APC Mini MK2 - USB MIDI Pad Controller for Clip Launching with Ableton Live Lite, 64 RGB Pads, Drum and Note Mode and MIDI Mixer

9.7

Akai Professional

Read more

Main highlights

Complete Control – Ableton Live Clip Launching MIDI Controller, perfect for creative looping, mixing, home studio and live performing. Connect to Ableton Live and control all your studio equipment

Bright 8x8 RGB Pad Matrix - 64 RGB pads for launching clips in Ableton Live providing visual color feedback. Trigger everything from Loops, Vocals, and melodic samples for instant creativity

Ableton Live Lite Included - An industry-leading DAW for PC & Mac. Capture ideas, live performances, record, mix and unleash your creativity. APC Mini MK2 is pre-mapped for 1-to-1 integration with Ableton 11.2.7 onwards
#4

AKAI Professional MIDImix - Portable Fully-Assignable MIDI Mixing Desk & DAW Controller With 1 to 1 Mapping With Ableton Live

9.4

Akai Professional

Read more

Main highlights

Mixdown Essentials - 8 individual line faders and 1 master fader for controlling track volume, virtual instrument parameters, effect settings and more

Complete Mix Control - Lightweight, compact and robust ultra-portable MIDI mixer / DAW controller seamlessly maps all mixer settings to your DAW with a single push of a button

Assignable Control - 24 knobs, arranged 3 per channel for controlling EQ, bus sends, virtual instrument parameters, effect settings and more
#5

YaSao M-VAVE Chocolate BT Wireless MIDI Controller, 4 Buttons, Portable, Intelligent APP Control, Black

9.3

YaSao

Read more

Main highlights

[Wireless MIDI pedal with intelligent APP(CubeSuite) control, easy to operate, convenient to use.

[Portable MIDI foot controller pedal is small and exquisite, with easy-to-use 4 foot switches.

[Bulit in 300mAh rechargeable lithium battery, charging for 2.5 hours, can be used for 12 hours.
#6

KORG KO-MICKEY249 MicroKey2-49-Key USB iOS-Powerable MIDI Controller

9.1

KORG

Read more

Main highlights

Velocity-sensing keybed makes it easy to add natural expression to your performances

Full set of hands-on controls includes a pitch wheel, a mod wheel and octave selection

Core MIDI compatibility provides plug-and-play compatibility with any Mac computer or iOS mobile device
#7

AKAI Professional LPD8 - USB MIDI Controller with 8 Responsive MPC Drum Pads for Mac and PC, 8 Assignable Knobs and Music Production Software

9.0

Akai Professional

Read more

Main highlights

Hands-On Control - 8 assignable Q-Link knobs for seamless mapping to DAW parameters, software instruments, and insert effect plugins for tactile control and precise mixing

Customized Production - 4 programmable preset slots for instant recall of mappings for DAWs, virtual instruments, effects and more. Create, edit, load and manage all your presets from the computer

Beat Maker Essential - 13" pad controller for music production with 8 RGB-backlit responsive MPC drum pads for triggering samples, loops, virtual instruments, and more
#8

KORG KO-NANOKEYST NanoKey Studio 25-Key Mobile Bluetooth MIDI Controller

8.9

KORG

Read more

Main highlights

Touch pad inherited from the KAOSS series provides one-finger control of software synthesizers

Eight high-sensitivity trigger pads that you can use for drum input or playing chords

Eight assignable knobs for controlling your DAW and plug-ins
#9

Akai Professional MPK mini mk3 Black – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Backlit Drum Pads, 8 Knobs and Music Production Software included

8.8

Akai Professional

Read more

Main highlights

Total Control of your Production - Innovative 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control, plus a built-in arpeggiator with adjustable resolution, range and modes

The MPC Experience - 8 backlit velocity-sensitive MPC-style MIDI beat pads with Note Repeat & Full Level for programming drums, triggering samples and controlling virtual synthesizer / DAW controls

Music Production and Beat Maker Essential – USB powered MIDI controller with 25 mini MIDI keyboard velocity-sensitive keys for studio production, virtual synthesizer control and beat production
#10

AKAI Professional MPD218 - Portable USB Bus Powered 16-Pad USB MIDI Pad Controller With MPC Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs and Software Package Included

8.7

Akai Professional

Read more

Main highlights

Expandable Banks - Easily accessible dedicated controls for three pad banks provides a total of 48 assignable pads

Beat Production, Anywhere - Ultra-portable, feature-packed and USB powered pad controller with 16 thick fat MPC pads for triggering drums, melodic samples, effects and more

Assignable Control - 18 fully assignable 360-Degree potentiometers accessible via three banks for controlling DAW, virtual effect and virtual instrument parameters