$50 – $100
1. Alesis V Mini – Portable 25 Key
For a more portable 25 key option, the Alesis Mini V is a great choice in this price range. Along with the 25 keys you get 4 drum pads, and 4 knobs that can be used to control VSTs and other things within your DAW. The Mini V also comes packaged with Ableton Live Lite 9 and Xpand!2 as a software add-ons.
2. Nektar, 49 Key Midi Controller
This is probably the best 49 key option in this price range. Along with the 49 keys you’re getting a pitch wheel, and a modulation wheel. It also comes bundled with Bitwig Studio as a software add-on which is great for those who don’t have a DAW yet.
$100-$200
1. Arturia Minilab MKII
The minilab is a great 25 key option in this price range giving you 8 drum pads, a pitch slider, a modulation slider, and 16 knobs that can be mapped to VSTs. The real draw of the minilab however is the plethora software add-ons. With the minilab you’re getting access to Analog Lab Lite, Ableton Live Lite, and UVI’s Grand Piano Model D.
2. Alesis V49
The Alesis V49 is a great 49 key option in this price range, offering 8 drum pads, a modulation wheel, a pitch wheel, and mappable knobs. Like the V mini, the V49 comes bundled with Ableton Live Lite 9 and Xpand!2
3. Nektar Impact GX61
In this price range we can start looking into 61 key options like the GX61. With the GX61 you’re getting both a pitch wheel and a mod wheel. Similar to the Nektar SE49, the GX61 comes with Bitwig Studio.