Akai MPK Mini IV review

The MPK Mini IV is the cheapest serious starting point on this list. Akai's launch price is $99, and for that you get 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys, eight RGB MPC pads that sense velocity and pressure, eight 360 degree knobs and, for the first time on the line, true mechanical pitch and mod wheels. A full-color screen gives feedback, and Akai lists pre-programmed DAW scripts for Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio and Cubase. Scale and Chord modes and an arpeggiator with seven play modes, Freeze and Mutate help you sketch ideas quickly. It includes a full-size 5-pin MIDI out and a sustain input, which many mini controllers skip. The bundle adds Studio Instrument Collection with over 1,000 sounds, Ableton Live Lite 12, a Komplete Select edition, a Melodics trial and two months of Splice. The limits are two octaves of mini keys and no faders. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

First-time producers and beatmakers on a tight budget or desk.

Price

$99 launch price from Akai Professional's announcement.

The Akai Professional MPK Mini IV is available now for $99 USD, €109.99 and £94.99, through authorized dealers and select music retailers worldwide.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys with a 10-octave range
• Eight velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB MPC pads in two banks
• True mechanical pitch and mod wheels
• Full-color screen and push/turn encoder
• Studio Instrument Collection with over 1,000 sounds from AIR, Akai and Moog

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Lowest verified price on this list at $99
• Strength: Full-size 5-pin MIDI out on a mini controller
• Strength: Ableton Live Lite 12 and a Komplete Select edition included
• Weakness: Only 25 mini keys, two octaves at a time
• Weakness: No faders for mixing
• Weakness: Pre-mapped DAW scripts cover fewer DAWs than Novation's

Key facts

• Keys: 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys
• Pads: 8 RGB MPC pads, 2 banks
• Knobs: 8 assignable 360 degree knobs
• Connections: USB-C, 5-pin MIDI out, 1/4 inch sustain input
• Weight: 1.05 kg (2.31 lbs)

Where it ranks

Akai MPK Mini IV is No. 3 in our Best Midi Keyboards verdict.