Everything that's cheap, especially MIDI keyboards, comes from China! Nobody can produce that cheaply.

M-VAVE SMK-37 PRO | Performance Demo Using Built-in Sounds and Sequencer

M-Vave SMK-37 PRO Mini MIDI Keyboard with 37 velocity-sensitive keys, wireless support and 16 RGB drum pads control console
https://www.cuvave.com/productinfo/1431195.html

 

Yes, that's why I bought it on Ali.
But I was impressed. I expected Temu but it was really solid. I had extablished brands that felt way cheaper.
If you're in a region where the price is those 99€ or similar without taxes or whatever added it is an absolute no brainer. And there is a red one I forgot.
//Edit// only thing I miss is a sustain knob. It has a socket for a pedal, but some of those mini keyboards have a button for the sustain function. That's handy and I miss that. The keys are operated with little pressure,I like that. I hate when brands try to simulate heavy keys by cranking up the springs to eleven. Black keys are slightly harder to push than white ones. That would not happen on an expensive brand... But I'm not gonna win Solopiano competitions on that thing (and on my level of playing)

 

Last edited: Dec 26, 2025

For comparison: I had the arturia minilab 3 previously. It has a slightly better built quality and feel. But for me it just didn't have enough octaves. And it is a pity the new one only has 8 pads, as far as I remember the old version had more?

 

Save a bit more and go for Novation LaunchKey mk4 49
4 octaver plenty of pads and controls + Live integration if you use Ableton.

Or Arturia Keystep 49 if not Ableton user.

Can't go wrong with those

 

That is for not piano players then!

 

Just like this whole thread is not for piano players.

 

I very much agree that 4 octaves are way more useful than three.
The m-vave is the absolute minimum and when one wants to play with both hands it's quite limiting.
If it's the only keyboard OP is gonna use I would only recommend the m-vave if he does chords/melody and left-hand bass one after the other.

 

My larger 61 key Arturia Polybrute has a hold button...and I like it...but I digress, please, continue.

 

This poly brute SEQ/ARP section looks great ! Didn't know that one.

 

You can also record three different controller movements of all knobs and faders!

 

Whatever you do spend as much as is needed to get as many keys as you can that are weighted . semi weighted is tolerable. anything else and you are buying something you will end up wanting to replace sooner than what your budget sounds like it can handle.
Go to a music store an play on weighted and then non weighted and you will never go back.

 

Nektar and Icon - Poor build quality.
I had a Nektar 88 keys - died after 1 year. Replaced it with an icon 88 - died after 1 year. Upgraded to StudioLogic 88 and works fine for around 10 years now.
EMU X-Board - YES! If you can still find a decent SH one. Had a 61 keys version, new, for maybe 10 years. Sold it to a friend, still works fine.