The Impact LX25+ features Nektar DAW Integration (here's a list of integrated DAWs) that provides pre-mapped controls for most DAWs.

It has dedicated navigation and transport controls and presets that allow you to integrate controls within your DAW.

The velocity sensitive keys come in a full-size piano-style build for real-time synth and piano playing.

Key features:

• Keys: 25 note velocity-sensitive synth-action keyboard
• Pads: 8 velocity sensitive pads
• Buttons & Knobs: 1 Pitch bend wheel, 1 Modulation wheel, Octave Up and Octave Down shift buttons, Transpose Up/Down shift buttons, 8 potentiometers, 1 30mm faders, 6 dedicated transport buttons, 5 preset locations store control settings, 1 Page button (for Nektar DAW Integration only)
• Octaves: 9 octaves
• Bundled Software: Bitwig 8-Track
• Power: USB powered
• Connectivity: 1/4” TS jack foot switch input (MIDI Assignable), USB port on rear panel, and USB bus powered. Connects to iOS via Apple Camera Connection Kit (separate purchase)
• Compatibility: USB Class compliant. iOS, OSX, Windows XP, or higher, Linux (MIDI driver software required)
• Dimensions: 18.75" x 10.5" x 2.75"
• Weight 4 lbs.

This MIDI controller has all the essentials for most users, which makes it a good value for its price. Many reviewers confirmed it worked seamlessly with most DAWs, such as Logic Pro, FL Studio, Garageband, and Sonar (since re-branded as Cakewalk by BandLab). Users discussed how the controls, keyboard, and pads were responsive and easy to manage when it comes to their production workflow. Even with its multiple features, it has a lightweight build that makes it portable enough to carry around.

Although a few people suggested the plastic wasn't on par with the price, this controller is quite durable.

This MIDI controller is great if you are looking for something that has multiple functions for producing music without going overboard on budget.

The Korg nanoKEY Studio is not your typical MIDI keyboard, rather it is designed to be a portable music production tool with loads of DAW control features.

It combines 25 low-profile keys with 8 velocity sensitive pads and 8 knobs, but its most stand out feature is the inclusion of a X-Y pad similar to the ones found in Korg KAOSS.

As if those control options are not enough, Korg also equipped the nanoKEY Studio with multiple function buttons, convenient Bluetooth connectivity, along with compatible iOS, Windows and Mac music production software.

Key features:

• Keys: 25 Low-Profile Keys
• Pads: 8 Velocity Sensitive Pads
• Buttons & Knobs: 8 Knobs, KAOSS X-Y Pad, Function Buttons (Octave +/-, Sustain, Touch Scale, X-Y, Pitch/Mod, Scene, Shift/Tap, Arp, Chord Pad, Easy Scale, Scale Guide)
• Octaves: +/- 4
• Bundled Software: KORG Gadget Le (iOS/Mac DAW), KORG Module Le (Piano iOS App), Propellerhead Reason Lite, Synthesizer Software (AAS Ultra Analog Session, KORG Collection - M1 Le, UVI Digital Synsations), AAS Strum Acoustic Session (Acoustic Guitar), AAS Lounge Lizard Session (Electric Piano), Ableton Live $50 discount coupon (DAW music production software) and more
• Power: USB Bus Powered or 2 x AAA Batteries
• Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth
• Compatibility: OS X 10.8 or later, iOS 8 or later, Windows 7 SP1 or later
• Dimensions: 10.94" x 6.3" x 1.30"
• Weight 1.04 lbs.

Many electronic musicians and producers are impressed with the NanoKEY Studio's balance of features and portability. Software compatibility is also appreciated, which together with its Bluetooth connectivity results in a very convenient MIDI controller. Simon Sherbourne of Sound on Sound concludes his review by saying: "The NanoKey Studio works with anything and is a great ultra-portable all-rounder."

The NanoKEY Studio's keybed is not meant to impress piano players, rather they behave more like trigger buttons to cater to today's sample driven music.

Get the Korg NanoKEY Studio if you're looking for a compact and portable music production MIDI controller.

The Akai MPK225 certainly isn't the cheapest 25 key controller out there, but it is highly regarded by people who have bought one and reviewed it.

While some small controllers are primarily intended as an input device, Akai have designed this to be a completely playable instrument and that's one of the reasons it's so highly regarded.

Key features:

• Keys: 25 full size semi-weighted with aftertouch.
• Pads: 8 which are velocity and pressure sensitive and they light up MPC style (with full RGB).
• Octaves: 10 by using Octave Up and Octave Down controls.
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live Lite DAW, MPC Essentials software sampler, and the Air Hybrid 3 and SONiVOX Twist virtual synths.
• Power: USB powered and can use an optional 6V DC, 1A, power adapter (sold separately).
• Connectivity: USB and 5-pin MIDI out and MIDI in.
• Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later + Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. It is also iOS compatible but you'll need a CCK and external power supply as well.
• Dimensions: 19.25" x 11.75" x 3.63"
• Weight 6.09 lbs

Being an Akai controller it also comes with a lot of MPC features including Note Repeat, Full Level, and an arpeggiator.

The common aspects highly rated are the quality of the pads (not surprising given that Akai invented them) and the quality of the keys which has been Akai's weak point in the past on small controllers. The other most commonly praised feature is the overall quality of build.

The main downside, which was reported by a few Mac users, is that it doesn't work as well with Logic Pro X out of the box as some other controllers - it takes a bit of extra configuration to get the most out of Logic..