MIDI controller keyboards tend to fall into size categories: either compact, portable devices with 25 keys or larger, desk-based options with 49 or more keys and then 88-note keyboards aimed at ‘proper’ players.
In the compact corner, because of the sheer number of features crammed into such a light, small footprint, our first recommendation is the Novation LaunchKey Mini Mk3. It has instant support for Ableton Live, and handy creative tools like an arpeggiator and chord memory function. Next up, we also recommend the Akai MPK Mini Mk3. Put simply, it has everything you’ll need, from decent quality keys, endless rotary knobs, and eight sought-after MPC-style pads for creating beats. The Arturia KeyStep Pro is also an excellent compact controller which can connect simultaneously to DAWs, hardware synths and even modular gear. Finally the Nektar SE25 has an almost crazy number of features given its size and price.