Most options we recommend here also come with additional features such as knobs, pads, buttons and faders to boost creativity and give you even more control over your software. You can opt for a compact, portable MIDI keyboard that fits comfortably in a laptop bag, or you can go all in with a full-size 88-note model with weighted hammer-action keys. There are plenty of options to choose from, dependent on your needs.
Some also double up to offer control over hardware synths, making them a central performance hub for your studio. These ubiquitous devices can be plugged directly into your PC or laptop via USB - or, in some cases, even operate wirelessly over Bluetooth - and enable you to play and record with your DAW's software instruments and any VST synth plugins you might have installed.