Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3

I don't have much piano/keys experience. Bought this only for the NI integration. I have used only cheap MIDI keyboards that disappointed me in any way before: Alesis VI61, Roli Lumi Keys, Akai MPK Mini and so on.

The keys are good. Especially if you have never used "weighted" keys before. Of course if you want light and synth action keys you may hate it. It was huge upgrade from semi-weighted and synth action keys for me. Like reviews of previous generations and similar products say, the keys start to make some noises and have something not feeling very well assembled. This does not affect them but you can notice it. I can see why people find this very annoying.

The build quality is good. The case feels like it's going to break but it's quite solid. I have some imperfections in some corners but I'm not sure if it was me damaging it. It's not affecting anything in anyway and it's not easily to spot it anyway.

Komplete Kontrol and Kontakt integration is great. DAW integration is much better now. The firmware issues at launch were resolved quickly by that NI forum user. Probably more firmware/features are going to be released with time but the product was exactly as it was advertised - with limited functionality outside Kontakt/KK that one day may be extended.

I honestly would put 4 stars. But with all the products that I really don't like have so many positive reviews I am giving it 5.

I found the overall keyboard to be improved over the MK2 version. My MK2 had a few clunky keys from playing over time.

My only rant is over the NI software which is unstable, plugins library links often get broken. The latest Komplete Kontrol at the time of writing this review is quite a downgrade from the older version. I used to be able to access the list of presets from an instrument quite easily whilst being within that particular instrument.
The favorite list is now only accessible from the instrument selection page, which makes going from one preset to another quite cumbersome and time wasting.

After years of playing everything from weighted MIDI controllers to full digital pianos, the S88 MK3 genuinely feels like a breakthrough. The keybed is phenomenal — the Fatar TP/100 action strikes a rare balance between piano realism and synth agility. Every note has a tactile depth that makes composing and performing a joy, not a chore.

The new high-resolution displays, tighter DAW integration, and polyphonic aftertouch elevate it far beyond a typical controller. It’s not just a keyboard; it’s an intelligent extension of your creative process. The workflow with Komplete and Kontakt is now almost seamless — you can browse, tweak, and perform without ever touching your mouse.

Build quality is top-tier: metal chassis, sturdy pitch and mod wheels, and a layout that feels purposefully designed for professionals. Despite the advanced features, setup was straightforward — a true plug-and-play experience once updated through Native Access.

If you’re a serious pianist, producer, or composer looking for an instrument that combines authenticity with technology, the S88 MK3 is worth every cent. It’s not cheap, but it’s built for those who demand perfection from their tools.