Let’s be honest – Push 3 is amazing, but that price tag? Not so much.

I see it all the time. Students get excited playing with the Push 3… until they hear the cost.

Then it’s game over.

So it got me thinking: what about the Ableton Push 1? It’s dirt cheap secondhand (I've seen it go for £50!), and it still kind of does the job.

Here’s what you need to know if you're thinking about picking one up in 2025:

Still works with Live 12.1 – Just plug it in and go. No messing around.

Session view + note mode = solid – The core workflow is identical to Push 2 and 3. Launch clips, play instruments, sequence drums. All there.

64-pad layout still slaps – Same layout, same in-key magic. It just works.

Got one for £90 on eBay – Total steal. Most go for £100–200 depending on condition.

BUT…

That screen feels ancient – Monochrome, no MIDI editing. You’ll be jumping back to your laptop a lot more than with newer models.

Sticky surface issues – Over time, the outer coating can degrade and get nasty. It’s fixable, but annoying.

If you’re broke, just getting started, or want a dedicated clip/scene launcher, Push 1 is still a solid shout in 2025.

▶️ Watch the full breakdown (with hands-on demo):

Is anyone still rocking a Push 1?

Keep Pushin',
Craig

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