At this price point, sounds and keys are as far from the real deal as you can get, so it was hard to choose a winner here. Casio Casiotone CT-S The CT-S is a new offering from Casio and a part of their reboot of their classic Casiotone keyboards. There are even basic rhythms and stripped-down accompaniment features too to spice things up. While there are cheaper keyboards in the Casiotone line, the CT-S is the cheapest option that includes velocity-sensitive keys , which makes it the right choice.
The keys themselves are very basic synth-style keys , which is sadly the norm at this price range. The main downgrades compared to the CTX-line are that you lose out on the more advanced accompaniment features. Add decent speakers to the mix, and the CT-S is a solid budget choice for beginners.
Much like other portable keyboards, the CT-S can be powered off 6 AA batteries , and a headphone jack is also present for silent practice. A pitch bend wheel is also included, which is rare even on more expensive keyboards. This allows you to practice synthesizer-focused techniques too. While the CT-S is very basic, it is a complete package. We included the Yamaha PSR-E in our roundup, and while it does sound better, I still consider the Casiotone a superior choice for beginners.
Yamaha PSR-E If you do want to go that route, consider paying a bit more for the PSR-E or the PSR-EW , which are both better built and well worth the extra price, not to mention the addition of touch-sensitive keys. When working with a severely limited budget, we did come up with some inventive options. Regardless, the CT-S is arguably the best choice. The star of the newly rebooted Casiotone line is a basic but complete package, and it includes all the necessary features to be considered a proficient practice keyboard.
While there are undoubtedly better keyboards out there, this is hands down one of the best options at this low price bracket. The PSR-E is one of the newer arranger keyboards, being released in late However, we were blown away by how well it fared at just about everything. When it all comes down to it, this is still a budget keyboard with some cut corners. However, its quality more than makes up for it. With an expanded sound set with some high-end sounds, the PSR-E sounds great.
The default piano sound deserves a mention. The PSR-E is easily the best keyboard in this price bracket. The downside to budget keyboards are sacrifices made in name of playability. Realistic feeling keys are generally absent, as weighted hammer actions cost a lot to implement. Thanks to well-tuned velocity curves , pianists of every skill level can exercise dynamic control. For practice purposes, you can also use your headphones through the rear-facing jack.
The PSR-E really is a complete package. A word of warning though, beginners might get distracted by all of the extra bonuses. While the PSR-E covers a ton of ground as a budget arranger keyboard, you might be looking for something that is more versatile as a song composition too. We recommend the Roland GO:Keys. This is an amazingly fun keyboard that prioritizes looping and composition over realistic sounds.
I had a ton of fun with this during my playtest. Roland GO:Keys. The PSR-E sets the golden standard for budget keyboards, and as of the time of writing, its easily the best budget option for any beginner looking for an introduction to the world of music. A quick note — we did not consider keyboards with unweighted keys for this list. Weighted keys are essential for building proper finger strength and technique and foster skills transferrable to actual acoustic pianos in the future.
Roland FP Even when the PX was still around, the FP was very close to taking over the top spot of our list. Today, most beginner digital pianos are pretty basic and comparable when it comes to features, so the two main factors that we should take into consideration is sound and feel , and this is where the Roland FP excels.
Triple sensors allow more accurate detection of your keypresses , performing especially well on pieces with quick note repetitions. Escapement gives the keyboard an extra level of authenticity by simulating the slight notch felt when you press the keys about halfway down. The white keys are also covered with a textured material that simulates ivory and helps absorb excessive moisture from your fingers.
Roland takes great pride in this technology, as back in the day when it was first introduced, it was pretty much unheard of to use modeling technologies along with high-quality samples to achieve an authentic piano playing experience. There are 15 built-in sounds including electric pianos, organs, strings and of course…jazz scat, my personal favorite?
The Roland FP , just like its competitors, is very bare-bones when it comes to additional features. You do, however, get all the essentials, such as a metronome, transpose function, dual and twin piano modes, and USB MIDI connectivity.
Roland offer a free app called Piano Partner 2 that will allow you to access the internal sounds and features of the FP using your smart device, which makes navigation so much easier!
Update November : Due to pandemic shutdowns and the popularity of the FP, Roland is experiencing certain difficulties with getting it to consumers.
The Yamaha P has been hands down the best-selling beginner digital piano out there…and for a reason. Yamaha is a well-known name in the music industry and their products rarely disappoint.
The P is very similar to the FP when it comes to extra features almost none. With that said, it provides a pretty satisfying playing experience, especially with regards to the sound generation. Some will find the piano tone of the P to be mellower and softer than that of the FP, with not as defined bass and treble notes. Yamaha P Speaker-wise, the P might have a little edge since its speakers are facing the player rather than down-facing as in the Roland. Companies feature higher quality samples in these models over their entry-level counterparts.
Roland FPX. It merges audio samples with software modeling for a malleable sound palette. The main piano sound is also solid and recreates the feel of an acoustic piano really well for the price. All prior recommendations up to this point felt a bit off, mainly due to less detailed sounds, but Roland pulls this off really well. Aside from the acoustic pianos, there are a variety of other instrument sounds available onboard including some solid electric piano sounds, organs, strings, etc.
The PHA-4 Standard key action uses individually weighted hammers coupled with triple sensors, which increases the precision and accuracy of keypress detection. The keys feel similar to those on acoustic uprights and they recreate the physical mechanics well. The only minor complaint I have with the FPX is its dual down-firing speakers. A 1-track MIDI recorder and the essentials are included. Most special, though, is the string resonance, damper resonance, and key off resonance simulation, all subtle touches that enhance realism.
Finally, you get dedicated line outputs , which is something that was missing on the old FP and stuck out like a sore thumb whenever we mentioned it. The only somewhat glaring omission here is the sound effects. Considering the inclusion of some solid electric piano and organ sounds, it would be nice to have more options as far as effects are concerned. But hey, the FPX is a digital piano, not a synthesizer, so these things are just bonuses anyway.
The same goes for the limited recording and layering capabilities of the instrument. All the basics are covered, and if you want more external software is always an option. You can always upgrade to a better piano later. What's important is that you weigh all the pros and cons to choose the piano that suits you best. I wish you all the best on your music journey! We teach a variety of instruments and styles, including classical and jazz guitar, piano, drums, and music theory. We offer high-quality music lessons designed by accredited teachers from around the world.
Our growing database of over lessons come with many features—self-assessments, live chats, quizzes etc. Learn music with LPM, anytime, anywhere! Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Before buying a grand acoustic piano or an upright acoustic piano, be sure to look out for: 1.
The sound Before buying a piano, try playing it to determine whether you like the sound. The keys Ensure that the keys have a smooth surface and are free of damages and cracks.
The location where you will place the piano Get the exact dimensions of both the piano and the designated space where you are planning to place it. The length of warranty For big-ticket items like acoustic pianos, a warranty is crucial. The brand A number of brands have consistently produced reliable acoustic pianos. Should I buy a second-hand acoustic piano? The sound The digital piano produces sound by playing pre-recorded sounds of acoustic pianos.
The number of keys A full-sized piano consists of 88 keys. Polyphony Polyphony refers to the maximum number of sounds that a piano can produce at any time. The touch response of the keys Touch-sensitivity Touch-sensitivity refers to how responsive a piano is when you play a key with different amounts of strength. Weight of the keys A digital piano can have keys without added weight, semi-weighted keys, or fully-weighted keys.
Extra features Other Instrument sounds A digital piano has the capability to produce sounds of almost any instruments, ranging from a saxophone to a choir. Learning tools Some common learning tools include: Keys that light up for you to follow Dual-mode, in which the keyboard splits into two sections so that you can play in the same octave as your teacher or friend Built-in metronome These features act as learning aids, which are especially useful for beginners.
Brand The brand of a digital piano is a good gauge of its sound quality and durability. Should I buy a second-hand digital piano? Final Tips 1. Try playing the piano before buying it While it is convenient to purchase pianos online, it is highly recommended that you make a trip to the shop and try the instrument. Look for reviews It might be difficult to trust the salesperson or retailer, so do some research and look for piano reviews.
Raring to play the piano like a pro? Start learning with our day free trial! Try our piano courses! Click here to start your FREE trial. Click below to read more on:. It will be a daily source of satisfaction, a comforting presence in your home, a companion with keys.
Even a short search can uncover a wide range of terminology and options that can be a little daunting. This chapter gives you all the knowledge you need for choosing a piano or keyboard to choose the right instrument for you.
The cheapest, most convenient, and most versatile. Larger and more expensive, but nearly as versatile while mimicking the feel of an acoustic piano well. A great alternative if budget and space allows. The best option for playing experience and sound quality, but by far the largest and can be extremely expensive. A keyboard is the most minimal option, just a casing around the keys and controls. This makes it portable and usually the cheapest option. A downside of digital keyboards is that the playing experience can vary from excellent to not-so-good based on two key factors: the number of keys and the type of key action.
A full-size piano keyboard has 88 keys, spanning seven octaves and three extra notes. If you want the most accurate piano experience, go for this. Anything less than 76 keys and you will regularly hit the upper or lower limits. And if it was good enough for Mozart…. This term refers to the mechanism of a piano that produces sound. Better instruments do this by including or replicating versions of the moving parts see Key action guide. Simulating the key responsiveness of an acoustic piano, these are more expensive and heavier than other keyboards, but still smaller, cheaper, and lighter than both digital and acoustic pianos.
Hammer action: The highest quality and most expensive. Each key moves a mechanical hammer, giving an almost identical feel to an acoustic piano. Weighted Weights: Weights are built into the keys, similar feel to a real piano.
Semi-Weighted Action: Combines spring-loaded action with weights attached to the keys. Some dynamic lost, okay for a first instrument. Unweighted Action: Typically moulded plastic keys creating resistance with springs. The cheapest option, also found on many synthesizers.
It can be difficult to determine which piano to buy or whether you should invest in purchasing a piano at all.
During my years of working in music retail, selling both acoustic and digital pianos, some of the most asked questions asked by parents wondering aimlessly in the shop were:. What does this mean? Should I just buy a small keyboard first?
A full size piano or full set of keys refers to a piano acoustic or digital with 88 notes. Many piano teachers will recommend the fully-weighted 88 note pianos because a majority of music examination boards will set these specifications as minimal requirements to take their exams. Smaller keyboards generally have 61 notes or 76 notes, mostly without weighted keys.
Beginners start off using only a few notes to begin with when they start learning the piano or keyboard but as your child progresses, the range of notes they use will inevitably extend.
Have you ever played on a portable, light-weighted keyboard and then immediately played a piano? You should feel a significant difference in the weight and response of the keys. The keys on acoustic pianos feel heavier to play compared to portable keyboards. This is because when a piano key is pressed down, it triggers the hammer action to lift in order to hit the strings to create the sound.
Conversely, portable non-weighted action keyboards generally have ON-OFF sensors under the keys to trigger the sounds. You might also find that the length of the keys are much shorter compared to acoustic or digital pianos.
In this image left , you can see that when the keys are pressed on the piano, the hammer is lifted in order to hit the strings. The weight of the keys is dependent on several factors — such as hammers, action parts and how they are assembled.
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