Best Beginner Keyboards 2024 – These Starter Digital Pianos Are A Great First Step

So, you’re thinking about learning the keyboard.

Whatever skills you learn on a keyboard tend to be highly transferable, since the same basic concepts apply to piano, organ, harpsicord, accordion and many other instruments.

Of course, you would need to learn additional techniques, but the concepts of music theory and keyboard layout translate nicely to plenty of other musical situations.

So, what keyboard should you get as a beginner? Here are some great options.

Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano With Sustain Pedal And Power Supply

The Yamaha P71 Amazon exclusive digital piano could be a good choice for beginners with a little more of a budget.

After all, what makes a keyboard good for beginners isn’t that it’s cheap, though that can certainly help. Oftentimes, what matters more, is playing on a keyboard that feels and sounds good to you.

This digital piano comes with 88 fully weighted piano style keys, power adapter, sustain pedal, 10 voices (including digitally sampled tones from Yamaha acoustic grands), Dual Mode for combining voices, all with a slim and lightweight design.

A digital piano with weighted action keys will feel more like a real piano versus a keyboard, so this is an important factor to keep in mind when buying. Buyers usually prefer one or the either but not both.

Students and beginners alike enjoyed the Yamaha and some even said this unit exceeded their expectations.

Some buyers weren’t entirely happy with the keys, though they seem to be in the minority.

Again, this is a product worthy of your consideration if a digital piano is what you want and you’ve got the budget for it.

Item weight: 25 lbs.

Package dimensions: 58.2 x 16.1 x 11.7 inches

Casio CT-X3000 Keyboard Bundle

The Casio CT-X3000 keyboard bundle comes with an adjustable stand, bench, sustain pedal, online lessons, Austin Bazaar instructional DVD and polishing cloth.

The keyboard features 61 full-size touch-responsive keys, 800 tones, 235 editable rhythms, DSP effects (amp models, rotary speaker simulation and more), 17 track sequencer, phrase pads, arpeggiator and a 12-watt stereo speaker system.

Positive reviewers loved the many functions included with this keyboard though some said the features are a little overwhelming for beginners. Still, this is a dependable keyboard with relatively few issues.

As with the last item on this list, this Casio costs little more than other keyboards you will find in this guide. We encourage you to spend responsibly, but we felt this keyboard was still worth introducing.

Item weight: 43.6 lbs.

Package dimensions: 40 x 19 x 12 inches

Yamaha REFACE CP Portable Electric Piano And Vintage Keyboard Sound Engine

The Yamaha REFFACE CP keyboard comes with a vintage keyboard sound engine and six vintage keyboard types, five stomp box style effects with direct control, 128-note polyphony, 37-key mini keyboard and built-in speaker system.

There are a variety of keyboards on this list, and this one certainly falls under the category of niche. With 37 keys and vintage sounds, this one isn’t likely to appeal to every player.

But it isn’t overly expensive, and it is versatile, giving you the ability t use analog modeling synth, FM synth, electric piano and combo organ sounds, which would totally be down my alley.

Plenty of keyboardists, even those experienced, found this Yamaha to be of high quality.

Some players found the keys to be a little small while others didn’t entirely agree with the price point.

If you like the idea of a mini electronic piano, however, this is obviously a must-see.

Item weight: 6 lbs.

Package dimensions: 29.5 x 9.4 x 3.9 inches

Alesis Recital | 88 Key Beginner Digital Piano/Keyboard

The Alesis Recital is another slightly higher-priced beginner option. Since it features 88 keys (standard pianos also have 88), its asking price is more than reasonable.

This is a fully featured digital piano with 88 premium, full sized semi-weighted keys with adjustable touch response.

You also get 128 note polyphony, five voices (acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, synth and bass), built-in FX (chorus, reverb), two 20W speakers, 1/4 inch sustain pedal input (pedal not included), 1/4 inch stereo headphone output and stereo RCA outputs.

The keyboard can be powered with an adapter or six D cell batteries and it also includes educational features including split, layer and lesson modes as well as Skoove three-month premium subscription for expert interactive online piano lessons.

Many reviews indicate this keyboard features great sound quality and action.

More critical buyers didn’t like the key action or sounds. These reviews, however, seem to be coming primarily from buyers who were expecting something better at this price point. We suggest keeping your expectations realistic when buying a keyboard in this class.

The Alesis certainly won’t be for everyone, but it’s still a good pick overall.

Item weight: 15.65 lbs.

Package dimensions: 3.6 x 11.5 x 50.5 inches

Roland GO:KEYS GO-61K 61-Key Creation Keyboard

The Roland GO:KEYS GO-61K has appeared on some of our other lists and though it isn’t the most affordable keyboard on this list, it certainly offers some interesting possibilities.

It comes with over 500 pro-quality sounds (pianos, synths, strings, bass, brass), Bluetooth audio/MIDI support for connecting to your smart device and Loop Mix for building songs with the ability to manipulate the sound of your loops with one-touch control.

The smart device connectivity can be used to stream and play along with your favorite music. Battery power allows you to play wherever and whenever you want, and the 500 sounds can certainly help inspire your songwriting.

The good – many buyers found the Roland to be a fun keyboard to play with. They also enjoyed the many quality sounds.

The bad – this keyboard isn’t for more advanced players. In terms of beginner keyboards, it’s slightly on the pricier side of the spectrum.

Item weight: 8 lbs.

Package dimensions: 34.5 x 10 x 3 inches

Casio CTK-6250 61-Key Keyboard With Power Supply

The Casio CTK-6250 61-key keyboard comes with 700 quality built-in tones, the ability to store original tones, 21 preset rhythms, 16-track song sequencer and built-in effects – reverb, chorus, delay, phase, flanger, wah, rotary and more.

Most buyers found the keyboard to be great for the price. Some had trouble with the operation, though you should be able to master this with practice.

Not the cheapest, but not the most expensive keyboard, if you’re looking for an FX powerhouse (and we all know how much fun effects are to play with), you’ve found it.

Item weight: 19.7 lbs.

Package dimensions: 37.3 x 15.1 x 4.8 inches

Casio LK-280 61-Lighted Key Touch Sensitive Personal Keyboard

The Casio LK-280 keyboard comes with a host of features – 180 preset rhythms, 48 notes of polyphony, 600 onboard tones, 180 rhythms, reverb and chorus digital effects, 152 songs, a five-track recorder, MP3 player audio inputs, USB port, Step Up Lesson system and light-up piano keys. And, that’s just scratching the surface.

Beginners and students alike found this a fun keyboard to play on.

Item weight: 10 lbs.

Package dimensions: 45 x 9 x 22 inches.

Yamaha PSR-EW300 SA 76-Key Portable Keyboard Bundle

The Yamaha PSR-WE300 SA keyboard bundle comes with a PKBS1 keyboard stand and PA130 power supply so you can get up and running fast.

76-key keyboards are kind of rare, but it might prove just right for certain players. This keyboard comes with maximum polyphony of 48, 574 voices, 165 styles, 154 preset songs, two tracks, five recordable blocks and data capacity of 10,000 notes.

The Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.) lets you practice with preset songs or MIDI files. Touch tutor lesson mode teaches you the importance of dynamics, and the keyboard also comes with USB to host connectivity with MIDI and audio transfer.

Item weight: 17.2 lbs.

Package dimensions: 50.3 x 17.3 x 6.9 inches

Casio CT-X700 61-Key Portable Keyboard

The Casio CT-X700 61-key portable keyboard comes with touch responsive keys, 600 tones, 195 rhythms, class-compliant USB-MIDI, 1/4” headphone out, 1/8” audio in, smartphone shelf and AC adapter. The keyboard can also be powered with six AA batteries (not included).

The onboard AiX Sound Source delivers tones typically only possible with more expensive keyboards. And, the built-in six-track recorder allows you to capture your ideas. You can even tap into the 100 built-in songs and take advantage of the Step-Up Lesson system to learn them.

What customers loved most about the Casio was that it sounded great and that it seemed just right for beginners.

Some didn’t like the speakers, but that seems like a minor issue all things considered.

Item weight: 9.48 lbs.

Package dimensions: 13.8 x 37.3 x 4.3 inches

Casio CTK-2550 61-Key Portable Keyboard With App Integration/Dance Music Mode

Casio continues to dominate this list with its affordable, beginner level keyboards and the CTK-2550 61-key portable keyboard is another product worthy of mention.

61 keys seems to be standard across the board with beginner keyboards, but as you’ve already seen, there are keyboards of various sizes scattered throughout this list, for those who want something truly portable, or something that more closely emulates the length of an acoustic piano.

The CTK-2550 comes with 48 note polyphony, 400 tones, 100 rhythms, dance music mode with 50 built-in dance music rhythms, Chordana play app integration and step-up lesson system.

The good – this is a simple keyboard suited to beginners.

The bad – some of the included tones are good but many aren’t. Some reviewers also didn’t like that it was too quiet.

Item weight: 7.28 lbs.

Package dimensions: 12.1 x 37.2 x 3.6 inches

RockJam RJ561 61-Key Electronic Keyboard Piano SuperKit

RockJam has become another go-to for beginners.

The RockJam RJ561 comes with a stand, stool, headphones and power supply – basically everything a beginner would need to get up and running quickly.

It features 61 standard sized keys, LCD screen, record and playback functionality, 100 keyboard sounds, 100 rhythms, 50 demo songs, one-month free membership to the Simply Piano app (iOS and Android) and two months of face to face lessons through Take Lesson.

The LCD display shows you how to play melodies and chords, which is a nice learning tool.

Many buyers were pleasantly surprised by and impressed with the quality of the RockJam keyboard. Some of the included hardware, apparently, wasn’t anything to write home about though.

Item weight: 19.84 lbs.

Package dimensions: 35.4 x 9.8 x 5.9 inches

Best Choice Products 61-Key Beginner Complete Electronic Piano Set

The Best Choice Products 61-key keyboard is not unlike a variety of bundles you can find in this class of keyboards.

This unit comes with 61 keys, 255 timbres, 255 rhythms, 50 demo songs, 32 percussion types, H-style keyboard stand, music stand, padded stool, LCD display, light-up keys, recorder with playback, three teaching modes (One-Key, Follow and Ensemble), built-in speakers, headphones, rhythm programmer and music player.

Despite the “copycat” nature of the keyboard, we find this one highly rated. Many buyers found it to be a solid combination of quality and affordability.

The Best Choice Products table certainly isn’t for more advanced players, but for beginners, it’s just right.

Item weight: Unknown

Package dimensions: 30 x 10.5 x 3 inches

Alesis Melody 61 Mk II | 61 Key Portable Keyboard

The Alesis Melody 61 MK II might look like a more expensive keyboard, but in its class, it would be considered relatively cheap.

It comes with 61 responsive piano style keys, built-in speakers, 300 built-in tones with layer and split modes, one touch song mode with 300 built-in rhythms, 40 demo songs, the ability to record your own songs and an easy to assemble stand, a height adjustable bench, headphones, music rest, power adapter and microphone.

Reviewers found the keyboard to be a good starter keyboard. Some weren’t crazy about the sound, and to be fair, it isn’t the most amazing sounding keyboard out there. Not that it would be at this price point.

Item weight: 8.73 lbs.

Package dimensions: 4.1 x 12.4 x 37.2 inches

RockJam 54-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard With Interactive LCD Screen

For those who feel 61 keys is a little much, here is RockJam’s 54-key answer, which is more affordable but still fully featured.

This compact keyboard can be powered with the included power supply or batteries, which also makes it portable. It features stereo speakers, sheet music stand, exclusive access to content within the Simply piano app (iOS and Android), LCD display, record and playback functionality and key note stickers.

For children and beginners, this low-priced offer should prove good enough. Some found certain features unusable, but their feedback is a little all over the map, making it less reliable.

Assuming the keyboard turns on and makes noise, that’s a good start. If the unit is defective out of the box, then be sure to send it back for a replacement.

Item weight: 8.27 lbs.

Package dimensions: 33.5 x 13 x 4.7 inches

Casio SA-77 44-Key Mini Personal Keyboard

If you’ve ever thought about picking up a mini personal keyboard, then you might like to check out the Casio SA-77 44-key table.

Though it is built with children in mind, if you have smaller hands or need something that’s more spatially efficient than the average keyboard, you might like this one.

It comes with 44 mini keys, 100 tones, 50 rhythms, 10 integrated songs, LSI sound source, eight-note polyphony, LDC screen for selecting menu options, five drum pads, Melody Cut Rehearsal System, built-in speakers, headphone output and change-over switch for piano and reed organ/organ modes.

Beginners loved the simplicity and sound of the Casio. Some didn’t like that the keys weren’t pressure sensitive, though that might be asking a lot of a keyboard in this class.

Item weight: 3.09 lbs.

Package dimensions: 25.5 x 9 x 3 inches

Casio Casiotone CT-S200WE 61-Key Portable Keyboard

Available in Red, Black and White, the Casiotone CT-S200WE is a fun keyboard featuring 400 tones, 77 rhythms, 60 songs, LCD display, USB to MIDI connectivity, built-in carry handle, app integration, dance music mode, power supply and music rest.

Customers liked the simple and affordable nature of the keyboard, which is promising.

Item weight: 10.9 lbs.

Package dimensions: 10.1 x 36.6 x 2.9 inches

Casio SA-46 46-Key Portable Keyboard

The Casio SA-46 is a 32 mini key keyboard with eight-note polyphony, 50 play along tracks, five drum pads and headphone output. It also comes with 100 timbres, 50 rhythms and a change-over switch for piano and organ.

Many buyers found this to a be a solid option for kids who are interested in piano or keyboard. But even serious composers have taken advantage of this little board to compose on. Others merely said it was fine as a toy.

If you need a small keyboard to take with you wherever you go, however, this one might make for a decent travel companion.

Item weight: 2.9 lbs.

Package dimensions: 18.5 x 9 x 2.7 inches

Casio SA-76 44 Key Mini Keyboard

Here’s yet another Casio mini keyboard like the ones you’ve already seen.

The SA-76 comes with 44 mini keys, 100 tones, 50 rhythms, 10 integrated songs, five drum pads, LSI sound source, eight-note polyphony, LCD display and change-over switch for piano and organ modes.

Positive reviewers said this was a fun keyboard to play with. It may not feature the best sounds, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. They are decent enough.

Item weight: 0.16 ounces

Package dimensions: 9.6 x 8.8 x 25.2 inches

Casio CT-S300 61-Key Personal Keyboard

The Casio CT-S300 comes with 61 piano style keys and touch response, 400 tones, 77 rhythms, 60 songs, USB connectivity, built-in carry handle, power supply and music rest.

It also comes with a pitch bend wheel, LCD display, Dance Music Mode, built-in speakers and Chordana Play iOS/Android app integration. The “My setup” button allows you to store your favorite sounds and settings. This portable keyboard can be operated with six AA batteries.

This is a great keyboard for the price, with plenty of fun features to keep you busy for hours.

Item weight: 11.05 lbs.

Package dimensions: 10.1 x 36.6 x 2.8 inches

Joy Jk-63M-Kit 61 Standard Keys Keyboard With USB Music Player

The Joy Jk-63M-Kit should look familiar, as it is clearly competing with the many beginner keyboards in this class.

This is an incredibly affordable fully featured keyboard with 61 keys, MP3 player function, 255 timbres, 255 rhythms, 50 demo songs, LED display, keyboard percussion, master volume, accompaniment volume, tempo, single finger/fingered chord, start, stop, sync, fill-in, music stand, headphones, keyboard stand, music stool and DC 9V/AC adapter.

It also comes with UDisk jack, microphone jack, audio input jack, phones and output jack.

Positive reviewers said the Joy keyboard was durable, easy to set up and great for beginners. Some didn’t like the tones, the keys, or the included peripherals.

We often find this to be an issue with bundles, because you’re mainly paying for the keyboard and not for the incredibly low-end hardware. The manufacturer still has to make money, after all.

Still, it’s nice that you can get set up with everything you need at this price point.

Item weight: 17.9 lbs.

Package dimensions: 38.9 x 11 x 16.1 inches

GreenPro 61 Key Portable Electronic Piano Keyboard

Here’s another low-cost competitor in the 61-key beginner keyboard space.

The GreenPro keyboard comes with 61 full sized keys, LED display, three teaching modes, 60 demos, 300 rhythms, 300 timbres, record and playback options, adjustable stand and music rest.

It also features the ability to connect to microphone, headphones and USB port. It can be powered with the included adapter or six D batteries.

Buyers were impressed with the sound quality, features, LED display and sturdy stand, all at a competitive price point.

Many people complained that it was too loud, so that’s something to watch out for, especially if you’re a parent with an eager child.

Item weight: 14.11 lbs.

Package dimensions: 34 x 13.5 x 8 inches

Hamzer 61-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard

The Hamzer 61-key portable keyboard bundle comes with built-in speakers, 255 timbres, 255 rhythms, 61 keyboard percussions, 24 demo songs, stereo outputs, headphone jack, integrated learning system, transparent key stickers, effects (vibrato, sustain, ensemble), rhythm sync, fill-in, tempo adjustment, accompanying volume and master volume control.

It also features record and playback function, microphone, headphones, stand and stool.

The good – the Hamzer keyboard is great for beginners.

The bad – narrow keys, only decent quality sounds.

Item weight: 23.6 lbs.

Package dimensions: 35.2 x 17 x 10.3 inches

Yamaha YPT-260 61-Key Portable Keyboard With Power Adapter

The Yamaha YPT-260 comes with PA130 power adapter, 400 voices, 130 auto accompaniment styles with backing tracks, 112 onboard songs, Yamaha Education Suite with nine step lesson function, aux input (for use with phone, tablet or computer), record and playback and 32 max polyphony.

Buyers found this lightweight entry-level keyboard to be of good quality at a great price.

Less enthusiastic buyers said it’s only good for children and beginners. Of course, that’s what “entry-level” means.

Item weight: 12.4 lbs.

Package dimensions: 42. 1 x 16.9 x 6.6 inches

RenFox 61-Key Keyboard Piano

The RenFox 61-key keyboard comes with charge function, piano function, dual speakers, recording and programming, insertion and volume, tempo, display, microphone, music stand, 10 music rhythms, six demo songs and 16 timbres.

The package includes a microphone, USB charging cable, music stand and manual.

The good – the RenFox is a solid choice for beginners.

The bad – it doesn’t feature the best sound in the world.

Item weight: 3.65 lbs.

Package dimensions: 32.4 x 9.6 x 4.1 inches

Plixio 61-Key Digital Electric Piano Keyboard

The Plixio 61-key digital keyboard can be used by children or adults and is lightweight and portable.

It comes with power supply (it can also be powered with six AA batteries), 100 rhythms, 60 demo songs, 40 tones, eight percussions, volume and tempo controls, transpose, microphone jack, sheet music stand and auxiliary cable.

Customers loved the functionality of the keyboard as well as its price. Some thought it would be best to save up for a better keyboard.

The Plixio is still a good budget option though.

Item weight: 7.05 lbs.

Package dimensions: 37 x 7 x 14 inches

WOSTOO 61 Key Piano Keyboard

The WOSTOO keyboard is another budget option worthy of your consideration if you don’t have a lot to spend on a keyboard.

This table comes with eight instrument sounds, six demo songs, 10 rhythms, 16 sounds, piano function, detachable microphone, as well as record and playback function.

The keyboard is made of high quality environmentally friendly ABS plastics and it can be powered with four AA batteries or power adapter. WOSTOO offers 30-day full refund and 12-month customer service.

This bundle also features instructions, charging cable and audio line.

This is an affordable keyboard with plenty of options and decent sounds. Just make sure you are aware that this is a small keyboard.

Item weight: 1.6 lbs.

Package dimensions: 28.4 x 8.5 x 3.3 inches

aPerfectLife 49 Keys Piano Keyboard For Kids

Here’s one last budget option that I thought might be worthy of inclusion.

The aPerfectLife 49 key keyboard has been designed for children and students between 3 and 12.

It comes with piano function, ensemble mode, detachable microphone, audio cable jack, keyboard drum, record playback function, automatic standby sleep function, 16 tones, eight rhythms, six demos, five percussion and U-disk socket.

Buyers liked the compactness of the keyboard as well as its sounds. Some critical reviewers, however, found it to be cheaply made. Again, some corners must be cut when you make a keyboard this cheap.

Item weight: 1.75 lbs.

Package dimensions: 20.9 x 7.3 x 2.2 inches

What Should I Look For In A Beginner Keyboard?

Some might say “any keyboard will do”, and to some extent, that is true.

After all, when you’re getting started, just having an instrument in your home is half the battle. The other half is making time to practice and following through.

Still, we know that there are several factors you’ll want to consider when shopping for a keyboard.

Here’s what we will be looking at in the sections that follow:

• Sound quality and variety
• Size and portability
• Features and functionality
• Extras
• Budget

These factors are what we would consider most important, and we won't be addressing anything that could be considered secondary.

So, if you still have questions about which keyboard to buy, read on.

Sound Quality/Variety

Sound quality is hopefully something that doesn’t weigh too heavily on you at this price point. You’re probably not going to get top notch sounds without putting in the money, though you should be able to find a decent sounding beginner keyboard.

When looking at keyboards in this range, you’ve got to ask yourself:

Is your goal to practice and experiment with the instrument or is to get an instrument you can use for everything, including jamming, rehearsals, gigging, recording and more.

You’re probably going to want to spend a little more if the latter is what you’re looking for. Even though there are some decent keyboards at the beginner level, most are going to fall short in some regard.

So, I don’t think sound quality should be your main concern, but it’s okay to consider it alongside other criteria.

If you're a piano purist but need a keyboard, then as much as possible, put some money towards a high-quality digital piano instead of something from this list.

Size/Portability

Size and portability will make a difference if you’re planning to take your keyboard on trips and want to be able to play it in hotel rooms, etc.

When I was first getting started on the guitar, my instrument came with me everywhere I went. That way, I could practice to my heart’s content.

If your keyboard is going to stay in your home, and you’re not planning to move it around from room to room, then I don’t think portability is going to make much of a difference for you and you don't need to give it much weight.

Another thing that’s worth mentioning here is the size of the keys.

Many keyboards on the above list feature full-sized keys, but there are also some keyboards with mini keys or narrow keys.

Adults can still play on mini keys and children can often play on full-sized keys (unless they’re toddlers). It's mostly a matter of what feels right to you.

Either way, this is a good thing to be aware of when shopping for a keyboard. Make sure you know what you’re buying before you buy it, or you might end up regretting your decision.

Features/Functionality

What features do you need?

Some beginner keyboards seem to come with more than one would ever realistically use (especially since you'll probably be upgrading to something better if you choose to keep at it). But if you’re adventurous and like to experiment, you might want all the options a manufacturer can give you.

Conversely, some beginners and students might feel overwhelmed by too many features, suggesting that sometimes less is more.

There isn’t a right or wrong answer here, as this is highly individual. We’d suggest getting a keyboard that matches your interest level.

Most of the time, it’s okay to spring for more features than you need, because at this price point, even if you don’t end up using them, you probably won’t have any major regrets.

Extras/Bundles

Again, many manufacturers seem to want to throw in the kitchen sink when marketing their beginner keyboard products.

While a music stand, stool and a pair of headphones might be useful (especially if they are at least decent quality), the need for a microphone is probably going to vary considerably.

Children may enjoy singing along to the music, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you think they might enjoy it, then spring for it.

For many users, however, this function will probably go unused.

In saying that, here’s what’s great about bundles. You basically get everything you need to get started at one low price. Sure, the components aren’t guaranteed to be great, but you get the necessities without having to put additional money into other products.

Of course, if all you need is a keyboard, then these extras aren’t going to be of much use to you. You’re not going to be spending noticeably more on bundle deals, so maybe this doesn’t matter all that much in the end.

Budget

We’ve looked at keyboards ranging from about $40 to $450, with the average at about $120.

As I shared at the beginning, the price isn’t what makes a beginner keyboard. Still, you may not be inclined to spend much when you’re first getting started, especially if you have no idea whether you’ll be playing long-term.

We’ve introduced everything from mini keyboards all the way up to entry-level digital pianos, just so you’d have a variety of options to choose from depending on your interest level and desire to play.

While none of the products are overly expensive, we always like to remind our readers to spend responsibly and not go into debt.

So, use your budget as a guide. Weigh the criteria mentioned here along with available cash and find the keyboard that closely matches your needs.

What Are The Top Keyboard Brands?

With eCommerce growing rapidly, there are more off-brand, no-name brands available than ever before.

Some of these have a strong reputation and are even building into powerhouses in their niches.

Others are just looking to offer alternatives to existing products to see whether they can drive a profit. This has gotten relatively easy to do, because anyone can now find a manufacturer that allows for white labeling.

The mainstays, however, are enduring. This doesn’t mean these brands offer the best beginner keyboards (in some cases they do). It just means they are more known, and when it comes right down to it, more reliable.

Here are the best keyboard brands mentioned in this guide, but again, this isn’t to suggest you shouldn’t buy keyboards from others.

Yamaha

The Yamaha Corporation has a long history and was originally founded on October 12, 1887. They are a multinational Japanese company and conglomerate offering a huge selection of products and services.

In terms of musical equipment, they make pianos, keyboards, guitars, basses, amps, drums, brass and woodwinds, strings, percussion, marching instruments, synths, music production tools, professional audio and more.

Some of Yamaha’s best keyboards include the DGX-660, P-45, YDP-181 and others.

When it comes to digital pianos, Yamaha is a solid choice.

Casio

Casio is a Japanese company and was founded in April 1946. They are a multinational consumer and commercial electronics manufacturer.

In addition to keyboards, they also make watches, calculators, label printers, cash registers, projectors, accessories and more.

They are well-known for their quality digital pianos and arranger keyboards, including the AP-700, Privia series of keyboards, CT-X5000 and more.

Casio is trusted by many keyboardists. They offer a wide range of keyboards to suit different needs.

Alesis

Alesis was founded in 1980. They design and market electronic musical instruments, digital audio processors, audio mixers, drum amplifiers, digital audio interfaces, recording equipment, drum machines, professional audio equipment, electronic percussion products and more.

Whether it’s digital pianos, MIDI controllers, portable keyboards or otherwise, they have many keyboards for the beginner and intermediate musician.

Roland

Roland Corporation is another Japanese company that was founded on April 18, 1972 in Osaka, Japan.

Keyboards are certainly a strong focus for Roland, but in total, they also offer pianos, organs, synths, drums and percussion, production gear, amplifiers, DJ gear, pro audio, pro video and more.

Some Roland favorites include the JUNO-DS8, Fantom 6, FA-06 and others.

Top Beginner Keyboards, Final Thoughts

As you’ve already seen, when it comes to beginner keyboards, there isn’t a shortage of options.

There is a keyboard suited to every kind of user, which is encouraging. It should make your buying decision a little easier too.

Always remember that – unless you have an outright defective product – it’s not just about the quality of the product but also about the quality of the player.

Some of the world’s most amazing players can make the cheapest keyboards sound amazing. So, don’t get too caught up in gear. If you can practice on your board, you’re on the right track.

As always, happy shopping!