I have made more than 500 keyboard and digital
piano reviews, comparisons and tutorials and here are 14 of my favorite keyboards, arranger
workstations and digital pianos for every price point - from $100 to $1,000 and every
skill level - from absolute beginners to performing musicians. I’ll start with the most affordable
and work up to the premium prosumer category and I’m sure you’ll find a keyboard or
digital piano that suits your budget with a sound and features you’ll love. Prices
do change but I’ve found you the best deals on these keyboards in the description and
comment section. The Casio CT-S300 is the most affordable budget
beginner keyboard that I can recommend. At a mere $179, you won’t find a cheaper reputable
brand keyboard that has touch sensitive keys. Just like a traditional acoustic piano, the
61 touch sensitive keys respond to how hard or soft you play the notes. The CT-S300 has
3 levels of touch response and a 48 note polyphony which is more than sufficient for a beginner.
While not all the 400 voices in the CT-S300 sound good, those that matter such as acoustic
and electric pianos are decent f or what you pay. 77 accompaniment rhythms, a Dance Music
Mode and a pitch bend wheel help you sound like a complete band while the onboard metronome
helps you keep time during practice. You can plug in a pair of headphones for quiet practice
or jam along with a backing track using an aux cable. A USB MIDI connection lets you
use this keyboard with music learning and music production apps. The onboard speakers
are sufficient for home use and an integrated carrying handle makes it really easy to bring
this ultra compact, “AA” battery operated and lightweight 7 lbs keyboard everywhere
you go. You might find a cheaper keyboard at the Costco bargain bin, but anything less
than the Casio CT-S300 is pretty much a music toy rather than a pitch perfect beginner music
instrument. You’ll find my in-depth review. sound demonstration and the best price in
the video description and comment section. At $199, the Yamaha PSR-E373 is ridiculously
great value for money. I’m pretty sure Yamaha barely makes any money from this keyboard
but is practising a penetration pricing marketing strategy to lure newbies into their brand.
With a whopping 622 legendary Yamaha voices including a couple of Super-Articulation Lite
voices inherited from their previous flagship keyboards, I’m pretty sure you’ll find
a suitable sound for your music. You can further tweak the onboard sounds with more than 60
DSP, Chorus, EQ and Reverb effects. These sounds can be layered or split across the
keyboard for a richer tone. From my more than 500 reviews, I can assure you, you won’t
get a better grand piano sound at this price. After all, Yamaha is a renowned concert grand
piano builder. Yamaha’s rhythm accompaniments are legendary and the 205 styles encompassing
pop, rock, jazz and world music are some of the best programmed in the industry. A large
backlit LCD screen, numeric keypad and 9 user registration memory makes the PSR-E373 an
excellent live-performance choice where quick sound changes are required. A 5 song, 2-track
recorder is great for creating polished songs but where this keyboard truly shines is the
USB connection. The USB port isn’t just for use with MIDI but it is also a stereo
audio interface which is needed if you want to record the internal keyboard sounds on
your iPad or laptop. Other keyboards at this price do not have an onboard USB audio interface
and getting a stereo external audio interface will easily cost you a few hundred dollars.
For beginners, you get Yamaha’s excellent interactive “Keys to Success” learning
system. While this keyboard may not be as compact or lightweight as Casio keyboards,
this design allows Yamaha to use larger speakers for a beefier output. There’s the usual
headphone jack for silent practice and an audio aux-in to stream your songs. To power
this keyboard, you can either use ‘AA’ batteries or an optional power adaptor. I’ve
made numerous sound demos and tutorials on the Yamaha PSR-E373 and I’ll leave links
to these and the best prices in the description and comment section. If you want the most solid key action, the
latest sound engine generating one of the best in class samples, do not need a gazillion
sounds you won’t use and think that rhythm accompaniments are cheesy, the Casio CT-S1
is your affordable choice. At just $219, the CT-S1 is packed with 61 of the best bread
and butter keyboard sounds focused on pianos, electric pianos, organs and voices from the
classic Casiotone which can be layered. The CT-S1 also comes with DSP, delay, chorus,
reverb and EQ effects programmed and preset by professionals. The keys are textured like
ivory and ebony on old acoustic pianos and the 4 levels of touch sensitive keys help
you dial in the exact velocity curves your fingers need. While specially designed fabric
covered bass reflex speakers help deliver the rich tones, the biggest advantage of the
CT-S1 is the compact size and 9 lb weight. With a bunch of ‘AA’ batteries coupled
with a headphone jack you can literally practise everywhere while shutting out all the noise
around you. The CT-S1 is also perfect as a MIDI keyboard supporting both USB & wireless
Bluetooth MIDI with an optional accessory. While I love my red version of this keyboard,
it is also available in a more understated black or white. For my comprehensive review
and sound demo of the Casio CT-S1 as well as the best prices I’ve researched for you,
check out the description and comment section. If you have no idea where the notes are on
a keyboard, Yamaha’s lighting system learning keyboard is one of your best choices. For
$100 more, the Yamaha EZ300 is based on the PSR-E373, the 2nd keyboard on my list. You
get the exact same sound, rhythms and features but with keys that light up and tell you which
notes to play. As this is an education focused keyboard, Yamaha has included significantly
more songs and exercises for use with the key lighting system. You also get the excellent
large backlit LCD screen that displays the lesson instructions. I love the cream white
colour which the EZ300 comes in and I do wish the PSR-E373 also had this colour option.
Once you are more confident on your keyboard, the Yamaha EZ300 allows you to switch off
the key lights and use this as a regular keyboard. Check out my in-depth review of the key lighting
education features of the Yamaha EZ300 and the best prices in the description and comment
section. A traditional acoustic piano takes up space,
is heavy, needs frequent expensive tuning and can be too loud for some homes. Korg’s
$300 Liano is the answer for those who need an 88-key for classical piano pieces yet want
an ultra-slim, compact, 13 lbs lightweight, battery operated keyboard that you can carry
anywhere. Korg has included their detailed and warm legendary Italian Concert Grand Piano
sample together with 8 of their best bread and butter sounds that are popular with performing
keyboardists. Korg also bundled 2 of their best mobile software sound engines with the
Liano. With a simple USB connection to your iPad, you get hundreds of studio quality professional
sounds at your fingertips. With a 120 note polyphony, the Liano ensures demanding pianists
do not get note drop offs while playing. With a headphone jack that also doubles as an audio
output for connecting to PA systems and a USB port that supports both MIDI and digital
audio connection, performing musicians, piano students and electronic music producers are
well catered to. A 16-watt pair of speakers and amplifiers provides more than adequate
volume for street buskers and for cell group sessions. A music rest, a sustain pedal and
a power adapter is included in the box so you have everything you need to start making
music. Check out my in-depth review in the description where I deep dive into the sounds
and features of the Korg Liano. I reviewed the Donner DEP-20 two years ago
and concluded that it was an immense value for those looking for an 88-key touch sensitive
weighted hammer action digital piano. For $360, you get 238 sounds, which can be layered
and split as well as 200 rhythm accompaniments covering pop, rock, jazz and world music.
An LCD screen makes tone selection and configuring functions convenient. In addition to dual
headphone jacks useful for practice, there’s also a pair of stereo ¼” outputs for connecting
to external speakers and a USB MIDI port. A metronome, transpose function and song recorder
is useful for music students. You have a choice of buying a wooden furniture stand and triple
pedal unit if you are not moving it much or you can buy just the keyboard with a folding
keyboard stand for a more portable setup. You can find both bundled deals in the description
together with my in-depth review and sound demonstration. For about $20 more than the Donner DEP-20,
the Alesis Recital Pro is a slightly more premium keyboard with 88 full-size touch sensitive
hammer-action keys. Instead of giving you 200 voices you may never use, Alesis included
12 high quality, essential voices most keyboardists need. Effects such as reverb, chorus and modulation
can be applied to thicken the sounds. A generous 128 note polyphony allows the voices to be
layered as well as split across the keyboard without note drop outs. You can enjoy the
beautiful sounds either through a pair of powerful 20-watts amplified speakers or a
¼” headphone connection. For hooking up to a stage amplification system, a pair of
¼” stereo outputs is available. There’s an easy-to-use single track song recorder
for you to record your performance. A USB MIDI connector lets you use your own virtual
instrument plugin or interact with the 3 included music lesson software. While there is a sustain
pedal input , no sustain pedal was included in the box which was a disappointment for
me as every other 88-key keyboard at this price point included a pedal in the box. The
Alesis Recital Pro can be powered using an included power adaptor or batteries. Check
the description and comment section for the best bundled deals and my deep dive into the
Alesis Recital Pro features and sounds. If you are less of a piano player but are
more into producing and sampling contemporary pop, rock and dance music, the Yamaha PSR-EW425
is your perfect gateway to electronic music making. With 76 touch sensitive keys and a
staggering 820 voices including 28 drum and sound effects kit, a Groove Creator feature,
290 rhythm accompaniments and more than 100 DSP, reverb, chorus and EQ effects, you will
be spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting your sound palette. The PSR-EW425 is also
highly expandable. You can add 3rd party style files, record and playback digital audio & MIDI
files, and even sample any sound via the microphone input. 2 configurable knobs, motion effects
button and a pitch blend wheel allow the bedroom music producer to morph and modulate your
sounds in real-time during your DJ sets. A mic input, vocal effects and one of the best
piano and electronic piano sounds makes the PSR-EW425 a fantastic instrument for those
who love to play and sing. A large backlit LCD screen and 32 user registration memory
settings allow quick sound and function selection. A ridiculously powerful pair of 24 watts high
dynamic range amplified speakers means you do not need external speakers for most situations.
For stage performances, a pair of stereo ¼” outputs allow connection to any sound system.
At just 18lbs, you can easily bring this keyboard with you everywhere you go. This powerful
keyboard can be used with a power adaptor or regular batteries for ultimate portability.
The class compliant USB port transmits and receives both MIDI and audio data making it
perfect for desktop music production with your favourite digital audio software. The
Yamaha PSR-EW425 is an absolute steal for what it costs and what it can do. You can
find the best prices and my in-depth review of the Yamaha PSR-EW425 in the description
and comment section. Yamaha is a renowned concert grand piano builder
and there are many who prefer to buy a digital piano keyboard from a company that builds
real pianos. The Yamaha P-45 is the most affordable 88-key digital piano keyboard with user configurable
touch sensitive keys and a graded hammer action. The P-45 comes with 10 voices which can be
layered and 4 reverb effects to thicken the sound. A pair of 12 watts amplified speakers
while not the most powerful at this price point is adequate for home practice. A sustain
pedal is included in the box and a headphone connector is also available for quiet practice.
The USB MIDI jack works well for connecting to music learning apps but it sorely lacks
wireless Bluetooth which the competition offers. The P-45 cannot be powered with batteries
and a power adaptor is included. The Yamaha P-45 may not be the winner when it comes to
specifications but the build quality, century old reputation and higher resale value makes
it a popular choice. You can find the best prices and my in-depth review of the Yamaha
P-45 in the description. For a mere $50 more than the Yamaha P-45,
the Roland FP-10 is my preferred choice. I love the ivory feel of the 88-keys and the
graded hammer action comes with an escapement mechanism which in my opinion simulates the
action of an acoustic grand piano. You get 15 sounds including Roland’s renowned SuperNatural
piano modelling. The piano tones also feature string, damper and key-off resonance which
is not found on any other digital piano at this price point. In addition to a headphones
jack which doubles as an output connector for external speakers, the USB port of the
FP-10 handles both MIDI and audio data which is superior to that on the Yamaha P-45. In
most markets, the FP-10 comes with onboard wireless Bluetooth which is really convenient
for connecting to Roland’s mobile app and other music learning apps without pesky cables.
The onboard speakers are powerful and have a good dynamic range. Which sounds better?
The Roland FP-10 or the Yamaha P-45? You have to trust your ears. It is really a matter
of preference as both piano keyboards have excellent sounds. But in my opinion, the Roland
FP-10 gives the best action and sound for under $600. You can listen to both these keyboards
yourself in my in-depth review in the description. Can’t decide if you prefer playing serious
piano pieces, arranging contemporary music, making electronic dance beats or singing and
playing along as a one-man-band? The Yamaha DGX-670 is a jack of all trades. There is
literally nothing it cannot do except wash your dishes. I love the 88-key touch sensitive
graded hammer action, triple pedal unit and a “Piano Room” with a high resolution,
detailed and warm Yamaha Concert Grand sample. It has more than 600 high quality stereo samples,
drum kits and 263 rhythm accompaniment styles for you to play along with. There are
also more than 400 DSP effects, reverb, EQ and compressors to morph and sweeten the onboard
sounds. You get a 16 track sequencer and an audio recorder in addition to an onboard audio
interface and wireless Bluetooth connectivity. The DGX-670 works great as a MIDI keyboard
with music learning apps and 3rd party software instrument plugins. You can practise silently
with the headphone jack and blast the latest hits through the massive 4 speaker amplification
system. And if you wanna croon and swoon, a mic input mixes and sweetens your voice
with a plethora of vocal effects. While every other manufacturer is doing away with buttons
and an LCD screen, the DGX-670 is truly a performer’s dream. You get loads of buttons
for one touch access and an informative colour LCD screen. At home, the wooden stand and
triple pedal matches your decor yet with just a couple of screws, the DGX-670 can hit the
road with your bandmates. If I could only have one keyboard from this list, this Yamaha
DGX-670 is the one. Check out the description and comment section for bundled deals I’ve
found for you as well as my in-depth review and sound demo. If you are a serious pianist who demands nothing
but the very best key action and the best sound but do not want to spend more than $900,
the Kawai ES-120 is the one you seek. The 88-keys are well weighted, extremely responsive,
well-damped and are beautifully graded throughout the keyboard. I swear that if you were to
play on the ES-120 blindfolded, you wouldn’t be able to tell that this is a digital keyboard.
While you get 25 voices, the true stars are the sound samples from the ¼ million dollar
Shigeru Kawai Concert Grand Pianos. The piano tone is detailed, warm and woody unlike the
more clinical samples from other digital pianos at this price point. You can wireless connect
to Kawai’s Virtual Piano Technician mobile app using Bluetooth to tweak up to 17 parameters:
voicing, temperament, key noise, damper and string resonance just to name a few. The 20
watts amplified speakers are loud but do get a little bright when the volume is pushed
up. But when you plug in a good pair of studio headphones, you will hear every nuance of
the excellent piano tone. Both wireless MIDI and audio is available via Bluetooth in addition
to the USB MIDI port. I love the pair of sturdy ¼” outputs for the performing musician
who needs to connect to stage amplifiers and the manageable 26 lb weight - quite a feat
considering it’s a weighted action. The ES-120 is available in 3 colours with a wooden
furniture stand and triple pedal option. You can listen to all the sounds in my in-depth
review and demo of the ES-120 which I will link in the description and comment section. For the more adventurous bedroom digital music
producer, you won’t go wrong with the Arturia Keylab MKII 88 - the Rolls Royce of MIDI keyboards.
You get 88 weighted hammer action keys, 16 dynamic RGB backlit performance pads, DAW
controls to take command of the software of your choice, 9 rotary knobs and faders, 5
DIN and USB MIDI inputs and outputs as well as loads of configurable pedal inputs. The
Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is bundled with a DAW software but the value is the massive number
of full-fledged software instruments including pianos, clavs, tines and organs
in addition to Arturia’s flagship Analog Labs plugin containing more than 7,000 synth
and keyboard sounds. I love the beautiful crafted wooden legs and the integrated laptop
plate and music sheet holder. If you want nothing but the best MIDI keyboard controller,
this is the one. I made an in-depth review of the Arturia Keylab 88 MKII and you can
find it in the description and comment section. For those who prefer a more traditional cabinet
console style digital piano, the Yamaha Arius YDP-S35 gives great value without you selling
a kidney. You get 88 touch sensitive, graded hammer action keys with matte black key tops
and triple pedals supporting soft, sostenuto and sustain. The default grand piano sound
is from Yamaha’s top of the line CFX concert grand piano and Yamaha’s Virtual Resonance
Modelling is great at bringing out the nuance of this excellent sample. The main focus of
the YDP-S35 is the grand piano tone, but there are a total of 10 keyboard tones for those
who want to expand their sound palette or for layering sound sounds. 2 headphone jacks
are perfect during music lessons without disturbing those around you and the 16 watts stereo amplified
speakers are adequate without adding too much to the cost. A single song, 2 track recorder
is available to capture your performance and a USB MIDI connection is available for use
with music learning apps or laptop music production software. I’ve found the best price for
the Yamaha YDP-S35 digital piano and you can find it in the description and comment section. Don’t forget to also check out my recommended
music learning apps, keyboard accessories and music books in the description. Smash
that Like button if you appreciate my effort in reviewing all these keyboards and giving
you my bite-sized summary. My name is Jeremy See and I’ll see you in my next video.
