Do you remember how much fun Ross (Friends, anyone?) had playing with his keyboard? Ever thought to do the same? Okay, probably you wanted to do better, but, the thing is - playing keyboards on an entry-level is not that hard, especially with current models available.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Beginner Keyboards
- OUR TOP PICK: Alesis Melody 61 MKII
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Best Choice Products 61-Key Beginners Electronic Keyboard
- RUNNER-UP: Yamaha Ypt260 61-Key Portable Keyboard
Table of Contents
What Makes a Keyboard Great For Beginners?
If you ever typed on a keyboard, you can play on keys, trust me. It doesn’t require many different techniques or learning how to make a proper grip or how to change your strings. You press the power button and it works. Many come with a headphones output. It can help those who are shy to practice aloud in complete privacy at any time of the day or night.
Alesis Melody 61 MKII
Keyboard is one of the rare instruments that can play the sound of all other instruments. It is considered as a swiss knife of the instruments world. They can do more at the same time than any other instrument. You can start a rhythm, accompany it with the automatic bass line or backing tracks while you play the main theme or lead. And in case you sing, plug in your microphone and there you are - a one-man band that can entertain your friends all night long.
Sure, an entry-level model might not sound so convenient, but if your keyboard comes with a USB port, you need to know that there are computer software instruments that are used professionally. All you need is a USB cable and you can have amazing breath-taking sax right beneath your fingertips.
How to Choose a Keyboard as a Beginner Player
Keyboard world is a very wide playground. You can master one field while being barely average in another easily and keyboards are often made so they excel in some field. That’s why defining your needs before picking a keyboard can save you a lot of time and money.
Age Aspect
Kids can use any adult’s keyboards easily for sure, but the models made especially for them have options simplified and are oriented more towards interactivity so that it can keep their mind more focused.
Adults would benefit more from features and sound options that lean towards professional standards.
Key Size
Small keys are convenient for young kids as it will match their hands. It can save you some space at your home, too.
But, teenagers and adults won’t feel comfortable with it, especially if they want to play anything more demanding as it will be hard not to make mistakes.
Keyboard or Piano?
While both have the same interface (keys), keyboard and piano are quite different instruments. If you want to play classical pieces you should definitely go towards digital piano models as they come with a keybed specially made to recreate piano playing experience.
Comparison Chart of the Best Beginner Keyboards
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Review of the Best Beginner Keyboards
As keyboards come in different sizes and features, we have split our review in several categories. We included a special pick for our younger players, too.
Best Overall:
Alesis Melody 61 MKII
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People are delighted. It’s a great keyboard for absolute beginners and they really like what Alesis provided in this bundle. But, in case sound is important to you, don’t expect too much. It is also confirmed that recording doesn’t record voice input, unfortunately.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Alesis thought about everything beginners might need at some point while leaving the keys at full size. A vast number of controls and separate part volume controls are available in a button format. And to put a cherry on the top, 2 months of free online keyboard lessons are provided.
Who Will Use This Most
This is an entry-level keyboard made for home use. Sound presets are suited towards consumer-grade expectations and for those who would love to learn how to play than focus on advanced features. But, kids could be lured into music with one-touch song mode and built-in rhythms presets.
Bottom Line
If you didn’t have a keyboard before and know nothing about it, you will appreciate this Alesis model. It has everything you may need to learn the basics and decide if you want to go further.
Runner-up:
Yamaha Ypt260 61-Key Portable Keyboard
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very positive towards this purchase. Most buyers are beginners and are satisfied with the features they got at this price range and say it would buy it again. The only complaint we’ve found is from a user expecting more advanced sounds from an entry-level home keyboard.
Why it Stands Out to Us
External device input is a big plus as you can play and jam along with your favorite song. We especially praise that Yamaha provided a regular sustain pedal input as that would be the next step in learning keyboard playing. Of course, the keyboard stand and bench are always welcomed as an add-on.
Who Will Use This Most
It was designed for kids and those who have never played keyboard before and would like to take some keyboard lessons at home. They will especially appreciate the Yamaha Education Suite installed while those slightly more advanced can fiddle around with accompanied styles.
Bottom Line
Yamaha did a nice job with this home keyboard. It wasn’t designed to be outstanding and it may not provide you with the semi to pro sound quality, but it will have everything to understand the basics of keyboard playing.
Best for the Money:
Best Choice Products 61-Key Beginners Electronic Keyboard
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users bought this model usually as a Christmas and New Year’s gift for their kids and are satisfied with how it works in general. It appears to be an ideal size so that even very young kids can use it. However, there are some minor reports about coming broken (especially headphones).
Why it Stands Out to Us
It provides all that a beginner may ever need for a start including metronome support and on top of that, headphones use cancels internal speakers which might be a very convenient feature for practicing purposes. USB thumb drive support offers direct playback of your favorite songs in mp3 format.
Who Will Use This Most
As keys are not full-sized, this keyboard is a perfect match for kids’ hands. It was made for learning purposes. And because of the USB thumb drive port and built-in speakers, it can be used as an additional music player at your home.
Bottom Line
This model was made for youngsters. It can be an excellent gift that can keep them occupied for hours before and the best thing is that it comes with all the extra equipment you might need to set it up at your home.
Best Keyboard with Weighted Keys for a Beginner:
Donner DEP-20 Beginner Keyboard
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
They love how the piano sounds, especially on headphones or speaker output. Keybed feel is spot on and it works with computer software perfectly. They also comment that on-board recording works well and that it’s quite intuitive. Other than damage during transport, there is literally no negative report about this product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Keybed is quite decent, resembles the feel and response you would expect from an acoustic piano. 128 polyphony enhances general sound quality a lot and it comes with all types of connection you may need at some point including even a USB thumb drive for mp3 playback and external audio input separately.
Who Will Use This Most
It’s an ideal home-based digital piano. It was designed for both modern and traditional piano playing. USB port makes it compatible to use with computer software instruments and because of stage piano format, you can bring it to rehearsal while the sound will be good enough to perform in small-to-mid venues.
Bottom Line
Thanks to the very pleasant all-around features, it’s one of those products that you can buy while still being a complete beginner and continue using it for many years to come no matter how advanced you become.
Best Beginner MIDI Keyboard:
Midiplus 32-Key Midi Controller
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users are quite impressed with what they got for such a low price and it’s very hard to find a real negative review about this product. Even those who were skeptical were satisfied after the purchase. It also seems that it works on modern Win and Mac OS flawlessly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It’s the cheapest MIDI keyboard that comes with all the basic options you would need to play around. We can also approve the miditech choice to provide a bigger 32 key range instead of 25 and that they managed to put pitch and mod wheels for additional control.
Who Will Use This Most
The MIDI keyboard controller doesn’t come with sound on-board. It needs a computer to generate a sound. But, due to a single cable connection, both adults and kids can use it. And while being an entry-level model, studio producers and musicians can also find a way to use it.
Bottom Line
If you spend a lot of time with your computer it’s nice to know that there is a keyboard that won’t occupy too much desk space and be quite useful for occasional playing. You can even carry it in your bag!
Best Kids Beginner Keyboard:
RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Comments say that the stand and bench are perfect size even for young kids while being solid enough for an adult as well. The LCD screen works nice and bright with a note display system once pressed. They report that even 5 years-old had fun playing it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like that they included over-ear headphones in the bundle - it will isolate you from external noises. H-stand type of stand will give you more footprint beneath the keyboard. It’s a nice decision to include dual subscriptions so that you can learn your keyboard with any device available at the moment.
Who Will Use This Most
Kids will love the mobile app as a learning tool while adults can aid them with other learning tools provided for computers. Headphones can make it possible to learn in complete privacy as it cuts the external sound once plugged in and thanks to full-size keys design adults could also use it.
Bottom Line
If you have a kid that never played keyboard before, this would be a very nice present. It can be used straight out from the box and comes with everything your kid would need for a perfect start.
Best Beginner Keyboard for Adults:
Plixio 61-Key Digital Electric Piano Keyboard
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People approve of its price and keyboard feel. It has a similar sound like other more expensive beginners’ models offer. Unfortunately, a very low-noise static sound is generated once turned on and apparently, it seems that it boots with the max volume on always, so maybe you should watch out before pressing any key.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Besides the music stand, it doesn’t provide any additional piece of equipment. This results in a very affordable price, especially if you already have headphones and microphone by some chance. We also like that they decided to use the usual AA type of batteries.
Who Will Use This Most
It’s oriented towards beginners on a budget. Battery operation could save you some space as you could place your keyboard anywhere. Full-size keys are ideal for adults of all ages, while kids can also use them as keys feel and the response is very light.
Bottom Line
If you have someone who can teach you about keyboards and would like to save money this is a model for you. It comes with a similar sound quality like the others minus all the extras they come bundled up (headphones, keyboard stand, online subscriptions, etc.)
Best Beginner 88 Key Keyboard:
Alesis Recital 88 Key Beginner Digital Piano
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users say it’s an excellent entry-level digital piano. They comment that the piano timbre and depth are quite decent and that synth-action keys response and feel are similar to more professional models. The only disappointment comes from those who expected a true piano keybed feel from it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is an affordable keyboard with decent sound and comes with great portability options. A battery-powered option is not something we would expect for a model of this size. 2 months of free premium subscription makes it possible to start your learning straight out of the box.
Who Will Use This Most
It was made for those who are about to learn to play piano. Both young and adults can use it equally. Due to its lightweight design and battery-powered operation, it can be used anywhere and because of decent sound presets, you may even perform at some smaller venues.
Bottom Line
If you want an affordable model for your piano learning and don’t have professional goals set yet, you can do great with this Alesis. You will also get a hint of what a professional keyboard could do.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Now that you know the basics, let's take a step ahead or two so that your purchase may last just a little bit longer.
USB Port
We all use computers everyday, so USB connection can be an interesting feature for your keyboard, especially if you’re interested in composing. It enables you to invest in additional recording and virtual instruments software and the good thing to know is that even the most professional ones should be plug and play compatible with every keyboard. So, you can start building your own home studio even with a beginners’ keyboard.
Extra Equipment
Beginners’ model may come with all you need straight out of the box. But, if you already have headphones, a microphone and enough space on your desk, you can save money and pick a model that doesn’t offer such a bundle or buy a better-sounding keyboard at the same price.
Sound Quality
If you’re a music enthusiast, the truth is that beginners’ keyboard may not come with the sound quality that would satisfy your expectations. That’s why we recommend purchasing a MIDI controller and use computer software instruments or save up some money and invest in a budget semi-pro model instead.
Can You Really Find a Quality Keyboard That’s Affordable?
In this price range, you shouldn’t expect too much quality. You need to trade features and decide what’s important so you can save some budget.
So, for example, if you’re looking for a 88-key model, you shouldn’t expect that it can provide you with many different sounds or that piano will sound stunning at this price. Focus on keybed quality instead as this will be more important for you in the long run.
Also, avoid the most famous manufacturers because they offer fewer features compared to the others for the same price. But, be extra careful with those brands no one ever heard before.
Conclusion
As long as you don’t forget you’re still learning to play keyboards, you may have a real fun time with these keyboards. It needs time before you can take the next step so don’t push yourself so hard. Choose your path and let’s go - step by step.
People Also Ask
Now that we have cleared your mind a little bit about what model you really need and provide you with the best options out there, let us answer some of the most frequent questions people asked about beginners' keyboard concerning the number of keys and practicing methods advised.
How Many Keys Should a Beginner Keyboard Have?
Think of 49-key models as a minimum. But, if piano playing was on your mind, then we wouldn’t recommend models with less than 73 keys. However, unless you’re very young, it’s more important to find a keyboard with full-size keys. These keys will be much more responsive and you will make fewer mistakes.
How Much Should I Practice When Learning Keyboard?
If you’re a complete beginner, practice an hour or two (without a break) 3-4 times per week. But, please remember that it’s more important how you practice than how much. Try to find some online courses or tips and please try to stick to it no matter how boring or repetitive it may be.
