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Best Digital Keyboards

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Best of the Best
Donner DDP-80 88 Key Weighted Keyboard Piano
Donner
DDP-80 88 Key Weighted Keyboard Piano
Versatile Choice

This stylish digital piano offers an excellent key feel and sound while looking great in a living room.

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Versatile Choice
Bottom Line

This stylish digital piano offers an excellent key feel and sound while looking great in a living room.

Pros

Hammer-action weighted keys faithfully simulate acoustic piano touch and feel. Boasts 128-pitch polyphony. Offers a full set of soft, sostenuto, and sustain pedals. Features volume control and headphone jack. Sturdy metal taper legs screw on securely.

Cons

Height is not adjustable. Pricey.

Casio  61-Key Premium Keyboard Pack
Casio
61-Key Premium Keyboard Pack
Comprehensive Bundle

This keyboard and accessory set includes everything beginner and avid musicians need to play their favorite songs.

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Comprehensive Bundle
Bottom Line

This keyboard and accessory set includes everything beginner and avid musicians need to play their favorite songs.

Pros

Digital keyboard that comes with a power supply, stand, and headphones. The keyboard has 61 keys. Works with the Chordana Play app for access to music and lessons. Has 77 rhythms for accompanying musical pieces. Compact and easy to transport.

Cons

Speakers produce average sound. Quality control issues are possible.

Donner  DEP-20 Beginner Digital Piano
Donner
DEP-20 Beginner Digital Piano
Simple Yet Solid

If you are looking for a digital keyboard that does a good job simulating playing the piano, this one is an unbeatable deal.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

If you are looking for a digital keyboard that does a good job simulating playing the piano, this one is an unbeatable deal.

Pros

Weighted design that is suitable for beginners. Offers 88 keys for a realistic piano-playing experience. Adjustable touch response. A vivid LCD screen helps with the learning process. The sound is clear and resembles that of a piano.

Cons

A bit heavy to move. A few keyboards arrived with damage.

Yamaha 88-Key Weighted Action Key Digital Piano
Yamaha
88-Key Weighted Action Key Digital Piano
Trusted Brand

This full, 88-key digital keyboard offers excellent sound quality and a range of features that earn it the top spot on our list.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

This full, 88-key digital keyboard offers excellent sound quality and a range of features that earn it the top spot on our list.

Pros

Features 88 weighted keys for sound that resembles that of a piano. Comes with a foot switch and built-in speakers. Attractive design doesn't take up a lot of space. Compatible with the Smart Pianist app to help you make the most of your talent. Responds accurately to each press.

Cons

Some thought it was overpriced for the sound quality.

Alesis Recital Pro Digital Piano
Alesis
Recital Pro Digital Piano
Best for Students

An excellent digital keyboard with more than adequate polyphony and education-specific features.

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Best for Students
Bottom Line

An excellent digital keyboard with more than adequate polyphony and education-specific features.

Pros

Full 88-key weighted keyboard for a realistic touch. Includes 12 alternate sound types, including church organ and synth. Lesson mode teaches the basics. Has a wide array of ports. Capable of 128-pitch polyphony. Impressive speakers.

Cons

Doesn't come with a pedal.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
May 15, 2017
30
Models
considered
8
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best digital keyboards

Derek Walborn
Written by Derek Walborn

Updated October 2024

Ready to buy now? Shop the best: 

Modern digital keyboards have advanced a great deal, with low-cost instruments able to produce tones that were unimaginable even on yesterday’s premium models. With the great strides made in digital sampling and synthesis over the years, today’s digital pianos are able to faithfully recreate the sounds and atmospherics that could previously only be enjoyed in concert halls using world-class instruments.

From portable pianos that can run on battery power to large console instruments designed to also function as furniture, beginner musicians and pros alike have a wide range of digital keyboards to choose from. Thanks to its realistic keybed action, flexible connectivity and included sustain pedal, Yamaha’s P71 Weighted Action Digital Piano offers the versatility and quality that experienced pianists demand in a compact form factor that appeals to new players as well. 

Best digital keyboards

Yamaha P71 Weighted Action Digital Piano

Our top pick, this feature-packed digital keyboard features 10 sounds to select from, with many of them sampled from legendary Yamaha grand pianos and synthesized using Yamaha’s Advanced Wave Memory sound engine for incredible realism. You can layer two sounds together at the same time, letting you experiment with your music in ways that most digital pianos at this price range don’t allow for. A 1/4-inch headphone jack lets you play quietly, and the instrument’s 88 keys employ the company’s Graded Hammer Standard, which makes the lower keys heavier than the higher ones, just like on an acoustic piano. 

The lack of a separate audio output limits the piano’s usage when it comes to stage performance, but a USB port lets you plug it into your computer for controlling other digital instruments via MIDI. It comes with a sustain pedal, power adapter and music stand.

Alesis Recital Pro Digital Piano

Alesis produces budget pianos that play better than they should given their price range, and the Recital Pro is no slouch, with weighted hammer-action keys that capture the feel of a traditional piano. The instrument’s 1/4-inch stereo headphone and audio outputs offer a professional manner in which to connect it to an external amplifier or PA system. A USB connection lets you use the piano as a MIDI controller for digital instruments or other external gear in a home studio environment. 

Marketed as an entry into the premium digital piano market, the Recital Pro comes with a free trial subscription to Skoove for interactive online piano lessons. It can be powered via its included AC adapter or six D batteries.  

Casio PX-770 Privia Digital Home Piano

Casio has been a household name in home pianos and keyboards for decades. While most people may be familiar with their budget offerings, they also manufacture a range of high-end digital pianos under the Privia moniker. This one features a USB port that you can use to connect it to your Mac or Windows computer, a stereo amplification system that simulates the sound source of a real instrument and Casio’s AiR sound engine that creates highly accurate grand piano tones. 

It features Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II, which makes playing its 88 weighted keys feel remarkably like a real piano. Concert Play lets you perform along with 10 familiar orchestral pieces, and you can connect the instrument to your iOS or Android device to learn your favorite songs using the free Chordana Play app.

Roland GO:Piano Digital Piano

Legendary manufacturer Roland has put portability at the forefront with this 15.4-pound, 88-key piano. It features Bluetooth connectivity for using external speakers or interfacing with your phone or tablet for accompaniment and music lessons. It includes a sustain pedal, a music rest and a power adapter, but it can also run on batteries for playing on the go. 

While it allows for a whopping 128 voices of polyphony, this keyboard is decidedly marketed toward beginner players who won’t object to its small speakers. A headphone jack allows for private playing and external amplification, which users recommend for better sound quality. Its keys aren’t realistically weighted, but they feature touch sensitivity for nuanced performances. 

Donner DDP-80 Weighted Digital Piano

Bucking design trends with a beautifully minimal faux wood cabinet that fits in stylishly no matter where you place it, Donner’s DDP-80 looks as great as it sounds. Its 88 weighted keys offer a faithful reproduction of an acoustic piano’s feel, and three sustain pedals let you musically express yourself without limits. It comes with a 1/4-inch headphone jack and sturdy metal legs for stability while playing. 

Unlike many other options, the DDP-80 doesn't feature multiple instruments to choose from aside from a standard piano sound, which some users may find limiting. However, it lets you adjust its touch response to your liking and includes a dedicated 1/4-inch audio output jack, as well as USB and MIDI ports for connecting to your computer or other instruments.

Korg B2 Portable Digital Piano

Korg’s B2 digital piano features 88 fully weighted keys and a hammer-action keybed that employs the brand’s NH4 keyboard action for supreme realism and playability. Its high-quality stereo speakers react according to where on the keybed you’re playing, with the lower tones coming from the left side of the instrument and the higher ones more focused on the right. The instrument is less than 5 inches thick and can be powered by six AA batteries, but at 25 pounds, it's a bit heavier than some portable alternatives. You can choose from 12 sounds to play with, including a range of pianos as well as strings, and the keyboard’s USB port supports both MIDI and audio out for recording and amplification. A sustain pedal and music stand are included, and the keyboard also features a built-in metronome for practicing rhythm and timing.

Yamaha YDP184 Arius Digital Piano with Bench

For those who desire a premium piano playing experience but still wish to avoid the bulk and weight of an actual acoustic instrument, Yamaha’s Arius series delivers. Presented in a gorgeous console with a matching bench, this keyboard captures the stately look of a traditional piano but includes digital features such as an LCD display, the ability to customize the piano’s tones with effects such as reverb and chorus and the option to connect to your devices via USB. 

Three built-in pedals and 88 synthetic ivory keys with a moisture-absorbing texture give the piano a feel that even the most experienced players will find realistic. It has 128 voices of polyphony and features two headphone jacks, so you can learn and play with a teacher or accompanying musician without disturbing your housemates.

Traditional or experimental use: You decide

When shopping for a digital keyboard, there are essentially two paths you can take.

Some people seek an instrument that duplicates the performance of a traditional keyboard, such as a piano or organ. Others seek a multifunctional synthesizer with more advanced capabilities.

  • A digital keyboard with 88 weighted keys and sustain pedals is ideal for student rehearsal or professional practice.
  • A small synthesizer with fewer spring-loaded keys is generally better for recreational use.

Digital synthesizer advantages

Modern digital synthesizers include functions and features that allow players to perform in ways that traditional keyboards can’t accommodate. 

  • With the press of a button, you can launch a sophisticated rhythm track complete with bass variations, drum fills and intro/outro options.
  • On some keyboards, you can press a button that automatically adds the appropriate chords to a single-note performance.
  • Synthesizers often include digitally sampled voices that can mimic a saxophone, string orchestra or horn section instantly.

Traditional keyboard advantages

More basic digital keyboards may not be as versatile as synthesizers, as they are primarily designed to function as alternatives to acoustic pianos.

Many music students don't have easy access to traditional upright or classical pianos. Digital keyboards offer an affordable solution that duplicates the action and touch of a real piano, including weighted keys and sustain pedals.

  • Some models have additional voices that lean into classical sounds like organs, brass instruments or strings. 
  • Because traditional keyboards are focused primarily on pianists, they tend to offer a more realistic feel to their keybeds than synthesizers.
  • These instruments may not include rhythm tracks or automatic chord programs, but they work well as in-home rehearsal instruments for both students and those interested in pursuing music at a professional level.

Action

Traditional piano keys are mechanical levers. The player depresses a key that engages an internal hinge and hammer. The hammer strikes the piano's tuned wires, creating a note. A cloth damper then presses on the string and ends the vibration. This design puts weight on the keys, and piano students eventually develop a performance technique based on that resistance.

A digital piano doesn't have hammers, so it relies on internal technology to simulate the action of an acoustic instrument. Poor action can cause a player to develop a playing technique that may not translate well to an acoustic piano. For the best, most expressive learning and playing experience, choose a keyboard with realistically weighted keys.

Touch sensitivity 

Touch sensitivity takes the concept of “action” one step further. A touch-sensitive keyboard allows the player to convey the emotion of the music by depressing keys with varying amounts of pressure and velocity. Many digital keyboards have special sensors that measure the amount of pressure and speed performers place on each key. A lighter touch results in a softer tone, while a heavy or fast touch creates a louder note with a faster “attack.” This is a useful feature during performance since part of what makes music interesting to the listener is a change in dynamics.

Digital keyboard features

Some digital keyboard manufacturers like to pack as many additional features as possible into their high-end models, but shoppers should avoid the temptation to upgrade without cause.

There are additional features that enhance or improve performance, but there are also add-ons that casual users don’t need. Composers may want to create and store original tracks, for example, but most players, rehearsing the work of others, will not.

Sustain pedals

An important element of performance is the ability to sustain a note or chord for a long time or close it off immediately.

Traditional pianos accomplish this through the use of foot-operated sustain pedals. These pedals move the dampening board closer to or further from the piano's strings.

Many digital keyboards designed for rehearsal offer all three pedals, but others offer only one pedal as an add-on feature.

Outgoing ports

Digital keyboards should have the capability to communicate with the outside world through external ports. The two most important features to look for are an external headphone/amplifier jack and a MIDI connector.

The onboard speakers on most digital keyboards, even on the higher end, can only produce a limited amount of sound, so the synthesizer needs the ability to connect with a mixing board or powered amplifier rated for keyboards. Budget keyboards may only include a single headphone jack. If you plan to amplify your sound or perform publicly, look for an instrument that includes a more robust 1/4-inch jack dedicated to external output.

MIDI implementation lets you use your keyboard to control an almost limitless number of digital instruments via your computer. Most digital keyboards feature MIDI via USB. 

Pitch bend controller

One very useful addition, especially in terms of performance, is a pitch bend controller. Usually found on the left side of the keyboard, a pitch bend wheel is a spring-loaded switch that can “bend” a note several tones above or below its original setting.

Using a pitch bend wheel on an electronic keyboard can improve the authenticity of a voice’s sound.

Pitch bend wheels are only found on synthesizers, as the use of this feature is not a part of traditional piano playing.

Polyphony

A keyboard's polyphonic capacity reflects the number of pitches that can be held and/or sustained at the same time. Once a keyboard reaches its polyphonic maximum, the pitches begin to cancel each other out. In general, the higher the polyphony, the better. Most modern digital keyboards allow for 128 voices of polyphony.

Information on amplification

When used as an in-home rehearsal instrument or recreational synthesizer, volume isn't usually a major consideration. The onboard speakers should deliver enough power to fill a small room with sound.

However, there are times when a home digital keyboard may have to fill some much larger shoes. Under these conditions, even the most expensive synthesizer speakers could be drowned out by other instruments or lost in the expanse of an auditorium. This calls for serious amplification.

Use a wireless lavalier microphone

There are times when a wired instrument can be a safety hazard to others, or a small sound system has no available channels. One low-tech solution is to attach a wireless lavalier microphone to one of the keyboard's external speakers and mix it into an existing channel with a wireless receiver. The keyboard and player can be positioned anywhere within the microphone's range, and the sound can be balanced through the mixing board.

Feed the keyboard into a mixing board or pre-amp

A safer solution for keyboard amplification is to plug the piano into a mixing board first and then adjust the channel to the proper balance. This is a workable solution for church and performance halls where the player can hear other musicians and the keyboard through monitors or PA speakers. An experienced sound mixer should be able to monitor the keyboard's channel and keep everything in balance.

Plug into a powered keyboard amplifier

Manufacturers offer dedicated amplifiers designed to accept the output from a digital piano or synthesizer. Like a guitarist or bass player, a pianist can use an external amp to hear their playing while on stage or make further adjustments to their sound using the amp’s tone controls or built-in effects.

Pros and cons of digital keyboards

Pros

  • A digital keyboard is easier to transport than a traditional piano or organ. Even the lightest practice pianos weigh several hundred pounds and are not designed for portability. A music student can install a digital keyboard in a small apartment or bedroom with minimal assistance.
  • Digital keyboards rarely require maintenance. The electronic components of a synthesizer are not designed to go out of tune due to atmospheric conditions or rough handling.
  • If a digital keyboard does need to be tuned to another instrument, it's only a matter of turning one knob or adjusting a setting.
  • You can play a range of instruments with just one keyboard. Acoustic pianos are limited to the tones they naturally create, but a digital keyboard can sound like a horn section, strings, various types of electric pianos and more.

Cons

  • Many digital keyboards don't duplicate the action or touch of an actual piano or organ. A lot of smaller keyboards use lightweight plastic keys that are spring-loaded for easier playing. The keys themselves may be smaller in size than traditional keys, and there may not be 88 of them.
  • Making the transition from a lightweight digital keyboard to a traditional instrument is often a challenge. Only the most premium digital pianos offer a true duplication of the acoustic experience.
  • Digital keyboards only synthesize the voices of instruments; they don’t fully recreate them. Although the original sound source may have been a real instrument, digitizing and synthesizing that sound for a keyboard affects its characteristics.

FAQ

Q. How much does a digital keyboard cost? 

A. Budget digital keyboards can cost under $100, but they're limited in functionality and many don’t include 88 keys. Premium digital pianos can cost thousands of dollars but are loaded with technology that most users won’t ever need. The average player should expect to spend $300 to $600 on an instrument that offers a feel and sound close to that of a real piano.

Q. My child just started taking piano lessons. Do I need to buy a practice keyboard with 88 weighted keys?

A. Ordinarily, you would want to match the rehearsal instrument with the performance instrument as much as possible. If your child's instructor uses a traditional piano with weighted keys, then investing in a similar digital keyboard would be best. However, these instruments can be very expensive. For the short term, a younger player just learning the fundamentals of music can practice scales and basic melodies on a smaller keyboard with fewer keys.

Q. How do digital keyboards duplicate the sounds of so many instruments so well?

A. Synthesizing authentic instrumental voices was a major problem with earlier generations of digital keyboards. The few voices featured on these instruments sounded very little like the real thing. But the invention of digital sampling software revolutionized the industry. Sound engineers recorded real musicians performing on real instruments under laboratory conditions.

Q. Why does my new electronic keyboard sound so tinny? I like to play it for fun, but the sound isn't very good.

A. Even digital keyboards on the higher end of the price range tend to have speakers that aren’t great quality, especially at high volume. You can increase the loudness and fullness of your sound by running it into an external amplifier or speaker that's more suited to higher output.

That said, the sound quality of the samples included in many budget keyboards usually sound dated and unrealistic upon close inspection, regardless of what they’re played through. 

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