Keyboard with WEIGHTED keys for beginner – Top 5
There are so many keyboards and pianos on the market these days it’s hard to know which one to go for. You don’t need to spend a fortune on your first keyboard, even with weighted keys.
But at the same time, you don’t want to waste your money on something that won’t last. So let’s take a look at the best options for a good keyboard with weighted keys for beginner players to suit your needs.
BEST 88 KEY WEIGHTED KEYBOARD FOR BEGINNERS: TOP 5 AFFORDABLE
I have narrowed this down to 5 keyboards/pianos that all have a full-sized keyboard (88 keys). I have listed the major brands with prices ranging from about $380 to $520. (at the time of writing 01.17.22)
I will mention a favorite higher-end keyboard/piano at the end of this post if you want to get something to last you as you journey from beginner to advanced!
TABLE: KEYBOARD WITH WEIGHTED KEYS FOR BEGINNER: TOP 5
| Image | Keyboard | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Arius YDP-S55B Weighted Action Digital Home Piano 88-key, hammer action keyboard. | 9.5 | Check On Sweetwater |
| Yamaha P-45 88-key Digital Piano With Speakers 88-key keyboard. | 9.5 | Check On AmazonCheck On Sweetwater |
 | Casio CDPS160 Compact Digital Piano Compact, 88-key keyboard. | 9.5 | Check On AmazonCheck On Sweetwater |
| Korg B2N Digital Piano Natural touch keyboard with built-in speakers. | 9.5 | Check On AmazonCheck On Sweetwater |
| Alesis Harmony 61 MKII 61-Key Portable Arranger Keyboard Excellent stage piano for the price. | 9.5 | Check On AmazonCheck On Sweetwater |
BEST CHEAP DIGITAL PIANO WITH WEIGHTED KEYS
It will be difficult to find a weighted keyboard for less than that. If you do, be sure it’s not “super heavy weighted” or the likes. You need something that will build up good playing technique from the start. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me for help if you want advice on a particular keyboard or piano mentioned here or that you’ve found yourself.
ALESIS RECITAL PRO
If you’re looking for a cheap digital piano with weighted keys, your cheapest option is the Alesis recital pro. This has fully weighted keys and is ideal for a beginner if you’re looking for an affordable option. It has 128-note polyphony and 2 x 20W speakers.
These are excellent specs for the price. The higher the polyphony count, the better. As you progress on your piano journey you’ll see how beneficial this is. If you are playing several notes together (especially at a higher speed) on a piano with low polyphony count – the notes may sound ‘cut off’ or the tone cut short.
YAMAHA P71/P45
Another option here is the Yamaha P71 which is the exact same as Yamaha P45 except that it’s Amazon exclusive and a few dollars cheaper than the P45.
If you’re looking for a Yamaha on a budget, this is the brand’s cheapest fully weighted piano. This model has weighted action known as GHS Graded Hammer Action and 64-note polyphony. It has 2 x 6W speakers.
CASIO CDP-S150
The Casio on the list is an excellent choice and fantastic value for the money. I played this piano and the natural feel of the keys is what I came away with. It has ebony and ivory keytops that feel like the real thing. It also has scaled hammer action and 64-note polyphony. It has 2 x 8W speakers.
KORG B2N
The Korg on the table is, in my opinion, the best quality piano of the 5. With 120-note polyphony 2 x 15W speakers, this one outweighs all the rest.
It has what they call “natural hammer action”. The hammer action is graded similar to Yamaha models – heavier on the lower end and lighter on the high end just like an acoustic piano.
HIGHER-END: TO LAST FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED
If you want a piano to last your piano journey – my favorite is the Yamaha P-515. Now, this is more expensive than the 5 on our list above but it’s a high-quality instrument.
YAMAHA P-515
The big draw for me is the keyboard- the keys are natural wood and you just cannot beat the feeling of playing on wooden keys. It is the closest you’ll get to an acoustic in a portable keyboard/digital piano. You can also buy the furniture stand and make it into a piece of furniture if you want.
It has all the features you would want along with an impressive 256-note polyphony – suitable for the most complex pieces. 2 x 15W speakers are more than enough to fill a room with your rendition of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata!
Take a listen to Rousseau’s rendition of the 3rd movement below and let me know in the comments if you have any questions on any of these or other pianos you want to consider.
