Best Beginner Pianos

Even if it doesn’t become their primary instrument, every musician should learn to play the piano. And, for beginners, buying a keyboard to learn on is a great option because keyboards simulate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano without the size and expense — a couple major setbacks that can often deter pianists from furthering their skills. The best beginner keyboards for learning piano should be playable and portable and have useful features like metronomes and built-in speakers. For those of you who want to start learning the piano, Sweetwater carries plenty of beginner keyboards that are well suited for new players.

Even having a handful of simple skills on the piano can pay dividends for any musician. The design of the piano keyboard is highly visual in nature and helps beginners build a solid foundation in the essential elements of music, especially those related to harmony. While an 88-key model is ideal for beginners to develop a feel for their instrument, you’ll find that 61-key setups are much more space-conscious while still offering plenty of range. When you get a good understanding of the basics, such as intervals, chords, and chord progressions, you can easily apply those concepts to other instruments such as the guitar and bass.

If you’re ready to start learning to play the piano and need your first keyboard, then you’re in the right place. We’ve curated a list of the best beginner keyboards for learning piano.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Best Keyboard Pianos for Beginners – Weighted

Best Keyboard Pianos for Beginners – Unweighted

Best Keyboard Pianos for Beginners – Weighted

Keyboards come with two general types of keys: weighted and unweighted. Both options will work perfectly well for the beginning pianist. Weighted keyboards are best for beginners who also want to play the acoustic piano. These keyboards come the closest to replicating the touch and feel of a real acoustic piano and help beginners develop the proper playing technique for a weighted-key instrument.

Yamaha P-225WH 88-key Digital Piano

Just because you’re a beginner on your piano-playing journey, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice realism beneath the fingers; have a look at the Yamaha P-225WH 88-key digital piano as proof! Blueprinted with Yamaha’s premium Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) keys and designed for maximum sonic precision with Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) and Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) under the hood, the impressive P-225 plays and sounds like the genuine acoustic article. Its shorter, thinner body reduces bulk and weight and is complemented by a sleek, minimal design that further streamlines this piano’s entire vibe. Plus, it’s a breeze to refine your chops with practice exercises, downloadable scores, and generative chord progression mapping for your favorite tunes, all available through Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app

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Alesis Recital Pro 88-key Hammer-action Digital Piano

The Alesis Recital Pro 88-key hammer-action digital piano has instruction-friendly features that set it apart from the rest of today’s introductory keyboards. Like the other weighted pianos on our list, the Recital Pro’s traditional keybed facilitates a realistic and responsive feel with uncompromising sound. Its impressive cache of 12 expertly crafted voices with layer and split functions gives beginners a perfect starting palette for practicing traditional acoustic sounds, with just enough room for pad and dual-instrument exploration. However, what makes the Recital Pro stand out from its competitors is its onboard lesson mode, which splits the keyboard in half and retains matching octaves so both the student and teacher can practice and perform simultaneously — perfect for single-home instruction or impromptu lessons. Top it all off with a headphone jack for noiseless nighttime practice, and the Recital Pro maintains its status as a family-, student-, and budget-friendly beginner instrument.

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Casio Privia PX-S1100 Digital Piano

Casio keyboards have come a long way in speaker design and keybed authenticity. In the case of the student-oriented Casio Privia PX-S1100 digital piano, these ideals have stayed the same. Its onboard Privia-series speaker system provides crystal clear playback audio that enables instrumental exploration with your favorite tunes or backing tracks when paired with Bluetooth connectivity. The PX-S1100’s detailed, hammer-response Smart Scaled keybed features simulated ivory/ebony keys, providing comfortable access to the piano’s 18 built-in tones with stunning damper and string resonance behaviors. Taking a step back reveals the PX-S1100’s slim, sophisticated design, including a smooth, all-black interface with light-up navigation, making it a perfect addition to any living room, studio, or performance venue. Beginner players will find all they need and more in this excellent, tried-and-true Casio model.

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Korg B2SP Digital Piano Package

Whether your first piano will sit in the corner of your bedroom or be the centerpiece of your family’s living room, the Korg B2SP digital piano package brings the energy of an upright to any setting, for any player. Showcased on a sleek, furniture-style stand with a large detachable music rest and an included triple pedal, the B2SP is one of the homiest and grandest options for beginners. You’ll also glide atop the keybed with authentic feel, thanks to Korg’s full-scale Natural Weighted Hammer Action keyboard, while tapping into a dozen superbly designed piano sounds. From a quintet of five opulent pianos — including the elegance of the world-class German grand — to the charming character of organs, electric piano, and harpsichord, the B2SP offers tremendous tonal variation to keep you inspired throughout your music-making journey.

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Best Keyboard Pianos for Beginners – Unweighted

Unweighted keyboards, known as synth-action keyboards, are a great option for beginners. The keys on these keyboards may have little weight in terms of key resistance, but many have touch response. Touch-response keys are velocity sensitive and will play at different volumes depending on the speed you play them. Synth-action keyboards are often considerably more lightweight and more portable, and they have excellent features for the beginning pianist. The softer response of unweighted keys allows for even quieter practice when playing with headphones on.

Roland GO:PIANO88 PX 88-key Music Creation Keyboard

For creative spirits seeking the full 88-key range while prioritizing portability, we suggest taking a closer look at the Roland GO:PIANO88 PX 88-key music creation keyboard. With an impressive, featherweight build less than 13 pounds, the GO:PIANO88 PX is remarkably mobile. It’s also packed to the brim with 40 realistic, Roland-created presets accompanied by built-in speakers, Bluetooth and MIDI connectivity, and the option to switch to battery-powered play for total creative freedom. These features make the Roland GO:PIANO88 PX a no-brainer for blossoming pianists who want to busk, perform onstage, or jam with their fellow musicians and bandmates. An onboard metronome and recorder even allow players to master their time and record their practices and performances.

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Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 61-key Portable Piano with PA130 Power Adapter

All-terrain practice piano for beginners

For those looking to dip their toes in beginner piano exploration, Sweetwater instructors suggest the Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 61-key portable piano with PA130 power adapter. It is affordable, simple to use, and features a compact build. These features make it a great option for students who need an instrument to carry to and from practice sessions. It’s also packed with high-quality piano samples from Yamaha for authentic sound and sensitivity. It’s perfect for a player who is usually on the move. An onboard hi-fi speaker system and 6-AA-battery-powering capability allow you to take the NP-12 to practice, on vacation, or even outdoors, making practice a breeze no matter where your excursions take you. Finally, with the additional Controller App, navigating your piano’s user interface is a cinch; you’ll have ample reason to explore the NP-12’s expansive feature set as soon as it arrives.

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Casio Casiotone CT-S300 61-key Portable Arranger Keyboard

Authentic synth action at an appropriate price

As mentioned before, keybed authenticity and audio quality are staples of Casio designs. The Casio Casiotone CT-S300 61-key portable arranger keyboard applies this same formula to an unweighted chassis. Its 61 synth-action keys are velocity sensitive and allow dynamic expression courtesy of two separate sensitivity settings for various playing styles. A pitch-bend controller is added for enhanced voicing control of its 400 unique tones and 10 different reverb settings for ample exploration of effects. At a very reasonable price point, the CT-S300 is the most affordable on our list and has proven its worth among a wealth of Sweetwater musicians.

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Korg Liano 88-key Digital Piano

Hybrid keybed piano with DAW compatibility

Although technically unweighted, the Light Touch action keybed of the Korg Liano 88-key digital piano provides revolutionary response and feel similar to many weighted piano models. Given its lightweight and full-scale build, the Liano is a perfect option for players looking for a standard-sized instrument that’s still easy to carry to and from practice. Eight onboard sounds, from acoustic pianos to strings, sound exceptionally crisp through 8-watt built-in speakers and provide a great range of tones for experimenting beginners. Connecting and recording on your favorite DAW is easy with USB-B, MIDI, headphone, and output ports. Throw in a music stand and a PS-3 pedal switch, and the Korg Liano is an excellent choice for beginners and advanced players on the go.

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Find Your Perfect Beginner Keyboard Piano Today

One final thing worth adding is that you can be a beginner at any age. Starting the piano can be a fulfilling and life-changing experience for anyone. If you are considering it, then we would strongly encourage you to give it a try! Give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 to find the perfect beginner keyboard piano for you.
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