Best Beginner Keyboard 2025 - Buy Wrong & You'll Regret

Summary

In this video, a music teacher and professional musician with extensive experience in reviewing keyboards, digital pianos, and MIDI controllers offers advice on selecting the best keyboard based on your needs and budget. From beginner-friendly options like Yamaha's PSR-E383 to pro-level stage pianos like the Yamaha PSR-SX600 and Roland RD-08, the video covers a wide range of products. Whether you're focused on learning, creating digital music, or performing live, the guide provides insightful comparisons, key features, and pricing to help you make an informed decision.

Takeaways

• 😀 If you're a beginner, avoid spending too much on your first keyboard. A budget-friendly option is sufficient for learning the basics.
• 🎹 Mid-tier keyboards offer better sound quality, key action, build, and resale value compared to cheaper models.
• 🎵 For beginners focusing on piano pieces, opt for a digital piano with 88 weighted keys.
• 🎤 For contemporary music genres or band use, choose a synth action keyboard for its lightweight design and affordability.
• 🎧 MIDI controllers are great for music production, but they don't have onboard sounds; they control virtual instruments via software.
• 💡 Yamaha's PSR-E383 is a solid choice for a beginner's keyboard with touch-sensitive keys, 650 sounds, and a built-in music lesson feature.
• 🎶 Casio’s CT-S1 and CT-S400 offer high-quality studio sounds, portability, and Bluetooth MIDI support for music apps.
• 🎚️ Digital music producers can benefit from the Arturia Keylab Essential 61 MK3, which integrates well with DAWs and comes with bundled software.
• 🔊 The Roland GO:Keys 3 offers over 1,150 sounds, rhythm accompaniments, and Bluetooth connectivity, making it a great all-in-one option for beginners and producers.
• 🎹 The Korg Liano and Donner DEP-20 are excellent value options for affordable 88-key weighted digital pianos, with solid features like multiple sounds and MIDI support.
• 🎶 In the $800+ range, hybrid arranger pianos like the Yamaha DGX-670 and Roland FP-E50 combine digital piano features with music production tools, making them versatile choices for music creators.

Q & A

What is the key recommendation for beginners when buying a keyboard or digital piano?

For absolute beginners, it's recommended not to spend too much on your first keyboard. A more affordable option is sufficient to learn the basics. However, if you can afford a mid-tier keyboard, it will offer better sound, key action, durability, and resale value.

What is the difference between a digital piano and a synth action keyboard?

A digital piano typically has 88 weighted keys, making it ideal for those interested in learning and playing traditional piano pieces. On the other hand, a synth action keyboard is lighter and more suited for contemporary music like pop, rock, jazz, and world music, as it’s better for playing non-piano sounds.

What is a MIDI controller keyboard and how does it differ from other types?

A MIDI controller keyboard doesn’t have any onboard sounds. Instead, it allows you to control virtual instruments and music production software on your computer, iPad, or smartphone. This makes it different from regular keyboards or digital pianos, which have built-in sounds.

What are the benefits of the Yamaha PSR-E383 for beginners?

The Yamaha PSR-E383 is a great beginner keyboard for $199, offering 61 touch-sensitive synth action keys, 650 sounds, more than 60 DSP effects, and 260 rhythm accompaniments. It also has built-in music lessons and a 2-track song recorder, making it a versatile and affordable choice.

What features make the Casio CT-S1 stand out at $219?

The Casio CT-S1 offers 61 studio-quality sounds, powered by Casio's AiX sound chip. It features layering options, a variety of reverb and DSP effects, and ultra-portability. It also supports MIDI via micro-USB, making it a great choice for those looking for high-quality sound at an affordable price.

How does the Arturia Keylab Essential 61 MK3 support digital music production?

The Arturia Keylab Essential 61 MK3 is a powerful MIDI controller for digital music production, with velocity-sensitive keys, DAW transport controls, modulation and pitch bend wheels, and 8 pressure-sensitive pads for finger drumming. It also includes a bundle of more than 2,000 virtual instruments and Ableton Live Lite software.

Why is the Roland GO:Keys 3 a great value at $349?

The Roland GO:Keys 3 offers more than 1,150 instrument sounds, 203 performance-ready rhythm accompaniments, and a user-expandable sound library through Roland SoundCloud. It also supports both USB and Bluetooth MIDI/audio streaming and includes a song recorder for both MIDI and digital audio.

What makes the Alesis Recital Pro a good choice for beginners?

The Alesis Recital Pro offers 88 touch-sensitive weighted piano-style keys, a variety of piano and electric piano sounds, and features like reverb and chorus effects. It also has a simple song recorder and supports USB MIDI, making it perfect for beginners looking for a full-sized digital piano.

What distinguishes the Yamaha DGX-670 and Roland FP-E50 hybrid digital pianos?

Both the Yamaha DGX-670 and Roland FP-E50 are hybrid digital pianos, offering 88 graded hammer-action keys with rhythm accompaniments. The Yamaha has more rhythm styles and a 16-track sequencer, while the Roland provides more sounds and expansion options via CloudConnect. The choice depends on whether you prioritize rhythm accompaniments (Yamaha) or sound variety (Roland).

What are the advantages of the Kawai ES-120 and Roland RD-08 for $1,000?

The Kawai ES-120 and Roland RD-08 offer excellent sound quality, graded hammer-action keys, and solid build quality, making them ideal for serious piano students. Both provide superior sound and key action compared to entry-level models, making them excellent choices for those looking to upgrade their digital piano.