The Best Budget Digital Piano for Beginners in 2023

digital piano

Learning how to play the piano? You’ve come to the right place. At this point, you’re going to need a digital piano that’s just right enough for you to learn without being overwhelmed. While many people might tell you to opt for a lower model with lightweight keys at the cheapest prices available, your goal is to learn until you become a professional. 

This is why you need to start with full-weight keys so you get the hang of it from the get-go. You also need some other features like an alternative power source, tones and most importantly a duet option so you can work with your teacher. In this post, we’ll share the top five digital pianos you should consider buying as a beginner. 

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Casio CT -X700

Key Specifications

  • 61 keys
  • 600 tones
  • USB-MIDI port
  • 195 rhythms
  • Music rest and smart shelf
  • AC adapter
  • 6X AA optional battery source

Price: $224.95

Casio CT -X700 digital piano

In addition to being a well-known brand, this digital piano comes with packed features for beginners. For starters, it has 61 full-size touch-responsive keys. These keys come with 600 tones, backlit so you can play in the dark and about 195 rhythms. When you opt for the educational pack, you get a step-up learning system to help you understand proper fingering and notation.

We love that this keyboard focuses on sound quality, especially when compared to other portable keyboards. It is powered by an AiX sound source which means it can compete with other pianos in the market. You also get an optional battery power if you don’t want to depend on the major source. 

Another great feature is that it has a USB-Midi port so you can directly connect to your other digital devices like Mac, PC, Android or iOS device. As a bonus, it even has a smart shelf where you can keep your smartphones or tablets while playing. The CT-X700 is perfect for keyboardists looking for a portable, light digital piano on a budget. 

Alesis Recital Pro

Key Specifications

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  • 88 keys
  • Auxiliary connectivity
  • 12 crafted sounds
  • 20W built-in speakers
  • Midi recorder
  • 128 notes
  • Digital display
  • Duet mode

Price: $379.00

Alesis Recital Pro - digital piano

A digital piano specially designed for beginners and on a budget? That’s the Alesis recital pro. This piano comes with a digital display and duet mode. So if you have an instructor, it’s a really helpful feature because you can both play at the same time. With the 88 keys, you can choose your playing style and even adjust the touch response.

It’s very easy to use thanks to the buttons on the control.  With these buttons, you can take care of selecting instruments, modulation, chorus and even reverb. Plus, whatever settings you handle appear on the display. There are 12 expertly crafted voices and powerful educational features to help you become a professional faster.

One feature that makes it stand out is its sound effects. There are about three modulation effects, eight choruses and reverbs. We also love that it automatically saves your effects so you can always use them again even after powering off your keyboard. Finally, while the sound might not be the best when compared to more expensive models, the built-in 20W speakers sure deliver powerful sounds. 

Yamaha P-45

Key Specifications

  • 88 GHS keys
  • 10 voices
  • 64 notes
  • USB-B port
  • Dual mode

Price: $477.99

Yamaha P-45 digital piano

This is one of the best-selling Pianos in the Yamaha range and interestingly, it’s the only one you can get for around $500. Known for their high-quality musical instruments, Yamaha doesn’t drop the ball with this P-45. 

Similar to the other keyboards we’ve reviewed, it comes with a full set of 88 GHS keys that use a two-sensor key detection system. In addition to this, you get 10 tones that include organs, strings and more, so you can pick one that appeals the most to you. It has about 64 notes, which might seem low for professional players, but just enough for beginners. 

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Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a built-in MIDI recorder like the Alesis recital pro. However, you can work around this by connecting a computer to the USB-B port. This way. You can create multi-track Midi recordings, music and so much more.

Casio CDP-S160

Key Specifications

  • 88 keys
  • 10 sounds
  • Duet function
  • 1-track Midi recorder
  • USB-B port
  • Compatible with the Casio music space app
  • Six AA battery alternative power source

Price: $522.00

Casio CDP-S160

The Casio CDP – S160 is one of the pianos we recommend for its feel and sound. The controls are truly designed for beginners because you can easily figure them out. In fact, you can connect your phone and control it from the Casio Music Space app. In addition to being compact and easy to use, it can feel similar to an acoustic piano. This is because the plastic keys are designed to feel like ivory piano keys.

Like other pianos on this list, it has 88 keys and 10 included sounds. These sounds include grand, electric, and standard piano sounds. There’s also a duet function that splits the piano so you can sit with your instructor and still cover the same range of notes.

This digital piano also comes with a music desk so you can keep your music sheet. We love that it has a USB Type-B port so you can connect to your computer or mobile device. There’s also an alternative source of power. So if you don’t want to use electricity, you can power your keyboard with six AA batteries.

Roland FP-10

Key Specifications

  • 88 keys
  • Compatible with the Roland app
  • Rich response tone
  • 3-sensor detection

Price: $599.00

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Roland FP-10

Perhaps one of the best keyboards on our list, the Roland FP-10 is a must-have if you’re looking for a budget piano. It has the key action and sound engine of the other expensive Roland models. It’s also one of the affordable pianos with an escapement sensation (what you’d only get on an acoustic piano), a 3-sensor detection system and ivory-like keys. 

It also has its own unique feel like string resonance and key-off response. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with its own MIDI recorder or lesson modes like other pianos. However, you can use the Roland free piano app to control its settings and get some rhythms. It’s also an alternative way to unlock a midi recorder.

And that brings us to the end of this list. We hope that you’ve found this guide useful in choosing your next digital piano. Do share this post with your friends and family who might need this too.

Disclaimer: We might get a commission for some of the products we recommend here, but this doesn’t affect our editorial policy

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