Best Keyboard Piano
Best Overall Keyboard Piano
Best Keyboard Piano for Beginners
Best Portable Keyboard Piano
Best Yamaha Keyboard Piano
Best Midi Keyboard
But first – what is a digital keyboard piano?
A digital keyboard piano is a minimal option when it comes to pianos, consisting of just keys and controls. They are the most portable and inexpensive type of piano, sometimes also referred to as an “electronic” or “electric” keyboard since the sound comes directly from a built-in speaker.
Digital keyboard pianos use samples to reproduce the sound of an acoustic piano. A sample is a small audio recording of a sound. The higher the quality of the sample based on the technologies used to record them, the more realistic the sound will be.
Keyboard pianos often allow the artist to play with a range of samples including other instrument sounds such as organs and strings. The sound quality has greatly improved over the years, and your playing experience will come down to two key factors: number of keys and type of key action.
Types of digital keyboard pianos
- Portable – Great for home practice, a classroom environment, gigs or taking your piano on the road, a portable digital piano is the most affordable type of digital piano. While it has limited, piano-focused features they are perfect for beginners and musicians on the move.
- Console – Console digital pianos are more substantial and classy than their portable counterparts. They are perfect as an in-house instrument in a church or venue, cost a bit more than portable digital pianos and require basic assembly. They tend to sound fuller than their portable alternatives and make a nice addition to a home’s interior.
- Upright – Upright digital pianos look identical to upright acoustic pianos and feature a sophisticated hammer action, incredibly detailed samples and a mutli-speaker sound system.
- Digital Grand – Digital Grand pianos are the most expensive type of digital pianos. These deliver big sound through a state-of-the-art speaker system and truly mimic the sound of a real grand piano.
Best Overall Keyboard Piano
If you are looking for a balance of quality, cost and functionality in your keyboard piano, look no further than the RockJam 61 key keyboard piano. This keyboard features 61 full-size keys to give you a traditional piano feel.
The RockJam keyboard allows musicians of all ages and skill levels to play with ease while providing optimal performance. The LCD display panel displays and engages 100 rhythms, 50 tones, and 30 demo songs. The teaching function on the display will show the correct keys and chords to play in addition to indicating at what pace you should be playing. If you’re looking to build layers to your sound, the record and playback functionality is perfect for creating your signature rhythm.
In addition to the keyboard piano, you will receive a sturdy keyboard stand and padded seat that is comfortable for hours of play and easily foldable and stored when not in use (or find a different chair or bench to use). You can also use the headphones that are included for private practice, or plug in your own microphone to sing and play simultaneously.
Finally, as a RockJam customer you will receive exclusive complimentary access to the Simply Piano application, making it easy for beginners to pick up the instrument in a new and fun way.
Best Keyboard Piano for Beginners
Just beginning your piano-playing journey? The Moukey 61 Key Keyboard Piano for Beginners is a great option featuring a 4.6 star rating across 1,181 reviews. The teaching modes will guide even the most novice piano players through a step by step program that will have you tickling the keys like an expert in no time.
This model features a LED screen that will display the mode chosen and even correct keys being played in demo songs. Watch as the keys light up beneath your fingers to guide you through basic melodies, perfect for children looking to learn quickly. Even leverage the recording and playback functionality to have hours of fun learning how to play a new instrument.
This keyboard features a dual-power supply mode, meaning that you can use 8 1.5V D-batteries for activities where you cannot access an outlet, or the included power supply for playing indoors. Also, if you don’t want to disturb others with your practice, utilize the built-in headphone jack to automatically mute the speakers.
No matter your age or skill level, this piano is sure to provide you with hours of melodic fun.
Best Portable Keyboard Piano
Looking for a keyboard piano to bring along to gigs at parties, restaurants, bars and more? You are sure to love the RockJam 54-Key portable electric keyboard. Boasting a 4.5 out of 5 star rating across 22,000+ reviews.
This compact piano is still packed full of features including 10 instruments, 10 rhythms, 8 demos, 8 percussion instruments and sustain and vibrato. This instrument is powered by both main power (included) and is adaptable for use with batteries (not included). With so many options for power and sound, you are sure to be the life of the party when playing on your portable piano.
If you are a beginner, this keyboard comes with keyboard key note stickers to aid you in learning your instrument. This helps to build muscle memory with visual cues to let you know that you are playing all the right notes. As a RockJam customer, you also gain access to the Simply Piano application that makes learning fun as it wirelessly listens to you in real time as you play.
When you purchase this piano, you can play all your favorites on the go and entertain friends and family.
Best Yamaha Keyboard Piano
Yamaha has a long history in the piano playing realm, often regarded as one of the top brands for keyboard pianos. This model is an amazon-exclusive includes free two-day shipping for amazon prime customers. You are sure to love this model like many others have since it boasts a 4.8 star review across 3,800+ ratings.
This model is the perfect choice for rehearsing, learning, and creating music within your home. It is a full-sized piano with fully weighted keys and Yamaha Premium piano voices that provide the user with the most realistic sound and feel possible. The keys have a heavier touch in the low end and a lighter touch in the high end, mimicking the hammers in an acoustic piano for an authentic playing experience.
This piano is slim and stylish, with a depth of less than 12’’ and weighing only 25 lbs. You’ll have the ability to customize your sound with the touch of just one button – changing voices, playing demo sources, configuring the metronome and more.
Yamaha uses Advanced Wave Memory technology that creates a deeper, richer and more spacious sound by using waveform pairs captured with two microphones. This means that your P71 digital piano offers the most elevated playback experience possible.
Best Midi Keyboard
This M Audio Oxygen 49 IV Keyboard comes in both 49 and 61 keys option. This compact performance keyboard has velocity sensitive keys, on board pitch bend, and modulation wheels for expressive performances.
What’s unique about this keyboard are the 8 velocity sensitive trigger pads for beat production and clip launching. Also featuring 8 assignable knobs, and 9 assignable faders, you can manipulate virtual instruments to your heart’s desire.
You won’t be limited by the 49 keys as dedicated octave up and down buttons increase the keyboard to the full melodic range. This keyboard includes a comprehensive production software package for mac and pc that has a retail value of over $100.
If you’re looking for an ultra-portable and professional option that allows you maximum control over your performance, then the M Audio Oxygen 49 IV is for you.
FAQs about Keyboard Pianos
How many keys should my keyboard piano have?
The pianos you are likely most familiar with consist of 88 keys or seven octaves with three extra notes. The next option down includes 76 keys which only has six octaves and the extra three notes. Finally, the most limiting option is 61 keys, which is only five octaves.
What is a key action?
A key action is the mechanism of the piano that produces sound. Digital keyboards mimic the sound of a traditional piano by replicating the heavier touch and feel of a real piano’s keys. There are several types of key actions including…
- Hammer Action – Each key moves a mechanical hammer, producing an almost identical feel to a real piano.
- Weighted Weights – These are weights built into the keys, giving a similar feel to a real piano.
- Semi-Weighted – These combine spring-loaded action with weights attached to the keys, which is an okay compromise for a first instrument.
- Unweighted – Typically moulded plastic keys where the resistance is created with springs. These are the most cost-effective option.
What are the benefits of using a digital keyboard piano vs. an acoustic piano?
Digital keyboard pianos offer many pros over an acoustic piano. Firstly, they are more portable and never need to be tuned. There are also no maintenance costs associated with your piano purchase, and it has a variety of built in sounds that you can play with. There are also recording and learning features built into the piano, which acoustic pianos do not offer. Finally, and most importantly, they are a more affordable option overall.