For that budget I don't think you could get a reliable new 88- key digital piano. I've never bought a used digital piano, but most people on this sub recommend looking into the second-hand market, as you may find some Casios, Yamahas, Roland, and other used 88-key fully-weighted digital pianos brands for around $300 (sometimes a little bit more, depending on the level of usage of the digital piano). That being said, I recommend you get a new Casio CT-S1. Which you can get on Amazon for around US $270. Check for all the different offers and stores you can, so you'll get the best deal possible. The CT-S1 features 61 light weighted keys (still they feel a little bit like semi-weighted, I believe) with touch sensitivity, which is crucial for advancing as a beginner. All the other features are cool, but the most important thing is that it has a "recent" sound card which sounds very good for its price. Perhaps it's major disadvantage is that it doesn't feature an LCD panel for the controls (unlike my CT-S300 lmao), you have to check for command combinations on the user guide to change the settings. I know this because I own a Casio CT-S-300, which you could say is an older version of the CT-S1. I got it for $200, and to be honest I couldn't be happier with it (considering its price range). So if you tell me you can get an improved and updated version of the CT-S300, for $270 I'd say go for it. Of course I'd recommend you go to the store and check and play-test any keyboard or digital piano before you buy it. Also always ask for the warranty and the refund policy. It will save you a lot of possible headaches. Answer from NoDragon3009 on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/piano › beginner 88 keyboard piano?
r/piano on Reddit: Beginner 88 Keyboard Piano?
June 24, 2024 -

hey everyone. looking to gift an 88 key keyboard to a complete beginner who is a tween. not looking to spend more than $300. what do u guys recommend? do they really have to jump straight to a yamaha or roland if they're a beginner? thanks!

Top answer
1 of 5
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For that budget I don't think you could get a reliable new 88- key digital piano. I've never bought a used digital piano, but most people on this sub recommend looking into the second-hand market, as you may find some Casios, Yamahas, Roland, and other used 88-key fully-weighted digital pianos brands for around $300 (sometimes a little bit more, depending on the level of usage of the digital piano). That being said, I recommend you get a new Casio CT-S1. Which you can get on Amazon for around US $270. Check for all the different offers and stores you can, so you'll get the best deal possible. The CT-S1 features 61 light weighted keys (still they feel a little bit like semi-weighted, I believe) with touch sensitivity, which is crucial for advancing as a beginner. All the other features are cool, but the most important thing is that it has a "recent" sound card which sounds very good for its price. Perhaps it's major disadvantage is that it doesn't feature an LCD panel for the controls (unlike my CT-S300 lmao), you have to check for command combinations on the user guide to change the settings. I know this because I own a Casio CT-S-300, which you could say is an older version of the CT-S1. I got it for $200, and to be honest I couldn't be happier with it (considering its price range). So if you tell me you can get an improved and updated version of the CT-S300, for $270 I'd say go for it. Of course I'd recommend you go to the store and check and play-test any keyboard or digital piano before you buy it. Also always ask for the warranty and the refund policy. It will save you a lot of possible headaches.
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Yamaha p45 is $400 new. That's about as cheap as I could recommend an 88 key weighted instrument. What kind of music are they interested in? Nothing wrong with a hobbyist-level 76 or even 61 key instrument with fun sounds to play around with. Manufacturers have to strip everything to the absolute bare minimum functionality to get an 89 key weighted board down to $400. You can get a very fun unweighted hobbyist instrument for $200-$300 that might be more what they would enjoy anyway.
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Yamaha Music USA
shop.usa.yamaha.com › en › c › beginner-keyboards
Beginner Keyboards - Yamaha USA
Thank you for your interest in the P-145BT 88-Key Portable Digital Piano. We will send you an email once it is back in stock.
Discussions

61 or 88 keys for a beginner
When you’re an intermediate you will not be able to play certain pieces because you’re missing those extra keys. Best get the 88 key now because you’ll want it later anyway. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/piano
31
10
July 22, 2023
Practice in very compact space for early beginner - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums
Hi all, we are currently living in an RV while our new house is being constructed and have extremely limited space. I am looking for a compact keyboard I can use to learn chords, scales, and fingering exercises over winter. I have almost no experience with piano. I have played guitar ca... More on forum.pianoworld.com
🌐 forum.pianoworld.com
February 14, 2021
Do I need 88 keys on a keyboard?
You don't need 88 to begin with but I've been learning for 6 months and I wish I had 88 keys now There will be an octave button which means you can change the keys sound an octave higher or lower so you will still be able to cover all the range of an 88 key instrument but you won't have the spread of low to high. It's okay for simpler pieces but more advanced songs often will need the full 88 keys More on reddit.com
🌐 r/pianolearning
19
12
October 27, 2021
Beginner 88 Keyboard Piano?
For that budget I don't think you could get a reliable new 88- key digital piano. I've never bought a used digital piano, but most people on this sub recommend looking into the second-hand market, as you may find some Casios, Yamahas, Roland, and other used 88-key fully-weighted digital pianos brands for around $300 (sometimes a little bit more, depending on the level of usage of the digital piano). That being said, I recommend you get a new Casio CT-S1. Which you can get on Amazon for around US $270. Check for all the different offers and stores you can, so you'll get the best deal possible. The CT-S1 features 61 light weighted keys (still they feel a little bit like semi-weighted, I believe) with touch sensitivity, which is crucial for advancing as a beginner. All the other features are cool, but the most important thing is that it has a "recent" sound card which sounds very good for its price. Perhaps it's major disadvantage is that it doesn't feature an LCD panel for the controls (unlike my CT-S300 lmao), you have to check for command combinations on the user guide to change the settings. I know this because I own a Casio CT-S-300, which you could say is an older version of the CT-S1. I got it for $200, and to be honest I couldn't be happier with it (considering its price range). So if you tell me you can get an improved and updated version of the CT-S300, for $270 I'd say go for it. Of course I'd recommend you go to the store and check and play-test any keyboard or digital piano before you buy it. Also always ask for the warranty and the refund policy. It will save you a lot of possible headaches. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/piano
8
1
June 24, 2024
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Piano Dreamers
pianodreamers.com › best-beginner-keyboards
Best Keyboards for Beginners Under $350 (Apr. 2025)
May 20, 2025 - We’ve already explored sub-$500 keyboards in detail, and I still believe this price range is ideal for most beginners. Keyboards in this tier are perfect for learning the basics and sturdy enough to support you as you progress into the intermediate stages, thanks to their realistic feel and practical features. At $500, you’re getting a full-size, 88-key keyboard with fully weighted keys that replicate the feel of an acoustic piano.
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Amazon
amazon.com › UISCOM-Beginners-Semi-Weighted-Headphone-Compatibility › dp › B0D41Q793G
Amazon.com: UISCOM Digital Piano Keyboard for Beginners,Full Size 88 Key Semi-Weighted Keyboard Electric Piano with Stand,Power Adapter,Sheet Music Stand,Pedal,Headphone,USB-MIDI Compatibility,Wood Black : Musical Instruments
DIGITAL PIANO SET: Full-size 88 key piano keyboard with triple pedal, music stand, headphones, music clips, piano cover and key stickers. Imitating the touch of an acoustic piano, it is perfect for beginners to explore the wonderful world of music.
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Pianoers
pianoers.com › best-beginner-pianos
5 Best Beginner Keyboard Pianos🎹 in 2026 (That I’ve Actually Played)
2 weeks ago - My Take: Great for getting started. If you're not chasing tech features and just want to play, this checks all the right boxes. ... 1. Always go for 88 keys: If you get a 61-key keyboard, you’ll hit a wall fast.
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MusicRadar
musicradar.com › tech › keyboards & pianos
Best keyboards for beginners 2026: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
2 weeks ago - If you’re just starting, a 61-key ... for most child beginners. If you plan to play more classical or full piano pieces, consider an 88-key keyboard so you have access to the complete range of notes....
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Guitar Center
guitarcenter.com › home › best piano for beginners
The Best Pianos and Keyboards for Beginners
This makes them ideal for beginners and parents that want their kids to get the experience without a large investment. We recommend a digital piano with 88 fully weighted keys such as the Casio CDP-S160 or Yamaha P-143 below as these feels most like traditional acoustic piano keys and match ...
Find elsewhere
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Amazon
amazon.com › KUMENG-Weighted-Full-size-Beginners-Headphone › dp › B0G1LR18NP
Amazon.com: KUMENG digital Piano 88 Key Semi Weighted Keyboard,Full-size Electric Piano for Beginners,with Sheet Music Stand,Pedal,Power Adapter,Headphone Mode,USB-MIDI (Gray) : Musical Instruments
Buy KUMENG digital Piano 88 Key Semi Weighted Keyboard,Full-size Electric Piano for Beginners,with Sheet Music Stand,Pedal,Power Adapter,Headphone Mode,USB-MIDI (Gray): Home Digital Pianos - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
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Amazon
amazon.com › 88-key-keyboard-piano › s
Amazon.com: 88 Key Keyboard Piano
Yamaha 88-Key Weighted Portable Digital Piano Keyboard with Music Rest, Sustain Foot Switch, Built-in Speakers, USB Connectivity, Black (P45B) · Digital Piano 88 Key Full Size Semi Weighted Electronic Keyboard Piano Set with Stand,Built-In Speakers,Electric Piano Keyboard with Sustain ...
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Piano Dreamers
pianodreamers.com › best-beginner-digital-pianos
Best Beginner Digital Pianos Under $500 (Feb. 2025)
May 21, 2025 - That said, they’re affordable, lightweight, and a good fit for casual learners or kids trying out the keyboard for the first time. For around $500, you get 88 fully weighted keys that better mimic the feel of an acoustic piano. These digital pianos are much better suited for learning, offering hammer-action keybeds and improved sound with greater expression. They focus on piano performance rather than extra features. You won’t find hundreds of tones or advanced tools like MIDI recorders, but you will get a solid, beginner-friendly instrument for serious learning.
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Donner Music
us.donnermusic.com › donner music - us › collections › digital piano for beginner
Affordable Digital Pianos for Beginners - Start Your Musical Adventure - Donner Music - US
May 10, 2023 - Eastar KIDO V-20 44 Keys Mini Digital ... $619.99 · Regular price$920.99 · Save 50% + Quick add · Donner DEP-16 88 Key Weighted Portable Digital Piano for Beginner ·...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/piano › 61 or 88 keys for a beginner
r/piano on Reddit: 61 or 88 keys for a beginner
July 22, 2023 -

Im looking to start playing piano; I'm a total beginner but have always wanted to learn.

The main question is the keyboard size as I'm torn between 61 or 88 keys.

I've done a bit of research and there really isn't much price difference. I'm looking for anything 200 or under. For the sake of 50/60 I might as well just buy the 88 keys.

Though I'm thinking this might be more difficult for me to learn straight away.

Is there a big jump in terms of learning between 61 and 88 keys. If I buy a smaller one will I have to learn again etc when transferring on to another keyboard?

What shall I get to start out?

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Jeremy See
jeremysee.info › post › 5-best-88-key-piano-keyboard-beginners-should-buy-in-2022
5 best 88-Key Piano Keyboard Beginners SHOULD Buy in 2022
January 7, 2022 - You get 88 full-size, progressively weighted hammer action keys which are textured to replicate the traditional ebony & ivory keys on an acoustic piano. In my opinion, the keys on this keyboard are less heavy making it more suitable for beginners ...
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Amazon
amazon.com › AODSK-Weighted-Beginner-Portable-Electric › dp › B0BG47VM6P
Amazon.com: AODSK Weighted Piano 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano,Full Size Weighted keyboard with Hammer Action,with Sustain Pedal,15W Stereo Speakers,MP3 Function,Piano Lessons,Black,S-200 : Musical Instruments
[Realistic Touch and Sound]: The full-size 88 key heavy keyboard features hammer action and touch sensitivity, maximizing the simulation of the authentic feeling of an acoustic piano. Suitable for beginners and advanced players
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Hoffman Academy
hoffmanacademy.com › blog › best-digital-pianos-weighted-keys-beginners
Best Digital Pianos with Weighted Keys for Beginners
Find the best digital pianos with weighted keys for beginners. Explore top models with realistic touch & great features today.
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Pianist's Compass
pianistscompass.com › reviews › best-pianos-for-beginners
The 5 best keyboards/digital pianos for beginners and kids
March 24, 2025 - Korg Liano. I’m wrapping up my picks with another Korg, the Liano. It has some outstanding sounds and is the perfect choice for anyone who wants 88 keys without the weight of a hammer-action keyboard.
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Costway
costway.co.uk › full-size-weighted-88-key-digital-piano-for-beginner.html
Full Size Weighted 88-Key Digital Piano for Beginner - Costway
Full Size Weighted 88-Key Digital Piano for Beginner
Perfect Instrument for Music Lovers ... weighted 88-key digital piano can add a touch of elegant art to the home. In addition, it is pretty suitable as a birthday gift, a Christmas gift, a kid's holiday gift and an ideal gift for beginners and all music lovers! ... I bought it for my daughter. When it arrived, my daughter had been playing this keyboard for a while, ... The 88 key weighted keyboard with dual-tone modes combines two voices together, like piano and drum, inspiring users to make new creation as well as providing users with acoustic timbre and a wonderful playing experience.
Rating: 4.6 ​
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Piano World
forum.pianoworld.com › ubbthreads.php › topics › 3088143 › practice-in-very-compact-space-for-early-beginner.html
Practice in very compact space for early beginner - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums
February 14, 2021 - Hi all, we are currently living in an RV while our new house is being constructed and have extremely limited space. I am looking for a compact keyboard I can use to learn chords, scales, and fingering exercises over winter. I have almost no experience with piano. I have played guitar ca...