Without. Point blank.
Lights look fun to start with, but a beginner will end up watching them rather than learning to read.
Note, you can usually switch them off, so you don't have to choose a keyboard that doesn't have them.
I have no recommendations on mobile teaching apps, I've never used them.
Answer from Tetsujin on Stack ExchangePiano In 21 Days
pianoin21days.com › home › best beginner keyboard – review of alesis recital
Best Beginner Keyboard (Learning Piano) | Piano In 21 Days
May 12, 2020 - Let’s take a look at the brand new Alesis Recital that I unboxed in this video: The Alesis Recital is a full sized keyboard with 88 keys. That means the person playing it can get the full range of octaves that you’d expect even on an acoustic piano. Could you start out with something smaller...
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 - Begin your musical adventure with Donner affordable digital pianos for starters. Choose from our collection of budget-friendly keyboards and start playing today.
what cheap, not-toy keyboard for a beginner? - SOS FORUM
Sign Up TO SOS Newsletters · All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2025. All rights reserved. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden ... More on soundonsound.com
I want to buy a mini keyboard to learn piano
49 keys are not enough for piano learning. At minimum you should get a 61 key keyboard. 88 keys are of course ideal. Also, the keyboards you linked are MIDI controllers. Meaning, they don't produce sound. You will have to connect them to a computer and have a piano VST produce the sound. Here are the keyboards that produce sound: https://www.thomann.de/intl/stage_pianos.html https://www.thomann.de/intl/home_keyboards.html More on reddit.com
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January 6, 2025piano - Would you recommend a keyboard for beginners with or without lights in keys for learning? - Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange
Entry level digital pianos made by Yamaha, Kawai, Casio, Roland, Korg are available, but you have to double the budget. A Casio CDP-S100 is the cheapest option at the 360 Euro price and could run on alkaline batteries. Roland FP10, Yamaha P45 and Korg B1 are all around of the 400 euro level. But for a first run a smaller 61 key keyboard ... More on music.stackexchange.com
What’s a good portable/compact digital for playing on lap? - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums
Or bed, or folding dinner tray table next to bed. Because of limited space or anywhere else to really do regularly it’s how it has to be for now so I need something to bide time so I can finally start learning even if defying convention a little. So I need something compact that’s easy... More on forum.pianoworld.com
Videos
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The Best Beginner Keyboards in 2025 (Don't Buy Wrong & Regret) ...
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Best Beginner Keyboards for 2025 - YouTube
01:51
Best Digital Pianos for Uni Accommodation - Compact Keyboards for ...
14:28
Mini-Keyboard Review! Yamaha PSS-A50 - YouTube
23:11
Why This Tiny Yamaha Keyboard Is My New Gig Workhorse - YouTube
14:49
PopuPiano - a portable piano teacher that's also a MIDI keyboard ...
Piano Dreamers
pianodreamers.com › best-beginner-keyboards
Best Keyboards for Beginners Under $350 (Apr. 2025)
May 20, 2025 - These are arguably the best piano ... keyboards. The built-in speakers remain modest, but on the NP-35 in particular, they’re slightly more powerful than on the NP-15 and do a decent job of filling a small ......
Sound On Sound
soundonsound.com › forum
what cheap, not-toy keyboard for a beginner? - SOS FORUM
May 20, 2022 - Sign Up TO SOS Newsletters · All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2025. All rights reserved. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/pianolearning › i want to buy a mini keyboard to learn piano
r/pianolearning on Reddit: I want to buy a mini keyboard to learn piano
January 6, 2025 -
I want to learn piano. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of space in my room and on my desk. So I want to at least buy a mini-keyboard and learn piano basics with it. I also want to get into making loops and electronic music later on, so I guess a keyboard over a "real" piano is the right choice anyway. I know that a mini-keyboard is suboptimal and I can't play all songs with it, but to start off I guess it's enough.
So I looked up a few models and I found the following ones:
Korg microKEY 37 MkII
Midiplus X3 mini
Midiplus X4 mini
Arturia Keystep
I want to able to play basic chords and easy songs with both hands. Also, it would be nice if I could play without connecting to a PC, then it is easier to just practice and I can't get distracted. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about keyboards. Can you help me to choose one that fits to my needs?
Top answer 1 of 5
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49 keys are not enough for piano learning. At minimum you should get a 61 key keyboard. 88 keys are of course ideal. Also, the keyboards you linked are MIDI controllers. Meaning, they don't produce sound. You will have to connect them to a computer and have a piano VST produce the sound. Here are the keyboards that produce sound: https://www.thomann.de/intl/stage_pianos.html https://www.thomann.de/intl/home_keyboards.html
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None of the ones you listed have onboard sounds. They ALL require a computer to function, or at least more hardware. Those are all called "midi" keyboards and they are just a hardware interface for controlling a virtual instrument (on a computer) or another physical instrument (like a synth). Typically if it doesn't have onboard sounds, it will just be called a "Midi controller" but there ARE keyboards that have both. Inconsistent store descriptions can make it harder to see the difference. I would look at something like the Roland GO:Keys for something compact and produces sound. Also check out the Casio CT series. The CT-S1 is much closer to the price of the others you listed. If you find something and aren't sure, feel free to send a DM or reply here.
Artiden
artiden.com › travel-sized-piano
Guide to Choosing a Travel-Sized Piano
This is a great option for anyone looking for a simple, no-nonsense travel keyboard. It also runs on batteries! Casio Casiotone is also a simple, straightforward keyboard. It can also run on batteries and comes in 3 colours, and has a carrying handle. I haven’t tried this piano yet but it looks like a good option.
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.
ROLI
roli.com › us › product › piano-m-learn
ROLI Piano M keyboard for Learners
ROLI Piano M for Learners
Begin your musical learning journey with Piano M and the ROLI Learn app. Enjoy interactive light assisted learning modes, over 1,000 songs, engaging games, and a guided curriculum that fits your pace.
Price $249.00
NYTimes
nytimes.com › games and hobbies › music › the best budget digital piano for beginners
The 3 Best Budget Digital Piano for Beginners of 2026 | Reviews by Wirecutter
May 28, 2025 - They are inexpensive (by piano standards), have built-in speakers, and include multiple piano sounds. These keyboards are relatively light (two of our picks weigh less than 30 pounds), so it’s possible for one person to carry the piano. The value of these keyboards doesn’t stop at the beginner level.
Top answer 1 of 6
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Without. Point blank.
Lights look fun to start with, but a beginner will end up watching them rather than learning to read.
Note, you can usually switch them off, so you don't have to choose a keyboard that doesn't have them.
I have no recommendations on mobile teaching apps, I've never used them.
2 of 6
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Don't bother with lights. The player will be forever chasing them. In fact, for a few weeks I recommend not trying to read dots either. Just get used to the instrument, what it can do, and have fun.
I would hope that pound for pound, a keyboard without lights would have other, better features.Most will have speakers or a headphone port. Buying pre-loved will generally get you a far better instrument (my opinion!). And DON'T write letter names on the keys - or even use stickers!
Facebook
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What is a good affordable keyboard for beginners?
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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 - These excellent beginner keyboard pianos are compact and supremely portable and feature built-in speakers, a velocity-sensitive keyboard and sounds sampled from a Yamaha concert grand piano. Build: As soon as I got this keyboard out of the box, I knew I was holding an instrument made with a real savoir-faire. Like all Yamaha products, it feels sturdy and well-made and pretty premium, despite its small asking price.
Amazon
amazon.com › small-piano-keyboard › s
Amazon.com: Small Piano Keyboard
M-VAVE 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Backlit Drum Pads, Bluetooth Semi Weighted Professional dynamic keybed 8 Knobs and Music Production,Software Included (Black) · RIVVTA 61 Key Electric Keyboard Piano with 200 Tone 200 Rhythm and 60 Demo Light-Up Keyboard for Beginners - Includes ...
PopuMusic Store
popumusic.com › home › news › news
How Much Is a Small Keyboard Piano? Pricing Guide for Beginners in 2025
July 19, 2025 - A small keyboard piano is a compact digital instrument typically featuring between 25 and 61 keys, designed for easy learning, portability, and space-saving convenience. While they may not offer the full 88-key range of a traditional piano, they provide more than enough to practice melodies, chords, and basic technique especially for beginners.
Amazon
amazon.com › Kmise-Keyboard-Portable-Electronic-Beginners › dp › B092VKYPT6
Amazon.com: Kmise Mini Keyboard Piano 32 Key Small Portable Digital Electronic Keyboard with 30 Demo Songs Musical Gift for Beginners Kids(No Power Cord Included) : Musical Instruments
Buy Kmise Mini Keyboard Piano 32 Key Small Portable Digital Electronic Keyboard with 30 Demo Songs Musical Gift for Beginners Kids(No Power Cord Included): Portable & Arranger Keyboards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
DecPlay
decplay.com › home › best piano keyboard for beginners
Best piano keyboard for beginners
2 weeks ago - I personally use the NP range instead of the E range because I don't need the extra sounds and accompaniment features of the E range and I prefer the smaller size and 'piano' type look of the NP range (without lots of buttons). ... get a second keyboard that is very portable and can run using batteries (great for caravans, playing in the garden or at social events)
Piano World
forum.pianoworld.com › ubbthreads.php › topics › 3545365 › re-what-s-a-good-portable-compact-digital-for-playing-on-lap.html
What’s a good portable/compact digital for playing on lap? - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums
Or bed, or folding dinner tray table next to bed. Because of limited space or anywhere else to really do regularly it’s how it has to be for now so I need something to bide time so I can finally start learning even if defying convention a little. So I need something compact that’s easy...
Pianist's Compass
pianistscompass.com › reviews › best-pianos-for-beginners
The 5 best keyboards/digital pianos for beginners and kids
March 24, 2025 - It’s the keyboard I wish I had when I started. Suitable for kids, it looks and sounds like a grown-up instrument. I absolutely love it. For those seeking an extra touch of realism, the Casio PX-770, with its beautiful cabinet and authentic sound, is the best beginner digital piano.
Duolingo
store.duolingo.com › home › accessories › loog x duolingo piano
loog x duolingo piano – Duolingo
loog x duolingo piano
A portable digital piano for beginners with pro sound, pro features, and pro design. The Loog x Duolingo Piano pairs with the Duolingo Music course so everyone can learn to play their favorite songs!
• Integration with Duolingo• Built-in battery and speakers• MIDI over USB• Musician-grade piano sound• This item will be fulfilled by Loog and ships from the USA• See FAQs for full specs• See Instructions for Use on how to set up your piano• Contact Loog for piano support• Contact Duolingo for music app support
Price $249.00
Fine Arts Matter
fineartsmatter.com › resources › piano-keyboard-buying-guide-for-kids
Piano Keyboard Buying Guide for Kids
This keyboard has so many great features we've made it our go-to option for all of our KidzKeys-Piano after school classes, with over 10,000 students starting to play the piano using the Casio SA76!