These keyboards are the top multipurpose keyboards in their class at the beginner price point. The keys are non-weighted so they don’t have the feel of a real acoustic piano but they are all full sized and have velocity (touch) sensitivity allowing you to play louder and softer.

Yamaha PSR-E383

$199.99

The PSR-E383 is the top of the line entry level keyboard under $200. It has more features than any other keyboard in its price range. The sounds are absolutely beautiful and the huge number of functions are surprising given the price. Here are some of the features that come with the PSR-E383:

• 61 full size, unweighted keys
• Touch sensitive
• 650 high end sounds including acoustic and electric pianos, organs, strings, guitars, synths, and more
• 260 accompaniment styles which allow you to play along with different rhythm sections and musical genres
• 125 built in songs
• Record up to 5 songs with 2 separate tracks
• Onboard lessons with Yamaha Education Suite
• Duo Mode splits the keyboard into 2 separate keyboards with the same octave range (for practicing with a teacher)
• 15 Reverb settings
• 7 Chorus settings
• Master EQ
• Metronome
• USB connection to computer for MIDI and audio
• Built in 2.5 watt stereo speakers
• 1/4” headphone jack
• 1/8” audio input (to let you play along with music from your favorite device)
• Music rest
• Power supply
• Optional ability to run on 6 AA batteries

Yamaha PSR-E283

$159.99

If the PSR-E383 is a wee bit too much to spend at the moment, then consider the PSR-E283. Although it doesn’t have all of the whistles and bells of the 383, the features it does have are the same high quality as found on it’s bigger sibling. The sounds are gorgeous and the functions are top notch. Here are some of the features that come with the PSR-E283:

• 61 full size, unweighted keys
• Touch sensitive
• 122 built in songs
• Record 1 song on a single track
• Song lesson feature
• Duo Mode splits the keyboard into 2 separate keyboards with the same octave range (for practicing with a teacher)
• 9 Reverb settings
• 5 Chorus settings
• Master EQ
• Ultra-wide stereo
• Metronome
• Built in 2.5 watt stereo speakers
• 1/4” headphone jack
• 1/8” audio input (to let you play along with music from your favorite device)
• Music rest
• Power supply
• Optional ability to run on 6 AA batteries

Casio Casiotone CT-S300

$149.00

Casio’s Casiotone CT-S300 is an alternative if you don’t want to spring for the Yamaha instruments listed above. It has 400 decent sounding tones and 77 rhythms to choose from. It also has a USB connection – something the Yamaha PSR-E283 does not have. Some of the unique features of this keyboard include a pitch bend wheel and something called Dance Music Mode. This mode allows you to build EDM tracks, triggering loops, transitions and special effects. Since this keyboard is primarily designed as an entry level instrument for beginning players, there is the concern that this mode might be a distraction from learning lessons and practicing. But it’s there if you want it. Here are some of the features that come with the CT-S300:

• 61 full size, unweighted keys
• Touch sensitive
• 400 tones
• 77 rhythms in different musical genres
• Pitch bend
• Dance Music Mode
• 60 built in songs
• USB connection to computer for MIDI and audio
• Built in stereo speakers
• 10 reverb settings
• Metronome
• 1/8” headphone/audio out jack
• 1/8” audio input (to let you play along with music from your favorite device)
• Music rest
• Power supply
• Optional ability to run on 6 AA batteries

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We now step up to the beginner class of electric pianos. The keys are weighted, providing a feel much like you would find on a real acoustic piano and they simulate hammer action giving a more realistic playing experience. Touch (velocity) sensitivity provides louder and softer sounds based upon how hard you hit the keys.

Kawai ES60

$479.00

If you’re looking for an amazing and realistic piano playing experience in this lower price range, the new Kawai ES60 gives you the goods. Kawai’s advanced Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) action gives you the feel of a real acoustic grand, complete with graded hammers and their Harmonic Imaging technology creates lush stereo sounds including Kawai’s flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano. Here are some of the features that come with the ES60:

• 88 key – RHL hammer action
• 17 internal sounds including acoustic pianos, tine and reed electric pianos, organs, strings, clavinet, harpsichord, vibraphone, electric and upright bass and more
• 15 demo songs
• 3 reverb settings
• Dual and Split modes for duets or practicing with a teacher
• Connection to PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps
• Onboard Metronome
• Built in stereo 10w speakers
• USB interface connection to computer for MIDI and audio
• Bluetooth
• USB connection to computer for MIDI and audio
• 1/4” headphone jack
• 2 1/4” audio outputs (L/mono, R)
• Music rest
• Parameter Switch pedal
• Power supply

Roland FP-10

$399.99

This digital piano is compact enough to fit comfortably into your living or family room, yet it offers the renowned SuperNATURAL sounds and the great playing feel of Roland’s PHA-4 Standard 88-note hammer action keyboard.  Loaded with great-sounding pianos and other instruments, the Roland FP-10 also features onboard practice functionality, as well as Bluetooth for compatibility with popular music apps.Here are some of the features that come with the FP-10:

• 88 key – PHA-4 hammer action 
• 15 rich and responsive sounds including 4 piano tones and 2 electric piano tones using Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine
• Roland’s Piano Partner 2 app lets you select sounds, set metronome and more from your smartphone
• Twin Piano mode splits the keyboard into 2 separate keyboards with the same octave range (for practicing with a teacher)
• metronome
• sustain pedal
• built in 6 watt, 4.7” stereo speakers
• 1/8” headphone output
• USB interface connection to computer for MIDI and audio (type A and type B)
• Bluetooth
• power supply