Piano Keyboards for Beginners (2022) – 10 Best Keyboards for the Money


Young Man Playing a Piano Keyboard
Young Man Playing a Piano Keyboard

If you’ve been looking for the best piano keyboard for beginners on Amazon, you’re in the right place!

There are two types of piano keyboard manufacturers who sell on Amazon:

  • Established keyboard manufacturers like Yamaha and Casio.
  • What we call “made-for-Amazon” keyboard manufacturers

The made-for-Amazon manufacturers produce a number of piano keyboards that are inexpensive and great for beginner players.

Male Piano Teacher with Male Student - Beginning Piano Instruction
Beginning Piano Instruction

For a small amount of money, you can try out a keyboard, see how you or your child likes playing, and potentially open the treasure chest of what playing the piano can do!

But before we dive in, let’s answer the most common questions about Amazon piano keyboards:

How much is a piano keyboard on Amazon?

Prices for the best-value beginner keyboards on Amazon range from $39 to $210. Keyboards that cost in the $39 – $120 range are good for beginners. These keyboards usually have 61 keys, which is a good number of keys for a new player (a full keyboard has 88 keys, which is the same as an acoustic piano). The cheapest Amazon keyboards with 88 keys and “weighted” keys (like the keys on an acoustic piano) cost from $210 up.

Is a 61-key keyboard enough?

Yes. According to piano teachers, 61 keys are enough for a beginner.

What is the Best Keyboard Piano for Beginners?

The best keyboard for a beginner depends on your budget and the keyboard features that will motivate the beginner to learn (this is especially the case if the beginner is a child!)

Piano Teacher pointing to Sheet Music
Piano Teacher pointing to Sheet Music

Two key things we recommend in a beginner keyboard are (a) features that motivate learning, and (b) features that allow a beginner to “grow into” the keyboard.Features that motivate learning include:

  • Lighted keys
  • Good selection of “voices” (a “voice” is any sound that a keyboard makes)
  • Handful of “styles” (a style is like a back-up band that can be activated with the push of a button)
  • Features that allow a beginner to grow include: minimum of 61 keys (or even better, 76 or 88 keys); touch-sensitive keys (when the keys are pressed hard, they make a louder sound); and weighted keys (like an acoustic piano – the keys spring back after they’re pressed).
Keyboard Piano for Beginners
Keyboard Piano for Beginners

The most popular beginner keyboards on Amazon include:

RockJam 54-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard

RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard SuperKit

Alesis Melody 61 MKII

The ONE Smart Piano Keyboard

​What is the Best Piano Keyboard on Amazon?

For our ultimate list of the best keyboards (including Yamaha and Casio models), check out our piano keyboard reviews and buying guide.

Here’s our list of the top 9 piano keyboards produced by the made-for-Amazon manufacturers:

Best Amazon Piano Keyboards

Now here’s our guide to the best made-for-Amazon piano keyboard brands, including their best models:

alesis

Alesis was established in 1980 with the idea that they wanted to make good sound quality music studio products available to the world. This includes complete beginners and so using their innovation and technical knowledge, Alesis designed keyboards for beginners to and also keyboards for professionals – all at an affordable price.

Young girl marking up sheet music during a piano lesson
Young girl Marking up Sheet Music During a Piano Lesson

Alesis have continuously focused on improving the musical experience and developing creativity for musicians. They’ve now branched out from not only piano keyboards, but also other musical technical equipment such as synthesizers, iPod recording and playback equipment, amplifiers, electronic drums, effects units, mixers, speakers and hard disk recorders.

Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Keyboard

Alesis Recital - 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano/Keyboard with Full-Size Semi-Weighted Keys, Power Supply, Built-In Speakers and 5 Premium Voices (Amazon Exclusive)

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The Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Keyboard has 88 keys that are full-sized and semi-weighted – giving the “touch” of a real piano, as well as allowing for sensitivity.

The Recital has in-built speakers which not only provide good sound quality, but also will save you space as they can be easily stored away when not in use – or left out to make a quick 5-minute practice more likely!

There is a headphone socket which allows for silent practice, and a built in metronome (a timer) to help you to get your timing just perfect.

Two Adults Learning Keyboard by example
Adults Learning the Keyboard by Example

The keyboard has 128 max polyphony, which means that 128 notes can be played at the same time (that’s just the notes, plus extra `voices` on drum tracks or `choral` effects, for example) – making it much more realistic for that full piano sound. The Alesis Recital beginner`s keyboard also has built in effects – chorus and reverb, to enable you to get different sounds.

Alesis Melody 61 MKII Keyboard

Alesis Melody 61 MKII - 61-Key Portable Keyboard with Built-In Speakers, Headphones, Microphone, Piano Stand, Music Rest and Stool

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The Alesis Melody 61 key keyboard has 61 weighted, responsive keys – which, although fewer than some other models, is sufficient for beginners.

The Melody is easy to use and comes with a height-adjustable stand. The keyboard also comes with a microphone and in-built speakers (although of course, headphones can be used for practice until you`re ready to show off to the world!).

The Melody 61 MKII keyboard also comes with a range of different voices, rhythms and 40 built-in demo songs which you can play along with, and also enables you to record your final masterpiece.

This is a great piano for children, giving them the power to really enjoy learning the piano and making music.

RockJam

rockjam

RockJam is part of the parent company PDT, which is a company that believes that musical instruments should be accessible to everyone. This is why they started to design and create instruments for learners at affordable prices. They believe everyone should have the opportunity to play piano. Their keyboards and digital pianos are modestly priced.

RockJam is the part of the company that produces electronic instruments such as keyboards and electric guitars, helping to inspire the next generation of electronic instrument musicians around the world. Check out some of the keyboards for beginners below:

RockJam 61-Key Superkit Keyboard

RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard SuperKit with Stand, Stool, Headphones & Power Supply

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The RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard SuperKit has 61 keys at a standard size, as well as 100 keyboard sounds and 100 rhythms to play along to.

The keyboard features an LCD screen that can help with learning, telling you what to play with the demo songs and helping you to keep in time with the metronome. You can use headphones for private practice and there is also an entry socket for an electronic microphone if you want to sing along.

This is a great keyboard for developing both the technical and creative side of a keyboard learner. The LCD screen means that it can be visually useful in the learning process which can be very beneficial to some people.

RockJam 54-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard

RockJam 54-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard with Interactive LCD Screen & Includes Piano Maestro Teaching App with 30 Songs

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The RockJam 54-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard also has an LCD screen. It is easy to pack away, put up and move, and the full-size keys give a `real` piano feel.

The 54 keys are fine for young children, and the keyboard has multiple teaching mode, 100 different voices and 100 different rhythms to make practice more exciting.

Keyboard Piano for Beginners. Two Young Women Practicing the Keyboard
Young Women Singing and Playing a Keyboard Piano for Beginners

The RockJam electronic keyboard has built in speakers to save room, a headphone socket and the ability to connect to larger, external speaker for larger performances and a stand where you can put your sheet music.

The array of fun learning features on the LCD screen make this keyboard an affordable and fun way for children to learn to play the piano.

The ONE Music Group

the one smart piano

The ONE Music Group are based in Silicon Valley in California and use the latest technology to develop keyboards and learning techniques. Their aim is to make learning the piano fun through developing games and creating instruments which allow these games to be played. Their keyboards for beginners are fun to use, and not just for kids.

Initially designed by a father who wanted to keep his son enthusiastic about learning the piano, The ONE keyboards and learning methods are very accessible for both children and adults.

The ONE Smart Piano Keyboard (61 Keys)

Smart Piano Keyboard 61-Key Portable Light Keyboard,Electronic Keyboard Digital Piano Music LED,Great for Beginner-Kids/Adults Learing/Training (Black)

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The One Smart Piano Keyboard with 61 keys is a MIDI keyboard which has over 128 different voices and built in speakers, a music stand and sustain pedal socket.

This keyboard is light and portable, but its real strength is its ability to be used with apps offering over 4000 pieces of sheet music and over 100 videos which will help you to learn. It can be used with both iOS and android phones and tablets.

The MIDI output means that your work can be recorded, and the keyboard has LED lights on the keys to help guide students and help you to learn your favourite pieces in minutes.

There is also (of course!) a headphone socket for private practice to perfect your show and hear the piano sound before performing it to your friends and family.

The ONE Smart Digital Piano (88 Keys)

The ONE Smart Piano, Weighted 88-Key Digital Piano, Grand Graded Hammer-Action Keys Upright Piano-Matte Black

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The ONE Smart Digital Piano has 88 weighted keys and looks like a standard upright digital piano. It is specifically designed for beginners, but looks great, has a professional sound and also comes with the three common pedals.

 The ONE Smart Piano, however also comes with the interactive LED keyboard which can be used with apps on iOS and android phones and tablets, giving you access to over 4000 pieces of sheet music and over 100 video lessons and games, making learning the piano interactive and fun. There are also 128 MIDI voices available and full dynamics control.

Hamzer Portable Electronic Keyboard

Hamzer 61-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard Piano with Stand, Stool, Headphones & Microphone

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The Hamzer portable electronic keyboard has 61 keys – sufficient for beginning learners – and has built-in speakers and an output which can be used for headphones or external speakers.

This keyboard gives you a choice of 255 different voices, 255 different rhythms, 61 different individual percussion sounds and 24 demos. The keyboard comes with an LCD display to help with control and settings and also has a detachable music stand for sheet music.

Being lightweight and portable with a wide range of different voices, the Hamzer portable electronic keyboard is great for getting kids hooked on playing (and learning) the piano – at a reasonable price.

LAGRIMA Digital Piano

LAGRIMA Digital Piano, 88 Key Electric Keyboard Piano for Beginner/Adults with Music Stand+Power Adapter+3-Pedal Board+Instruction Book+Headphone Jack(Black)

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The LAGRIMA Digital Piano is an 88 key digital piano which is perfect for beginner adults – and of course, also suitable for children. The digital piano looks like an upright digital piano at a much lower cost than comparable upright models, with a genuine sound, conventional three pedals, sheet music stand and LCD display screen.

 The digital piano has 64 polyphony (more than enough for a beginner pianist), 480 different tones and 200 pre-set rhythms as well as 80 demo songs. The LAGRIMA digital piano also allows for recording and playback as well as giving you full tone control, has a MIDI and USB port and headphone jack.

Plixio 61-Key Electric Piano Keyboard

Plixio 61-Key Electric Piano Keyboard with Music Sheet Stand – Portable Electronic Keyboard

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The Plixio 61-Key Electric Piano Keyboard is a decent choice for little learners and beginners, mostly due to its excellent combination of features and low price.

The Plixio is portable and easy to store and can be used with either a power source or batteries. It comes with 40 different tones, 100 rhythms and 60 demo songs, making playing fun and interesting.

Piano Teacher with Young Student
Piano Teacher with Young Student

 This model has a sheet music stand, built in speakers and is easy to take to lessons or practice as it is lightweight and easy to move around. It also comes with a headphone socket, so you can practice without disturbing others – or them disturbing you!

Joy JK-63M-KIT Keyboard

Joy JK-63M-KIT With USB 61-Key Keyboard Set Including Headphone,Stand,Stool and Power Supply

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Despite its industrial-sounding name, the 61-key Joy JK-63M-KIT is another keyboard with an excellent combination of price and features.

The Joy includes an MP3 function, 255 different tones, 255 different rhythms and 50 demos as well as sensitive keys for a more realistic piano experience. It has an LCD screen which can help with control of the keyboard`s functions as well as notes guides with the demo songs, making learning easy, fun and interesting.

 The Joy keyboard has a sheet music stand, has in built speakers, as well as a headphone socket.

Buying the CHEAPEST piano on AMAZON for $50 – is it any good??

Even the least expensive modern keyboards and digital pianos can be quite useful for a beginner player, and can provide a surprising amount of value. Enjoy Playing!

Learning the Keyboard on a Piano Keyboard for Beginners
Learning the Keyboard on a Piano Keyboard for Beginners

Wrapping Up

Getting set up for learning the piano has never been easier or more affordable!

Keep in mind these made-for-Amazon keyboards are not going to be adequate as a beginner player graduates to the intermediate stage of skill – for that we recommend buying one of the excellent Yamaha or Casio keyboards.

 But if you’re looking for a beginner keyboard at an amazing price, these models will be more than sufficient for beginners and children to jump in and get started.

Maurice

I am intrigued by how music affects the brain. I created this site to share my fascination with music in general and piano keyboards in particular.

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