Best Digital Piano Under 500 Dollars


Close-up of man's hands playing keyboard

So you’ve decided to “splash out” on a higher-end digital piano, but are trying to find best digital piano under 500dollars that’s the perfect combination of quality, features, and value…

We’ve got you covered! In this comprehensive guide we describe the eight best digital pianos under $500 from our extensive research, including:

These are all high-quality instruments that have learning tools for beginners and also plenty of features that will allow you to advance to the intermediate stage. In addition to covering the best features of these digital pianos, we’ll also give you the pros and the cons of each!

Best Digital Pianos Under 500 Dollars: Summary Table

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Best Digital Pianos Under 500 Dollars: Reviews

The purpose of this article is to give you the details you need to make an informed decision about the keyboard you will be buying.

These are keyboards that are not only great for beginner and intermediate students, but they can also be used on a professional level. Here are our reviews for what we consider to be the best portable digital pianos under $500.

Best Digital Piano Under 500 (Overall): Casio Privia PX-160

Casio Privia PX-160BK 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano with Power Supply, Black

The Casio Privi​a PX-160 is an 88-key digital piano that has the famous Casio Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II keyboard. It features some of the most powerful technology in digital keyboards, including the AiR (Acoustic and Intelligent Resonator) sound source, which gives it the sound of a real acoustic grand piano. The keys feel like real ebony and ivory, and there are many more great features, including duet mode, as well as split and layer capabilities.

PROS

  • Built-in recording capabilities
  • Bundle package includes stand and bench
  • Headphone output jacks for silent practice

cons

  • Can be difficult to assemble
  • Customer service isn’t the greatest
  • Speakers aren’t loud enough

Summary

If you’re looking for an outstanding-quality digital piano under $500, you can’t go wrong with the Casio Privia PX-160. It offers true grand piano sound quality and has a great feel while you are playing.

Best 88-Key Digital Piano Under 500: Yamaha P71

Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal and Power Supply (Amazon-Exclusive) (Renewed)

When it comes to the best of the best in the realm of piano keyboard realm, Yamaha is the name of the game. Back in the 1980s, they crafted the DX-7 digital synthesizer, which became the first-ever digital piano to enjoy huge commercial success.

The manufacturing brilliance and the addition of many new features were what made the DX-7 a revolution in the industry. The P-71 is one of the most affordable units in Yamaha’s P series. But don’t let the low price make you believe that the piano keyboard is lacking in any way.

It might not be the magnum opus of Yamaha’s synthesizer production, but it has all the specs and features you wouldn’t normally get in a more affordable lineup of keyboards. One of the best things about this synthesizer is that it has 88 fully-weighted Graded Hammer Standard keys.

It has the usual four sensitivity modes, including soft, medium, hard, and fixed. In addition to that, the piano also comes with 10 voices, including tone samples taken from Yamaha grand pianos. It also has connectivity ports and jacks along with two sustain pedals.

You can play the piano keyboard in the duo or dual-mode, which makes it suitable for players that are still learning how to play. It has 4 types of reverb settings, including room, hall1, hall2, and stage. This allows the user to play the piano in different areas and make decent sounds.

PROS

  • Compact design.
  • Weighted keys offer good sensitivity and feedback.
  • Dual-mode allows the blending of 2 instruments.
  • Comes with sustain pedals.

cons

  • Doesn’t come with a stand.
  • The synthesizer doesn’t have an LCD display/screen.
  • Keys might be a little squeaky.

Summary

Each synthesizer comes with its pros and cons. However, the Yamaha P-71 is one of the best piano keyboards you can buy under 500 dollars. It has all the basic features that a beginner needs to learn the basic chords and notes. Since it has 88 weighted keys, it gives players a lot more realistic experience.

Best Stage Piano Under 500: Casio PX350

Casio PX350 88 Key Digital Stage Piano Packages

While the Yamaha P-71 is the perfect piano keyboard for at-home use for beginners, the Casio PX-350 is more suitable for beginners who have enough skill to take their mastery on a stage. Similar to Yamaha, Casio has had its moments in creating some of the best synthesizers available in the market.

The PX-350 is one of the newer Casio creations. The line of piano keyboards is supposed to be an upgrade to the manufacturer’s famous Privia brand. With this digital piano, you can experience great nuance and enhanced performance that Casio has been successfully delivering over time.

The piano features an 88-scale sensor keyboard with an Ebony simulation and ivory texture on the keys. Three sensors provide the player precision and speed, improving the quality of sound and action.

Besides the simple and sleek design, the keyboard comes with up to 250 tones. This should be more than enough inspiration for you to make new sounds.

It also features sound generation technology, 128-not max polyphony, 300 preset music, USB, MIDI, and other connectivity outlets, and the capability of recording 6 demo songs.

You can adjust and modify the tones and sounds to your liking, whether it’s the chorus, reverb, pitch bend, or others. There are numerous ways you can get creative with the keyboard.

PROS

  • Portable, with a lightweight and compact body.
  • It’s a 3-pedal unit with half-pedaling function as an option.
  • Makes rich sounds with Casio’s AiR sound technology.

cons

  • Doesn’t have a learning program.
  • Limited knobs and sliders.

Runners-Up

While the two pianos mentioned above are the cream of the crop as one would say, we had to mention the following as well.

Casio WK6600

Casio WK6600 76 Note Portable Keyboard w/Built-In Speakers, Power Supply, and Keyboard Stand

While their watches are known more commonly around the world, Casio has been a giant of a company. Over the years, it has gained quite a reputation as one of the best piano keyboard manufacturers. When it comes to quality products, you can trust Casio to not disappoint you in that arena. That’s why one of Casio’s keyboards is in our top two choices.

The WK-6600 keyboard is as runner-up to the Casio model mentioned here as it still possesses much of what Casio is known for. This particular keyboard is an all-in-one deal for a beginner. It comes with a pair of headphones, the power source, a stand, and a dustcover.

Unlike the other Casio unit mentioned here, the WK-6600 has only 76 weighted keys, good enough to give players a real piano-like feel. The keys have only 2 sensitivity levels that allow the user to play 210 rhythms and play around with 48-note polyphony, 700 user tones, and 10 reverb types.

You can play around with the tones and sounds to make your own music with the keyboard. There is a 17-track recording capacity that provides more than enough room for your creations.

For the new learners, there are over 100 preset songs that people with varying skill levels can play quite easily.

PROS

  • Easy to carry and move around.
  • The tones are high-quality.
  • Keys have good sensitivity.

cons

  • Built-in tones are mediocre.
  • Polyphony is limited.

Summary

For the beginner learner or for a casual player, this Casio WK-6600 synthesizer boasts all the necessary features required. It’s sleek and compact enough to carry around and comes with a massive song library that allows you to play along with songs from various genres and complexities. However, the keyboard is little basic for intermediate and advanced learners.

Roland GO:KEYS Music Creation Keyboard

Roland GO:KEYS 61-key Music, Creation Keyboard with Integrated Bluetooth Speakers (GO-61K)

There is definitely no shortage of manufacturers and brands specializing in the production of musical instruments. From acoustic guitars to handpans, obscure equipment, and piano keyboards, there are many options available. But when it comes to getting your hands on one of the best, you have to go with one of the best

Roland is considered one of the oldest and one of the best keyboard manufacturers in the world. One of their instruments i.e., the GO:KEYS Music Creation keyboard, is currently considered a respectable option in the under 500 dollar range.

The unit has fewer octaves or keys than the other piano keyboards we have discussed until now. The 61 keys are full size and have 3 touch response modes. You can use these keys to learn, practice, and eventually create your own music.

You can play around with the 99 songs in the storage, more than 500 sounds, 128-note polyphony, and 2 effects settings. You can also record your own creations using the MIDI recorder. Connectivity options include audio jacks and USB ports that allow you to connect speakers or a computer.

The built in recorder can record your creations or you can connect a phone or tablet. The overall shape and design of the piano make it compact enough for easy travel.

PROS

  • Compact and easy to move around.
  • Creates reach and almost realistic sounds.
  • Has sensitive keys.

cons

  • Limited preset collection.
  • Mixes can’t be saved.

Summary

Overall, there is not much wrong with the Roland GO:KEYS piano. It’s pretty basic and possesses all the features important for an amateur learner. The keys are weighted and designed in a way that it allows beginners an easy to use the instrument. You may have to look at other units if you’re an advanced or intermediate learner.

Alesis Recital Pro

Alesis Recital Pro 88-Key Digital Piano W/Hammer-Action Keys Bundle with Headphones + Cables + Fibertique Cloth

If you are completely new to the portable digital keyboard world, this particular manufacturer and model might be something they heard of. However, anyone with least bit of exposure in the piano community will already know about Alesis and the Alesis Recital Pro units.

The brand itself opened shop back in the 1980s, a time when modern music was at its peak of greatness. Since then, they have been making electronic keyboards or digital pianos along with other equipment and instruments.

When it comes to the Recital Pro, it is an easy to use and simple digital keyboard. The keys on the keyboard are light but velocity-sensitive. It is full-sized, meaning that it has 88 semi-weighted keys that allow players the chance to learn at a better intensity and speed.

The sound it creates is rich and vaguely close to the actual grand piano. However, the instrument is somewhat lacking in the preset department. You get only 5 built-in voices and only a few more tones and sounds.

Other than that, it has USB and mp3 connectivity, allowing you to connect your phone, tablet or speakers to record and play your favorite music.

PROS

  • The sounds it creates are balanced and quite natural.
  • The 88-key keyboard responds well to sensitivity.
  • It has an extensive lesson mode.

cons

  • Very few presets.
  • Limited in terms of add-ons.
  • The speakers are not of great quality.

Summary

Overall, the Recital Pro is a decent keyboard for an entry-level synthesizer. Learners and players in the initial stages with beginner-level skills can use the keyboard to improve before moving on to an instrument with weighted keys and better preset options.

LAGRIMA 88 Weighted Key Digital Piano

LAGRIMA 88 Weighted Key Digital Piano, USB/MIDI/Headphone/Mic/Audio Output Feature, with Power Supply, 3 Pedals, Instruction Book, Suit for Kids, Teen, Adult, Beginner or Training Institution

LAGRIMA has produced many great pianos ever since their inception. The 88-Key digital piano is a handsome instrument with 88 weighted keys. In terms of appearance and aesthetics, this unit has all the bells and whistles of what we would call “classic”.

In terms of other features, however, the piano is slightly limited to a beginner level. But despite that, it is great for finally starting to learn your favorite instrument and show off your love of music.

The full-size keyboard is weighted and has 88 keys to feel like an analog piano. This gets the player used to the feeling of playing a real acoustic piano.In addition to that, it has an onboard memory that allows players to record 1 song and 2 tracks.

They can create the songs by manipulating, layering, and playing around with 200 rhythms, 480 tones, 128 standard GM tones, and over 50 preset and 80 demo songs. The LCD display helps with the learning lessons and customizing piano functions.

It also has the basic connectivity features and 3 pedals for higher quality sound.

PROS

  • 88 standardized fully GHS weighted keys that mimic a grand piano.
  • 80 demo songs facilitate easy practice.
  • Record and playback functions are efficient.

cons

  • Assembly instructions aren’t very clear.
  • Open-back cabinet requires it to be placed against a wall.
  • The speakers are not of great quality.

Summary

LAGRIMA designed this instrument for anyone who has just begun to learn the instrument. The weighted keys are effective for learning finger techniques, placement, etc. You can also play the piano in duo mode and use the demo songs to perfect your skills.

Yamaha PSR-EW410

Yamaha PSREW410 76-key Portable Keyboard with Power Adapter, Double-Braced X-Style Keyboard Stand, Folding X-Style Piano Bench and On-Ear Stereo Headphones

We could not possibly skim over Yamaha in this list, even when we’ve already mentioned one synthesizer as one of the top ones. The PSR-EW410 might be a runner-up in this list, but it is a credible and good-quality synthesizer with enhanced capabilities for learning, practicing, and even writing music.

This model is one of the latest Yamaha creations. It has 76 keys and various professional features that enable the learner or player to pick up skills much quicker and professionally. You can play around and experiment with the 758 voices and tones with 48-note polyphony or use the Groove Creator function to make your own tunes.

You can also connect a recorder or a USB device to play along to other songs and record your creations. The Live control knobs, melody suppressor, and a great variety of presets give payers a lot to choose from.

And as it is with most of Yamaha piano keyboards, you can connect the instrument with one ofthe various applications. For example, you can connect your synthesizer with the Visual Performance app that allows you the sheet music and interesting graphics as you play along to other songs.

PROS

  • Comes with professional features.
  • Can be used to write and practice songs.
  • Pre-programmed music facilitates easy learning.
  • Creates realistic sound.

cons

  • Not the fanciest model.
  • Not too high-end in terms of performance.

Summary

If you count all the features packed into this Yamaha creation, you can easily see it as one of the best synthesizers out there in the 500 dollar category. You get features that won’t normally find in other similar models, which make the PSR-EW410 great for beginners and serious learners along with amateur players who have gotten around to perfect their basic skills.

In the end, a piano keyboard for most people is the gateway to learning how to play an actual acoustic piano and for other, a great way to create funky modern music by layers tones and voices. By investing in a more affordable beginner-level piano keyboard prior to buying a more advanced one, you can get some hands-on experience as a player.

Once you’ve had an introduction to the keyboard world and gained some piano skills, you will be in a better position to decide which piano keyboard to get.

When it comes to this particular list, the Yamaha P71 unit comes out as the best piano keyboard under 500 dollars. It is jam-packed with basic and advanced features in a portable and lightweight chassis. However, you can honestly consider anyone of the pianos mentioned on this list as each is a good option for this price range.

Keep the main considerations in your mind to choose the best one you can get under $500.

How to Pick the Best Digital Piano Under 500

As you’ve seen from the models we’ve covered in this guide, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a quality digital piano that actually sounds and plays well. You just need to know what to look for in a digital piano that costs less than $500:

Not all digital pianos have the same features, but the one you choose should have these important features:

  • Accompaniment features
  • Multiple voices
  • Layering
  • Responsiveness
  • Polyphony. meaning that it has many sounds

Learning Features and Apps Make Learning to Play Fun and Easy

source

There are many benefits to using the learning apps with today’s keyboards…For starters, apps can help you learn to play faster. In fact, in some cases people are playing songs within an hour! All you need is a keyboard with built-in learning features, or that works with learning apps. These features and apps also use adaptive feedback and tracking, so you can actually see your progress, which is going to encourage you to learn even more. This is easier than going to music lessons (and paying for them), and you can learn at your own pace, and at your own convenience. You also get to learn using songs you actually like, which makes learning to play the piano a lot more fun!

Is It Okay To Practice On a Digital Piano? Josh Wright Piano TV

Conclusion

These are just a few of the great options that are available if you are looking for a quality digital piano that costs less than $500. They all have some pretty cool features, and some of them are bundle packages, so there is nothing else you need to buy in order to start playing right away.

And if you’re thinking about splashing out a little more cash? Check out our guide to the best digital piano under 1000 dollars. 

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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