In this comprehensive review we look at two popular beginner-level keyboards: the Casio LK 280 vs Yamaha EZ 220. Both models are great, inexpensive options for beginners, but which is best for your situation will depend on the specific features you’re looking for.
Table of Contents
- Casio LK-280 vs. Yamaha EZ-220 Specifications Compared
- Major Similarities Between Casio LK-280 vs. Yamaha EZ -220
- Major Differences Between Casio LK-280 vs. Yamaha EZ-220
- Casio LK-280 Summary
- Yamaha EZ-220 Summary
- Conclusion
Does the Casio LK 280 or Yamaha EZ 220 have the features, specs, and benefits for you? Let’s find out!
Casio LK-280 vs. Yamaha EZ-220 Specifications Compared
|
Specification |
Casio LK-280 |
Yamaha EZ-220 |
|---|---|---|
| Cell |  |  |
|
Keys |
61 Touch-sensitive keys |
61 Touch-sensitive keys |
|
Polyphony |
48-note |
32-note |
|
Sound Technology |
AHL Sound Engine | Cell |
|
Built-in Songs |
50 |
100 |
|
Preset Voices |
600 |
390 |
|
Preset Rhythms |
180 |
100 |
|
Recorder |
5 songs, 6 tracks |
– |
|
Speakers |
2 |
2 |
|
Amplifier |
2 x 2.5 watt |
2 x 2.5 watt |
|
Dimensions |
37 5/16 inches x 13 ¾ inches x 4 1/16 inches |
37 5/16 inches x 13 ¾ inches x 4 1/16 inches |
|
Weight |
9.92 pounds |
9.11 pounds |
| Cell |
Major Similarities Between Casio LK-280 vs. Yamaha EZ -220
When you start your search for the best beginner level keyboards, you’re sure to come across the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220. Both of these keyboards are excellent for beginners who are willing to learn how to play the keyboard. The best thing about the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 is that they’re quite affordable. They are quite similar in a number of areas. Let’s have a look at some of the major similarities between the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220.
Both the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 feature 61 touch-sensitive keys. 61-key keyboards are the best type of keyboards to start with as they allow the user to get accompanied to the basics of a keyboard without much trouble. The touch-sensitive keys are an added benefit that come with both the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220. It gives the user the keyboard playing experience similar to that of an acoustic piano.
The second noticeable similarity between the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 is that they both feature lighted keys. The lighted key feature is one of the best features to look for in a beginner level keyboard. Beginners may not know which keys to strike as the song plays. Thanks to this feature that the keys that the user has to press are highlighted or light up so that the user knows which key to strike to produce the right sound.
Both the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 are extremely light in weight and compact in design that makes them highly portable. No matter which one of the two you decide to purchase, you’ll be able to carry it with you anywhere you like.
What makes the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 great beginner level keyboards is their built-in song library. Both of these keyboards have an extensive song library. The users can choose a song of their liking and learn to play along. The lighted key feature will help the user know which key to strike when. The learning features of both, the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 are remarkably good, which is why they’re both considered as ideal beginner-level keyboards.
The Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 are equipped with two onboard speakers that have a power of 2.5 watts each. It allows the user to play their sound out loud for others to listen to. The good thing is that they’re both equipped with a headphone jack. So, if your neighbors don’t like you playing the piano in the middle of the night or you don’t want to disturb your family members in the room next door, you can always practice in silence and utmost privacy. All you need to do is attach the headphones, and you’re good to go!
Both the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 have a jack for connecting a sustain pedal. You can improve the quality of your performances by simply attaching a sustain pedal to your keyboard. Both these keyboards also have a microphone input as well.
Another similarity that might make it difficult to settle on one among the two is that both the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 are equipped with a USB port. Having USB connectivity is a great thing. We say so because it allows the user to connect their keyboard to the computer or a tablet and take advantage of the numerous music-making and editing software and apps that are available for aspiring musicians.
Major Differences Between Casio LK-280 vs. Yamaha EZ-220
The first major difference between the Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 lies in their keyboard. Although they both feature 61 touch-sensitive keys, the Casio LK-280 features 2-layer responsiveness. The user can navigate between two sensitivity levels as per their preference. The Yamaha EZ-220 has single-layer responsiveness, which means the user doesn’t get to adjust the touch sensitivity level.
Another difference that is worth mentioning is that the Casio LK-280 has a 48-note polyphony, whereas the Yamaha EZ-220 has 32-note polyphony. The user gets to enjoy more sound capabilities with the Casio LK-280 as compared to the Yamaha EZ-220.
The Casio LK-280 seems to have the edge over the Yamaha EZ-220 with a greater number of preset songs and rhythms. The Casio LK-280 has 600 preset sounds and 180 rhythm styles, whereas the Yamaha EZ-220 has only 392 preset sounds and 100 rhythm styles.
Although the Yamaha EZ-220 has 100 built-in songs as compared to 50 built-in songs in the Casio LK-280, you’ll be surprised to know that Casio LK-280 still manages to take the win. The Casio LK-280 has an SD card slot that allows the user to store as many songs as they like. It could be 100, 150, or as much as the SD card storage allows. It is an exclusive feature that you will find in only a few beginner-level keyboards.
The learning features of the Casio LK-280 are also better than those of the Yamaha EZ-220. The Step-Lesson, Teacher mode, and the Karaoke mode all help the user make the most out of their Casio LK-280 beginner keyboard.
Another feature that is present in the Casio LK-280 that you won’t find in the Yamaha EZ-220 is the built-in recorder. You can record up to 5 songs and store them on the memory of the Casio LK-280 and listen to them anytime in the future. It allows the user to revisit their performances and analyze the areas that need improvement.
The Casio LK-280 has an additional audio input that allows the user to connect external audio sources to their keyboard. The maximum you get with the Yamaha EZ-220 is a sustain pedal and MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) input.
Casio LK-280 Summary
Major Features
|
FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Keys |
The Casio LK-280 features 61 touch-sensitive keys. The keys are lighted keys that light up to indicate to the user which keys to strike to achieve the right sound. Moreover, the keys are equipped with 2-layer responsiveness, allowing the user to choose the level of touch responsiveness as per their preference. |
|
Design |
The design of the Casio LK-280 is simple and compact. With multiple, well-labeled buttons and controls, the user doesn’t find themselves lost. Moreover, the LCD display further makes it easy for the user to navigate through the various setting options. |
|
Sound Quality |
The Casio LK-280 is equipped with the AHL Sound Engine along with a 48-note polyphony, ensuring that a high-quality sound is produced every time you play the keyboard. This is not it. The Casio LK-280 has 800 different preset sounds and 180 rhythm styles, that along with the built-in reverb and chorus add to the sound quality. The Auto-Harmonizer is an additional cherry on top. It is also equipped with two, 2.5-watt speakers so that you can play your favorite songs out loud! |
|
Learning Features |
The Casio LK-280 is equipped with the Step-up Lesson System, which is why it is often referred to as a virtual teacher. It has 50 preset songs that the user can practice to play along. Each practice song is divided into smaller phrases so that a beginner can play them with ease. The shorter phrases paired with lighted key feature enables the user to enjoy playing the keyboard like a pro! |
|
Onboard Recorder |
The onboard recorder of the Casio LK-280 allows the user to record up to 5 songs and listen to the anytime in the future. |
|
Karaoke Mode |
Another unique feature of the Casio LK-280 is the Karaoke mode that allows the user to play their favorite songs stored in the SD card. All the user has to do is connect a microphone through the microphone input and enjoy a fun-filled karaoke night with their friends. |
|
Connectivity |
The Casio LK-280 features USB and MIDI connectivity. The users can also connect external audio sources, headphones, and microphones to their keyboard via respective connection ports. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 61 touch-sensitive keys
- Light-up keys
- 50 built-in songs
- Large LCD display
- 600 preset sounds
- Step-Up Lesson System
- Onboard speakers
- Onboard recording feature
- USB and MIDI connectivity
- Headphone jack, microphone input, additional audio input
Cons
- Keys are not weighted
- The LCD display lacks a backlight
- Too many controls can confuse the users
- Keys are made up of plastic
The Bottom Line
The Casio LK-280 is one of the finest options for aspiring musicians who wish to learn to play the piano. It is equipped with all the features that are needed to help the beginner learn basic piano playing skills.
Yamaha EZ-220 Summary
Major Features
|
FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Keys |
The Yamaha EZ-220 is equipped with 61 touch-sensitive keys that provide the user with an enhanced piano playing experience, which is close to that of an acoustic piano. The keys feature the light-up feature, which lights up the keys to help the users press the right keys according to the song they’re playing. |
|
Design |
The design of the Yamaha EZ-220 is simple, compact, and highly portable. It is extremely lightweight, weighing only about 10 pounds. The user can carry the Yamaha EZ-220 anywhere they want conveniently. |
|
Sound Quality |
The Yamaha EZ-220 is equipped with the superior AWM Stereo Sampling sound engine and filtering technology that produces excellent quality sound. 32-note polyphony, 392 preset sounds, and 100 rhythm styles further add to the sound capability of the Yamaha EZ-220. In addition, 100 accompaniment styles and 9 types of reverb ensure even better quality and variety of the sound that is produced using the Yamaha EZ-220. |
|
Learning Features |
The Yamaha EZ-220 is considered to be one of the best beginner-level keyboards for all the right reasons. It has 100 preset songs in its song library that enable the user to pick a song of their liking and practice along. The Yamaha Education Suite that comes in-built with the Yamaha EZ-220 covers all the aspects of learning that aids the user to start playing the piano like a pro. |
|
Connectivity |
The Yamaha EZ-220 is equipped with USB connectivity. It also comes with separate ports for connecting headphones and sustain pedal. |
|
Apps |
The Yamaha EZ-220 comes with numerous helpful mobile apps that make the piano learning journey a lot more enjoyable and pleasant for the users. These apps include Page Turner, which is a digital songbook, Visual Performer, that displays the velocity and pitch of the songs that the user plays, Note Star which adds useful interactive capabilities to the sheet music and makes learning to play the keyboard fun and simple, and Piano Diary that makes it possible for the user to record and track their performances and share with others. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 61, touch-sensitive keys
- Light-up key feature
- AWM Stereo Sampling
- 100 built-in songs
- 392 preset sounds and 100 rhythm styles
- Yamaha Education Suite
- Lightweight and portable
- USB connectivity
- Headphone jack
- Compatible with numerous useful piano learning apps
Cons
- Keys are not weighted
- It is not MIDI compatible
- Apps are available for iOS only
The Bottom Line
The Yamaha EZ-220 is a great option for beginners, considering it is equipped with all the basic features that a beginner might want in their first keyboard.
Conclusion
In our opinion, in a head-to-head comparison between the Casio LK-280 vs Yamaha EZ-220, the Casio LK-280 comes out on top because of its additional polyphony, sounds, rhythms, and special features.
That’s our take. Which one is best for you?
