In this detailed head-to-head comparison, we present to you the two fantastic Casio models: the Casio LK 265 vs CTK 3500.
These keyboards are very popular among piano enthusiasts not only because they’re produced by a renowned company but also because they have epic musical features.
In this article, we compare and contrast all important aspects of the Casio LK 265 and CTK 3500 - their specs, features, pros and cons, and how to choose between the two models.
Casio LK 265 VS Casio CTK 3500 Specifications Compared
Specification | Casio LK 265 | Casio CTK 3500 |
|---|---|---|
Cell |
| 
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Piano Keys | 61 piano keys (unweighted action) | 61 piano keys (unweighted action) |
No. of Sounds Present | 400 | 400 |
No. of song presents | 60 | 60 |
Polyphony | 48 notes | 48 notes |
No. of Styles | 150 | - |
No. of Rhythm Presents | 150 | 150 |
Practice Features | Lessons, Lighted Key Guide, and Metronome | Lessons and Metronome |
Connectivity | Headphone Output, Microphone Input, Aux Input | Headphone Output and Aux Input |
Pedal Support and Data Port | Pedal Support Only | Both |
Amplifier and Speaker | Yes | Yes |
Cell |
Major Similarities Between Casio LK 265 VS Casio CTK 3500
Casio LK 265 and Casio CTK 3500 are similar in many ways. They both have 61 keys in total and are lightweight and portable. They weigh less than 5 pounds, making them ideal for traveling purposes. You can take them with you to your piano classes, to your friend’s house for music practice, or simply for entertainment during your next travel. The pianos work with battery power so you can easily take the instruments outside to play.
The front side of the piano instruments is the same. The keyboards feature a clear LCD screen where learners can read the notes and learn to play the piano easily. Both the pianos share a few musical features as well. For instance, they boast 400 sounds, 100 types of rhythms, and 60 present demo songs. Beginner users of both the pianos will have an equal number of demo songs and sounds to play. They won’t find any difference in that aspect. They will also get access to 40 notes of maximum polyphonies, which means they can play 48 notes in one go, without any break.
The LK 265 and CTK 3500 also come with fixed piano pedals, which are foot-operated levers at the base of the instrument. Using these pedals, you can change the sound of the instruments in many ways. With these piano instruments, you also get the same type of amplifiers (2 x 2 W) and round inbuilt speakers (2 x 3.9”/10 cm).
Unlike most current piano keyboards, the Casio instruments lack the option of sharing and recording Standard MIDI Files (SMF). You will also find MIDI Notes absent from the LK 265 and CTK 3500.
Major Differences Between Casio LK 265 VS Casio CTK 3500
While Casio LK 265 and Casio CTK 3500 appear similar, they are different in a lot of ways. Casio CTK 265 is an unweighted action keyboard while the CTK 3500 is semi-weighted action. This means the feel of the piano keys is different when dealing with these two instruments.
When playing Casio CTK 3500, the keys depress easily, but they don’t rise back up as effectively. If you have to play precise piano techniques such as a glissando on this piano, it won’t be fun to do. On the contrary, with the unweighted action of the CTK 265, you can indulge in precise playing, which means you can easily play contemporary music styles on this piano.
There is also a difference in connectivity in the LK 265 and CTK 3500. While both the pianos feature ports to connect headphones and TRS Aux Input, there’s none for connecting the mic to the CTK 3500. However, you can connect a mic to the LK 265 and sing along while playing the piano. On the other hand, the CTK 3500 has a USB to Host port, which is missing in the LK 265. This connectivity option lets you connect any external device (your smartphone or iOS) to your keyboard and transfer songs to play or share with others.
The practice feature of the Casio CTK 3500 is also slightly different from the LK 265. The former comes with Lessons and Metronome, while the LK 265 has the Lighted Key Guide in addition to Lessons and Metronome. The Lighted Key Guide feature is beneficial for learners. They can learn how to play the piano with lighted keys. The keys blink one by one for beginners to guide which key to press first and which one to play next and so on. For this feature, Casio LK 265 is known as the “light-up keyboard.”
Casio LK 265 is slightly more expensive than Casio CTK 3500. The price range of the LK 265 is $159.99, while that of the CTK 3500 is somewhere around $139.99.
Casio LK 265 Summary
Major Features
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Light Up Keys | One of the most fundamental features of the LK 265 is its “light-up keys.” A light-up keyboard provides a fantastic way to learn the piano. It transforms the learning experience, making it fun and visually appealing. The twinkly part of the keyboard takes away the intimidating aspect of the piano learning process and makes the learner fully at ease. It has been observed that when beginners follow the Light Lesson Guide, they learn to play the piano faster than those that may follow a traditional route. This method has also proven to keep the motivation alive and practice fun, which is important when teaching piano playing to kids. |
A Massive Library of In-Built Songs, Sounds, and Rhythms | Another feature of the LK 265 that keeps the piano practice interactive is its integrated sound library. There is a wide range of inbuilt demo songs, sounds, rhythms, and accompaniment styles. This gives you a chance to be creative with your music. You can play all sorts of songs (including classic and popular) and can also create your own music from plenty of options. You can take inspiration from demo songs, learn to play them, and using unique voices, styles, and rhythms to produce innovative songs. This feature will help you develop an interest in learning to play the piano if you aren’t excited about it already. And in case you love playing the piano, the piano’s huge library will keep you hooked for a long time. |
Dance Music Mode | This mode can turn your music sessions jolly fun. You can use this mode when playing the piano at parties or gigs. There are over 50 different dance styles, including bass, drums, effects, and synths. Because of these dance music options, you can create your own dance music in a matter of minutes. This goes to show that the piano model goes beyond the basic-level of piano learning. |
Chordana Play App | This app is free to download by the Casio LK 265 users. It is a terrific app with a huge library of songs and guides for learners. The play app teaches you how to read music and practice while playing along. Chordana Play App keeps track of your performance and gives points, transforming the learning sessions into fun, engaging games. With the aid of this app, you can learn to play the piano in a short span of time. The app can be installed on an android or IOS phone, so you can easily practice music on your smartphone. You can also use the app on your PC, tablet, iPad, etc. |
Pros and Cons of LK 265
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
Casio LK 265 is a valuable keyboard for both beginners and advanced players. It has some of the best educational features, such as the Key Light Guide and the Chordana Play App. Once you learn to play the correct notes, you can switch off the light keys and play the piano like a professional. Whether you’re a complete beginner, an advanced learner, or somewhere in between, you will find something worthwhile in this Casio model.
The LK 265 is fun and easy to use. It’s also compact and portable, which makes it all the way more convenient to use the piano.
Casio CTK 3500 Summary
Major Features
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Touch-Sensitive Keys | Given the affordable price range, the touch-sensitive key is the most stand-out feature of Casio CTK 3500. With the touch-sensitive keys, the volume can be altered according to the player. For example, the lighter you press the keys, the lower the sound is produced. This feature makes the keyboard user-friendly and –responsive. With the touch-sensitive keyboard, you can easily learn to play strong tones and weak tones and learn to differentiate between the two. What’s best is that you can adjust the touch sensitivity to match your playing style. |
Compact and Portable | The overall design of Casio CTK 3500 is simple and convenient. It comes in a classic piano shape, only it weighs lighter than most traditional pianos. Because of its compact size and lightweight, the instrument is easy to fit in small spaces and quick to transport from one place to another. The keyboard can be played without electricity. It works with batteries so it can be played around in any part of the house. |
Educational Lessons | As a piano for beginners, the CTK 3500 is loaded with interactive lessons that make the piano learning fun and exciting. At the beginning of your piano journey, you can learn note reading, finger placement, and playing by hands separately through the guidance shown on the instrument’s LCD screen. There’s also a special fingering guide that keeps track of your finger movements while playing songs and guide you along the way. This can be extremely useful for beginners at the beginning of their piano-learning journey. With several in-built demo songs, voices, and rhythms, you can learn to master different songs. In fact, you can learn to create your own music. Another educational function in the CTK 3500 is the Chordana Play app. As said earlier, it is free to install on any android or iOS phone. It has a wide variety of in-built songs that you can play on the piano and watch your progress at the same time. |
Affordable | Considering all the amazing features of Casio CTK 3500, it’s hard to believe the keyboard will be available at a cost-effective price range. Compared to other Casio instruments, it is safe to say that the LK 3500 is an economical choice for beginners at all stages. |
Pros and Cons of Casio CTK 3500
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
Casio CTK 3500 comes with many useful features that can assist beginners in learning the piano. All the musical and educational features are fun and interactive, which makes piano lessons simple and easy to retain.
The piano is available at an affordable price range, so any learner with a limited budget can easily invest in the instrument.
Video Demonstration of Casio LK 265 and Casio CTK 3500
Conclusion
The Casio LK 265 is a great option for all types of learners who want piano lessons to be fun and simple. On the other hand, the CTK 3500 is aimed mostly at complete beginners, providing them with interactive step-up lessons. All in all, both the Casio models are best for learners that want their piano lessons and practice to be fun yet informative at the same time.
