• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Piano Keyboard Reviews (2021)

  • Brands
    • Yamaha Keyboards
      • Yamaha Keyboard Apps
      • Where to Buy Yamaha Keyboard
      • How to Record a Yamaha Keyboard on a Computer
      • How to Fix Dead Keys on a Yamaha Keyboard?
      • DGX 650 Review
        • DGX 650 vs 660
      • DGX 660 Review
        • DGX 660 Tutorial
        • DGX 660 vs P115
      • MM8 Review
      • MO8 Review
      • Motif XS6 Review
      • NP12 Review
      • Pianica Review
      • P45B Review
      • P71 Review
      • P105 Review
      • P125 Review
        • P125 vs Roland FP-30
        • P115 vs P125
      • P255 Review
      • P515 Review
      • PSR E263 Review
        • PSR E263 vs E363
      • PSR EW410 Review
        • PSR EW410 vs EW300
      • S70XS Review
      • YDP142 Review
      • YDP181 Review
      • YDP V240 Review
      • YDP 103R Review
      • YDP 143 Arius Review
      • YDP 184 Review
      • YPG 235 Review
      • YPG 535 Review
      • YPT 240 Review
      • YPT 255 Review
    • Casio Keyboards
      • Casio Keyboard Accessories
      • Casio Keyboard Apps
      • How to Play a Casio Keyboard
      • How to Connect My Casio Keyboard to a Computer | Garage Band | Mac | Laptop | iPad | iPhone | Chromebook
      • CDP 240 Review
      • CGP 700 Review
      • CT X700 Review
        • CT X700 Tutorial
        • CT-X700 vs Yamaha PSR E363
      • CTK 4400 Review
      • CTK 2550 Review
        • CTK 2550 Tutorial
        • CTK 2550 vs 3500
      • CTK 3500 Review
        • CTK 3500 Tutorial
        • CTK 3500 vs CTX 700
      • LK 265 Review
        • LK 265 Tutorial
        • LK 265 vs CTK 3500
      • LK 280 Review
        • LK 280 vs Yamaha EZ 220
      • PX 160 Review
        • PX 160 Tutorial
        • PX 160 vs Yamaha P115
      • PX 350 Review
      • PX 750 Review
      • PX 770 Review
      • PX 870 Review
      • SA 46 Review
        • SA 46 Tutorial
        • SA 46 vs 76
      • SA 76 Review
      • WK 245 Tutorial
        • WK-245 vs Yamaha PSR-EW300
        • WK 245 vs Yamaha YPG 235
      • WK 6600 Review
    • Amazon Piano Keyboards
      • Alesis Recital 88-Key Digital Piano Review
        • Alesis Recital: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
      • Alesis Recital Pro Review
        • Alesis Recital Pro vs Yamaha P45
      • Goplus Piano Review
      • Hamzer Keyboard Review
        • Hamzer Keyboard: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
        • Hamzer Keyboard 61 Keys vs Rockjam 61 Keyboard
      • Joy Keyboard Review
      • Korg B1 Review
        • Korg B1 vs Yamaha P45
      • Korg Tiny Piano Review
      • LAGRIMA 61 Key Keyboard Review
      • LAGRIMA 88 Key Digital Piano Review
      • Plixio Keyboard Review
      • RockJam 54-Key Keyboard Review
        • RockJam Keyboards: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
        • RockJam vs Alesis
      • RockJam 61 Key Keyboard Review
      • The ONE Smart 88 Weighted Key Piano Review
      • The ONE Smart Keyboard Review
    • Roland Keyboards
      • Best Roland Keyboard
      • FP 30 Review
      • RD 2000 Review
      • Go: Keys Review
      • Juno DS88 Review
        • Juno DS88 VS Yamaha MX88
        • Juno DS88 Tutorial
      • Roland Keyboard FAQs
  • Buyer’s Guides
    • 38 Best Piano Keyboards Ranked
    • Beginner Keyboards
      • How to Buy a Keyboard Piano for a Beginner
    • Budget Keyboards
      • Where Can I Buy a Cheap Keyboard Piano?
      • How to Play Keyboard on a Budget
    • Kids Keyboards
      • How to Teach Piano to a Toddler
      • Best Piano for Toddlers
      • How to Teach Your Child to Play Piano
    • Portable Keyboards
      • How to Fly with a Portable Keyboard
    • Roll Up Keyboards
      • Where to Buy Roll Up Piano
      • Lujex 88 Keys Roll Up Piano Review
    • Weighted Keys Keyboards
      • What is a Weighted Keyboard?
      • How to Choose a Weighted Keyboard
  • Best Under $
    • Under 100 Dollars
    • Under 200 Dollars
    • Under 300 Dollars
    • Under 500 Dollars
    • Under 1000 Dollars
    • Under 2000 Dollars
  • Accessories
    • Musical Keyboard Accessories
    • Headphones
  • Lessons
    • Best Online Piano Lessons
      • FlowKey Review
      • Piano for All Review
      • Playground Sessions Review
      • Yousician Review
  • Tutorials
    • History
    • Benefits
    • Types
      • Casio vs. Yamaha
      • Digital vs Acoustic Piano
    • Selling
      • Piano Restoration Cost
      • Baby Grand Piano Cost
      • Buy a Used Piano
    • Tuning
      • Piano Tuning Cost
      • How to Clean a Piano Keyboard
      • How to Clean Piano Keys
    • Transport
      • Piano Weights
    • Parts of a Piano
      • What are Piano Keys Made Of?
      • Sustain Pedals
      • How to Fix Sticky Keys
    • What Age to Start
    • How Long to Learn
    • How to Play Keyboard
    • Learn Piano Online
    • Beginner Piano Books
    • Learn Piano Faster
    • Learn Without a Piano
    • Piano Levels
    • Learning as an Adult
    • Beginner Piano Exercises
    • Self-Taught Pianist vs Lessons
    • Piano Exercises
    • Improvise on a Piano
  • EZ 220 Tutorial
  • EZ 220 vs PSR E363
  • PSR E363 Tutorial
  • YPT 260 vs YPT 360

Casio LK 265 vs CTK 3500: Features, Pros & Cons, and How to Choose

January 2, 2021 By Maurice

Casio LK-265 61-Key Lighted Portable Touch Sensitive Keyboard with Power Supply
Casio CTK-3500 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard with Power Supply,Black

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.

Quick Navigation
Casio LK 265 VS Casio CTK 3500 Specifications Compared
Major Similarities Between Casio LK 265 VS Casio CTK 3500
Major Differences Between Casio LK 265 VS Casio CTK 3500
Casio LK 265 Summary
Major Features
Pros and Cons of LK 265
Casio CTK 3500 Summary
Major Features
Pros and Cons of Casio CTK 3500
Video Demonstration of Casio LK 265 and Casio CTK 3500
Conclusion

Casio LK 265 VS Casio CTK 3500 Specifications Compared

Specification

Casio LK 265

Casio CTK 3500

Cell
Casio LK-265 61-Key Lighted Portable Touch Sensitive Keyboard with Power Supply
Casio CTK-3500 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard with Power Supply,Black

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
See Reviews & More for Casio LK 265
See Reviews & More for Casio CTK 3500

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.

Casio LK-265 61-Key Lighted Portable Touch Sensitive Keyboard with Power Supply
Casio CTK-3500 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard with Power Supply,Black

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

Casio LK-265 61-Key Lighted Portable Touch Sensitive Keyboard with Power Supply

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

  • Light-up touch-sensitive keys
  • Lightweight and portable
  • A massive library of songs, voices, styles, etc.
  • Free Chordana Play app
  • Fun dance music effects
  • Sustain pedal connection
  • Come with an external power supply with batteries
  • Amazing educative features

Cons

  • Costlier than CTK 3500
  • Lacks the on-board recording option

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.

See Reviews & More for Casio LK 265

Casio CTK 3500 Summary

Casio CTK-3500 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard with Power Supply,Black

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

  • 61 full-size, touch-sensitive keys
  • Wide range of integrated songs, voices, and rhythms
  • Bright, user-friendly LCD screen
  • Built-in Step-Up Lessons
  • Compact and portable
  • Convenient to take outdoors
  • Compatible with Chordana Play app
  • Affordable price range

Cons

  • Non-weighted keys
  • Lacks on-board recording

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.  

See Reviews & More for Casio CTK 3500

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.


Yamaha MM8 Review (2021)

Yamaha YPT 240 Review (2021): Fun Features for Beginners

Yamaha PSR E263 vs E363: Features, Pros & Cons, and How to Choose

Yamaha YDP-181 Review (2021)

Yamaha DGX 650B Review (2021): Our Overview of Pros, Cons and Features

Yamaha DGX 660 vs P115: Features, Pros & Cons, and How to Choose

Filed Under: Casio Keyboards

Primary Sidebar

Helpful Links

  • Accessories
  • Amazon-piano-keyboards
  • Best Under $
  • Blog
  • Buyer's Guides
  • Casio Keyboards
  • Lessons
  • Piano Keyboard
  • Roland keyboards
  • Tutorials
  • Yamaha Keyboards
Piano For All

Secondary Sidebar

Piano For All

Footer

Have You Read These Yet?

  • Best Casio Keyboards 2019
  • Best Amazon Piano Keyboards 2019
Piano For All

Browse Our Content

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Buyer’s Guides
  • Best Under $
  • Tutorials
  • Accessories

Copyright © 2022 Piano Keyboard Reviews

About | Contact | Affiliate Disclosure | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Piano Keyboard Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.