The Best Digital Keyboards & Pianos (arrangers, digital pianos, synthesizers, midi controllers, workstations) available on the market for various price ranges, for various requirements, and and for various skills. We have listed models for beginner, intermediate and advanced players to help you easily find the best keyboard for your needs.
Focus on Your Requirements
Finding the best keyboard piano from a huge variety of digital keyboards in the market can be a difficult task these days. There are several factors that can make a digital keyboard/piano more attractive.
The more important factors include price, functions, and ease-of-use.
Also narrowing down the best keyboard piano for you starts with an overall comparison, and then being able to narrow down your needs to determine precisely what type of digital keyboard you require.
Related: Go through our comprehensive keyboard guide here.
There is no single keyboard instrument that can satisfy the varied needs of different musicians, especially the professionals out there. That is the reason why there are so many categories of keyboard instruments, each specializing in certain aspects.
There are some who want the best sound quality, there are others who are looking for that perfect piano touch, there are others who want complete control over every aspect of the sound, some look for portability, and then there are others for whom ease-of-use matters more.
Somewhere down the line, one does feel the need for more. The simple bread and butter sounds, even though of much higher quality, do not satisfy the creative urge of most musicians. The sounds from the more expensive keyboards/synthesizers (Professional Keyboards) and the tools available to enhance them start giving you the adrenaline rush.
You will be amazed at the power and the features that some of these can pack in. You can create your own programs, combine songs to create new sounds, use the arpeggiators to create drum/bass/chord grooves on the fly, and much more.
Aspiring songwriters out there, who cannot afford to buy a full blown workstation can look for inexpensive but very capable instruments that will let you compose, allow you to tinker around with the sounds as in a synthesizer, and also can talk to a computer.
Beginners need to remember that there is going to be a big learning curve in case you are going the route of creating professional-sounding stuff. If you are buying some high-end stuff, then be prepared to go through the included training videos and spend time on the various forums, if you want to get the most out of your instrument.
Going through a few instructional videos may not be enough to create your first tightly-integrated song using a pro-keyboard. Having said that, the built-in tones on pro-keyboards are awesome, and in some cases, you may not feel the need to tweak them using the advanced features.
In general, while buying a keyboard instrument, while price is an important factor in determining the overall value of a digital keyboard/piano, a low price does not always mean that you are getting the best value for your money.
Ease of use and the ability to use a digital keyboard, piano for professional uses can make a higher-priced instrument more attractive.
Find the bestselling keyboard instruments: personal keyboards, digital pianos, organs, synthesizers, workstations, midi controllers & more.
We’ve chosen 3 different ways of selecting the best keyboard piano; based on features, based on value (price) and based on consumer reviews which typically show the real value and real life performance of a certain digital keyboard, piano.
Best Music Arranger Keyboards for Various Prices
Personal keyboards are lightweight and portable and available at a price point that’s practical for families, beginners, and/or casual players. Most of these models can also run on batteries, besides the optional AC adapter power cord. These affordable keyboards have built-in speakers and come with several sounds, rhythms, and built-in songs to help you learn to play.
Best budget-friendly 61-key portable keyboards for beginners & hobbyists (Under $200)
Here are the best keyboard piano models to get you started with learning to play the keyboards; these are designed to be budget-keyboards. You will find Yamaha and Casio Keyboard pianos ranging from 61 keys to 76 keys. Suitable for both – kids as well as adult beginners. Read more…
Best music keyboards for intermediate/experienced players (Under $500)
Best keyboard piano models for hobbyists, intermediate and experienced players. Comes with more than 61 keys and many synth like features. These keyboards can be used for songwriting as well because of their range of built-in styles, to quickly come up with nice sounding tracks. Read more…
Best Pro Arranger Keyboards
Available with a massive sound library and effects, built-in sequencers, and audio recorders, these won’t usually be your first keyboard (expensive and you wouldn’t know what to do with all those features). However, intermediate-level keyboard players who want to take their music creation capabilities to another level can get started on these entry-level workstation keyboards.
Those who have spent a few years playing the electronic keyboards, should consider a good entry level workstation or a synthesizer, something that will help you learn more about music creation and can be used for onstage performance as well.
Best arranger keyboards for budget-conscious musician and entertainer (Under $1000)
These are budget arranger workstation keyboards with pro features, meant to bring the world of music at your fingertips. Great keyboards for getting started with music production or for live performance, meant for the budget conscious musician, composer, performer and entertainer. Read more…
The Best Professional Arranger Keyboards
The best Professional Arranger Keyboards (Yamaha PSR, Tyros, Korg PA series). You will get excellent sound quality, the best sounding styles across several music genres and tools for creating/editing music. Read more…
Best Portable Digital Pianos for Various Prices
Digital pianos nowadays offer realistic acoustic-piano sounds, in a sleek & portable package. The more pricier options have fully-weighted hammer-action keys that feel like real pianos. The more portable ‘stage pianos’ are great for gigging and even as your first piano. The larger ‘home’ digital pianos, which look like upright pianos but minus the cost are suitable for churches, your living room or performance venues.
Here are the top digital pianos that you may consider buying, based on your piano playing skill level/abilities.
Best ‘budget’ 76-keys piano keyboards (Under $400)
The best ‘budget’ 76-keys keyboard pianos in this category includes arrangers as well as plain pianos (without styles). Great options if you are looking for more than 61 keys. Read more…
Top ‘budget’ piano keyboards with 88 keys (Under $500)
The best ‘budget’ piano keyboards with 88 keys. Some great options here with good keyboard touch. Good for beginner students as well as for those who are looking for a portable piano for practicing! Read more…
Best ‘mid range’ digital stage pianos with rich piano sounds & authentic feel (Under $1000)
Keyboard stage pianos for learners, experienced players and accomplished players, who are looking for rich piano sounds & authentic keyboard feel. Read more…
Related
Best Digital Home Pianos
Best digital pianos to be used at Home
Best digital home pianos for recreational playing or for piano learning / teaching. These are available in the traditional classic looks and are suitable for playing at home, school or church. Read more…
Popular Brands
Casio Pianos | Yamaha Pianos | Roland Pianos | Williams Pianos
Best Stage Pianos for Various Prices
Best stage pianos for pro performers on ‘budget’ (Under $2000)
Performance stage pianos for accomplished pro-performers; not the most expensive piano-keyboards but has sufficient power to help you create an impression. Read more…
The Best Digital Stage Pianos for Professionals
The best digital stage piano for professionals looking to dominate the stage with an astonishing selection of sounds and features. The best digital stage piano for professionals looking to dominate the stage! These come with an astonishing selection of sounds and features. Easy to use, programmable and fully featured! Read more…
Popular Brands
Casio portable piano | Yamaha portable digital piano | Roland electric pianos | Nord electric pianos
Best Synthesizer Keyboards for Various Prices
When it comes to keyboards, these are your all-in-one ‘production’ keyboards that let you compose and produce music right on the keyboard. Some of them are just synths, used to create unique sounds. Suitable for the working musician.
Best Beginner Synthesizer (Under $500)
Beginner synthesizer keyboards are smaller, lighter, more affordable. These performance synthesizers are practical for gigging bands and/or for creating your own unique sounds. In case you have always owned an arranger keyboard, you may look here for your first synth keyboard.
Best Synthesizer Keyboards for the cost-conscious musician (Under $1000)
Each of these offer premium sounds and professional effects in an ultra-light and compact design. Suitable for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable but pro sounding keyboard synth.
Best Synthesizer Keyboards for the working musician ($1500-$2000)
Best Synthesizer Keyboard models for the performing and the working musician, those who cannot afford the most expensive ones but are looking for professional performance keyboard instruments. Can also serve as an additional keyboard in your music gear.
Best Workstation Keyboards for Various Prices
The 3 best music keyboard workstations for professionals
The best workstation keyboards in business. Meant for professionals, these are suitable for studio work as well for performing on stage. These are self-contained music production keyboards that have all the tools for creating/editing music from scratch.
Best MIDI Controllers for Various Prices
For Musicians and Non-keyboard players
Non-keyboard players should consider getting a midi controller keyboard that will help you in your music production activities, and can also be used to learn to play the keyboards (if you wish).
Best 61 Key Midi Controller Keyboards
Here are the top 61 Key Keyboard Controller keyboards for those who are used to playing on 61 key piano keyboards.
Best 88 Key Midi Controller Keyboards
The best 88 key midi controller piano keyboard, suitable for those who prefer playing the piano; available with weighted keys as well.
Best Compact Midi Controller Keyboards
Here are the best compact Midi controller keyboards, suitable for musicians on the go.
Very easy to carry around, and useful if you do lot of demos or if your workspace is always cramped!
Best Accessories
Every keyboardist needs a few extras to get the most out of their keyboards, to protect them, and also to enjoy them better.
Keyboard stands and benches, keyboard amplifiers and instrument cables, damper/sustain pedals, keyboard cover, bags and cases, power adapter, are some of the kyboard accessories that most keyboard players use.
Popular Brands
Casio keyboards . Yamaha keyboards . Korg keyboards . Roland keyboards .
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
gary washburn says
I have been using a Kurzweill PC-88 for many years. It has many “miles” on it. Most of the gigs I do call for me to play bass and piano. With the Kurz I have been able to play bass while playing piano, piano strings, piano, electric piano, organ etc. It is very easy to get around on……..what is available that can do what the PC-88 can do?