Best Casio 88-key keyboard / piano with weighted keys

Best Casio 88-key keyboard / piano with weighted keys: A Casio 88 Key Keyboard is the most affordable way to get started on the piano. While they are inexpensive, their overall quality has improved a lot over the years. In fact, Casio has some of the best portable pianos in the entry and the low-mid range. These are portable pianos but yet come with fully weighted keys. Skip to the best [easyazon_link identifier=”B012XHJ8OG” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]88-key Casio keyboard on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

Introduction

Casio has become a force to reckon with in the entry-to-mid range segment for 88-key keyboards/pianos. It now has the range of pianos (that are well crafted, with authentic sounds and touch) that can take on other leading brands such as Yamaha.

Over the last few years, Casio has made impressive progress with its range of 88-key pianos and has found acceptance with advanced piano players; lot of users are now impressed with the rich piano sounds & weighted key action that is now on par with the pianos from its competitors.

For example, the PX-870 comes in the classic upright design and is a great home piano that will appeal to many.

Then Casio also have the PX-5 and the Casio PX-560 models that are excellent stage pianos; and these have quickly become the go to stage pianos for may gigging musicians.

Who would have imagined that a few years back!

Besides weighted hammer action, the best 88 key Casio piano comes lots of features, including better connectivity to computers.

Comparison Chart

• [easyazon_link identifier=”B0100RBPTC” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Casio PX-160[/easyazon_link]: 88-key weighted keyboard, great for beginners, Dual headphone outputs for practicing with teacher.
  scaled, weighted hammer action keyboard
• Casio CDP-135: 88-keys scaled hammer action keyboard, another good option for beginners (cheaper than the PX-160), USB MIDI, 64-note polyphony
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B074FTLNK3″ locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Casio PX-870[/easyazon_link]: 88-key piano with weighted keys in the traditional design, 256 Note Polyphony
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B012XHJ8OG” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Casio PX-560[/easyazon_link]: 88-key weighted keys, excellent stage piano, 5.3″ Color Display makes it easy to make the various selections

Casio makes a wide range of 88-key digital pianos with weighted keys, from portable ones to the ones with upright design.

You can checkout the complete list of Casio digital pianos here.

Understanding the Weighted Action in Casio 88-Key Keyboards

When the Privia range of pianos was first launched years back, they all were very good, but the only issues was that the keyboard action in all the pianos felt the same. the keys were weighted, but if you went from the lowest models to the highest models, the keyboard action felt similar.

But that was long time back, Casio now makes many more digital piano models and the keyboard action becomes lot better in the higher models.

Casio uses terms like “Tri-Sensor scaled hammer action” and Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II to refer to the key action on its pianos (with the later appearing on most of its high end pianos).

In general, even when you consider 88-key keyboards with weighted keys, the quality of the key action is proportionate to the price you pay. The action becomes more authentic in the more expensive models.

So the top Casio 88-key pianos will have graded hammer action where the keys offer more resistance int he lower octaves and become gradually lighter as oe moves on to the higher octaves (this is how the keys on an acoustic piano actually works).

Besides, the top keyboard models come with simulated Ebony and Ivory textured keys for a more realistic feel.

You can read more about the various piano actions that are commonly found on keyboard instruments.

Buying Your First Casio 88-Key Keyboard

Most students first start learning to play the piano on a 61-key keyboard, because its cheaper to buy. You ca definitely start learning to play on a 61-key electronic keyboard with touch sensitive keys.

However, if you’re really serious about learning to play the piano, and are showing goof progress on the keyboards, it makes sense to invest in a nice 88-key keyboard with fully weighted keys.

Not only will you get more keys, which allows you to play many more songs/pieces, you asol get used to the heavier piano like keys (usually referred to as fully weighted keys or as graded hammer action keys).

A Casio 88-key keyboard is a nice option for anyone who’s looking to buy his/her first 88-key keyboard with weighted keys.

Not only is Casio is a trusted brand, their range of pianos have gotten a lot superior in the recent past.

And despite having high quality pianos, their prices are still among the cheapest. So it definitely makes sense to consider their 88-key pianos.

Casio 88-Key Keyboards: Various Series

Here are some of the series from Casio that you may consider, if you’re looking for an 88-key piano keyboard with weighted keys.

Casio Privia PX series
The Casio PX-Privia series has some cool portable pianos that offer a great combination of touch, sounds and design. Several pianos from this series are best selling models currently, and perfect for students for learning or even for experienced players who want to practice. These come with fully weighted keyboards and is indeed a great value for money piano.

Checkout more models from the Privia series.

Casio compact digital pianos
Casio also now makes Contemporary 88-note digital pianos with a scaled, hammer-action keyboard in a compact size. The CDP series includes all these models.

As mentioned, Casio has now introduced many more series of keyboards and pianos. You can checkout the complete list of Casio digital pianos here.

In case you also want to checkout their keyboards, checkout all the Casio keyboards here.

Casio 76-keys Keyboards
But if you don’t have that kind of a budget, and are okay to own a portable keyboard with 76 keys, the second best option is to go in for keyboards from the Casio WK series. These are comparatively cheaper and most models come with bundled package that includes Stand, Headphones and Power Supply. The keys are not weighted but then for its price that would be asking for a lot more.

If you are looking for an arranger keyboard with 76-keys, you can consider the Casio WK series. These do not come with weighted keys (they have semi-weighted keys).

Casio Keyboard With Weighted Keys

When it comes to buying a digital piano, lot of buyers are hesitant to go in for Casio 88 key keyboards because of its perceived image. Most of them think that since it is much cheaper compared to its peers, Casio would be making average quality digital keyboards and pianos.

But that is not true!

For many years now, Casio has been targeting buyers, who are looking for value; who want to buy their first keyboard instrument; or players who possess intermediate level skills.

If you belong to one of these, a Casio 88 keys keyboard will be a good bet if you are looking for a piano-keyboard to learn, practice or even to perform. In fact the privia range of pianos is out there ready to surprise a lot of people, especially those who are reluctant to consider it. So don’t just ignore it without checking it out.

Their excellent sound, touch and features make these keyboards true value-for-money propositions.

Almost all the Casio 88-key keyboards come with weighted keys, which means they are perfect for learning to play the piano (for the serious piano student).

In fact, most students upgrade to one of these 88-key keyboards after learning on an electronic keyboard. These 88-key keyboards perfectly serve as the first piano (with fully weighted keys) for many students.

Casio has always made value-keyboards that are low priced but that does not mean they are of inferior quality and will break down any moment, it just means they are made of basic quality and are not very sturdily built.

But even that is changing now as the overall quality of Casio keyboards have become lot better. They have now introduced many more series and many more models, and the top models in this series now appeals to the advanced players (who are acknowledging the high standards).

Casio now has models to cater to the intermediate and advanced levels as well; the top piano models come in classic design, have a nice collection of sounds and styles.

More Useful Features

Casio has several exciting 88 key keyboards. Everything about it is great – the looks, sound, feel, and of course the cost. You can connect headphones to your Casio piano for silent practice, or you can even connect it to external audio equipment or amplifier and play through external speakers for more powerful volume and better sound quality.

Casio 88 key keyboards also have built in music library with songs that you can play back for your learning. While playing back, you can turn off the left hand part or the right hand part so that you can play that part.

Even the piano keys come with graded hammer action, which is a lot like the keys on an acoustic piano. Harder in the lower octaves and lighter as you move to the higher octaves!

Besides, you also get the standard features available on digital pianos, like built-in sequencer, digital effects, midi connectivity, metronome, etc. When you buy a casio 88 key keyboard (privia), you get a digital piano stand to match the color of the privia piano.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for an 88 key keyboard, that looks and feel more like a digital piano and not a musical keyboard, have a look at Casio 88-keys keyboard, especially their Privia range of keyboards. Don’t even make the mistake of assuming things about it before you try them out. You may lose out on a good deal. And it’s not only about the cost part here, casio pianos look elegant, have great piano sounds, and come with graded hammer action keys, all this at a great price. In fact they even have a stage piano that is great for onstage performances, perfect for those who are looking for a budget performance 88 key keyboard.