Casio Keyboard Reviews: It is a known fact that Casio makes some incredibly priced digital Keyboards and Pianos. But now, they have even more to offer than just the cost advantage, which makes them popular among beginners and experienced players. It’s not just about the cost advantage anymore, here’s more on what makes them so popular with beginners and now even experienced players as well. Every model has its own strengths and features. Hopefully our Casio keyboard reviews will help you select the best model for your needs. Skip to the best Casio Keyboard on Amazon.
Introduction
Casio has drastically upgraded its product portfolio in the last couple of years, so if you knew of some best-selling Casio model few years back, chances are that it may not be the best-selling model now.
Despite the new additions, Casio Keyboards are still great on features and low on price, which makes them a popular choice for beginners.
It is difficult to match Casio keyboards when it comes to their pricing and the features these keyboards offer. Some of these offer amazing value for the price. There is enough on these affordable keyboards and digital pianos to impress beginners, though the higher models from Casio can impress experienced players as well.
Casio keyboards include level-entry keyboards as well as better spec’d keyboards for the intermediate and advanced players. Casio offers both 61-keys as well as 76-key keyboards. In recent months, Casio has introduced several series of keyboards, and it seems they are still trying to stream line their keyboards to cater to the various segments of players.
In general, here are the options available to buyers:
- Beginners Casio keyboards: Mini keyboards, lighted keyboards (LK series) and the standard portable keyboards (CTK series). These keyboards have been around for quite some time now, these are more of entry-level keyboards perfect for the beginning student.
Popular models: Casio SA-76/77 (mini size), Casio CT-X700 (61 touch sensitive keys), Casio LK-280 (61, lighted keys with touch sensitive keys).
- High Grade Casio keyboards: Not exactly high-end (they are still priced reasonable), but these come with several pro features and will appeal to experienced players. Includes MZ-X series, CT-X series, CTK series and WK series (76-keys).
The Casio WK series has been around for quite some time, and includes 76-keys keyboards, perfect for those who need more than 61 keys.
Popular models: Casio WK-7600 (76-Keys).
The CT-X and the MZ-X series are recent additions.
The CT-X keyboards come equipped with a better sound source, which Casio has introduced with the intention of making their acoustic instruments sound much more authentic. So the instrument sounds on these keyboards are a lot better (especially of acoustic instruments).
MZ-X keyboards are advanced arranger keyboards, aimed at the performing artist. These have several buttons/pads and come with a color touch screen that makes it easier to do selections.
Popular models: Casio MZ-X500 (61-Keys), Casio CT-X5000 (61-Keys).
- Casio Synthesizers: Includes the Casio XW series (not a lot of options though). Casio is not particularly known for its synthesizers, and they just have a few offerings in this category.
Popular Models: Casio XW-P1 (61-Keys).
- Localized Keyboards: These are basically CTK keyboards but includes several ethnic sounds.
So these are very much like the regular Casio portable keyboards (CTK series) but include several instrument sounds and rhythms that are more suited to playing Indian/Asian music.
Popular Models: Casio CTK-860IN.
Comparison Chart
Here’s a comparison chart of their popular models.
Best Casio keyboards for beginners:
- Casio CT-X700: 61-Key keyboard (touch sensitive keys), much better sound quality for a beginner keyboard
- Casio CTK 2550: 61-Key keyboard (no touch sensitive keys), packed with lots of features
- Casio WK-245: 76-key electronic keyboard (semi-weighted, touch sensitive keys)
- Casio LK 280: 61-Key keyboard with keys that light up (touch sensitive keys)
- Casio SA-77: 44, mini sized keys, popular with kids
Best Beginner Keyboards with Pro Features:
- Casio MZ-X500: High end arranger with touch screen LCD, recently launched
- Casio CT-X5000: Mid-range arranger keyboard with top quality sounds
- Casio CTK-7200: This used to be the top arranger in the CTK series before the CT-X series was launched.
Best Casio Keyboards
Lets take a look at these beginner Casio keyboards in detail.
Top Casio Keyboards for Beginners
Casio CT-X700 61-Key
The CT-X700 is a 61-key entry level keyboard in the CTX series with touch sensitive keys and hundreds of styles and sounds. This is recent model with upgraded sound engine, and much better sounding tones and rhythms.
It features a learning system (like any other beginner keyboard). Its lightweight and portable.
There are several beginner models from Casio, but we think the Casio CTX-700 is the best Casio keyboard for beginners due to its features and affordable price.
Casio Casiotone CT-S200RD
Don’t want to spend much but want to explore all the features that modern keyboards have, this one is a nice option.
Casio LK-280 Lighted Key
The Casio LK280 61-keyboard is a lighted keyboard (touch-sensitive keys), which means the keys have the ability to light up, and can guide you to play the right notes and makes it easier to learn songs.
Just load one of the built-in songs and the keyboard will tell you what notes to be played by lighting up the keys. This is a feature that kids love the most.
The best one in this category, the Casio LK280 is also available as a premium keyboard pack that gives you all the necessary accessories such as Headphones, Power Supply, and Stand along with the keyboard. Perfect for beginners who want to learn the keyboard, comes with touch-sensitive keys, and a much better sound. Read more…. The keyboard comes with 61-touch sensitive keys.
Casio WK-245 76-Key Electronic Keyboard
The Casio WK-245 is a value-for-money model from the Casio brand that gives you 76-Key Touch Sensitive Keys (at almost entry-level prices) and more more useful features.
Want to learn a few classical songs on the keyboard? Its very likely that you may need more than 61 keys to play some of those (even the simple ones). However, the 88-keys digital piano with weighted action can be expensive for a first-timer (assuming you are buying your first keyboard). In that case, Casio WK-245 can be a good option. Its similar to the other 61-key models discussed here, but comes with 76-touch sensitive keys. Read more…
600, 180 fun Rhythms, Sound sampler with audio inputs, 6-track recorder with audio input, USB-MIDI.
This keyboard can be used for learning, for composing, or to enjoy its accompaniments. Although it has 76-keys, its lightweight and portable enough to be easily carried around. The 76-keys lets you practice many more songs compared to 61-keys (doesn’t come with real weighted keys though).
Casio SA-77 Mini Keyboard
This is a popular keyboard from Casio and has been around for a long time. But its a mini keyboard and not a full sized keyboard (great for kids).
Casio SA-77 (and the Casio SA-76) is a smaller sized keyboard with 44-keys. The keys are not touch sensitive keys and slightly smaller in size that the standard key sizes found on keyboards. It comes with several sounds and styles, and even though its smaller in size, you can actually learn to play music on this keyboard.
Once the kids have spent a few months on this keyboard and show some promise, parents may consider upgrading to a 61-keyboard with touch-sensitive keys.There are several music teachers who buy 8 to 10 pieces of this keyboard for their music studio/classroom to teach students (most of them are kids).
Casio Mini Keyboards are perfect for introducing your kids to the wonderful world of electronic music. So gift one to your kid today. Read more.
Best Beginner Keyboards with Pro Features
If you’re an absolute beginner, you don’t need these models. But if you’re looking for an inexpensive keyboard with nice sounds, styles/voices with few pro features, these are good models to consider.
Casio CT-X3000 61-Key Keyboard
This is a mid-range model from the CTX series. Slightly expensive keyboard but comes with more features and has much better sound quality.
The CTX is a new series from Casio, equipped with better sound source. If you’re looking for a better model, — better built-in speakers and sound samples, more vices & styles, recorder, and so on, the Casio CTX-3000 comes across as a nice model.
Its priced marginally higher than the entry level keyboards in the CTK and the CTX series, but has several useful features.
The CT-X3000 (comes with 61 touch-sensitive Keys) is a slightly more advanced keyboard, and has a few enhanced tools that makes it suitable even for amateurs and the intermediate keyboard players (not really for gigs though).
Best Casio Keyboards for Experienced Players
Here are the top Casio keyboards with better/pro features, these come with better sound samples, better speakers, lots of styles, effects, built-in sequencer and more.
Casio WK-7600 Keyboard
This is similar to the CTK-7200 but comes with 76 keys, so if you’re looking for a keyboard with more than 61 keys, this one is a nice model to consider (and it doesn’t cost a lot more than the 61-key version).
Casio CTK-7200 KeyboardCTK 7200 is the top model in the CTK series. Comes with 61-keys and comes with several pro features.
It will also appeal to those who wish to upgrade to a better keyboard from a basic one.While it cannot be compared with a top Korg, Yamaha or Roland synthesizer, it definitely has features that will appeal to experience musician, considering the price (how about using it a second keyboard).
Audio recording/playback. Mixer. Pattern sequencer. Drawbar organ tones. Rotary speaker simulation
Polyphony: 64. 16-Track Recorder.
Use it for songwriting, composing sessions, live performance, or for music classes. CTK-6250 is a fairly recent model, with several pro features. Has several features that inspires creative music making.
61 Keys, 16 track sequencer, 32-channel Mixer Button. Rhythm Editor, Arpeggiator. Polyphony 48 notes.
Dimensions: 39.2 x 17.5 x 6 inches, Weight: 19.7 pounds.
Casio MZ Series (Music Arrangers)
Casio has also introduced a few high-end arrangers (MZ-X500 and MZ-X300) that come with top notch sounds and styles, perfect for providing backing accompaniments and for one-man band situations. Casio seem to have introduced these keyboards to compete with the top keyboards from the Yamaha PSR series.
If you are missing a drummer or a bassist in your band, you will need something more than the cheap keyboard, this is also great if you want to upgrade to a midrange keyboard.
- Casio MZ-X500: 61 synth action keys. Polyphony (max): 128 notes. 1100 Tones, great rhythms. Mic & USB Connectivity
- Casio MZ-X300: 61 synth action keys. Polyphony (max): 128 notes. 900 Tones, great rhythms. Mic & USB Connectivity
Best Casio Synthesizer Keyboards
Unlike other brands, Casio doesn’t make a lot of synthesizers, but they have introduced a few in their lineup now.
Casio XW P1 Synthesizer
Most of the keyboards we have seen here are arranger keyboards with hundreds of voices and styles. How about a performance synth? Most experienced musicians opt for synthesizers from brands like Korg, Yamaha, Roland. While Casio may not have a wide array of synths, the Casio XW-P1 comes across as an able synthesizer with several impressive features.Read more here…
Casio XW-P1 is more of a performance synthesizer (an entry level synthesizer), packed with some great features and sounds, and is quite powerful. This synth has the sounds and the real-time control that most performing musician need. The XW-P1 breaks the price barrier for virtual-analog synthesis, and is all ready to rock on stage.
Casio Keyboards with Weighted Keys
Looking for keyboards with weighted keys, checkout Casio portable pianos.
Want a narrower list of the best Casio Keyboards? Checkout the top Casio keyboards here.
Casio Keyboards: Buying Guide
Over the years, Casio has expanded its product range to include a wide range of keyboards so that it can cater to experienced musicians as well as beginners.
Casio already has an enviable range of digital pianos, but now they also have excellent arranger keyboards. The Casio MZ-X series (new series) includes high end arrangers with touch screen that compete with the top models from Yamaha’s PSR series and Korgs’ PA series.
Here, we summarize the various Casio keyboard models that you may consider depending on your requirements.
Starting with kids, you have the hugely popular 44 key mini keyboard, the casio sa-76 which is ideal for all little fingers. This keyboard does not come with touch sensitive keys though, which is okay for kids.
But if you are willing to spend a bit more, you can have the 61-key touch sensitive keyboard – casio ctx-700, which is an excellent beginner keyboard with several cool features. You may also consider the 61-key, lighted, casio lk-280 keyboard, which is fun to play.
Have you always dreamt of playing the piano, but are really short on budget? If you have never owned a keyboard before and would love to play a lot of piano songs, then have a look at the casio wk-245 76 key piano keyboard. It gives you all the arranger features along with 76 touch sensitive keys, and that too for entry-level prices!
Now for the intermediate to more experienced players, who are looking for something more – better sound, features and more keys and really don’t care if it is a Casio, but want a value buy. Then one of the hidden gems, which surprisingly not many people are aware of, is the 76-key casio wk-7600. With drawbar organ ones, powerful effects and synthesizer mode, it is for the experienced players who expect some more from their keyboard.
But what about keyboards with 88 keys, that have weighted keys, which are the better ones from Casio? It is from their Privia series, which is fast becoming a rage in the portable digital piano segment. Couple of models to watch out for are the privia casio px-160 and the privia casio px-360.
Various Casio Keyboard Series
- Casio WK Keyboards: Quality 76-Keys arranger keyboards
- Casio CTK Keyboards: Quality 61-Keys portable keyboards
- Casio MZ Keyboards: High-end arranger keyboards
- Casio LK Keyboards: 61-keys, lighted keyboards
Suresh has a background in computer science, in addition to being a keyboard/piano player. He has a keen interest in music, audio & video gear, and also manages the business part of KeytarHQ. Read more here.
What are the best Casio Keyboard models available in India? I want something in the range Rs5000 to Rs.15000.
Here are a couple of options for those in India.
1) For around Rs. 5000, you may consider Casio CTK-2500, which comes with 61-keys (not touch sensitive keys).
2) For around Rs. 15000, you may consider Casio CTK-6300 which comes with 61 touch sensitive keys.
Casio always made keyboard instruments for beginners but recently have been focusing on high end instrument. Even though they don’t have top-class synths yet, their digital pianos are extremely good, and comparable with other brands like Casio and Kawai.
If you want to buy a digital piano, you should opt for a Casio or Yamaha. Casio sound quality is now on par with other brands, and offers some great options across various budget ranges, so you will find something – whether you are a newbie or experienced player.