Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Piano players always have something to add, whether they're just starting or already practicing every day: a keyboard, headphones, a pedal or a stand.
The Casio CT-S300 is MusicRadar's best keyboard for a tight budget, with 400 sounds and a carry handle, the Casiotone CT-S1 is its best beginner keyboard overall, and the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 is its pick for adults, with sounds sampled from a Yamaha concert grand. For quiet practice, the Shure SRH440 is MusicRadar's best value headphones for digital piano and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x its best overall. MusicRadar likes the Roland DP-10 and Yamaha FC4A damper pedals and suggests matching the pedal to the keyboard's brand, and the Roland KS-11Z stand holds anything up to a heavy 88-key piano. The splurges are the Roland FP-10, its best budget digital piano, and the Casio Privia PX-S1100, with 88 full-size weighted keys. Every pick is on my keyboard and piano list with its source.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they listen more than they play; the gifts for music lovers page has headphones, speakers and turntables.
Best headphonesbudget pick · Over-ear
Best for practicing at midnight without the neighbors knowing
MusicRadar's best value headphones for digital piano: closed-back, robust and accurate.
Heads up. The coiled cable is a bit heavy
1 outlet. MusicRadar best value headphones for digital piano.
$100-150
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mid pick · Over-ear
Best for piano practice now, music production later
MusicRadar's best overall headphones for digital piano: a great all-round studio headphone.
Heads up. Quite heavy for longer sessions
1 outlet. MusicRadar best overall headphones for digital piano.
$150-200
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casio Casiotone CT-S1 | mid | $200-300 | great sound in a simple, sleek keyboard | 1 outlet |
| Casio CT-S300 | budget | $150-200 | trying keys without a big spend | 1 outlet |
| Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 | mid | $200-300 | adults learning piano without distractions | 1 outlet |
Best beginner keyboardmid pick · 61 keys
Best for great sound in a simple, sleek keyboard
MusicRadar's best keyboard overall: pretty much the perfect beginner's keyboard, with great sounds and playability.
Heads up. No 1/4-inch audio outputs, so it's not made for gigs
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner keyboard overall.
$200-300
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budget pick · 61 keys
Best for trying keys without a big spend
MusicRadar's best keyboard for a tight budget: it balances features and price, with 400 sounds and a built-in carry handle.
Heads up. Sounds are adequate but not brilliant
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget beginner keyboard.
$150-200
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mid pick · 61 keys
Best for adults learning piano without distractions
MusicRadar's best keyboard for adults: a no-frills, piano-style keyboard with sounds sampled from a Yamaha concert grand.
Heads up. Sustain pedal and stand not included, and not many sounds
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner keyboard for adults.
$200-300
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roland DP-10 | budget | $25-50 | roland keyboards, or any that support half-pedaling | Limited evidence |
| Yamaha FC4A | budget | $50-100 | yamaha keyboards | Limited evidence |
| Roland KS-11Z | mid | $150-200 | any keyboard, no knee-bumping | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · Pedal
Best for roland keyboards, or any that support half-pedaling
One of MusicRadar's favorite damper pedals: robust, very smooth and responsive.
Heads up. Pedal polarity differs by brand, so check it works with your keyboard
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$25-50
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budget pick · Pedal
Best for yamaha keyboards
MusicRadar calls it another great damper pedal, and suggests sticking to the same brand as your keyboard so the pedal works the right way round.
Heads up. No half-pedaling, and a touch pricier than the Roland DP-10
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$50-100
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mid pick · Z-stand
Best for any keyboard, no knee-bumping
MusicRadar's best heavy-duty stand: a Z-stand that holds anything from a light keyboard to a heavy 88-key piano.
Heads up. Holds one instrument only
1 outlet. MusicRadar best heavy-duty keyboard stand.
$150-200
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Best digital pianomid pick · 88 keys
Best for real piano feel for the least money
MusicRadar's best budget digital piano for beginners: a superb weighted action for a budget piano.
Heads up. No line outputs and relatively weedy speakers
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget digital piano for beginners.
$500+
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splurge pick · 88 keys
Best for committing to piano for real
MusicRadar's best beginner keyboard with weighted keys: 88 full-size keys in a sleek, fairly light piano.
Heads up. Too large for very young players
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner keyboard with weighted keys.
$500+
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Headphones for quiet practice, a sustain pedal or a stand. The Shure SRH440 is MusicRadar's best value headphones for digital piano, and the Roland KS-11Z is its best heavy-duty keyboard stand.
One from the same brand as their keyboard: MusicRadar suggests sticking to the same brand so the pedal works the right way round. The Roland DP-10 suits Roland keyboards and the Yamaha FC4A suits Yamaha ones.
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