Checklist · 11 picks · 5 categories
Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
Affiliate link.
Learning piano from TikTok tutorials? Fair.
You still need keys. A 61-key beginner keyboard is light, cheap and runs on batteries, and MusicRadar's top pick, the Casio Casiotone CT-S1, gets called pretty much the perfect beginner's keyboard. If you already know you're serious about piano, go for 88 weighted keys instead, since they feel like the real thing. Headphones keep the peace with roommates, and MusicRadar says closed-back, wired, over-ear pairs work best, because Bluetooth lag makes every note late. A sustain pedal is a must for piano pieces; just match the brand to your keyboard, since Roland and Yamaha pedals work in opposite directions. A Z-shaped stand saves your knees. Every pick comes from MusicRadar's guides. Each card shows the drawback the reviewers called out.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you want to make beats on a laptop; a MIDI controller is a better fit than a keyboard with speakers.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
Pick a budget to see your plan.
Your plan lives in this link. Copy it or email it to yourself so Safari doesn't forget it.
Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
0 of 2 on your list · tap one to see your options
| 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
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
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
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
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
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
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+
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
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+
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
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
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
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
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best sustain pedalbudget 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
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
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
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best keyboard standmid 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
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Z-stand
Best for room to add a second keyboard
MusicRadar's best Z-stand: immensely strong, with a second tier for later.
Heads up. Pricey
1 outlet. MusicRadar best Z-stand.
$200-300
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
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
Not to start. MusicRadar's top beginner keyboards, like the Casio CT-S1 and CT-S300, have touch-sensitive but unweighted keys. If you've got your heart set on piano, it picks the 88-key Casio Privia PX-S1100 for weighted keys, and the Roland FP-10 as its best budget digital piano.
MusicRadar recommends closed-back, over-ear, wired headphones, since Bluetooth latency means you hear notes late. Its best overall pick for digital pianos is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, and the Shure SRH440 is its best value pick.
Not always. MusicRadar points out that pedal polarity differs between brands (Roland and Yamaha are opposites), so a mismatched pedal can work backwards. If in doubt, stick to the same brand as your keyboard.