Beginners who just want to learn how to play an instrument may simply want the best piano keyboard for the money. Such piano keyboards may not have all the advanced specs or may not be as durable as the high-priced ones, but in terms of functionality, they are still worth buying.
Our Editor’s Choice Award: Casio CTK-2550
For our Editor’s Choice award, we chose the Casio CTK-2550 since it’s not only from a reputable brand but is also quite economical in its price. While it’s not as high-priced as Yamaha, it still packs a lot of durability and good features that will make it a great piano keyboard for both beginners and seasoned players.
So why exactly is this piano keyboard our top pick? Well, here are the features and specs of the Casio CTK-2550 that you might find as reasons for making it worth the money:
A Simple Setup
This piano keyboard is not just portable – it’s very easy for beginners to set up and play altogether. It has straightforward functionality and buttons that will make it simple to switch between tones and rhythms. The fact that it’s portable (battery-operated or plugged in) can also let you take the keyboard anywhere you like with ease – even on public transport!
There are 61 keys which can be enough for those who are not only on a budget but also for those who lack space in their home or don’t need the extra octaves. Imagine having to carry a larger 88-key piano keyboard while on a train with so many passengers around and you have other stuff to carry with you!
Variety of Tones and Rhythms
There are over 400 tones (voices) to choose from when it comes down to pressing the keys. In addition to that, you can back up your melodies and chords with preset rhythms (100 of them) depending on the music genre that you want.
Beginner-Friendly
In addition to being simple to set up and play, it’s also beginner-friendly with its lesson functions that you can see on the small screen. You can use the scoring system to help you memorize songs or get better with pressing the keys on time.
Integration with App
A great thing to know about the Casio CTK-2550, unlike its older 90’s era predecessors such as the CTK-80, is that you can even integrate it with the Chordata Play app, which can help you to learn songs and pieces better. This may also appeal to beginners with learning the piano/keyboard.
Dance Music Mode
Perhaps one feature that many other piano keyboards don’t have yet (and older Casio keyboards don’t have, either), would be the Dance Music Mode. In this mode, you can be the DJ of the party by using the keys with specifically assigned instruments to make your own party music right off the bat! This would be perfect for both live and recording sessions at the studio.
Flaw but Not a Deal Breaker: No MIDI Support
While it has many good pluses, the Casio CTK-2550’s only drawback is that it’s not a MIDI keyboard. This is because most MIDI keyboards are pricier in general since they require a MIDI connection. You can, however, use the built-in tunes from the keyboard itself to record as audio, although you have to really practice well to avoid making mistakes.
Great for Beginners: Hamzer 61-Key Keyboard
The Hamzer 61-key is a comparable choice to the Casio CTK-2550 because it also has a ton of sounds, effects, and rhythms.
Similarities
Like the Casio one, this one is also not a MIDI keyboard so you can only record music through its audio/headphone jack. It also has an LCD screen for easy selection of tunes and rhythm banks and it also has a holder for sheet music or your tablet/gadget. It is also portable that you can use either 6 AA batteries or the power adapter included.
Differences
This one comes with a microphone, but given the price, we’re not so sure if the durability of the microphone is pretty decent, as it only comes for free. It’s also worth noting that Hamzer is not really a top-player brand, so the quality of music (and durability of the unit) may be a little bit questionable, even for beginners and some intermediate users. There’s also a difference in price if you compare them on Amazon.
Dual Voice Keyboard: Yamaha PSRE253
The Yamaha PSRE253 is another considerable choice, as it is also a name brand. Here are some of its similarities and differences with the Casio CTK-2550:
Similarities
Both are similar in the price range as well as in the quality, and both also have 61 keys. They are also not MIDI keyboards but you can connect them through the AUX line for audio recording.
Differences
The big advantage of the Yamaha one is that it has a dual voice mode that lets you pick two instruments, which can be useful if you’re in a church or worship service, and you need to put strings and piano together in just one instrument.
Which Best Piano Keyboard for the Money Should I Buy?
Different people have various preferences. Here’s a good chart to compare all of their features and typical usage
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Conclusion
Overall, we think that the all of these piano keyboards are worth the money, but perhaps the Casio CTK-2550 just stands out a little more in terms of sound quality and durability.
If you think any of these piano keyboards are worth the money, why not check out the latest Amazon prices of the Casio CTK-2550, the Hamzer 61-key keyboard or the Yamaha PSRE253 and decide for yourself?
