Best Digital Pianos Under $300: 6 Great Keyboards for Beginners and Pros

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Last updatedLast updated: July 24, 2024
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In this article we’re looking at the best digital piano under $300. These pianos can be a great way to get started without having to invest the money in a fully acoustic digital piano. If you’ve fallen out of playing piano over the years since having lessons or just want to get started and have an affordable model available to practice at home, one of these pianos could be a fantastic solution.

We’ve looked at the important features of digital pianos when creating our product reviews. Some of the functionality we’ve picked out as being vitally important includes the number of keys (this impacts the size of the piano and how many notes you can play). We’ve also looked at whether the keys are touch-sensitive and responsive to how hard you are playing them. Other features include whether you can connect to MIDI devices or computers, the speakers and sound of the piano itself, and the multiple power source options. The Yamaha PSR-EW310 has come out on top of our list due to fitting the majority of these features exceptionally.

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Our team has spent many weeks researching the top digital piano options on a budget. The research is presented as a simple overview table showing the best options. These options have then also been individually reviewed in detail and ranked based on quality. Finally, a buying guide will help you to understand the features and which you should prioritize when making your final choice on which affordable piano to purchase.

Top 6 Digital Pianos Under $300 Review 2024

1.

Yamaha PSR-EW310Editor’s Choice

Features
  • Number of keys: 76
  • Action: touch-sensitive
  • Polyphony: 48 notes
  • MIDI port: yes
  • Power source: batteries / power adapter
  • Dimensions: 50.3 x 17.3 x 6.9 inches
  • Weight: 17.2 lbs.

Extra features: features Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.); features 574 instrument voices, 165 styles, 154 songs

Yamaha PSR-EW310 undoubtedly offers amazing value for money and earns its place at the top of our list. This bundle has the keyboard itself included as well as a stand and power supply. Add a stool or chair and you are ready to play!

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This is a 76-key model which isn’t quite as long as full-sized (88 keys) but still has more than enough space to learn and play most songs with ease.

The excellent features include the Yamaha Education Suite. Access to these lessons gives you the option to practice songs and walks you through them until you are confident enough to play on your own. There is even a touch tutor mode which tracks how strongly you are pressing the keys if you want to learn dynamics.

You can connect to your laptop or PC in order to transfer files between the two, or even use the MIDI capabilities to control virtual instruments or music production software.

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A max polyphony of 48 is respectable though once you become a superstar virtuoso you may need to upgrade this.

There are multiple sounds included as well as piano, so you can play bass parts or guitar parts with ease, too. The connectivity is excellent, and you can plug in your music device so that you can play along to your favorite songs.

What are our favorite features?

  • Portable and lightweight
  • Comes with its own stand
  • Connects excellently to your devices or can control MIDI software

What could be better?

  • Inbuilt speakers aren’t as strong as some other models
Features
  • Number of keys: 76
  • Action: touch-sensitive
  • Polyphony: 48 notes
  • MIDI port: yes
  • Power source: batteries / power adapter
  • Dimensions: 54 x 12 x 20 inches
  • Weight: 15.9 lbs.

Extra features: features a large LCD display; 600 tones, 180 rhythms, 152 songs; 5-song, 6-track recorder

This is another brilliant bundle, and the best Casio digital piano to make our list. The Casio WK-245 PPK 76-Key Premium Portable Keyboard Package is fantastically portable and easy-to-use in a home setting, for small gigs or taking to a friend’s to practice.

One of the best features of this is the 5-song/6-track recorder which means you can record your ideas, and you can overdub different parts with some of the 600 different tones and start to build a full song on this piano. There are also 180 inbuilt rhythms so you can practice playing in time with a drum beat, too.

Like most of the best keyboards under $300, this uses USB technology to connect to music software, so you can control your favorite production software and virtual instruments.

The lesson system which is built-in can help you to learn some of the basics, but isn’t as good as the Yamaha Y.E.S system. Other tech features include being able to split the keyboard to play different sounds with the left and right hand. There are also onboard effects such as reverb to further customize the sounds.

As this is a bundle, it also comes with headphones and a stand to get you started playing at home.

What makes it stand out?

  • Comes with over 600 sounds
  • Excellent multi-track recorder
  • Bundled with headphones and a stand.
  • Touch-sensitive keys

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

  • Not as good an assisted lesson system as the Yamaha products on this list
3.

Casio CTX700 61 Key KeyboardBest Portable Digital Piano

Features
  • Number of keys: 61
  • Action: touch-sensitive
  • Polyphony: 48 notes
  • MIDI port: yes
  • Power source: batteries / power adapter
  • Dimensions: 37.3 x 13.8 x 4.3 inches
  • Weight: 9.5 lbs.

Extra features: 600 tones, 160 songs, 195 rhythms; 3 levels of touch sensitivity

The Casio CTX700 61 Key Keyboard is a fantastic portable option for those who want to take their keyboard out and about with them. It weighs in at under 10 pounds, which makes it easy to take to band practice. This does come at the cost of being smaller than most of the other top digital pianos under $300. It is just 61 keys wide, but this still allows you to play most songs with ease.

Adding to the portability is the fact that you can power this through either mains power or through using batteries.

Like most Casio models, this has 600 different tones you can play, as well as 160 songs and nearly 200 rhythms inbuilt ready for you to practice playing in time.

There is an inbuilt music rest which can support your tablet or your phone as well as sheet music.

In terms of connectivity, this has USB-MIDI capability for controlling software on a laptop or even tablet or phone.

You can use the audio input to connect your devices for playback, too, meaning you can play along to your favorite songs or other recordings you’ve made.

Though it is a bit smaller than the other options, if you want something that is easy to take out and about with you, this could be a good option.

What makes it special?

  • 600 inbuilt sounds
  • Can be used to control software via MIDI
  • Inbuilt music stand
  • Portable
  • Good value for money

What cons did we find?

  • Not as many keys as some of the other options as this is a 61-key design
  • No recording and playback option
4.

Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Digital PianoBest 88-Key Digital Piano

Features
  • Number of keys: 88
  • Action: semi-weighted
  • Polyphony: 128 notes
  • MIDI port: yes
  • Power source: batteries / power adapter
  • Dimensions: 50.5 x 11.5 x 3.6 inches
  • Weight: 15.7 lbs.

Extra features: comes with 3 months Skoove Premium

If you are looking for the best digital piano under 300 dollars which has a realistic piano feel, then the Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano could be for you. It has semi-weighted keys, which is not as good as fully weighted, responsive keys, but they are an adequate simulation for beginners.

The fact that this model has 88-keys makes it a good option for getting used to how a piano feels, and playing the same octaves as a traditional acoustic piano.

Also included are 20W speakers which have plenty of power. Though some of the tech features may not be the same as a keyboard, this is pretty normal for digital pianos with this sort of design, which are made with a realistic feel in mind rather than lots of sounds. Though it only has five different voices, they are all excellent quality and have been sampled to a high standard. It also has some inbuilt effects so you can make the most out of the five sounds it has.

Learning piano can also be made easier if you buy this piano: it has a three month Skoove subscription to allow you to learn how to play online.

USB connection allows you to control software, and you can optionally switch between battery power and mains power, further adding to the portability.

What are our favorite features?

  • The most realistic piano feel of digital pianos under $300
  • Full-sized
  • Semi-weighted keys
  • Portable and can be battery powered
  • Has onboard effects to alter the sounds

What could be better?

  • Not as many sound settings as the other options on the list
  • No option to connect a device for backing tracks
RELATED: 5 Best Portable Keyboard Pianos for Quality Sound and Better Playability
Features
  • Number of keys: 61
  • Action: touch-sensitive
  • Polyphony: 32 notes
  • MIDI port: no
  • Power source: batteries / power adapter
  • Dimensions: 42.1 x 16.9 x 6.6 inches
  • Weight: 12.5 lbs.

Extra features: 9-step lesson function; record & playback; features 400 instrument voices, 130 styles, 112 songs

This is another 61-key option which is easily portable and has a lot of different features. The Yamaha YPT260 61-Key Portable Keyboard is an affordable option and it is very good for beginners, though some of the features may not be as good for experienced players. For instance, a 32 note polyphony may hinder pianists who can play fast solos.

Record and playback options are included to allow you to record ideas or your practices to listen back to later. There are 400 different voices to allow you to play a huge amount of different sounds, and there are also over 100 backing tracks and songs included.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t have a USB connection to speak of so it can’t be used to control music software. You can plug in music via an aux cable to play along to, though.

Though the keys are touch-sensitive, they don’t give the most realistic and responsive feel.

There is a lesson system included for teaching you some of the basics, but this doesn’t guide you through as much as the other Yamaha models as access to the Yamaha Education Suite isn’t included.

What makes it stand out?

  • Portable and can be battery powered if required
  • Comes with 400 tones included and over 100 backing tracks
  • Has recording and playback functions

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

  • Only 32 note polyphony
  • No USB connection for controlling software or VSTs
  • Not the most responsive keys
RELATED: 7 Best Yamaha Digital Pianos – Acoustic Sound Is Possible
6.

RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard Piano SuperKitBest Beginner Digital Piano

Features
  • Number of keys: 61
  • Action: no sensitivity
  • Polyphony: not specified
  • MIDI port: no
  • Power source: batteries / power adapter
  • Dimensions: 35.4 x 9.8 x 5.9 inches
  • Weight: 19.8 lbs.

Extra features: 100 keyboard sounds, 100 rhythms, 50 songs; comes with a piano stool, stand and headphones; headphone and mic jacks

Though the RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard Piano SuperKit doesn’t come out on top of our list for keyboard sound or the audio fidelity of the speakers, if you want to get a bundle which includes everything you need to get started at a very reasonable price, this could be a good option for you.

Included within the bundle is a stand, piano stool, headphones and connectors for mics.

There are 100 keyboard sounds and rhythm and then 50 songs to play along with. This isn’t as good as the Yamaha and Casio models on the list, but it is plenty for most users.

This keyboard is relatively portable as it can be powered by either batteries or mains power.

Two months of Face to Face lessons come included, and you can access these through the ‘Take Lesson’ service. As well as this, a light-up learning system is included to help to teach you chords and notes.

Though it isn’t the most robust and professional digital piano on the market, but it is a good keyboard under $300 with plenty of features and the added bonus of including a lot of different accessories.

Why is it special?

  • Comes bundled with all you need to get started, from headphones to stool
  • A very affordable keyboard
  • Comes with free access to lessons

What are the flaws?

  • Inbuilt speakers are not the best quality
  • Heavier than some of the other portable options
  • 61-keys with no touch sensitivity, so not a very realistic feel
RELATED: 8 Best Keyboard Pianos under $200 – Budget-Friendly Options to Master Your Skills!

Things to Consider

If you’ve never bought a keyboard or a digital piano before it can be difficult to get your head around some of the terminologies, there are some new music tech terms to learn to make sure you are getting the most out of your digital piano.
Our buying guide has been created to help you to choose the ideal model for you. You need to decide which features are most important to you to ensure you get the right piano under $300. Within this price range, there are many different products with surprising variations in features.

What can you expect to get from a piano keyboard under $300?

Best Digital Pianos Under $300: 6 Great Keyboards for Beginners and Pros300 dollars is not a massive budget for a digital piano keyboard, but for beginners, or a basic practice model of piano or keyboard, you can still get plenty of features. Unless you are planning to use your piano for performing to big crowds or taking into a recording studio, you won’t necessarily need a model with a huge amount of features. Something on our list is bound to fit your criteria.

You won’t find models with fully-weighted keys at this price point, so the feel of your keyboard or digital piano will be a little different from if you were playing an acoustic piano. Also, many of the options at this range don’t have the full 88 keys of a piano.

Some of the features which are pretty common include many different sounds, inbuilt lessons to help beginners and plenty of compatibility with other devices.

Features to consider when choosing a digital piano

The following features are those we’ve picked out as being the most important when it comes to finding a great digital piano for your playing. Depending on the type of music you want to play and whether you need lessons or just want a practice model, you may want to choose different features and functions to prioritize.

Number of keys and polyphony

Best Digital Pianos Under $300: 6 Great Keyboards for Beginners and ProsA standard acoustic piano such as an upright piano or a grand piano will have 88 keys. There is only one model on our list which replicates this, the Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano. You don’t necessarily need all of the keys, unless you are going to play complex classical pieces! You can certainly learn all of the basics on a keyboard with 61 or 76 keys.

Polyphony refers to how many notes can be played at the same time, or very closely after one another. If you play really complex pieces of music, you will find that a digital piano with low polyphony will start to drop some of the notes. The higher polyphony on offer, the better.

Key action and sensitivity

The keys feel different depending on how they have been built. Some are made to be weighted to replicate the way acoustic piano keys feel, but this is rare to find at this price point. Instead, some are velocity and touch sensitive, meaning that the speed and force at which you press the keys will impact on the volume, this is designed to replicate the feel of an acoustic piano and give dynamics to your performance.

Connections and ports, including MIDI and pedal ports

Best Digital Pianos Under $300: 6 Great Keyboards for Beginners and ProsA good digital piano can act as a central hub for lots of other music equipment, or to control other music gear. For instance, MIDI ports or MIDI to USB can allow you to control music software. Some of the best digital pianos include connections for aux cables to play along to music, XLR connections for microphones and pedals such as a sustain pedal to add more attenuation to your playing.

Power

The way the piano is powered has a big impact on how portable it is. Most of the products on this list are powered with mains power, but some also have the option to use batteries, which can mean you can play any time and any place.

A power adapter is certainly more reliable, and batteries can be used up pretty quickly by a product like a digital piano, so you should always make sure you have the option to connect to mains power. The best portable options have both types of power available, such as the Casio WK-245 PPK 76-Key Premium Portable Keyboard Package.

Pre-loaded songs, sounds, and rhythms

Buying a digital piano doesn’t mean that when you play the keys it will always have to sound like a piano! All of the options on this list have the option to play different sounds, with some of the options from Casio and Yamaha having 400-600 different sounds or ‘voices’ as you may hear them referred to.

These can vary from different types of piano and keyboard to other acoustic instruments, synthesizer style sounds and even drums and sound effects. The more choice you have, the better, especially if you want to experiment with a lot of different sounds when writing and playing songs. This can also add some exciting variation to your practice as you can play songs you know with different voices.Best Digital Pianos Under $300: 6 Great Keyboards for Beginners and Pros

Pre-loaded songs and rhythms work slightly differently. The songs are usually full pieces of music which you can play back through the piano, but you can also play along to these. Sometimes, the keys which are being played will light up to indicate which notes are playing.

Rhythms are very useful, too. These are simply drum backing tracks that you can play along to, and this is a great way to get used to how it feels to play in rhythm and keep your timing as a pianist.

Dimensions, weight, and portability

Obviously, the dimensions and weight will play a huge part in deciding how portable a digital piano model is. If you opt for a big and bulky digital piano, it is going to be much harder to take to practices or performances.

If you want a full-sized, 88-key keyboard then it is inevitable that it is going to be quite large. This is just the price to pay for having a full sized keyboard.

Some 61 and 76 key models of keyboard are a little less bulky. In fact, our recommended portable digital piano model weighs under 10 lbs which makes it pretty simple to take from place to place. This model is the Casio CTX700 61 Key Keyboard.

If it is important to you to have a keyboard which is portable, think about whether or not you need 88 keys or you can get away with less. As a keyboard is just a pattern which repeats and goes up on pitch (octaves), then you don’t necessarily need a full-sized keyboard. If you can get a 61 key keyboard it will be easy to take out of the house.

Playing modes

The standard playing mode of a piano is sometimes accompanied by a split key mode. This is a way to split the keyboard in half, and play one sound (voice) on each half of the keyboard, two in total. This means that your left hand could be playing a bass sound and your right could be playing piano, or that you can play a drum pattern while playing a melody.

This is a bonus feature and it may be useful for performances, but it isn’t necessarily essential.

Some keyboards also have a teaching mode. This means the keyboard splits into two identical halves which means that a teacher can show something on one half that the student can replicate on the other half.

Extras and accessories

Best Digital Pianos Under $300: 6 Great Keyboards for Beginners and ProsA lot of the digital pianos you can find under $300 are aimed at beginners, and the manufacturers assume you will need other piano accessories along with the keyboard itself. They are often sold as bundles. Some of the bundles include a huge amount of extra accessories including music stands, stools, a keyboard stand, headphones and more. The RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard Piano SuperKit includes all of this and even has a stool, and it comes at a very reasonable price.

Another useful extra that some of the digital pianos include is subscriptions or trials to music lessons and apps, which can allow you to start either online course or face-to-face lessons to learn how to play your piano. If, however, the model you bought doesn’t offer such a bonus, we suggest you checking out this list of online piano lessons websites:  https://musicgroupies.com/best-online-piano-lessons Trusted Source The 10 Best Online Piano Lessons Sites In 2021 - Music Groupies An online community for music fantatic musicgroupies.com . Here, you’ll be able to find the service that will suit your needs perfectly in all aspects, including price and interface. By the way, most of the listed sites include free content or trial periods so that you could choose your ideal digital teacher without spending any extra money.

FAQ

88 is not necessarily essential for a digital piano, you can get away with fewer. A 61 key or 76 key model is fine for learning the fundamentals of how to play piano, and also allows you to play most pop and rock songs with no problem at all.

No, this is one of the big advantages of having a digital piano instead of having an acoustic piano, you will never have to tune it. The sounds are simply samples that are triggered by you hitting the keys, and these will never change or fall out of tune even as your piano ages.

Generally, the Yamaha and Casio pianos tend to stick to the same sizes as traditional acoustic pianos. If you go for a low-end brand, you may notice some variation in the sizes of the keys.

Our Verdict

Our top-rated product is the Yamaha PSR-EW310. It is almost full-sized and has some great features. It can be bought bundled with a stand and includes access to the Yamaha Educational Suite. It also has over 500 sounds to choose from. We’ve rated it 9.9/10.

The Casio WK-245 PPK 76-Key Premium Portable Keyboard Package is second placed and is similar in terms of features, but this has a brilliant multi-track recorder. We’ve rated it 9.7/10, just missing out on top as it doesn’t have the same educational features as Yamaha models.

In third place, rated 9.5/10, is the Casio CTX700 61 Key Keyboard. This has 600 sounds to choose from, and is the best digital piano under $300 for portability as it weighs in at under 10 lbs, and is smaller than many others due to its 61-key design.

References

1.
The 10 Best Online Piano Lessons Sites In 2021 - Music Groupies
An online community for music fantatic
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