Best Piano Keyboard Under $100

2. Casio CTK-2550

The Casio CTK-2550 is a fantastic portable keyboard piano with 61 full-sized keys. This keyboard only weighs 7.3 lbs so it can be taken on car trips or to a practice session. The build quality is great for the price, and a soft keyboard bag or the original packaging is all the player needs to keep this keyboard safe in transit. Casio has a long and well respected track record for producing beginner digital keyboards, and the CTK-2550 continues this legacy. The CTK-2550 has a “Step-up Lesson System,” which gets a new player up and running quickly with music basics and playing techniques. The LCD screen is easy to read, and the player can see which keys they need to be playing, the notes the keys represent, and where they should be placing their fingers. But the learning doesn’t stop there. Casio has created their Chordana Play App to offer further support to learners. The app displays the piano roll notation, and the musical score on your favorite device, and the player can play along on the tracks that they want to learn. Another useful feature is “Dance Music Mode,” which has 50 built-in rhythms to play along with and different sounds and effects to try out. This feature can be used to create new electronic dance music, it’s inspiring and a great deal of fun. Pros: 400 sounds and 100 rhythms to choose from. The “Start-up Lesson System”. The “Dance Music Mode”. Access to the Chordana Play App. 61 full sized piano style keys to play. Cons: The keys are light action and non-weighted. This keyboard is only suitable for beginners.

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3. RockJam 54 Key Keyboard

The RockJam 54 Key keyboard is extremely portable at only 8.2 lbs. Besides, it can be used with batteries or the included power supply. As the name suggests, there are 54 full sized keys to play. The design is well laid out and compact. This is a good keyboard for absolute beginners. There is an included set of keynote stickers, and the blue backlit LCD is centrally located and easy to read. RockJam has included a handy music stand to hold musical notations once the player has developed to the point where they can read music. The LCD screen allows the player to see which keys and chords are being played and the beat point to stay in time. There are interactive teaching modes that help the new player to learn some useful songs. After they are mastered, they can graduate to more complex pieces. A companion “Piano Maestro” iOS app is available that allows the new player to learn even more quickly. A pair of stereo speakers and a headphone output jack allow the user to practice both in public and private. This is a good introduction to keyboards, with plenty of features to help and new users learn to play to a decent standard. But, sadly, the sounds are rather lackluster, and they are not up to the standard of other digital piano keyboards in the under 100 price range. Pros: 100 sounds and 100 rhythms to choose from. Access to the Piano Maestro iOS app. An easy to read blue backlit LCD display. 54 full sized keys to practice fingering and spacing easily. Cons: Lackluster sounds. The included music rest feels flimsy.

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4. Alesis Melody 61-key Keyboard

Alesis has a long reputation for producing professional grade instruments and audio equipment. Besides, they have brought that expertise to the budget keyboard range. What’s more, the Alesis Melody 61-key keyboard offers a lot for the money because it’s a comprehensive package to get a new player going. This package includes the keyboard, a set of headphones, a microphone, an adjustable bench, and an X-shaped stool. This keyboard has a recording function to record any performance. So you can then play it back to check your progress and see where there is the potential for improvements. Besides, The supplied microphone can also be used to record singing for a whole performance recording. What’s more, there are more tones to play with than many other keyboards in the price range. Further more, two sounds can be layered to design entirely new tones. This is a great keyboard for a modest price. It’s a solid offering for complete beginners or kids that are upgrading from a more basic child oriented instrument. Because this is a complete package, it’s easy to get up and running quickly. Pros: 300 sounds and rhythms to choose from. Two sounds can be layered to create new tones. The package includes a stand, a bench, a microphone and headphones. The recording function is fun. 2 months of Take Lessons included.

Cons: The keys feel a little cheap. There is no output to add a sustain pedal.

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5. LAGRIMA 61-key Electric Piano Keyboard

The LAGRIMA 61-key Electric Piano Keyboard is a well built budget package that includes a microphone and a keyboard stand. There are 12 built-in demo songs, and the interface is simple to navigate for adults and children alike. The keyboard can be powered by batteries and an included power supply, making it a portable choice. This keyboard has MIDI functionality that allows the user to connect their keyboard to their phone or tablet to play virtual instruments. The keys on this keyboard are not full size, but they are large enough for adult fingers with a little practice. The overall sound quality is not up to the standard of some other budget keys on our list. However, they are good enough for practice and as an introduction to keyboard playing in general. A headphone output and microphone input are available for private practice and singing along with a song. Overall the LAGRIMA 61-key Electric Piano Keyboard is a decent entry level instrument for complete beginners and novice players. However, the smaller keys can be tricky to play; they don’t help players to practice fingering and spacing to transition to playing a full sized keyboard later. Pros: 128 sounds and 128 rhythms to choose from. A keyboard stand and microphone included. This keyboard has MIDI functionality.

Cons: The sound quality is not as good as other keyboards on our list. The smaller keys are harder to play.

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6. Plixio 61-key Electic Music Keyboard Piano

This Plixio keyboard has 61 full sized keys, and yet it’s highly portable, and it only weighs 7 lbs. The keyboard can be powered with the included power supply or with batteries. There are plenty of features to help new and intermediate players to improve their skills, and the sound quality is acceptable for a keyboard at this modest price. There is a lesson mode option that can teach a new player enough to get started, and the included music stand is ready for when the student wants to attempt new pieces of music. This Plixio keyboard also has a USB port that allows the user to connect the keyboard to other devices. As one might expect, this is not a premium grade keyboard at this price. However, the sound quality is fine, and there is enough functionality here to keep a new and intermediate player engaged. The portability is very useful, and this could easily be a first gigging keyboard for a new player in a band. The size of the keys will be useful to learn and develop fingering and spacing techniques to play a piano or other full sized keyboard instrument later. Pros: 40 sounds and 100 rhythms to choose from. USB connectivity to expand the sound palette. 60 demo songs to learn. 61 full sized keys to learn great playing skills. Very light and portable.

Cons: The keys are good, but they are not weighted.

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7. Goplus Classical Kids Piano

The last instrument on our list is the Goplus Classical Kids Piano, and this is a little different from the other entries. This more of a children’s toy rather than a real piano keyboard. However, it’s a great way to introduce younger children to the wonderful world of playing an instrument. The 30-key wooden keyboard is designed for children aged 1-7, and there are a number of colors available to suit the child’s tastes. This keyboard has the format of a baby grand piano, complete with a stand and a bench to sit on when playing. The instrument weighs 21 lbs, so it’s not very portable, and it would be better to install it in a permanent location. You can lift the lid of the Goplus to alter the tones, and there are child friendly surfaces to protect young kids fingers. This instrument has a durable design, and it can easily be passed down from one child to the next. The Goplus Classical Kids Piano is an educational toy for toddlers and young kids. It’s a great way to gauge their interest in playing a keyboard, and by the age of 6-7 they could transition to another of the keyboards on our list. Pros: A great way to introduce toddlers and young children to playing a keyboard. 30 rounded keys to produce some nice sounds. Well built and durable enough for multiple kids.

Cons: Only suitable for kids in the 1-7 year range.

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Beginner Piano Buying Guide

As you can see, there are a lot of keyboards available for under 100 that have a great deal to offer. If you’re looking to buy a keyboard, it can be a little tricky if you don’t have a clear idea of what you need. Let’s take a look at some of the critical things that you need to consider before you make a commitment to buy.

Essential Features for Beginners

A Good Octave Range

A traditional piano and many high end professional keyboards have 88 keys. If you want to graduate to a more advanced instrument in the future, it’s a good idea to get a larger keyboard with more keys. This will make the transition to a full sized keyboard easier, and for this reason, we recommend a keyboard with at least 61 keys. This is a large enough octave spread to allow the new player to play a wide variety of chords.

Full Sized Keys

Smaller keys will make a keyboard more portable, and they are ideal for younger players. A larger child or adult that wants to learn how to play should have full sized keys. This helps the new player to learn correct spacing and fingering techniques that will improve their playing and prepare them for playing a professional keyboard or full sized piano later.

Velocity Sensitive Keys

It’s essential that a beginner’s keyboard has velocity sensitive keys to play. The harder the player plays, the louder the sounds should be, and this mirrors the way that a real piano behaves. The ideal keys would be semi or full weighted for an authentic feel, but that comes at a premium, and you will not find that feature on a cheaper instrument.

Polyphony

A keyboard suitable for learning how to play should have polyphony that allows you to play multiple notes at the same time. The keyboards on our list all have this feature, and it’s vital if the new players want to play chords and multiple parts at the same time.

Power Supply Options

Many keyboards are supplied with a power adaptor to get the player up and playing as quickly as possible. Other keyboards require the user to purchase an aftermarket power supply, and it’s worth finding out if you need one in advance. It’s also handy if the keyboard can be powered by batteries because this makes the instrument more portable.

A Keyboard Stand

Many of the keyboards on our list are supplied with a stand and, in some cases, even a bench for new players to set up their keyboard and start playing. This is a great option to focus the player and protect the keyboard by getting it off the floor or kitchen table.

Non-Essential but Desirable Features for Beginners

Split Key Mode

This allows the player to play one sound at the lower part of the keyboard and another at the upper end. This split point is typically located at Middle C, but some keyboards allow the player to set the point where the sounds changed. This is a great way to encourage a player to play different parts with their left and right hands.

Recording Functions

If the new player can record their practice sessions and play them back, it’s very helpful. This is a great way to spot errors and critique a performance without a teacher.

Auto Chords

This feature allows the player to play a single note and trigger a whole chord. This allows the player to accompany their playing while they learn a complicated part. This is also a fun way to experiment with different styles and create new songs.

Features That Should be Avoided

No Stereo Speakers

Most new players don’t have access to a keyboard amplifier or other equipment to listen to the sounds that they are playing. A budget learning keyboard should have at least one speaker and preferably two to help with practicing.

No Headphone Output

Let’s face it when a younger child or a beginner is starting out; the results are often less than musical. Having a pair of headphones connected to a keyboard allows the user to practice in private. This can be a godsend on a portable keyboard because a younger player can play on the back seat of the car as you take a trip.

Only Powered by Batteries

Every now and again, a battery powered keyboard will not have enough juice left to power the instrument, and this can disrupt play and learning. The ideal beginner’s keyboard should have the capability to be powered by a power supply and batteries. This makes the instrument far more flexible for playing in a wide variety of locations.

What Types of Educational Features are Available for Under $100?

The vast majority of keyboards in the sub $100 price range are aimed at children and/or complete beginners. For this reason, many keyboards have educational features to teach an absolute beginner how to play to a basic standard. This is often facilitated with built-in lesson modes or tutorial songs, but increasingly we can see dedicated apps that accessed via a phone or tablet. These features are not a substitute for music lessons, but you can learn a surprising amount, and playing to a very basic level is certainly possible. Some keyboards are purely for kids, they often have smaller keys, and they are more like toys, but even these instruments have fun features that encourage learning.

What Types of Essential Features Can You Expect on a $100 Keyboard?

If you only want to spend less than $100 on a keyboard to gauge interest in playing, you may be wondering what you can reasonably expect for such a modest investment. As you can see from our list of keyboards in this price range, you can get quite a few features for the money. Some of the keyboards on our list have 61 full sized velocity sensitive keys, an included stand, a headphone output, stereo speakers, and interactive learning features. The sounds may not be the best at this price point. What’s more, there may be compromises on the quality of the keys. But these instruments are still playable. So, in our opinion, you get an awful lot of instrument for very little money.

What Types of Features Can You Find on a More Expensive Keyboard?

The quality of the tones, the keyboard action, and the integrated learning features are progressively better as you begin to spend more money. As you reach the $500 plus price range, you start to see 88 fully weighted keys that feel very piano like. For a keyboard at $1000 or more, real full sized digital pianos are available with beautiful sounds and even more learning features to take your playing experience to the next level. However, investing in an expensive instrument that you don’t play often is a waste of money. This is the beauty of a cheaper keyboard; if the new player is inspired and wants to learn more, it will be obvious that you need to upgrade in the future. But, if that keyboard just lies in a corner or under a bed gathering dust, you only spent less than $100. Kind remind that we have selected the best digital piano under $2000 and under $1000.

How Do You Choose the Right Keyboard for a Beginner?

This is a vital question, every person and situation is different, and the keyboard must meet all of those individual needs. Broadly speaking, the answer to this question will be different depending on whether the new player is a child or an adult.

Buying a Keyboard for a Child:

The first consideration is the age of the child; toddlers and younger kids are going to need smaller keys and a portable instrument to carry around. The overall sound and feel of the keys is less important than a fun experience and getting familiar with playing keys. Some built-in lesson features are a bonus, and if they can record performances, this will help them to have fun and work out where they went wrong. Speakers to listen to their playing are essential, and a headphone output is great for private practice and the sanity of the parents. Don’t forget to check our review of best piano keyboard for toddlers.

Buying a Keyboard for an Adult:

A teenager or an adult has very different needs to a child; the first and most obvious is full-size keys and a decent octave range. Smaller keys are harder to play for people with larger fingers, and it’s impossible to practice fingering techniques and correct spacing. This will be needed if the player wants to graduate to a digital piano or a larger keyboard later in their playing career. The quality of the sound also needs to be better; adults are more discerning, and it’s not likely that they would want to play an instrument that sounds dull and lifeless. The educational features also need to be better, and a USB connection is useful to connect to apps for lessons. By the way, we have done research on this issue and found our answer of best piano keyboards for beginners.

In Conclusion

Hopefully, you’re now more aware of the characteristics and features that you can expect to find on a keyboard under $100. There is a great deal of variety even at this price point, and it’s important to research each keyboard to make sure it meets the needs of the player. If you choose a larger instrument that’s less portable, make sure you have adequate space before you make a commitment to buy. All of the keyboards on our list are budget instruments, but they can all create a musical spark that encourages someone to learn how to play.