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Whether you’re a beginner who is just starting to fall in love with the instrument or you’re a seasoned player who seeks a super-portable instrument, keyboard pianos are versatile instruments that help you keep up your piano practice. Despite the number of models you’ll come across that have high price tags, it’s actually very possible to get a high-quality keyboard piano at an affordable price. To help you navigate your new purchase, we’ve rounded up four of the best keyboard pianos — all of which are under $300.
Size: Once your budget is established, there are other important factors to consider as you shop, such as size, overall complexity, and what else the keyboard comes with. A keyboard piano’s size is directly related to how many keys it has. A full keyboard includes 88 keys, and the piano itself will be larger as a result of fitting all of the keys. However, all 88 keys are not needed in order to have a full keyboard playing experience. Some models have 76 keys, which would qualify as a medium-sized keyboard piano. Smaller models have 61 keys. The best size for you will depend on if intend to travel with your keyboard piano and how much space you want to give it in your home.
Presets: One of the main perks of using keyboard pianos is that they can help you create a wider range of sounds than you are able to on a regular acoustic piano. That said, each model is different in what it can help you create. Keyboards can come with hundreds of pre-programmed sounds, drum rhythms, preset songs, and demos. Some even have built-in teaching presets. When comparing different keyboard pianos, pay special attention to the variety of sounds that it’s programmed with.
Accessories: Finally, some keyboard pianos come with extra equipment like a stand, a chair, teaching DVDs, or a sustain pedal. If you are a beginner, it can be helpful to buy all of your gear together as a bundle. However, if you are a seasoned player building upon an existing collection of instruments and gear, you can feel more comfortable buying a keyboard with just the basics.
From Casio to Yamaha, here are our top picks for the best cheap keyboards under $300 that any player will love.
When it comes to keyboards, Casio is one of the most time-tested brands in the industry. The Casio CT-X700 gives you all the perks of Casio keyboards like superb sound, hundreds of tones, and durable construction at a modest price. This keyboard has 61 full-sized, unweighted keys. With 600 tones and 195 rhythms, this keyboard will help you explore your creative side and find exciting new sounds. This keyboard piano is sold in a bundle that’s perfect for beginners: It comes with a stand, bench, sustain pedal, power adapter, educational DVD and a polishing cloth.
Amazon
Yamaha is known for its finely crafted, innovative pianos, whether it comes to acoustic or digital pianos. With the Yamaha PSR-EW300 SA, you can experience the pleasures of playing a Yamaha without sacrificing your budget plans. This portable keyboard has 76 keys and comes with a stand and a power adapter. It has 574 voices, 165 styles and 154 preset songs already programmed for your enjoyment. Plus, it has an educational suite that helps you hone your skills if you’re still learning. If you’re already an advanced player, you’ll appreciate this model, too, as it has a USB port so you can connect it to a computer for recording.
Amazon
While many people love keyboard pianos for how compact they are, some piano aficionados may not want to stray from playing an 88-key instrument. If that’s the case, then this full-size model from Best Choice Products may be the best keyboard piano for you. The keys are even semi-weighted, which acoustic players will appreciate. For customizable sounds, this keyboard can mimic six other instruments, from guitar to strings. Plus, it comes with a sustain pedal, which you’ll need to play music like you would a real piano.
Amazon
This RockJam bundle is perfect for beginners. It has everything you need to get started, all for under $200. In addition to the 61-key keyboard piano, this bundle comes with a keyboard stand, a piano bench, a sustain pedal, as well as headphones, which come in handy when you’re practicing and have roommates. The display panel has two functions: It displays feedback and features 200 rhythms, 200 tones, 30 demo songs and teaching program so you can practice on your own. We also love this keyboard piano for its record-and-playback function that allows you to build sound layers as you play.
Amazon
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