The Best Digital Keyboard

Buying Guide

Thanks to technology, pianos have come a long way in recent years. Grand pianos not only take up a great deal of space in a home, but they also can be almost impossible to move. A digital keyboard can give you deep, rich sound, as well as versatility that you’ll never get from a traditional piano. Best of all, you won’t have to dedicate an entire room of your house to it.

Choosing the right digital keyboard can be challenging, though, especially with so many big-name brands competing for your dollar. You can find keyboards that emulate that baby grand piano sound, as well as those that can provide instrumental sounds that come from a harp, organ or a guitar. If you’re learning or teaching others, a model that features dual play mode may be a better choice, since you can play as a duo.

It’s also important to consider the room that will house your piano. If it’s a big room and you plan to entertain large groups of friends, a piano with a built-in speaker system is likely better for your situation than a quieter keyboard. However, some households may find a slightly quieter instrument is more suitable.

One feature that’s popular with many digital keyboard buyers is the ability to record your performances. This is great for sharing on social media, but it’s especially valuable if you want to listen to your results in an effort to improve. Not all keyboards include this, and some let you record to an external hard drive, so definitely pay close attention to recording ability if it’s important to you.

Although it may not be a top consideration, the appearance of the keyboard you choose will likely be important. It will, after all, be a piece of furniture that features predominantly in whatever room you set it. You can choose between a variety of colors, but many digital keyboards have a setup similar to a traditional upright piano. Consider whether you want a deep mahogany, black or white model before you start shopping.

• If you’re a fan of the traditional piano sound you’d get from a baby piano, consider a model that features 128 notes, as well as a split mode to layer sounds, as this will create a richer experience. You can also use this feature to create original songs that combine rhythm sections and the keyboard. Some models use something called a SuperNATURAL sound engine to simulate that baby grand piano sound.
• Teachers and students will be interested in a feature called Partner Mode, available on certain digital keyboards. This feature lets you play alongside someone else. Using this feature, a teacher and student can play the same song together to allow the student to imitate and learn.
• One common complaint about digital keyboards is that they simply feel different than a traditional piano. Manufacturers have worked hard to shrink the gap between the two experiences. Some digital pianos use a graded hammer action to simulate the way keys move on a concert grand. This feature means the lower-range keys have a heavier touch than those in a higher range. For those who are used to the lighter touch of a digital keyboard, though, this feature may be a negative, making it better suited for individuals looking for that traditional playing experience.
• Digital pianos have long excelled over traditional pianos in one important way: They take you beyond one instrument. If you’re interested in this type of diversity, you may be more interested in a digital piano that offers 305 tones outside of the acoustic piano, including organs, guitars, brass and synthesizers.
• It’s also important to consider how you’ll use your piano. If you’re performing for large groups in a big room, for instance, you may find that a model that comes with four powerful speakers built in is a better choice. Quieter models are a better option for smaller spaces.
• Whether you want to listen to your performances later or share them with others, the record feature is something to consider. Some digital keyboards let you record one or two tracks, then put them together to play simultaneously. There are even models that not only let you record two tracks for later playback, but also let you save them to a USB stick or a remote hard drive.
• Although it’s designed to make music, the truth is your piano will become an important part of your décor. For that reason, it’s hard to get away from the issue of appearance. You may prefer a digital keyboard that looks closer to a traditional upright piano and is available in a choice of colors, like dark brown or black. It’s also important to note that some models come with a bench, so you’ll face the challenge of finding a keyboard and bench that match when you buy them separately.
• Price can be a big differentiator between digital pianos. You can find a good digital piano costs less than what a baby grand piano would cost.