15 Best 61 Keys Keyboard Pianos – Reviews & Useful Buyer’s Guide
If you’re here, it is probably because you’re looking for some guidance on the best 61-key piano keyboard on the market. Perhaps you’re just getting started – or maybe you’ve been playing for some time and you’re ready to upgrade. Either way, we are more than happy to help you with your decision.
The market is flooded with options, so it can be hard to decide on which piano to buy. However, when you have all of the pertinent information on a variety of options, it helps to narrow down the best one for you. You will just need to decide for yourself what features are most important for you and what you can do without.
You can be sure that no matter whether you are a novice or you are a master keyboard piano player, you will find a new keyboard that you will enjoy playing for years to come.
15 Best 61-Keys Keyboard Pianos (2022 Update)
1. YAMAHA EZ-220 61-LIGHTED KEY PORTABLE KEYBOARD PACKAGE WITH HEADPHONES, STAND AND POWER SUPPLY
Even if it’s your first time ever touching a keyboard, this one will make you feel completely comfortable from the start. It is an ideal keyboard for learning on and has inbuilt remote connectivity that allows you to connect to the Page Turner iPad app and contains 100 songs in memory.
Additionally, it has a USB port that allows you to connect to your PC.
This keyboard contains 392 different sounds, including strings, drums, and guitars and pairs perfectly with the Yamaha Education Suite. This is a wonderful educational resource for the beginner keyboard player.
This bundle comes with a stand and a set of headphones so you can play/practice privately or you can disconnect the headphones and put on a private show for your loved ones.
Pros
- 61 lighted, touch-sensitive keys
- 100 built-in songs
- More than 390 HQ instrument sounds
- Comes with Yamaha Education Suite
Cons
- Does not have as many features as some discontinued models
2. YAMAHA YPT255 61-KEY KEYBOARD PACK WITH HEADPHONES, POWER SUPPLY, AND SECURE BOLT-ON STAND
As an up-and-coming artist or music maker, this keyboard is a great option. It has been widely referred to as the “keyboard of decision”. This keyboard also accompanies the Yamaha Education Suite, known as YES, which makes it really easy to learn how to play.
It comes with an auxiliary jack and cord, as well as headphones, power supply, and keyboard stand.
Pros
- Lots of features for beginners
- Comes with connection to Yamaha Education Suite
- Light/easy to transport
- Variety of styles/voices
Cons
- Some sounds are cheesy
3. YAMAHA NP12 61-KEY LIGHTWEIGHT PORTABLE KEYBOARD
This keyboard is lightweight and features touch-delicate keys. While many people enjoy playing with this keyboard, there are some that don’t. It works well with an app on the iOS platform that is easy to configure.
The app allows you to explore various settings on your keyboard. Additionally, the USB port allows you to connect to your smartphone or PC for more educational app options.
This is another great keyboard from Yamaha, and it seems that the lightweight keyboards are the most desirable.
Pros
- Affordable
- Portable
- iOS App available
- USB to connect to PC or smartphone
Cons
- Limited features
4. YAMAHA PSR-E353 61-KEY PORTABLE KEYBOARD
Yamaha is one of the top keyboard manufacturers, and they put quality and superiority above all else. This keyboard is packed with a variety of features, instrument sounds, and more.
This is a great option for beginners and professionals alike. It has onboard lessons available for those that need it and also offers both PC and smartphone connectivity.
The keys are sensitive, so just the slightest touch will produce a sound. And the harder you press, the stronger the sound they produce.
Pros
- Portable/lightweight
- Affordable/budget-friendly
- Can connect to PC and mobile devices
- Keys are lightweight/touch-sensitive
Cons
- Must purchase accessories separately
- Lower polyphony
5. YAMAHA PSR-E263 61-KEY PORTABLE KEYBOARD
This keyboard is another confirmation that Yamaha produces quality keyboards. This one also includes the Yamaha Education Suite, as well as 100 built-in songs. You can connect a PC or other device via the auxiliary line.
You will have to purchase the power adapter separately, but it does run on battery if needed. You will find that this keyboard is very lightweight and easy to bring with you, in case inspiration strikes and you want to play.
Pros
- Lots of features/capabilities
- Lightweight/portable
- Easy to learn
- Great value for price
Cons
- Power adapter sold separately
- Does not have headphone jack
6. YAMAHA PSR-E-363 61-KEY TOUCH SENSITIVE PORTABLE KEYBOARD
When it comes to Yamaha keyboards, this is one of the best ones available. Just like the other models, it comes with the Yamaha Education Suite built in, as well as PC and smartphone connectivity.
This model also features a USB port so that you can connect to a music player and move songs to your keyboard memory. The keyboard is lightweight and easy to transport, but you will have to buy the power adapter separately.
While this keyboard does have a plethora of options, it definitely does not have everything that you might need in a keyboard. However, there are plenty of options to play around with.
Pros
- Lots of built-in effects
- Wide variety of musical instrument sounds
- 154 built-in songs
- Great value for price
Cons
- Limited polyphony
- No sustain pedal
7. ROCKJAM 61-KEY ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD PIANO SUPERKIT WITH STAND, STOOL, HEADPHONES & POWER SUPPLY, BLACK – RJ561
This keyboard is really simple to use. There are many brands that are trying to keep up with the demands of their customers for a better-performing device, and Rockjam is no exception.
This keyboard contains more than 50 demo songs, 100 rhythms, and 100 sounds that you can play around with. Plus, it’s easy to learn because of the Intelligent Teaching feature and LCD screen. The LCD allows you to see what you’re playing.
It also comes with a stand, stool, power supply, headphones, and a microphone. This way, you can practice as much as you need to before performing for others.
Pros
- Intelligent teaching with LCD display feature
- Beginner friendly, but also great for advanced users
- Easy to assemble
- Has 100 sounds and 50 built-in demo songs
Cons
- Keys are not weighted or lighted
8. CASIO CTK2400 61- KEY PORTABLE KEYBOARD WITH USB
With this keyboard, Casio has proven again that they focus on producing quality products with great features. This keyboard features a 3-stage learning process that makes it easy to learn to play when combined with the various sounds that you can rehearse with.
It also features a tone testing option, which allows you to use your imagination to experiment with the built-in sounds. Additionally, you can connect your own music player and play along with or record music.
Pros
- Only weighs 8 pounds
- Features auto-power off
- USB midi capability
- Lots of preset songs, rhythms, and voices
Cons
- Keys are not weighted
- Keys are not touch-sensitive
9. CASIO CTK-3500 61-KEY TOUCH SENSITIVE PORTABLE KEYBOARD WITH POWER SUPPLY
This keyboard is an upgrade to the CTK2400. Many musicians don’t care too much for a touch-sensitive keyboard, but this one definitely deserves a chance.
It includes 150 rhythms and 400 tones to support your musical creations. Plus, it features a dance mode, which allows you to create electronic dance music quite effectively.
You can download the Chordana Play App to your smartphone to help you with your musical creations.
Pros
- Touch-sensitive keyboard
- Easy to store and transport
- LCD screen easy to read
- 100 built-in rhythms, 400 instrument voices
- Compatible with Chordana app
- Easy to learn with Casio’s Lesson System
Cons
- No recording/playback function
10. CASIO INC. CTK4400 61-KEY TOUCH SENSITIVE PERSONAL KEYBOARD WITH POWER SUPPLY
Once again, Casio impresses with their CTK4400. This model has just about everything you could ever need to play the keyboard. It contains 152 built-in songs, a registration memory which allows you to program 32 settings for beat, rhythms, or tone.
Plus, this keyboard comes with a stand and headphones so that you can set up and play either privately or for others. Finally, this one has a button that you can press for a credible “concert reverberation.”
Pros
- Touch-sensitive keys
- Portable/lightweight
- Concert hall echo effect
Cons
- No broad audio speakers
- Non-weighted keys
11. ALESIS MELODY 61 BEGINNER BUNDLE | 61-KEY PORTABLE KEYBOARD WITH STAND, BENCH, HEADPHONES, AND MICROPHONE
- This keyboard features 200 built-in songs and has a USB port, which means that you can plug in your own music player and play your own songs on the keyboard. It has three modes:
- One-key: which allows you to familiarize yourself with the beat
- Follow: which teaches you the notes
- Ensemble: which is where the notes are brought together to make a song
There is a port where you can connect a microphone and sing along as you play songs as well. There are so many features on this keyboard, it’s impossible to list them all.
Pros
- Built-in speakers
- Comes with a variety of accessories, including a microphone
- Lightweight and easy to transport
Cons
- Only has 61 keys, so if you want a full-size, 88-key piano, this will not work for you
12. JOY 61 STANDARD KEYS KEYBOARD WITH USB MUSIC PLAYER, INCLUDING HEADPHONE, STAND, STOOL & POWER SUPPLY (JK-63M-KIT)
This wonderful set up comes as an all-inclusive kit. You’ll get the keyboards, stand, stool, power supply, and even headphones. This keyboard contains learning stages: one-key, follow, and ensemble. Therefore, it’s wonderful for beginners to learn to play.
Additionally, advanced users can accomplish a lot with the 255 timbres and rhythms, as well as 50 demo songs. The keyboard has an LCD screen that shows you exactly what you are doing, which means you can figure it out quickly.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- 255 timbres and rhythms, as well as other features, allow experimentation with various music styles
- 50 demo songs reveal the keyboard’s abilities
- Has both master volume and accompaniment volumes
- Has record and playback feature so you can keep track of your progress in learning to play
Cons
- Keys are not weighted
- Keys are not touch-sensitive
13. PLIXIO 61-KEY DIGITAL ELECTRIC PIANO KEYBOARD & SHEET MUSIC STAND – PORTABLE ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD FOR BEGINNERS (KIDS & ADULTS)
This keyboard is perfect for the novice keyboard player. It features a USB port, where you can connect your MP3 player or computer. Additionally, it has double speakers.
This keyboard has 40 tones, 8 percussions, 100 rhythms, and 60 demo songs that you can use in creating your own musical compilations. It also has several other features, including beat control, harmony, transposition, and various other impacts.
Pros
- Highly-responsive keys
- Portable
- Easy to use/learn for all ages
- Recording option available
Cons
- Stand must be purchased separately
14. THE ONE SMART PIANO KEYBOARD WITH LIGHTED KEYS, ELECTRIC PIANO 61 KEYS, HOME DIGITAL MUSIC KEYBOARD, TEACHING PORTABLE KEYBOARD PIANO
Becoming skillful at playing the keyboard piano should not be that difficult. That is where this keyboard comes in. You don’t need to know anything at all about music in order to begin playing this one. It features synchronized LED lights so that anyone can play right after pulling it out of the box.
This keyboard isn’t just another piano that requires concentrated lessons to learn. It is made to show new musicians how to improve upon their skills. You can sync the keyboard with your smartphone for lessons, games, and more. With this keyboard, you’ll be playing like a pro in no time at all.
Pros
- Lightweight/portable
- Backlit, LED keys make learning a breeze
- USB port, and smartphone/computer connectivity
- Over 100 video lessons to help you learn to play
Cons
- Keys are not touch responsive
- Constant software updates change/remove features
15. HAMZER 61-KEY DIGITAL MUSIC PIANO KEYBOARD – PORTABLE ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT – WITH MICROPHONE AND STICKER SHEET
If you’re looking for a keyboard that is engaging, you can be sure that this one will meet, and might even exceed, those needs. This is a great option for the mid-level player, that is someone that has some experience, but isn’t quite an expert yet. It comes with a power cord, or you can use 6/D-size batteries.
If you are just learning, it does have a learning mode with 11 notes that are labeled. You can record and playback your music as you are learning as well. It features 255 timbres and rhythms, 61 percussions, and even 24 demo tracks.
Pros
- Vast library of percussions, timbres, and rhythms
- Recording/playback feature great for learning
- Variety of capabilities for customization
Cons
- Keys are not touch sensitive
- Keys are smaller than acoustic pianos
People Also Ask
There are a few general questions that people often ask when they’re considering buying a 61-key keyboard piano. We’ll take a look at these questions below:
– Is 61 keys enough to learn to play keyboard piano?
The truth is that yes, a 61-key keyboard piano will allow you to learn how to read notes and play music. You will be able to play simple pieces. However, if you really want to learn how to play the piano, it’s better to have a keyboard with weighted keys or have a “hammer action” so that you can easily transition to a regular piano when you’re ready.
Keep in mind that you’re not going to learn to play overnight, so you’ll have time to figure out if you want to invest in a real piano or you just want to play keyboard as a hobby.
– What is the difference between weighted and non-weighted keys?
Weighted keys exist on acoustic pianos and digital keyboards. You can get fully- or semi-weighted. The fully-weighted keyboards have graded resistance, like a real piano while semi-weighted offer uniform resistance all the way across.
Often, the smaller digital pianos have unweighted keys. These are great for someone that is just starting out with learning to play the piano. Models with unweighted keys are typically cheaper than those with weighted keys. However, with unweighted keys, it can be hard to be expressive with your music.
– Why does touch sensitivity matter?
With some digital piano keyboards, you’ll have to really press down on the keys to get a sound. These types of keyboards are much more suited for someone that has some experience with playing.
On the other hand, there are some that you can barely touch the keys and it will make a tone. With these, the harder you press, the louder the sound will be. These are more suited for the beginner who is learning the best way to play.
Also Read – How to Connect Digital Piano To Computer?
Bottom Line
When it comes to the 61-key keyboard pianos, there are so many options on the market. Some are great options while others are lacking in some areas. It’s important that you take the time to do your own research to find out which one meets your personal needs.
There is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to choosing a 61-key keyboard. You must consider how much experience you have and what you plan on doing with your keyboard. Do you really want to learn to play professionally, or do you just want to play for a hobby? The ultimate choice is yours!
About the Author Linda Ritter
Linda Ritter is a passionate pianist and a songwriter for more than 7 years. With a Masters in Music, she has explored the world of music and has collaborated with several musicians and brands like Roland, Tune Core, and plenty of blogs.
