What are the best 88-key digital keyboards with weighted keys?
The full scale of an acoustic piano has 88 keys. But why a digital keyboard with weighted keys? To be frank, digital keyboards with weighted keys are significantly more portable, versatile with different effects, portable for traveling with to gigs, and immensely cheaper while feeling close to the same as an acoustic piano.
You may be a beginner planning on making the switch to an acoustic piano in the future. Others just prefer the overall feel of a grand piano but don’t have space or budget. For whichever reason you’re looking for a cheaper version of a similar feel, touch sensitivity, weighted action, and all 88-Keys to a real grand piano, you have come to the right place.
For these various reasons, we put together a list of the best 4 highest rated weighted digital Keyboards with all 88 keys that are the best bang for the buck.
In Short, Here Are The 4 Best Digital Weighted Keyboards Under $500 With All 88-Keys
- LAGRIMA Digital Piano
- Casio Privia PX-160BK
- Medeli SP4200
- Yamaha P45
1. LAGRIMA Digital Piano
The LAGRIMA Digital Piano is a beautiful digital piano that not only sounds great but also adds a pleasant look to your home. All 88 keys are weighted feeling and even sounding very similar to an acoustic piano. It was specifically designed for people who want to learn or play piano with the same characteristics as an acoustic piano. The only difference? You’re spending a fraction of the money.
Considering how similar it feels to a traditional acoustic piano, the LAGRIMA Digital Piano is an incredible choice to start or practice with before spending the big bucks. For the passionate musicians that can’t get enough playtime during the day, the adjustable volume or headphones allows you to practice all night without waking anyone up.
You have the option to purchase the LAGRIMA Digital Piano in either black or white.
Features & Tech Specs
- 53″ wide, 18″ deep, 33″ height
- Volume adjustable
- 88 keys
- Digital
- Weighted
- Available in black or white
- Flip cover for added keys protection
- Best used for beginners and at-home use
2. Casio Privia PX-160BK 88-Key
The Casio Privia PX-160BK digital keyboard, in my opinion, excels in nearly every trait for the price. The sound quality, feel, and sustain are next to identical to a real acoustic piano. I was incredibly shocked by how well of a job Casio did on this portable digital keyboard. In terms of the accuracy of the weighted keys, it is possibly the closest representation to a real piano on the market.
Considering everyone’s opinion may differ, just to be clear, I am certainly not the only one with this point of view. Reviews across the board claim the same thing. The Casio Privia PX-160BK nearly mimics a real piano by many characteristics without the weight and price tag!
There are five different grand pianos to choose from. All with subtle, yet, important differences that you may find very beneficial. You can also use many other voices as well, such as organ, electric piano, strings, and more. On top of that, you can even layer two different sounds together for more creative effects.
While many people decide to purchase this keyboard to start out with, It is also good enough to be used for big live performance applications. I even know a few keyboard players who tour the country using this keyboard. They claim the sound quality, reliability, easy setup, durable build, and portability are all critical factors in using the Casio Privia PX-160BK as their main keyboard.
You will be shocked by how lightweight it is mixed with the key’s incredible action. It also allows you to plug your headphones in for silent use as well. That will make your family or roommates very happy when you decide to practice all night.
The digital keyboard also has a built-in two-track recorder to track your performance for instant playback. In my opinion, recording yourself is one of the best ways to accelerate your growth as a musician. I not only recommend this for intermediate performers but for beginners as well. Another beneficial feature is its “Duet mode.” It splits the keyboard into two separate ranges making it an incredible tool for a student and teacher.
The dynamics and response are outstanding and accurate. The harder you press the keys, the louder the sound and vice versa. The responsiveness is near identical to a grand piano.
Overall, the Casio Privia PX-160BK is one of the highest-rated portable digital keyboards with all 88 weighted keys. It is my personal highest recommendation on this entire list. Be sure to see the Amazon reviews below!
Features & Tech Specs
- 88 keys
- Digital
- 52 inches wide
- Split keyboard feature. Perfect for student and teacher.
- Many voices including: 5 different grand piano’s, electric piano, organ, strings, etc
- Able to layer 2 different voices for an awesome effect
- Weighted
- Able to play through speakers or headphones
- Best used for beginners up to live performance (intermediate) use
3. Medeli SP4200
Medeli founded in 1983 has sold over 1 million electric keyboards in the early 1980s. One of their home runs, in my opinion, is their 88-key Medeli SP4200. It is yet another tremendous 88-key digital portable keyboard with weighted keys. It has a staggering 600 plus sounds with 120 presets songs to play along with.
One of the most unique and beneficial features of it is its 128 Polyphony. This allows you to play multiple notes at high speeds without any cutouts of sound. In other words, the SP4200 can handle expert-level playing. Not to forget, the weighted keys are incredibly similar to a real piano. Many people, including myself, love the action and touch sensitivity of this keyboard as well.
In terms of the Medeli SP4200’s sound quality, it is terrific. The reproduction of the other instrument voicing presets is quite shocking for the price range. The grand piano sound replication is good as well. It produces a very similar feel to a real grand piano. The build quality of the Medeli SP4200 is surprisingly sturdy. The second you get a hold of this instrument you will know it’s built to last. It’s a relatively large keyboard that weighs about 30 pounds.
The keys are touch-sensitive as well. Better yet, you can even change the sensitivity of the keyboard. If you prefer more dynamics close to the sensitivity as a real grand piano, you can have that. If you prefer fewer dynamics with less touch sensitivity, you can have that as well. The front screen shows you what notes you are hitting, which I find very helpful for a beginner to learn music.
For practice without disturbing your household, it has an audio jack for earphones. One of the audio jacks turns the speaker off with only sound going through the headphones. The other jack keeps the speaker on and through your headphones as well. Like the Casio, you are also able to split the notes of this keyboard. This one also includes a metronome.
The USB input comes in handy since it allows you to hook the keyboard up to the computer. It also has a midi input for keyboardists who perform shows often. Speaking of live performance, the Medeli SP4200 will not fail you on a music tour. It’s reliable, has more than enough features, and sounds very good.
One of the downsides I have noticed with the Medeli SP4200 is the features take some time to get used to. The manual is not as helpful as I would like it to be. If your wondering between the Medeli SP4200 and the previous Casio Privia, I would say the Casio has better sound and a much better overall grand piano replication.
The Medeli SP4200 has many more features, sounds, and 128 polyphony for the fastest players. Both are superior choices for a digital keyboard in this price range with weighted keys.
Details & Tech Specs
- 88 keys
- Ability to change touch sensitivity
- Digital
- Split keyboard feature. Perfect for student and teacher.
- 128 Polyphony
- Over 600 sounds
- Weighted
- Very sturdy
- USB input
- Midi input
- Weight: 30 pounds
- metronome
- Best used for beginners up to live performance (intermediate) use
4. Yamaha P45
The Yamaha P45 is yet another great portable digital keyboard with 88 weighted keys. Like the Casio and the Medeli, this too can be used for beginners and live performance with excellent results. Something I find extremely interesting and helpful for those searching for a near replicated weighted feel to a grand piano is its customized GHS action.
They specifically designed the weighted action to be heavier in the low-end and slightly lighter end just like a real piano. Not to forget, they did an extremely good job at doing so as well.
In terms of its touch sensitivity, it is near identical to a grand piano. Another thing I like about this keyboard is the ease of changing functions. It is generally much easier to navigate features with the Yamaha P45 compared to many other keyboards in this price range. This keyboard also has split mode as well for a student and teacher.
The overall sound quality of this keyboard is pretty good. There are 10 total sounds it comes with. Both grand pianos sound very good as they are both accurate sounds to a grand piano, yet, in their own ways. However, both of the electric piano sounds are very different from each other both in excellent in their own ways as well.
I recommend this keyboard for pianists who want a keyboard with a nearly accurate representation of a grand piano. Unless you prefer more than ten sounds, it is also worthy of live performances.
The Yamaha P45 comes with a sheet music rest and sustain pedal. Unfortunately, it does not come with a stand and must be purchased separately. It weighs about 25 pounds, which is easy enough to travel with.
Details & Tech Specs
- 88 keys
- Comes with 10 sounds total: 2 grand pianos, 2 electric pianos, 2 organs, 2 strings, 2 harpsichord
- 64-note polyphony
- Digital
- Able to combine 2 voices in dual mode
- Weighted
- USB port
- Best used for beginners up to live performance (intermediate) use
A Quick Recap
Here are the Top 4 88-Key Weighted Keyboards for the price
- LAGRIMA Digital Piano
- Casio Privia PX-160BK
- Medeli SP4200
- Yamaha P45
Casio Privia PX-160BK, Medeli SP4200, and Yamaha P45
-All are recommended for live performances as well as beginners. Each one of these keyboards has a very close feel, touch sensitivity, all 88-keys, and weighted action to a real grand piano.