We are definitely living in a new day where full size piano keyboards are affordable to all.
But lower cost keyboards are not the same quality. The new beginner keyboard models have been stripped of many of the standard features that for decades were present in all 88-key digital piano keyboards. They may be full size, but they lack the true feel of a piano you might expect from an 88-key instrument.
The following is a list of true intermediate keyboards that not only live up to the standard all full size digital piano keyboards once had, but that are still quality affordable instruments.
Please Note: We have not tested all of the instruments and options recommended below. We have chosen these recommendations mostly based on three factors: included features, overall perceived value, and word-of-mouth/online reviews. All readers are encouraged to do their own research before making a purchase.
If you indeed choose one of the options listed below, please use the links in this post to make your purchase. A small portion of the purchase amount will go towards a budget for improvements and upgrades to the instruments used during private lessons and group classes.
88-Semi Weighted Keys on a Budget
Alesis Recital Digital Piano 88-Key Semi-Weighted
Here we are going to look at the same two brands that we mentioned in the list of full size beginner keyboards.
Alesis is not only the gold standard for beginner instruments, it is part of the inMusic group of companies including Akai, M-Audio, Marantz, etc who set the stage for professional audio equipment.
Alesis in particular is well known for making affordable quality electronic instruments at all levels.
By Alesis’s standards, this is still a beginner instrument. But at just under $260, it comes in as one most affordable digital piano keyboards we feel confident recommending to our intermediate students.
This will not quite feel the exactly the same as a piano (for that you would need the more expensive model below with a hammer-action feel), but in addition to the full-size keys and touch sensitivity available in the beginners models, this keyboard does have weighted keys to allow for more precise dynamic changes.
There is even a white option which is currently about $45 lesson.
The Original Fully Weighted 88-Key Beginner Keyboard
Donner has come out with a few beginner keyboards since their inception in 2012, but for the most part their focus is on making higher quality instruments affordable.
As of writing, we were not able to find a “semi”-weighted keyboard by this brand. This model has “fully”-weighted keys, feeling more like a real piano as you press the keys.
In fact, Donner boasts that this was the first ever “beginner”-level piano keyboard with full-weighted keys. And while the description seem to focus more heavily on the weight of the keys, it does briefly mention that it has a hammer action feel as well.
We haven’t tested this keyboard ourselves, but we love the sound quality of Donner instruments and most reviewers seem to think this feels just like an acoustic piano.
At the current sale price $310, it is strong competition for the Alesis Recital Pro listed below. Though the Alesis Recital Pro more clearly has hammer action keys, the difference at this price really comes down to preference.
However, if you find upon reading this that actual price of this keyboard is closer to the $400 list price, we would recommend opting for the Alesis Recital Pro.
Our Pick for The Best Intermediate Keyboard That Won’t Empty Your Bank Account
Alesis Recital Pro MKII Digital Piano 88-Key Weighted with Hammer Action
While we have some question about whether the Donner DEP-20 above truly has hammer action keys, this keyboard has “Hammer Action” written in the title.
In case you are wondering, “hammer action” refers to mechanisms under each key that act much like the hammers inside an acoustic piano which swing and hit the strings for each note that is played.
Of course, there are no strings inside an electronic instrument, so hammer action is unnecessary for a beginner and may even make it more challenging for a young student to play.
However, at least weighted keys (or better yet, hammer action keys) are extremely helpful to an intermediate or advanced student learning to work with dynamics or preparing for a performance on an acoustic piano.
And this digital piano keyboard from a trusted brand with a list price of $350 (and currently on sale for $314) is really the perfect instrument to get started on a budget.
While there may be better options for the profession pianists, the Alesis Recital Pro MKII digital piano keyboard will likely be the only keyboard most students will ever need.