Since 1980, Casio has been producing many affordable musical keyboards that are accessible to those who are more budget-conscious.
Casio has a good selection of affordable keyboards in their lineup. And someone without enough knowledge of these keyboards will get lost in their marketing hype and technical specifications.
But don't worry if you've never touched a musical keyboard before, I'm here to help!
In this article, I'm going to review the eight best Casio keyboards for beginners, and I'll tell you which one is the best for beginners in early 2023.
So, read on to find out what I recommend!
8 Best Casio Keyboards For Beginners (2023)
Here’s the list of my eight best Casio portable musical keyboards for beginners and children:
Casio CT-X700 Portable Keyboard
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 37.32 x 13.78 x 4.29 inches
- Number of Keys: 61
- Touch Sensitivity: Yes
- Polyphony (Max.): 48
- Sounds: 600
- Rhythms: 195
- Effects: Yes
- Speakers: Yes
- Weight: 4.3 kg
- Price: $199
My top pick for the Best Casio Keyboard for beginners is the Casio CT-X700 portable keyboard. It's designed for beginner students, but it produces impressive sounds.
Also, it has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry around wherever you go, perfect for practicing on the go.
The keyboard features 61 piano-style keys with a touch response on/off button, giving it a realistic feel.
The sound quality of the CT-X700 is truly impressive. This keyboard produces 600 high tones and 195 rhythms with high computing power. You'll find old favorite tunes and chart-topping hits played with incredibly realistic instruments that sound better than ever.
In addition, its large, clear LCD and intuitive user interface make it incredibly easy to use. You can also record your musical performance with the six-track recorder.
One of the standout features of the CT-X700 is the Step-Up Lesson System. This system can help beginners learn to play the keyboard or be used alongside regular piano lessons.
Also, this keyboard includes an AC power supply and optional battery power, making it a perfect go-anywhere musical partner.
Overall, the Casio CT-X700 is one of the best entry-level arranger keyboards. It is ideal for people looking for an affordable, versatile keyboard with realistic piano sounds, high-quality voices, and accompaniment styles.
Casio CT-S300
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 36.61 x 10.07 x 2.87 inches
- Number of Keys: 61
- Touch Sensitivity: Yes
- Polyphony (Max.): 48
- Sounds: 400
- Rhythms: 77
- Effects: Yes
- Speakers: Yes
- Weight: 3.3 kg
- Price: $189.95
The CT-S300 model is one of the best portable Casio piano keyboards for under $200.
It features 61 touch-sensitive keys. That means how hard you press a key affects the volume of the pressed key sound. The keyboard is a step towards a real piano keyboard, but still far from it.
Despite only weighing 3.4 kg, it features a sustain pedal that keeps notes in time even after keys are released.
In terms of sound quality, it's pretty decent for the price.
The keyboard has 48 notes of polyphony, which is quite good for its price and one of the most important aspects of piano sound. It includes 400 impressive quality sounds, 77 fun rhythms, and some piano sound effects.
It also features a pitch bend wheel. You can easily create and remix EDM tracks using its Dance Music Mode.
Furthermore, this Casio keyboard includes a micro USB port, so you can connect it to any digital device if you want to access a music media program or app.
As a side note, the CT-S300 can be powered by six AA batteries and lasts up to 20 hours. You can also use the provided AC adapter.
In summary, if you're looking for a good, cheap piano keyboard that plays well and sounds alright, the CT-S300 is a good option.
Casio SA-76 44-Key Mini Personal Keyboard
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 23.78 x 2.25 x 8.3 inches
- Number of Keys: 44
- Touch Sensitivity: N/A
- Polyphony (Max.): 8
- Sounds: 100
- Rhythms: 50
- Effects: Yes
- Speakers: Yes
- Weight: 1.4 kg
- Price: $59
The SA-76 is the cheapest Casio Keyboard for beginners available in the Casio SA series mini keyboards. It costs around $60.
It weighs only 1.4kg, making it the most lightweight and compact keyboard on this list.
It has a touch-sensitive keyboard with 44 mini-sized keys, ideal for young musicians. Remember that the keys are not weighted, so it does not feel like a real piano.
However, that's not a deal-breaker at this level - it's a fun way for kids to learn how to play simple melodies over fun backing tracks.
The SA-76 features built-in speakers, 100 built-in sounds, and 50 exciting rhythms. It also has ten basic songs, five drum pads, and, perhaps most importantly, a headphone jack.
Designed for beginners, this keyboard is easy to use and fun to play. You can operate all the buttons quickly, and they're clearly labeled. You can pick the Grand Piano or Reed Organ sound with the big orange button.
Additionally, it has an LCD screen that lets you see the notes you play on screen, which helps you learn music notation.
In summary, the Casio SA-76 is an excellent practice keyboard and perfect for kids or newbies trying to play piano to see if it is for them. Since the keys aren't velocity-sensitive, it is not suitable for serious beginners.
Casio LK-S250 61-Key Premium Lighted Keyboard
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 36.6 x 10.07 x 2.87 inches
- Number of Keys: 61
- Touch Sensitivity: Yes
- Polyphony (Max.): 48
- Sounds: 400
- Rhythms: 77
- Effects: Yes
- Speakers: Yes
- Weight: 3.4 kg
- Price: $209.95
Next up, we have the Casio LK-S250 keyboard that features 61 full-size velocity-sensitive, light-up keys.
That means the correct keys will light up to tell you which notes to play as you play along to an onboard Step Up lesson or one of the 60 built-in songs.
You can connect the keyboard to a smart device via the micro-USB port and use the Chordana Play app, which uses light-up keys to expand the keyboard's educational possibilities.
The keyboard's minijack audio input lets you play MP3s along with external music sources.
With its lightweight and slim design, the LK-S250 is incredibly portable. The device can be powered by batteries, making it easy to carry to practice sessions or performances.
This learning keyboard has 400 tones and a Dance Music mode with 50 different rhythms, which makes it an excellent all-rounder. It also offers a maximum polyphony of 48, which is enough for beginners.
In summary, the Casio LK-S250 keyboard is an excellent tool for beginners to learn to play the piano keyboard and improve their playing skills. Its 61 light-up keys provide helpful visual cues to learners.
Casio CT-X3000
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 37.3 x 15 x 4.5 inches
- Number of Keys: 61
- Touch Sensitivity: Yes
- Polyphony (Max.): 64
- Sounds: 800
- Rhythms: 235
- Effects: Yes
- Speakers: Yes
- Weight: 6.9 kg
- Price: $449
The Casio CT-X3000 is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a high-quality keyboard. It has 61 full-size touch-responsive keys that provide an authentic playing experience.
While the keys aren't fully weighted, the touch response is adjustable, making it easy to play.
The sound quality of this keyboard is superb. It has all the professional sounds you can expect from such a quality keyboard.
It comes with 800 tones, giving users many options to keep them busy. The 235 editable rhythms and wide range of powerful DSP effects make this keyboard versatile and fun to play.
The CT-X3000 also comes with a powerful 12-watt stereo speaker system that ensures users won't be disappointed with the volume level.
In addition to that, the 17-track sequencer, phrase pads, and arpeggiator provide plenty of options for creating music.
One of the most impressive features of this keyboard is it comes with two months of live online keyboard lessons, making it an ideal choice for beginners who are just starting.
The keyboard includes an adjustable stand, sustain pedal, and bench in a bundle pack, which saves you money while providing quality gear.
Overall, the CT-X3000 is one of the best digital piano keyboards for beginners, intermediate players, and experienced pianists. It is an excellent value for the price.
Casio CT-S400
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 36.61 x 10.15 x 3.30 inches
- Number of Keys: 61
- Touch Sensitivity: Yes
- Polyphony (Max.): 48
- Sounds: 600
- Rhythms: 200
- Effects: Yes
- Speakers: Yes
- Weight: 4.5kg
- Price: $249
The Casio CT-S400 portable keyboard is an excellent addition to the Casio Casiotone line.
Casio launched the Casiotone brand in the 1980s, and in 2019, the company released three new portable keyboards: the CT-S100, the CT-S200, and the CT-S300. In 2021, they added the CT-S400 to the lineup, which is the range-topper of the line.
The CT-S400 has a 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with a pitch-bend wheel and the AIX sound engine. The keys are full-sized and feel high-end, giving the player the experience of playing an acoustic piano.
This musical instrument boasts 600 tones, 200 accompaniment styles, and a new backlit screen with five user-configurable soft buttons. The sounds are authentic.
Casio's philosophy of helping people make music anytime and anywhere is embodied in the CT range, and the CT-S400 is a worthy addition to that range.
For those who prefer illuminated keys, there's an equivalent light-up model called the LK-S450.
Overall, the CT-S400 is a fantastic choice for beginners and experienced musicians looking for a versatile, reliable portable keyboard. Its sleek design, impressive sound, and user-friendly interface make it a favorite among players
Casio Inc. WK245 PPK Premium Portable Keyboard
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 54 x 12 x 20 inches
- Number of Keys: 76
- Touch Sensitivity:
- Polyphony (Max.): 48
- Sounds: 600
- Rhythms: 260
- Effects: Yes
- Speakers: Yes
- Weight: 7.2kg
- Price: $250
The Casio WK-245 PPK 76-Key Premium Portable Keyboard is an excellent choice for beginner students.
The keyboard comes bundled with a bench, headphones, and a stand on top of the keyboard, making it a complete package for aspiring musicians.
This beginner keyboard features a large backlit LCD panel that shows everything, including music notation. It also has performance controls, which allow you to combine tones into layers and split the keyboard.
Furthermore, the Casio WK-245 PPK includes an AUX input that lets you connect your MP3 player or other devices, allowing you to enjoy the stereo speaker system in multiple ways.
It also has a USB MIDI port, meaning you can connect it to computers and iOS devices without needing drivers.
With 600 built-in tones and an impressive library of 152 built-in songs, you have plenty of options to choose from.
Additionally, the 180 preset rhythms help to expand your music composition, creativity, and fun, and 48 notes of polyphony ensure no dropped notes.
The keyboard also features an onboard 5-song/6-track recorder that lets you capture your ideas before they disappear. The headphones that come with this keyboard bundle pack are on the cheaper end, but they're decent.
Overall, the Casio WK-245 PPK is one of the best beginner keyboards that any age of musician will like. It feels pretty nice and is reasonably priced for the features it offers.
Casio CDP-S150 88-Key Digital Pianos-Home
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: 52 x 9 x 3.9 inches
- Number of Keys: 88
- Touch Sensitivity: Yes (3 sensitivity levels, off)
- Polyphony (Max.): 64
- Sounds: 10
- Rhythms: N/A
- Effects: Yes
- Speakers: Yes
- Connectivity: USB Type-A port, stereo mini audio jack, sustain pedal jack, Phones/Output: stereo mini jack, Connector for SP-34 three-pedal unit
- Weight: 10.5 kg
- Price: $399
If you have your heart set on getting an 88-key digital piano keyboard, the Casio Privia PX-160 is the best choice.
With its affordable price tag of $399, this keyboard features 88 full keys with weighted hammer action.
Because the weighted keys are made of simulated ebony and ivory, this keyboard feels like a more expensive piano keyboard. You can adjust the touch sensitivity to three levels or turn it off entirely, depending on your needs.
The CDP-S150 offers ten different sounds and effects, including grand piano, electric piano, and harpsichord. Its grand piano sounds and 64 maximum polyphony are sufficient for a professional pianist and more than enough for a beginner.
The built-in speaker system and dual headphone jacks allow for private practice. Also, it has a USB Type-A port and stereo mini audio jack for connecting to other music gear, such as amplifiers.
Additionally, this instrument comes with a keyboard stand and bench, making it an all-in-one package.
Overall, if you are serious about learning piano and want to become a professional musician, the Casio CDP-S150 is the right digital piano.
How To Choose A Casio Keyboard For Beginners?
Before you begin your search for the best keyboards for beginners and kids, you need to know how to choose the best ones.
Choosing the best Casio musical keyboard for beginners comprises specific factors. The following are these factors:
No. of Keys
The first thing to consider is the number of keys on the keyboard. It largely depends on the genre a player plays or intends to play.
As a beginner, you might want to opt for a keyboard with 61 keys, which is good enough for initial learning.
If you are serious about learning the piano and want to mimic the feel of an acoustic piano, a keyboard with 88 keys would be a better choice.
Sound
Another crucial factor to consider is the keyboard's sound quality. You should look for a keyboard with high-quality sound, which includes a wide range of instrument sounds and tones.
You should look for a keyboard with high-quality sound, which includes a wide range of instrument sounds and tones.
Casio keyboards come with a vast library of sounds and tones, which can be helpful for learning different types of music.
Portability
Portability is an essential factor, especially if you plan on carrying your keyboard around. If you need a keyboard that is easy to carry, look for a lightweight and compact design that is easy to transport.
Speaker Quality
It is also essential to consider the quality of the speakers. As a beginner, you may not want to invest in additional speakers or amplifiers.
Therefore, a keyboard with high-quality built-in speakers is essential. Some Casio keyboards come with excellent built-in speaker systems, which provide a rich and full sound.
Price
Finally, you need to consider the price of the keyboard. As a beginner, you don't want to spend too much money on a keyboard that you may outgrow soon.
Casio offers a range of keyboards that are affordable and suitable for beginners. Look for keyboards that provide good value for money without sacrificing quality.
Ultimately, choosing the best Casio musical keyboard for kids and beginners is all about finding the right balance between functionality, sound quality, portability, speaker quality, and price.
By considering these factors, you can select a keyboard that suits your needs and helps you learn music effectively.
Conclusion
These are my top eight best Casio musical keyboards for beginners and kids.
No matter which model you opt for, these electronic musical instruments are among the best and will help you learn to play the piano and improve your musical skills.
I hope my Casio keyboard reviews and buying guide will help you make an informed purchase.
Related Topics
- Casio Keyboard Models
- Are Casio Keyboards Good? Explained in Detail
- Who Makes the Best Keyboards for Beginners: Roland, Yamaha, or Casio?
Harlan Kilstein began playing piano during covid with no piano background at all. He taught himself how to play learning what to do and what not to do.
Today he's an advanced intermediate player and can help you grow in your skills because he learned all this on his own.
