How to Choose the Best Piano Keyboard for Kids: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding the Perfect Instrument

I used to think that acoustic pianos were the only way to go. When you grew up with the magic of playing an inherited grand 1920s Steinway it’s only natural.

But when I left home and entered the real world of cramped spaces and high expenses, I realized how far the world of keyboards had come, and how advantageous they can be.

Don’t get me wrong - nothing digital can replace the magic of mixing colors and tones from an instrument with real hammers & strings inside…

But the reality is that the world of digital pianos has come SO FAR, and you can now find keyboards that replicate a grand piano sound quality and give you a really affordable, practical, space-efficient option that doesn’t require the upkeep and expenses of an acoustic piano…

So if you’ve decided that a keyboard is the right fit for you, this blog post will guide you through selecting the perfect fit for your needs and budget.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll discuss the 6 key factors to consider when selecting a piano keyboard for your child, and and conclude with a breakdown of keyboard recommendations divided into different budgets (jump to the bottom if you want to dive right into that section!)

1. Determine Your Child's Skill Level and Goals:

Before you start browsing for piano keyboards, a good starting place is to to assess your child's current skill level and long-term goals. If your child is a beginner and you want to test out whether piano lessons are a good fit for them, it makes sense to make a smaller investment. If your child is more experienced and committed, you'll want to consider choosing a higher quality instrument to match this.

2. Size and Number of Keys:

Piano keyboards come in a range of sizes and key counts, and it’s important to avoid the ones that are not full length. Though it may seem cute to choose a small one for your littles, I highly advise choosing a full length keyboard with all 88 keys, as this ensures that they become familiar with the correct layout of the piano and will not need to make any overwhelming leaps when they are older. 

3. Weighted vs. Unweighted Keys:

Another important factor to consider is whether to choose a keyboard with weighted or unweighted keys. Though it can be tempting to start on non weighted keys for younger ages, as a teacher with 15+ years of experience, I strongly advise against this. It’s extremely important to begin a child on weighted keys since this ensures that the child develops proper technique.

4. Sound Quality and Range:

Sound quality and range are also critical considerations when choosing a piano keyboard. Look for keyboards with high-quality speakers and a broad range of sounds and tones to provide a more authentic piano sound.

5. Portability and Design:

If space is limited in your home or if you plan to take the keyboard on the road, portability is an important consideration.

There are some really high quality keyboards that have a lighter frame and will be easier to move around and won’t take up too much space. If you’re looking for a keyboard that has a beautiful aesthetic/design, doesn’t take up too much space but still has all the important factors (weighted keys, good sound quality, working pedal, all 88 keys), this is a beautiful and affordable option. I love the look of the natural wood and it’s impressively lightweight and would be a lovely small addition to a living space!

Need to take a keyboard on the road?

If you’re heading away on vacation or will be on the road and want to maintain consistent practice for your child, this keyboard is incredibly light, affordable, and a great option for solving being away from a better quality instrument. I’ve had students purchase this keyboard and it’s allowed them to easily package it up for trips, take it aboard planes, and continue lessons and practice during those times away from home! It goes without saying that the sound quality is not super high, but for what it’s trying to do and for the size and price, it’s well worth it.

6. Budget and Value for Money:

Of course, budget is an essential factor for most families when choosing a keyboard. Look for keyboards that offer the best value for your money without sacrificing quality or functionality. Overall, you want to aim above the $500 mark. Anything lower than that will often not have the above qualifications and will not give your child an adequate experience to develop a good ear and technique. Anything over the $1,000 mark will show a huge difference in quality and will be well worth the investment.

Here is a breakdown of keyboard recommendations, starting at the low end and going all the way up to a digital piano that will last your child a lifetime.

$500 Range/ Starter Investment: “We’re testing music out in our home”

YAMAHA P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano

This is a great starter keyboard. If your child is early on in piano lessons and you’re not sure yet if the lessons will stick, or if you just simply want the lowest option that won’t compromise on any of the above qualifications, this is a great option. Yamaha is one of the most trusted makers of keyboards and pianos out there, so you can make the purchase knowing it will be well made and have good sound quality for the price. This option comes as a separate keyboard, so you’ll need to purchase the recommended stand and bench with it for it to be set up properly. This means it is very portable, though, if that’s an important feature…

$1,000 Range / Intermediate Investment: “We love music and are committed”

Yamaha, YDP105 Arius Series Digital Console Piano

Yamaha made like the one above, so you know it will be well made and can be trusted, but this one will show huge advancements in sound quality and durability due to the price increase. Just over $1,000 this one is sturdy (connects to a firm stand and is more of a stable furniture piece than the one above), and has excellent sound quality. If you’re pretty sure your child will stick with piano and you’d like them to experience a higher quality instrument, this is a great midway option and will last them many years.

Over $1,000 Range / Long-Term Investment: “We think music is a very important part of the home education and we want this instrument to last forever!”

Kawai CA49 88-Key Grand Feel Compact Digital Piano with Bench

I owned a Kawaii Digital Piano during the years when I was preparing for graduate music school, and I was so impressed with the sound quality and aesthetic beauty. Priced at $1999, the extra thousand means better quality and durability with technology that replicates the sound of a concert grand. The rosewood finish with the gold accents is lovely, and the instrument would make a really beautiful sounding and looking investment for your living space!

Top Piano Keyboard Brands and Models:

There are many piano keyboard brands and models available, but there are a few brands that are trusted for a reason and are leading the way in keyboard innovation. Look for these brands: Yamaha, Casio, Kawaii and Korg.

Conclusion:

We live in an incredible time of innovation for keyboards but it’s important to choose one that will not compromise sound quality, accurate key feel and size, and will give your child an accurate experience of piano playing that will allow them to be proficient and versatile in adjusting and playing all keyboard instruments.

The investment is more than worth it -with the right piano keyboard your child can enjoy a fulfilling musical journey and a lifelong love of music!

Disclaimer: this article contains affiliate links. This means if you purchase through the link I provided, I will also get a little bonus.