Editor’s Notes & Price Research
- About this Deal:
- At the time of this posting, Our research indicates that this is $46.52 lower than the next best available options with prices starting from $436.51. -SaltyOne
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Korg B2 Stylish Piano With A Powerful Sound And Minimal Features
Finally, the last piano were going to talk about is the Korg B2 the successor to the popular B1 model.
In June 2019, Korg announced three new B2 models with a stylish design, excellent piano sound and some new features that were missing in the previous generation.
The B2, B2SP , and B2N have now become the most popular entry-level digital pianos in Korgs arsenal.
Of these three models, the B2N is the only instrument that features semi-weighted keys as opposed to fully-weighted, so in this article, well focus on the B2 and B2SP models.
The B2 is a more basic version of the B2SP since it doesnt come with a stand and 3-pedal unit, but it still comes with some nice upgrades over the B1.
| B2 | ||
| AC adapter, music rest, damper pedal | AC adapter, music rest, damper pedal | AC adapter, music rest, dedicated stand, 3-pedal setup with half-pedaling support |
At the heart of the B2 is the Stereo PCM tone generator, which along with 120-note polyphony and dual 15W speakers delivers a deep, powerful sound with a wide dynamic range.
You get two different acoustic pianos dubbed German Grand and Italian Grand as well as their several variations and a bunch of other instrument sounds.
String resonance and damper resonance are also reproduced quite accurately here, which makes the sound even more natural and complex.
Here is a nice sound comparison between the Korg B2 and the Casio CDP-S100. Which one sounds better to your ears?
Yamaha P71 Vs Casio Cdp
When I tested out these two pianos for this Yamaha P71 vs Casio CDP-S150 comparison, it was hard to decide on a winner. Both pianos offered great features and tones that would be great for any beginner pianist. However, after a close battle, the Casio CDP-S150 narrowly edged out the Yamaha P71.
The Casio CDP-S150 was the better piano in my eyes because of a superior feel, portability, and a bunch of extra piano features that would be great for any beginner. The Casio CDP-S150 offers everything youll need when learning the instrument, though it was lacking when it came to tone.
And while the Yamaha P71 doesnt have as good a feel or a varied set of features like the CDP-S150, it does have an incredible tone and decent sound system which could be the difference maker for some pianists.
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Designslim Body Design With A Depth Of Just 232 Mmsimple But Sleek
Casios proprietary high-density mounting technology, with miniaturized components and a space-saving internal structure, is key to the slim body of this piano. Two color variations are available: black and red. The bold single-color scheme and minimalist design aesthetic together deliver a simple yet elegant piano experience.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers
In order to use the CDP-S150 with the Chordana Play app, you need to connect your mobile device to the keyboards USB Type-B port, as there is no Bluetooth connectivity. Although most people probably have a USB charge cable lying around, its likely a Type A cable, not a Type B cable, so an extra cable purchase is required. Plus, the cable is an extra thing to carry for that functionality. This sort of design is a bit behind the times, as other keyboards around this price can quickly connect via Bluetooth for a much easier app experience.
The scaled hammer action on the CDP-S150 is a change from what we saw on our previous Casio top pick, the discontinued Privia PX-160. In contrast to the tri-hammer scaled hammer action on the PX-160, the CDP-S150 has only two sensors for each key , which together give it slightly less control and response. So theres a bit less nuance than was available with the Privia line, but beginners likely wouldnt even notice this.
We also wish that the CDP-S150 came with left and right quarter-inch audio outputs so that it would be more useful with external amplifiers. The CDP-S150 has only a single 3.5 mm audio/headphone output, which would then require an adapter or a 3.5 mmto¼-inch cable to connect to an amp. And since theres only one output, a splitter would be necessary for both a teacher and a student to use headphones.
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How We Picked And Tested
A digital piano should be as similar to an acoustic piano in feel and sound as possible. If youre learning piano technique and piano music on a digital instrument, you should be able to transition easily to an acoustic piano. Although each digital pianos sound and feel are our primary concerns, we also carefully consider each models extra features, which can be confusing and overwhelming for beginners.
Our bare-minimum requirements for a budget digital piano are that it has 88 keys and internal speakers to facilitate practicing without needing to attach an amplifier. Beyond that, some amount of weighted key action and an accurate piano sound are the primary deciding factors for our picks. An included stand and sustain pedal are nice but not requirements, as third-party options are readily available and inexpensive.
I then set off to a few Los Angeles music stores to get my hands on some keys, talk to the store employeeswho work around these instruments every dayand whittle down the list. After contacting manufacturers to request samples and to get suggestions on pianos that might better fit our guidelines, we narrowed the list down to seven keyboards.
Why You Should Trust Us
I have been playing piano since the early 1980s, and I hold a Bachelor of Music degree with an audio production and piano focus from Ithaca College, as well as a Master of Music in keyboard collaborative arts from the University of Southern California. For the past 20 years, Ive been a professional music director, and Ive performed myriad musical styles on different instruments in concert halls and on nightclub stages. I also taught music for 10 years at a private Los Angeles middle and high school.
Since Wirecutter launched this guide in 2018, Ive brought in several pianists to participate on our test panels. Liz Kinnon is a pianist/arranger/composer/educator from Los Angeles who has performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and Andy Williams. She was an orchestrator on the animated shows Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and Histeria. At the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, she teaches jazz piano and is the director of adult jazz workshops.
Jack Smith was an editorial assistant for Wirecutter for over two years. He is a lifelong musician and works with other musicians in production and mixing out of his own studio.
Phil Metzler is a lifelong musician who plays keyboards in the pop/rock band Just Off Turner, which has released five studio albums. He also composes music out of his home studio in Los Angeles.
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Who Should Buy A Budget Digital Piano
These digital keyboards are perfect for any student, of any age, who is interested in learning how to play piano. They are inexpensive , they have built-in speakers so an extra amplifier isnt necessary, and they include multiple piano sounds. These keyboards are relatively lightall our picks weigh under 30 poundsso its possible for one person to carry the piano when necessary.
The value of these keyboards doesnt stop at the beginner level. Professional pianists may find them useful for bringing to gigs or for connecting to a computer for recording. Theyre also useful for practicing with headphones so that you dont bother cohabitants.
The price of digital pianos can extend to many thousands of dollars, which buys you better sounds, an even more realistic feel, improved speakers, better build quality, andwith a digital consolea solid and attractive piece of furniture. The more expensive options can definitely be a better representation of an acoustic piano , but they are far from necessary for a beginner and better suited as an upgrade many years down the line.
Best Beginner Digital Pianos Under $500
Buying the cheapest possible keyboard with light-weighted keys is not be the best idea even if youre a complete beginner.
If your main goal is to learn the piano, then youll definitely want an instrument with fully weighted keys.
You might be wondering what the heck is fully weighted keys. Dont worry, well get there in just a second!
This article will guide you through all the necessary information to make sure you know all the ins and outs of choosing your first digital piano.
Well also take a close look at the market and select the best digital pianos for beginners that cost less than $500 or so, which will make your research that much easier.
Enough small talk, lets dive right in!
Note: This article includes only portable digital pianos. If youre looking for a console digital piano, follow this article.
If youre not a complete beginner, you might want to take a look at our Top List for Intermediate Players , which also covers portable digital pianos.
These keyboards usually have more sounds, features, and realism, which makes them a better long-term investment. This means, theres more time before you outgrow your instrument.
With the advent of digital pianos, it has become easier than ever to start learning the piano.
You dont have to spend thousands of dollars on an acoustic upright and all the maintenance costs that come with it.
Theres a huge variety of instruments to fit any space, budget, and skill level.
Keyboards/Digital Pianos Under $500
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