Our guide to choosing your child’s first keyboard instrument is a great place to get an idea of the kinds of features to look out for. In this article we provide practical recommendations for the best digital pianos and music keyboards currently on the market in 2025.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it does give you a starting point when looking for the best musical instrument for your child.
We have not included some of the more toylike instruments aimed at younger children, though they are a worthy consideration for babies and toddlers just starting out on their musical adventure. Check out our ten toy pianos your child will love if you’re interested in those.
You might also like our more general pick of the best digital pianos for 2025.
Mini Keys
The following instruments have mini keys, which are shorter and narrower than those found on a piano or full size music keyboard. They can be good for smaller hands but may have slightly reduced durability.
Yamaha PSS-E30 Remie
The Remie is a budget 37 mini key instrument featuring demo songs, a handful of sounds and accompaniments, and a music quiz function.
It would serve as a very basic introduction to music for younger children where perhaps there is no well-developed desire to play a musical instrument but there may be some interest.
It runs from either batteries or AC power, has built in speakers, and is compact. RRP is around $60.
Casio SA-46
The Casio SA-46 is a 32 key mini keys instrument with a handful of built in songs, 100 instrument tones and 50 accompaniment patterns, together with dedicated button for piano/organ. It also has percussion buttons.
It runs from battery or AC power and has built in speakers. RRP is around $70.
VISIONKEY-2
The VISIONKEY-2 features 49 mini keys and 300 sounds and rhythms plus over 30 songs. Built in speakers plus headphone socket, it can be powered via USB or AA batteries.
Retails at around $60.
Full Size Keys
Instruments with full size keys replicate the keys found on an acoustic or digital piano, so have greater authenticity for those wanting to learn to play the piano.
Yamaha PSR-E283
Many of Yamaha’s PSR series of keyboards make ideal starter instruments for kids. The PSR-E283 features 61 full size keys, 32 notes of polyphony, nearly 400 voices including a decent grand piano sample, plus accompaniments, built-in learning system, LCD screen which can show musical information, and the ability to record performances.
Its keys are fully touch sensitive and it can be used with a sustain pedal. It retails for around $149.
Alesis Melody 61
The Alesis Melody 61 features 61 semi-weighted keys with full touch sensitivity, 300 voices, a high 128 notes of polyphony, accompaniments, and the ability to record performances. It can run off AC or battery power, has built in speakers, and both audio out and in. It doesn’t have a sustain pedal though.
Retails for around $160.
Casio CT-S100
The Casio CT-S100 is a 61 key organ-style full size keyboard with touch sensitivity, 122 voices, 32 notes of polyphony and accompaniments. It has built in speakers, can run on AC power or battery, but has no sustain pedal.
While the 32 notes of polyphony can be limiting for more advanced players, it does offer a decent entry level experience for those who may then progress onto a more advanced instrument.
Casio LK-265
Lighted keyboards offer an additional w ay to help musicians learn to play the instrument, by illuminating the keys which should be pressed to play a certain piece of music.
The Casio LK-265 features 61 full size touch sensitive organ style keys, 400 voices, 48 notes of polyphony, accompaniments, and tutorials which take advantage of the lighted keys.
It can run from AC power or batteries, has built in speakers, audio in and out, and the ability to use all three pedals. It retails for around $200.
Yamaha EZ-220
The Yamaha EZ-220 is another lighted keyboard featuring 61 touch sensitive full size keys, nearly 400 sounds and 100 accompaniment styles, over 100 built-in songs which can be used for learning, plus fingering guide and the Yamaha Education Suite.
Roland GO:KEYS 3
The Roland GO:KEYS 3 offers 61 synth-style full size keys with touch sensitivity, a whopping 1154 voices and 256 note polyphony, accompaniments and a built in recorder. It can run from AC power or batteries and be used with a sustain pedal. It has built in speakers and audio out/in. It retails for around $350.
Keynote Junior
Designed for beginners and children, the Keynote Junior features 61 full size keys and sustain pedal, built in speakers and headphone socket. It has ten sounds with 32 note polyphony, and has been designed to be simple without unnecessary distractions. There’s also MIDI over USB output. RRP around $200. Check on Gear4Music.
We hope this has been a useful look at some of the more basic instruments currently available which may suit a child learner.
