travel piano reviews

7 Best Portable Piano Keyboards for Travel

Read this article to find the best portable piano keyboard for travel available in the market today.

Having innovative items that can assist individuals lead a more efficient lifestyle is essential as the globe grows more technologically savvy. There’s a great keyboard for piano fans that you can carry about with you wherever you go.

The piano is an excellent choice for practicing at home. Whether you’re playing classical music or scales in your spare time, they’re useful for a variety of tasks. It’s become a stand-alone instrument with its own distinctive features and sounds.

As the name suggests, an acoustic piano employs a felt-tip hammer to hit the strings in order to make music. Many people have found enjoyment and satisfaction playing piano keyboards since their creation.

Overtime, the pianos have been a mainstay in classical music and may also be found in techno and jazz. Composers have the ability to express themselves in a unique manner because of this instrument’s versatility.

In recent decades, digital piano keyboards have been readily accessible for individuals who cannot buy a full-size acoustic piano or who cannot afford to place it in their house because of limited space. You can play music on the go with a portable keyboard instead of lugging along a keyboard set or a bulky piano.

It might be tough to locate a portable keyboard that you can carry anyplace without having to worry about whether it works correctly since there are so many different brands and varieties.

This guide will help you pick the best portable piano keyboard for travel, whether you’re on the road or in a college dorm room. If you’re looking for an easy-to-transport keyboard, this article is for you!

1. Casio WK-7600

BUY ON AMAZON

There are 820 world-class sounds organized by category on the interface of Casio WK7600 Keyboard . To produce a strong and full organic sound, this best portable piano keyboard for travel uses the nine sliders that are located on the front panel when adjusting the volume of the harmonics.

To create your own unique sound, Casio’s innovative XGlite technology blends 17 various tones. When you have a capable sequencer, you may edit and fine-tune your performance to generate professional tracks for your show. This keyboard is designed for musicians that require a great music workstation but don’t want to compromise mobility.

You may use this keyboard to express yourself musically to the fullest extent possible. You don’t need to download a driver to use it on a Windows or Mac computer; instead, you may utilize the Camera Connection Kit from Apple to operate your iPad.

In addition, it includes 260 presets and 100 unique rhythms that may be used to enhance your musical compositions. You may quickly come up with layers, splits, or the two of them, save up to 100 rhythms and transfer them to your Windows or Mac computer via USB.

In addition, Casio WK7600 provides a wide range of functions that may be used for both entertainment and music production. It has 64 polyphonic notes to prevent note dropping, as well as automated beat/tempo, layer, and splitting capabilities. The (40-252) pace of the beat pattern is shown via the Beats Per Minute (BPM) indicator.

2. Yamaha PSR-E463

For piano learners, the 61-key Yamaha PSRE463 portable piano is a good option as it features a wide range of sounds including organic, strings, digital piano, acoustic piano and many more.

Jazz, rock, and pop are just a few of the music genres you have access to in this best portable piano keyboard for travel.

Recording may be done through USB, or you can utilize the supplied music software when learning how to play a piano keyboard. In order to allow you to use it anywhere this keyboard comes with an AC power adapter.

Realistic and great piano sounds are produced by a sophisticated sound engine. This piano also has built-in speakers that allows you to recreate the instrument’s sound with clarity and precision.

In addition, it incorporates the General MIDI (GM) library’s XG Lite voice library, which is meant to play songs from Yamaha’s XG music library.

For more complicated sequences, the 48-note polyphony enables you to play more notes without stopping. Live control of several effects and settings is made possible thanks to the assignable knobs.

You may record what you play to the memory storage and play it together with the entrance of your favorite song using the unique 2-track recorder. Everything you need is included in this keyboard that has a fair market price.

Store the Yamaha PSRE463 when not in use to save space. The keyboard is small enough to fit in a closet or carry on a plane or car, weighing just 18 pounds and measuring (24.5 x 8.3 x 12) inches.

3. ZENY Digital Piano

For both piano learners and advanced pianists, the ZENY Digital Piano Keyboard is an excellent option. When used with the included 110V to 240V AC power adapter, this best portable piano keyboard for travel is well suited for usage at home.

Everything you need to play the piano is right here, and it’s incredibly lightweight and portable. The changeable velocities of the half-weighted keys aid in the development of good piano playing skills and with a built-in speaker, you don’t need to bring any external speakers to practice.

You may enjoy music in your bedroom or living room thanks to the keyboard’s 20 watts of stereo sound. You can also use the built-in song sound module to practice your rhythm and timing.

It might be difficult to learn how to play the piano at first, but this keyboard has 100 sample songs that will help you master your piano lessons easily.

A recording feature on this digital piano allows you to record your performances so as to edit at a later time. A tablet or mobile phone may be used as a secondary display by connecting them to the free iOS application.

At any level of sound volume, this piano’s three onboard speakers deliver amazing sound and it weighs 20lbs and is (14 x 6 x 17) inches that means it’s easy to store and assemble, making it an ideal present for girls and children’s birthdays or holidays.

4. Hamzer Digital  Piano

Digital piano players of all levels will enjoy playing the Hamzer Portable Digital Piano . You can play automatic bass chords with only one finger on this compact piano keyboard, which has 61 light keys.

It also allows you to choose between sustain, Vibrato, chord timber, and ensemble effects. The stereo speakers which are built-in produces high-quality sounds.

To date, Hamzer’s digital pianos have over one hundred different sounds to choose from, an LCD screen display and recording options.

This lightweight digital keyboard features a speaker system which gives high quality of sound. It is ideal for piano students learning how to control their fingers because it has an integrated metronome and digital recorder that can be used for audio playback for songs in a USB drive or an SD card.

It uses six AA batteries to power up and you can carry it with you anywhere you go. It’s simple to use and to take about. Simply connect your audio equipment, such as a microphone and headphones.

5. Yamaha Mini-key Keyboard

As a result of its exceptional expressiveness, feel and touch, the Yamaha Reface XS is a highly sought-after professional keyboard. This portable keyboard by Yamaha may be taken anywhere and its cost dos not break the budget.

Like its huge siblings in the Yamaha Reface line, it has a fantastic design that anyone who wishes to be able to tag their music along to wherever they go will love.

This mini-key piano allows you to play a variety of sounds. The Phrase Recorder enables you to loop and replay recorded music when composing your own. You may also use USB to transfer your recorded work to a PC for editing.

Additionally, the Yamaha Reface mini-key has Bluetooth connection so that you may use applications like metronome, piano instruction, and music sheet.

6. YAMAHA YPT260 Keyboard

The Yamaha YPT260 keyboard is a compact and portable instrument with a wealth of pre-installed sounds, accompaniments, and rhythms. This best portable piano keyboard for travel will help you learn the fundamentals or hone your abilities using the Education Suite’s range of educational tools.

With the Aux input on the keyboard, you may use your iPod or other audio player device to play along with your favorite tunes. Its PA130 power adapter gives you access to electricity when you need it anywhere you are.

This is an excellent option for piano enthusiasts and students looking for a portable, light, and entertaining piano. Yamaha’s Portable piano Series has a model for any musician’s budget.

The Graded Soft Touch (GST) action on this keyboard’s 61 keys makes it an excellent choice for beginning players. The keyboard is lightweight and portable, so you can take everywhere you travel to.

Arpeggios, scales, song playback/recording, chords, metronome settings, lesson / songbook / are the key features making this keyboard great.

There are 130 accompaniment styles, 400 voices, 112 built-in tunes, and Yamaha’s Education Suite on this keyboard. It also comes with a AC power adaptor, music rest, and a sustain pedal. This portable piano is one of the best Yamaha portable keyboards because of the wide variety of functions it offers.

7. RockJam Digital Piano

You may begin your musical career with the RockJam Digital Piano . There are 88 full-weight keys, 24 W power, and ten distinct voices on this keyboard that will help you learn to play like an expert.

Using several input choices of this best portable piano keyboard for travel such as soft pedals, sustain pedals, microphones, and sostenuto pedals is a terrific approach to mastering your piano lessons.

This digital piano has all the necessary things for producing music instantly including a built-in speaker that has 24 watts of power, allowing it to fill your room with high quality sound. You can carry your music with you everywhere with this piano.

In order to get started playing this keyboard, a piano student will have access to 100 built-in tracks to help in learning music theory while the 10-voice polyphony gives you a plenty of time to create your own music.

The LED light indication on each key of this piano makes it simple to track the notes you’re playing and the sustain pedal is also included that helps this keyboard to produce sounds that are more authentic.

Grand piano and Harpsichord sounds may be selected from a number of voice options. If you like playing the keyboard and would want to enhance your technique, this piano has 50 pre-programmed tracks and practicing them will help in perfecting your skills.

Best Portable Piano Keyboard For Travel Buying Guide

It is the goal of this guide to assist you in finding the best portable piano keyboard for travel depending on your unique requirements by providing you with some useful ideas on what precisely you should be looking for when shopping.

If you’re looking for a keyboard that you can take anywhere with you then one of the most essential things to consider is the fabric from which it’s manufactured.

Some of the piano keyboards are available today are entirely  made of plastic and would only last for a short period of time  whereas others are made entirely of wood and are therefore more long lasting and capable of withstanding the occasional bump or knock.

Sounds quality

When searching for the finest portable piano, it is also important to consider the sound quality. The sound of certain keyboards is superb, and they are of good quality, making it simple to compose music on them. There are other keyboards available that do not offer exceptional sound quality.

When the key is pushed, it takes a few seconds before the sound can be heard. One of the most significant features to check in a portable piano is the ability to produce sound on the go

Number of Keys

The other element to consider when shopping for a new keyboard is the quantity of keys it has to provide. Those who like playing the piano may find that certain keyboards have just approximately 25 keys, which may be insufficient for those who enjoy playing the instrument.

There are, however, alternative keyboard types available that are almost full size in comparison (88 or 95 keys).

When in need of a portable keyboard and on the other hand you do not want to compromise quality or size, then you can opt for a keyboard with a large number of keys so that you don’t have to compromise on performance.

If you are searching for the best portable piano keyboard for travel, then it is also important to consider the keyboard’s size. Some individuals need a compact keyboard since they only play in their apartments or homes but others want a huge keyboard in order to be able to perform certain tunes.

Buying a keyboard that is simple to carry about and doesn’t take up a lot of room is recommended if you are searching for a keyboard that you will carry along when travelling. This makes it convenient to transport anyplace, and you won’t worry about it being unable to play favorite songs owing to a lack of appropriate equipment.

The amount of money you have to spend on a portable keyboard is another crucial issue to consider. There are certain pianos that provide the greatest level of durability and quality but are quite costly, and they may not be affordable for everyone.

Although there are alternative keyboards on the market that do not have all you want, they are more affordable. Consequently, while shopping for a keyboard that is portable, strive to stay within your financial constraints. You will be able to get a keyboard without spending a lot of money on a keyboard of mediocre quality and functionality.

Whether you’re traveling for business, school, or holiday and need a piano, there’s no alternative that is better than a portable piano that’s designed specifically for travel. Most automobiles, vans, and some bags have space for these keyboards since they can be folded to a size that is handy to transport.

Portable piano keyboards are a fantastic way of enjoying music on the go, no matter where you are. If there is no enough room in your house or if the thought of transporting your upright piano is a burden, consider buying a portable keyboard.

It might be tough to find the best portable piano for all of your requirements when there are many brands available on the market. If you want something light yet with fantastic live sound, this is the place.

The Yamaha PSRE463 Keyboard, which has all the things you will need in a portable keyboard, including superb sound and is easy to operate, is our top recommendation in this category.

Although it weights a little more than other alternatives, it is still quite portable, and the built-in speakers produces excellent sound.

We hope that this guide has assisted you in understanding what makes a portable piano unique and also helped you in locating the best portable piano keyboard for travel available on the market today.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

21 Best Portable Keyboard Piano Reviews 2022 (Best Lightweight Digital Pianos)

Best Portable Keyboard Piano & Best Lightweight Digital Piano

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A portable digital piano is an ideal option when you wish to enjoy playing the piano anywhere. Such an option is much better because they still sound like a piano, providing great quality sounds, while being cheaper and easier to store.

Of course, if you really want to enjoy your digital piano , you need to be careful what instrument you will choose to purchase. Not all of them respect all the quality standards they should so if you want to have an instrument that is capable of producing authentic piano sounds, a bit of research is needed before making the final purchase.

The following lines are meant to help you out in choosing the best portable or lightweight digital piano for your needs and requirements, so make sure you read this guide.

Related: Digital Piano , Portable Roll Up Piano , Portable Piano Keyboard Cases

What are the Best Portable Keyboard Pianos to Buy?

The first aspect you need to have in mind when choosing such a piano is the sum of money you are willing to invest. While digital pianos cost far less than a regular piano, those that provide a wider range of features may come at a slightly higher price.

But, considering that digital pianos do not require periodic maintenance, besides wiping the dust off their surface, as it may happen in the case of a regular piano, the money you will have to pay in order to purchase one is pretty much all you will have to spend on such a piano.

Also, how portable or light-weighed you want your digital piano to be? You need to have in mind that all portable digital pianos have a lighter weight than a regular piano, even those that come with a cabinet so that they will look more like a piano.

When purchasing such a piano, you need to consider whether you have an area in your house where you can install it permanently or you need a piano that can be put aside and transported with ease?

You should also look at the piano’s ability to record if it offers any learning tools, especially if you are looking to learn how to play the piano, its connectivity features, and how versatile it is. All these aspects will certainly help you make the best choice in your case.

21 Best Portable Keyboard Piano Reviews and the Best Portable Digital Piano Brands

1) Casio CTK-3500 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard with Power Supply

Weight: 7.5 pounds

This is a very impressive portable digital piano from Casio, an instrument easy to use and very pleasant to play, due to its clear sounds and numerous features. All 61 keys of the piano are sensitive to touch, so it will be a piece of cake to play it. It will not be difficult at all to express yourself with the keys of this piano.

Are you feeling creative?

Then do take advantage of the 150 rhythms and 400 tones, each of them of the highest quality and built in the instrument, for immediate use. You can play this piano literally wherever you feel like it, as it can work with battery power, if the batteries are properly charged.

If you are a fan of dance music, then you will love the Dance Music Mode, a feature that will give you the chance to create dance music fast and easy. You can even connect your mobile device with the piano with the help of an app, and it will show you how to perform your favorite song. How great is that?

2) Yamaha YPG-235 76-Key Portable Grand Piano

Weight: 26 pounds

With so many features available, it is hard to believe that this instrument is sold as a digital piano, when it could very well be a complex music making machine. It provides no less than 76 different keys that will enable you to create and perform highly expressive musical pieces, due to their Graded Soft Touch Technology.

As mentioned before, this is more than a digital piano as it allows you to enjoy complex performances. For this, you can choose any of the approximately 500 voices available, 160 styles that are preset on the piano, and 30 songs that provide a built-in Recording Feature.

So you have everything you need not just to learn, but also to perfect your skills and allow your creativity to run free. Besides all these, you will also have the Yamaha Education System at your side, which means that the instrument comes along with built-in tools to make the learning process easier and more convenient.

Practically, it will be your piano teacher, giving you the chance to learn how to play the piano on your own and at your own pace. And it can also be connected to your computer or music making software in case you already started to create your own songs.

3) Casio SA-77 44-Key Portable Keyboard

No products found.

Weight: 3.75 pounds

In case you were seriously considering to encourage your student to develop his or her creative and artistic abilities, this small portable digital piano may be just what you need. It is ideal if you loves listening to music and even playing it with a perfect pitch, then this instrument can be your first piano.

You won’t have to invest too much because for the price tag this instrument has, it comes with quite a few features that will allow you to learn how to play it in a fun and easy manner. It has 44 small keys that are comfortable to play, as the size is just right for traveling, not to mention that the instrument is easy to maneuver and carry around.

It also has 50 different tracks that allows you to play along on the piano, giving you the chance to get familiar with the instrument in an easy and fun manner. It has 5 drum pads and it can produce polyphonic sounds with 8 notes. And, if your child wants to play but you could use some peace and quiet, there’s an output for headphones on this digital piano.

4) Casio CTK2400 61- Key Portable Keyboard

Weight: 11.5 pounds

If you are looking for a lightweight digital piano , then this may be the solution for you. 

The instrument also features a built-in microphone, so this is another thing you should stop worrying about. With its help, you will be able to perform an intuitive sampling function. It also has AHL keyboard voices, 400 of them to be more precise, so you can definitely allow your creativity to flow free when using this digital piano.

If you want to perform songs that are more rhythmic, then don’t hesitate to activate the voice percussion function and your samples will be integrated in the right rhythms.

Not to mention that this model of digital piano has the sampling effects much improved than the previous models released by Casio, which gives you an even higher degree of flexibility. Even if this instrument may seem complex, it is also recommended for beginners , as it provides a step-up learning system that will give you the skills you need for playing piano in no time.

5) Casio Inc. CTK4400 PPK 61-Key Premium Keyboard Pack

Weight: 24.5 pounds

This portable piano made by Casio is the ideal instrument for practicing and playing your favorite songs whenever and wherever you want. Easy to install and pack when needed, and equipped with a pair of headphones, this piano is perfect if you don’t have too much space to install a full-size piano. Besides, it will be ideal if you live in an apartment and would like to practice your music playing skills without bothering the neighbors.

It has 61 dynamic keys, 180 rhythms, and 152 songs, all of them allowing you to play the piano as you like it. Also, it is worth mentioning that you can also enjoy a built-in hall effect, which, by simply pressing a button, will make you hear your piano just like in the situation of playing at a concert.

Besides the headphones, you will also get a special stand for your keyboard and a power supply. So, all you need to play this piano is an empty corner and an available power plug. And, this piano will also give you the chance to record your songs and play them back, allowing you to listen to your masterpieces.

6) Yamaha P115 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal, Black

Weight: 37.7 pounds

You will love this particular digital piano because in spite of the fact that it looks so technologized, it has features similar to a real piano, like the sustain pedal and the difference in the produced sounds by the low and high end of the piano.

In other words, the low end will sound heavier while the high end will sound lighter, just like a real piano . Equipped with the Pure CF Sound Engine that made the 9′ CFIIIS concert grand piano of Yamaha a real star, this piano will manage to impress you with the sounds that it is capable of producing.

If you want your songs to be more than just well-organized notes, then activate the Pianist Styles option and allow the piano to create the right accompaniment for your songs. Thus, you will be able to produce real performances by simply using your piano and nothing else.

If you are an iOS user, then it is worth knowing that the piano can be used together with a Controller App. So, we can say that this digital piano has both traditional and modern features, provided by the used technology, managing to suit the needs of every player.

7) Kawai ES100 88-key Digital Piano with Speakers

Weight: 33 pounds

This is one incredibly light weighed digital piano, so if you are looking for one that can provide improved portability features, then this is the instrument you should opt for. Having only 33 pounds, this is the kind of digital piano that will be extremely easy to pack and carry around wherever your gigs may be.

Also, this is the kind of digital instrument to choose if you want to enjoy that beautiful acoustic piano sound you fell in love with, as Kawai used the Advanced Hammer Action IV-F technology to provide such a feature. And with a polyphonic sound that has no less than 192 notes, this is an instrument that is more than capable of helping you achieve the musical performances you desire.

There are also high chances that you will enjoy the flexibility this digital piano will provide, as it gives you the chance to change the mode, from Split to Dual and the other way around. Not to mention that this is an ideal instrument for those that wish to learn how to play the piano or improve existent skills, due to the presence of onboard Alfred lessons for piano.

8) Yamaha P Series P35B 88-Key Digital Piano (Black)

Weight: 35.7 pounds

If you already know how to play a piano, but you don’t have the space needed to house a full-size piano, then you need to take a look at this Yamaha. It has a simple design, but its 88 keys will definitely give you the chance to play complex songs whenever you feel like it.

It is also a compact instrument, so you won’t have such a big problem finding it a flat surface where you can position it for whenever you feel like in the mood for playing the piano. It features the famous Yamaha Advanced Wave Memory, which is sampling technology chosen for improved piano playing experiences.

To operate and enjoy the piano you just have to press one button and nothing else. This piano was made to be simple, so that nothing comes in between you and your joy of playing this type of instrument.

This means that nothing will stop you from enjoying the Graded Hammer Standard piano action this instrument has. So, if you were always annoyed by the too many buttons of modern digital pianos, this one will help you skip that part with success.

9) Casio LK-175 PPK 61-Key Premium Lighted Keyboard Pack with Stand, Headphones & Power Supply

Weight: 20 pounds

You just can’t wait to play your new piano any longer? Then you need an instrument that comes along with everything you need to get started right away. Besides being an exceptional digital piano, this instrument from Casio also comes with a special stand, power supply, and a set of closed-up headphones from Samson.

Thus, even if you plan to play your instrument in an apartment, you will be able to do so because there are absolutely no risks for bothering your neighbors. Regardless if you are a beginner or not, this portable digital piano will allow you to experiment, test, and improve your skills, with the help of the sound EFX sampler, 110 built-in songs that will give you the chance to practice, 150 rhythms, and 400 tones that will accompany your every creation.

So, this is the digital piano that is capable of taking you even further after you learned the basics, as it is equipped to help you create your own songs and to let your creativity to run free while playing with sounds, rhythms, and tunes. It is the kind of instrument that will not let you down, taking into consideration that the sampler will not let you get bored either.

10) Casio SA-46 -Key Portable Keyboard

Weight: 2.85 pounds

You don’t know how a first-time piano should look like? If you’re thinking already to get your child an instrument he or she will love playing, which is also suitable for their age and your budget, then you need to take this one into consideration. Still, even if it is suitable for children, due to its size and simplicity, this is not a toy piano.

It is an instrument that can be used appropriately, giving the child the opportunity to learn his first piano playing skills. This instrument made by Casio has 32 mini keys, which means that the keys are small enough to allow kids to play it with ease, even if their hands are still quite small.

Featuring 5 drum pads, 50 different tracks that can be played along by children, and polyphonic sounds, this portable digital piano has what it takes to become the first serious instrument your child ever had.

It is the perfect gift and considering that headphones can be attached to the piano so that rest of the house will not be bothered by the young one’s performances, it is the ideal choice in your case as well.

11) Casio SA76 44 mini Sized Keys 100 Tones

Weight: 3.6 pounds

Would you like to stimulate your child’s creativity by offering him an instrument that is easy to handle and play? Then this mini digital piano from Casio is the best gift to offer to any child that enjoys music. The instrument has 44 keys in a miniature size, more than suitable for the small hands of children to handle, and 5 different percussion pads that will make playing this piano interesting each time.

But, don’t let yourself be fooled by the reduced size of this digital piano because it is more than capable in providing complex performances, allowing your kids to explore their creativity in the best way possible. Also, the instrument gives them the chance to play the piano or organ, depending on their preferences, with the switch of just one button.

Not to mention that this portable digital piano offers on-board lessons, allowing kids to turn on and off the melody of the lesson in order to reproduce it on their own. There are 10 songs of this kind, which will give the player the chance to get familiar with the piano and its keys. And with the help of an easy to read LC display, the young one will learn to play and handle the instrument in no time.

12) Korg microARRANGER 61-Key Keyboard Production Station

Weight: 9.26 pounds

This is a beautiful portable digital piano that is complex, due to the wide variety of features it provides, and simple to use at the same time. Suitable for beginners and people that already know how to play such an instrument, this musical piece made by Korg is rather impressive.

It is equipped with 61 keys that have the Natural Touch technology embedded, so you will be able to play it without any difficulties. It also features a stereo speaker system that is built-in, for increased comfort and convenience, so you don’t have to use additional speakers unless you want to.

The stereos have Effect Processors as well, so you can use any of the available 89 effect programs to enhance your music playing sessions. And, to make things even more interesting, there are 304 styles you can experiment with at any times.

So, considering that this instrument was made to be used by the everyday player and piano enthusiast, the number of features is more than impressive. You will love the experiences this digital piano will provide, as well as the sounds it will help you produce while playing music.

13) Yamaha P45 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal and Power Supply, Standard, Black

Weight: 36.4 pounds

Most portable digital pianos don’t look like a normal piano and that’s nothing out of the ordinary, but when looking at this particular model, it is impossible not to notice that it is quite similar with a regular piano.

It keeps a simple design that puts the keys in the spotlights and, in comparison with other digital pianos, it comes with a sustain pedal. This pedal will allow you to prolong some notes when playing, just like you would normally do in the case of a traditional piano.

Furthermore, this digital piano has a GHS weighted action as well, which means that at one end the sounds will be heavier, while at the other end they will be lighter. This mimics the sounds made by an acoustic piano, so if this is the kind of sounds you’re looking after, then you will enjoy a lot playing this particular digital instrument.

The natural sounds produced by the instrument are possible due to the Advanced Wave Memory Stereo Sampling, which is the technology used by Yamaha to give music enthusiasts the chance to experience what it feels like to play a real piano.

14) Casio Privia PX160BK 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano

Weight: 24.5 pounds

Whether you are looking to rehearse at home or in a studio, or play a digital piano on stage, Casio gives you the chance to do whatever you please with the help of this model of digital piano.

Why is it so special?

Well, the speaker system used by the manufacturer is something new and more efficient, making the playing experience much better due to the quality sounds produced by the instrument. Of course, you can always attach external speakers to this digital piano, if you want to enhance your rehearsals and when playing on stage.

Equipped with 18 different piano tones, this instrument is more than capable of producing pristine sounds due to the AiR Sound Source technology it is using. Thus, for the price you are paying to have this digital piano, you will get an exceptional quality and a wide range of features, together with easiness of playing, which will make music making and piano learning lessons more enjoyable than ever.

With a simple and compact design, it can fit both in a studio and in an available corner of your house, as all you need is a straight surface.

15) Plixio 61 Key Electric Music Keyboard Piano with USB & MP3 Input- Portable Electric Piano

Weight: 8.6 pounds

If you never owned a piano before, not even a digital one, then this model made by Plixio may be just what you are looking for. It is a very easy to handle instrument, featuring 61 keys. The whole idea behind the making of this piano was to offer beginners and intermediates an instrument that can answer their needs while making piano playing an easy and pleasant.

Equipped with an USB port, this digital piano allows you to play MP3 songs and other types of audio files directly onto the instrument, with the help of its two-way speaker system. Having 100 rhythms, 60 demo songs, 40 tones, and 8 percussion effects, together with other effects as well, you will certainly be able to create the songs you want with the help of this piano.

Besides, you can program and record everything you consider important due to the piano’s special features. And if you want to play the piano the right way, then the sheet music stand will help you do so. You can use it when you want to play by the notes, like pros do, so this little detail is something you won’t see in too many digital pianos.

16) Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard 

Weight: 24.9 pounds

Are you looking for a portable digital piano and a premium bundle may be just the thing for you? Then Yamaha prepared a great offer for you. This impressive digital piano that has 61 keys comes together with a special stand, power supply, and a set of headphones.

With the help of all of this equipment, you can play your piano everywhere you like. You will love the sensitive keys of the piano, which make playing extremely easy and comfortable, keys that are also lighted so you can see them well even in dim light.

For beginners, this instrument is ideal because it was made to learn how to play the piano in an easy and fun manner. There are 100 different songs for choosing during the learning process, not to mention that for those of you that already know how to play the piano, there are 392 built-in sounds and effects.

They will let you play the guitar, bass, drums, synthesizers, and more, for a complex and complete piano performance. It will be like throwing your own concert by using one single instrument.

17) Yamaha NP12 61-Key Lightweight Portable Keyboard, Black

Weight: 15 pounds

In case you are not familiar with the sensation of playing a piano, you will love this digital instrument due to the sensitive keys it has. It is a digital piano with 61 keys, which means that you have all the keys you need in order to learn and play the piano right.

The design is compact but light, so you can easily carry it around and play it whenever you feel like it. Its simple design was also created by having novices in mind, trying not to bedazzle them with a large number of buttons.

The idea behind this piano is to start enjoying it as soon as possible and you’ll get the hang of it very soon. With the help of a USB port, you can add your mobile device or computer to the piano and make your learning experience even better, by using various apps and programs that will help you reach the desired goals in no time.

The piano works operated by batteries only as well, up to five hours in a row, so you can play it wherever you like, without having to plug in into an electric outlet.

18) Yamaha PSR-E-363 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard

Weight: 13 pounds

If you never had a portable digital piano before, but you seriously considered getting one, then you will love this model made by Yamaha. It has sensitive keys that react exceptionally well to touch, which will facilitate an easy playing of the instrument.

Also, an exceptional thing is that it comes with on-board lessons, which means that all you have to do in order to learn how to play it is to turn it on and start the desired lesson. This comes in handy for every person that is looking to get the hang of playing a digital piano.

You can also connect the instrument to your computer or a mobile device, for recording your songs and other advantages. When purchasing this product, you will also gain access to the company’s YES system or Yamaha Education Suite. This suite will give you the chance to learn and practice your skills by using preset songs available on the digital piano.

Thus, you will be the one that will set the frequency and duration of your practice sessions, according to your schedule. And, with just one cable, you’ll be able to connect your Yamaha digital piano to music making software in order to create and record your musical achievements.

19) Yamaha PSR-E263 61-Key Portable Keyboard

Weight: 11 pounds

It’s never too late to start learning new things, so if you always wanted to learn how to play the piano, you can now do so with the help of this digital piano offered by Yamaha. It is ideal for beginners in this domain because it comes with a wide range of functions and sounds, which will make the learning process extremely fun and pleasant.

This portable digital piano has 61 keys, all in full size, so you can get accustomed with the right way of playing the piano and for developing a healthy playing technique. It is equipped with the Yamaha Education Suite that has over 100 songs, which are preset with the purpose of allowing the player to learn the secrets of piano playing fast and easy.

You even have the possibility of attaching a device to your digital piano, like another instrument, smartphone, a mixer, and others, with the help of the aux line. But, even if the piano has everything you need to get started, do have in mind that the power adapter is sold separately, so you will need to take care of this aspect.

20) Yamaha PSRF51 61-Key Portable Keyboard, Base Model

Weight: 10.6 pounds

The ideal portable digital piano for beginners, this instrument created by Yamaha can represent a beautiful gift to someone that has been planning to learn how to play the piano. The keyboard was created in such a manner that it won’t pose any issues for beginners, even if a person never touched piano keys before.

The control panels was made with the same thoughts in mind, being color coded, so it is highly intuitive and easy to use. How to start playing this digital piano? Turn it on, select a voice, choose one of its rhythms, and start playing it.

As you can see, everything is extremely simple with this piano, this is why it is so great for those that never played a digital piano before. With 114 styles and 120 voices, it will be easy to let your creativity run free.

Again, because it is a digital piano created for novices, the built-in metronome will give you the chance to practice while getting used to the right rhythm, which is essential for a successful learning session. So, the instrument has everything it needs to provide the support you need during your learning and practicing sessions.

21) Joy JK-63M 61-Key Standard Electronic Piano Keys Keyboard With USB

Weight: 7.9 pounds

If you need a piano that was designed to suit the needs of beginners, providing them all the support they need to learn how to play a piano, then this instrument is more than great. It has 61 keys with a standard size, which are extremely easy to play.

You can choose any of the 50 available demonstration songs to test your instrument and the sounds it produces, while the 255 rhythms and 255 timbres will allow you to experiment by using your own creativity and the piano.

The instrument will also come equipped with a high-quality screen, which will give you all the support you need when learning how to play one of the demo songs and will give you the chance to control the piano when performing your songs.

It also has an MP3 function, so you can play the songs you like with ease. And do know that there are other functions you can take advantage of, like percussion with the help of keyboard, plus there are jacks for a microphone, your mobile phone, for an USB disk, and others.

Choosing the Best Portable Keyboard Piano and Lightweight Digital Piano

By now, you noticed that there are quite a few options to choose from when it comes to finding the ideal portable digital piano. Digital pianos are great if you want to enjoy the sound and excitement of playing a piano, but without having to deal with the weight and budget issues triggered by getting a real piano.

When choosing the right portable digital piano, you need to have a clear image of your requirements for this instrument.

Will it going to be your first digital piano?

Have you ever played a piano before?

Is it for an adult or child?

Can you handle multiple features or you would like a simpler piano at the moment?

How much do you plan on spending on such an instrument?

So, as you can see, there are a few questions that need to be answered before making the final choice. In the previous descriptions, you will find an instrument that will answer each of these questions and even more.

Thus, all you need to do is be true to yourself and know how you are going to use the instrument, then check the features and particularities of each and make the best choice for you.

• Tips & Guides
• Best Digital Pianos
• Accessories

5 Best Folding Piano Keyboards – 2024 Guide

• May 3, 2023
• Selin Gökova

This post is all about the best folding piano keyboards.

Are you a pianist who’s always on the go? Or perhaps someone with limited space but still wants to enjoy playing the piano? If so, a foldable keyboard piano may be a fantastic solution!

Since I got a folding keyboard, it’s become so much easier to say yes to extended travel plans without worrying about losing my progress on my pieces because I’m able to practice and play music wherever I go. Plus, folding piano keyboards don’t take up much space, so they’re perfect for small apartments or dorm rooms.

Regrettably, reputable brands like Yamaha, Casio, or Roland don’t make folding pianos, so nearly all foldable pianos on the market are produced by lesser-known brands and they are all quite similar in most of the features.

While deciding, I would suggest looking into the price, weight, compactness, and any unique feature that the other foldable pianos don’t necessarily feature.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-travel-with keyboard or on a tight space, you can also check out my list of the best 61-key weighted keyboards .

Without further ado, let’s look at my favorite folding keyboards on the market.

Best Folding Piano Keyboards

Vangoa vgd-882.

I’ve owned Vangoa VGD-882 for some time now and I can definitely say it’s been a game-changer. I can carry it anywhere by just folding it in half and putting it into its bag. Sometimes even at home, I prefer to play the Vangoa over my Yamaha P-45 because it’s much easier to carry around when I feel like playing in another room.

It weighs 9.7 Lbs (4.4 kg) and can be operated on a battery, providing excellent portability. While this keyboard is not the most lightweight folding piano on this list, it’s still incredibly easy to travel with and I’ve had no issues.

The keys are touch-sensitive and semi-weighted, which is fantastic to have. If you’re a beginner looking for a keyboard to learn on, this one is an excellent choice as it comes with light-up keys, a visual learning tool.

Vangoa folding piano features 128 tones and rhythms, along with 20 demo songs. In addition to MIDI connectivity, one of the notable features of this keyboard is that it has a Bluetooth connectivity option that allows you to wirelessly connect it to piano learning apps.

You can also read my full review of this keyboard to get more information and learn about my experience.

Blackstar FOLDPIANO88

The Carry-on folding piano by Blackstar is the best option for those on a budget. It costs less than 100$ and provides a decent set of features for its price point.

This folding piano stands out with its extremely lightweight body that weighs only 2.8 lbs (1.5 kg) and folds to 13 inches (33 cm). It is almost as if it doesn’t exist, and it’s just so incredible to feel like you’re carrying nothing while you have a full-sized 88-key keyboard with you. This makes traveling so much easier and effortless.

Other than that, it doesn’t fall short of features. Blackstar Carry-on folding piano is equipped with 128 sounds and rhythms, 30 demo songs, and 6 metronome settings. The sound quality is quite decent considering that it is not what a folding keyboard is designed for.

I’ve definitely heard much worse sounds from other folding pianos, so I don’t have many complaints about the sounds in the Blackstar carry-on.

With a midi over USB feature, it’s also perfect to use as a midi controller.

By the way, if you’re a beginner on a budget who wants to learn on an 88-key keyboard, this list of the best cheap 88-key keyboards can also help you.

NikoMaku SWAN X

This one by NikoMaku is among the best folding piano keyboards on the market and would be a solid choice for players of any skill level. It weighs 8.8 lbs (3.9 kg) and features 88 standard-size keys with semi-weighted action.

The standout feature of this folding piano is definitely the sound and speaker system. Unlike most other foldable keyboard pianos, the speakers produce a clearer and more powerful sound.

There is also a very cool noise cancellation technology that reduces the sound of the keys while playing with earphones, which is a huge plus that is not found in other foldable keyboards. This technology provides you with a more focused playing experience.

The library is almost the same as other foldable keyboards on this list, featuring 128 different sounds, and rhythms, 21 demos, and 4 metronomes.

Additionally, the NikoMaku folding piano keyboard also includes USB MIDI and Bluetooth connectivity options, allowing for easy connection to other devices or audio equipment.

Eastar EP-10

Eastar EP-10 is a beginner-friendly folding piano that boasts 88 standard size semi-weighted and velocity-sensitive keys. Much to my surprise, the action and feel of this keyboard are very decent compared to other folding piano keyboards on the market. By no means it feels like a real piano but it provides more than just acceptable performance.

With a weight of 8 pounds (3.6 kg), it’s also among the most lightweight folding pianos you can find. Similar to other pianos on this list, Eastar EP-10’s library consists of 128 tones and 20 demo songs, providing you with enough voices to play and experiment with.

Equipped with useful teaching functions such as split, learn, and chord modes as well as MIDI and Bluetooth connectivity, Eastar EP-10 is a great option for beginner players.

FVEREY 01-JP

Fverey folding keyboard is a perfect choice if you wish to have a more extensive rhythm library, as it features 128 rhythm patterns in addition to 128 sounds and 21 demos. The full-sized keys are touch-sensitive with a somewhat semi-weighted feeling, offering a decent amount of resistance.

This keyboard is also very compact and lightweight, weighing just 8.8 lbs (3.9 kg). It features a MIDI/USB interface as well as a Bluetooth connection, offering a range of options for connecting to external devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Overall, this one is another great option for anyone looking for an affordable, portable, and feature-rich foldable keyboard.

Wrapping Up

I hope this post has helped you choose the right folding keyboard for your needs. If you’re still confused about which one to buy, please post your question or e-mail me, and I’ll respond quickly.

Selin Gökova is a neo-classical composer and pianist from Istanbul, Turkey. Holding an ABRSM certificate on piano performance, she's been playing the piano and composing for ten years. Wandering Tunes is her side project where she combines her two passions: writing and music.

10 Brilliant Sheet Music Storage Ideas

• April 19, 2023

5 Best Choir Folders – Top Musician Picks In 2024

• May 5, 2023

You May Also Like

5 Best Expression Pedals for Keyboard

• October 30, 2023

Eastar EP-120 Review – Affordable, But Should You Buy It?

• October 20, 2023

Best Cheap Touch Sensitive Keyboards (2024)

• October 1, 2023

8 Best Duet Piano Benches

• September 24, 2023

Starfavor Keyboard Review – My Honest Thoughts

• September 4, 2023

Best 49-Key Keyboards – Top Picks In 2024

• August 20, 2023

Best Yamaha Keyboards For Church In 2024

• August 12, 2023

Best Cheap Casio Keyboards In 2024

• June 14, 2023

Which folding piano has the best basic piano sound? In addition, which has the most weighted keys. Also, is one that folds in half better than in quarters? It seems that playing by the hinges is awkward. So, you’d only have one hinge to deal with, if it folds in half. Thank you.

Thank you for your questions! I think Vangoa wins both in terms of the sound and weighted keys. Sound is quality is very decent and I can’t imagine it getting any better than this for the price point. I’m very happy with it. The keys also have a nice weighted feel and I would say it’s the best one among the other ones on the list.

Regarding your question about folding in half versus folding in quarters, it mostly comes down to personal preference and convenience. I haven’t tried a quarter-folding piano but the hinge on my half-folding piano hasn’t bothered me at all, so I don’t think multiple hinges would be a huge issue.

If you have other questions, let me know 🙂

Thank you for this review and your recommendation. I am 67 and have been playing for 10 years. I guess I would be considered an intermediate player. I’m going on a 9-month world cruise and don’t want to lose momentum, but I have one question about the supplied electric plug-ins and voltage. The video on Amazon for the Vangoa indicates it comes with European voltage plugs. The ship I’ll be on is using American voltage and plugs. Can I request different types of plugs when ordering or maybe I should consider getting an adapter?

Don’t worry the piano works on USB. When you get to Europe just buy an AC to usb cellphone charger or motels and cruise ships should have a usb outlet available.

Which of these or maybe some other folding keyboard can change the A’ tuning? Or a more specific question – what frequency are these keyboards tuned to? I play other instruments that are tuned to 442 Hz, which is now standard concert tuning, and I need a compatible tuning. As I see some of these +/-6 have transpose capability, but what about tuning? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Hello Silan. Thank you for these excellent reviews. I am an intermediate player and I spend holidays in a caravan where I usually have electric power but sometimes need to rely on battery power. I prefer weighted keys but space is obviously an issue in a caravan. I would not want a really expensive keyboard because it would not be my primary one. Would you be able to recommend any particular keyboard which you think might suit my needs? Thanks.

Hi! You’re welcome 🙂 I would recommend Alesis Recital 61 for your case. If space is an issue, you can look into 61-key keyboards but unfortunately 61-key keyboards are usually doesn’t feature fully weighted keys but only semi-weighted keys. But since it’s not going to be your primary keyboard, I think Alesis Recital 61 is a great choice. You can also refer to this post for more options Best 61 Key Weighted Keyboards In 2024

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Guide to Choosing a Travel-Sized Piano: Playing Piano On the Go

a) How light is it?

(Airlines restrict carry ons to around 12kg. I can carry up to 15kg comfortably if I’ve been to the gym, but do my noodle arms WANT to?)

b) Does it sound nice?

c) Weighted keys or non-weighted keys, that is the question…

Well. I figure that a decent sounding mid-ranged piano = A composed travel buddy = An ideal vacation situation, pianist edition!

Sound too good to be true? Not by the end of this article!

Travel Practice Keyboard under $200

Throughout the past year, I’ve had a lot of students look for a portable piano to practice while on vacation. I’ve rounded up the following keyboards that are good options. They are small, light, and low-cost. They don’t have weighted keys, but they have really good touch sensitivity, which could be just as beneficial on vacation.

They don’t have the full 88 keys, but I’d argue that’s not necessary for a vacation keyboard.

Yamaha Piaggero is a light, touch-sensitive keyboard. Yamaha is known for making touch-sensitive keyboards that are enjoyable to play. This is a great option for anyone looking for a simple, no-nonsense travel keyboard. It also runs on batteries!

Casio Casiotone is also a simple, straightforward keyboard. It can also run on batteries and comes in 3 colours, and has a carrying handle. I haven’t tried this piano yet but it looks like a good option.

A Portable Piano for Composing

In Amsterdam I let my nails grow out, but miss playing without them too soon after . I’ll bet most most pianists prefer it when they feel the keys, too.

If you don’t think you can groom your nails when you’re on the go, consider getting a keyboard with narrower keys. You can utilize your hand-space better, keep up with where the notes are on the board, and be able to hear them too. There’s no point in doing Hanon if your fingers are going to be splayed flat.

The Yamaha Reface CP is a portable keyboard  geared towards people who want to compose and hear the notes rather than keep up their technique. It may also be useful if you teach music online, because students are concerned with seeing the sequence and range of the notes and the mini keys might fit their computer screens better.

The Yamaha Reface CP weighs 6 pounds. Seriously. The portability is so amazing that if I bought it, this would be a serious contender with my laptop for desk space.

Casio CTK2400 PPK  features a stand and headphones in case you can’t play loudly. It doesn’t have weighted keys, though, which is my major concern for such a large keyboard. If it’s taking up so much space, it might as well have proper keys. I’ve played acoustic piano for almost all my life, and non-weighted keys doesn’t cut it for me in terms of getting satisfaction in playing and maintaining technique.

However, if you want a lighter keyboard to carry and non-weighted keys aren’t a huge issue for you, look into this model as it is more portable than some of the other standing keyboards. With playback and recording, it’s a solid option if you compose music. It’s 23.7 pounds, so if you really want to compose or teach remotely, check this one out.

A Portable Piano for Practicing Technique

Most people aren’t on month-long trips with flights every few days , so a keyboard with normal-sized keys will do just fine if you’re looking to maintain technique.

If you care about having fast fingers and decent technique, look into weighted keyboards. They may be heavier keyboards for the same size as a nonweighted keyboard, but it may be worth it to maintain the strength of your fingers, especially if you won’t have access to a real piano for a while.

Weighted keys , which mimic the action of an acoustic piano, becomes important for keeping your fingers nimble, but they do make the overall keyboard heavier. Take a look at the following travel-sized keyboards with weighted keys. They are smaller and lighter- not your play-me-everyday Steinway, of course- but great for travel.

Roland GO  is a light, no-nonsense portable keyboard, great for keeping your fingers nimble while on the road. The touch gives you sensitive weighted keys, which is all I’d need. It also comes with functions like transposing and reverb- always good fun. This one’s 8 pounds, definitely something you can take on most planes.

The GO comes in a few models, each with their own quirks. The GO:Keys is red and comes with more than 500 sounds. GO:Piano has more of a realistic acoustic piano sound and comes with a music stand. As a Classical musician, I would take the GO:Piano because of the music stand and audio quality. When I’m on the road, I don’t have a need for any sounds other than piano.

Roland RD 64  is a larger, more robust, grand piano sounding instrument. The keys are weighted properly, but it doesn’t have a built-in sound system, so you’d connect it to an audio output like an amp or headphones to hear what you’re playing.

It also gives you other instrument options like the organ, but if you’re a classical pianist like me, those aren’t exciting. What’s exciting is that it seems to be the your favourite sounding keyboard that you can carry around. It’s 28.2 pounds–less portable than the last option, plus the amp–but worth looking into if you’re on-the-go and still care about quality of the sound you’re hearing from the instrument.

Yamaha P45  is a bit large for a carryon, but it’s more of your solid keyboard sidekick with pedals, ideal for keeping fingers strong on-the-go and perhaps playing some fancy licks. It gives you features like combining voices and lets you play sounds from your PC, which (for those new to digital composing) is pretty sweet. It’s 36.4 pounds, so definitely less portable than the previous options.

The Roland GO is my favourite travel-sized keyboard with weighted keys. It’s 8 pounds–half the weight of the backpack I carried around Europe, and even then, I almost broke my back.

Just kidding. I lift, dang it!

The other one I really like is the Yamaha Reface CP , if I wanted to compose or teach music on-the-go.

After my move to Seattle, I’ll be looking for a solid piano for my home and likely one of the above travel keyboards. If this is going to be you soon, do you have any favourite keyboards? If you’ve ever brought your piano travelling, which one did you bring?

If you’re a busy musician, take a look at the 4 staple pieces of music that everyone should play !

Note: This article was updated in Feb 2020.

Some links are affiliate, meaning that if you’d like to purchase any of the products with the link below, Artiden makes a small commission. This does not change the price, but it helps Artiden sustain itself. I am not paid nor asked to use these links.

Want more of this?

Get exclusive music tips and fresh stories in your email inbox by signing up below. It's Free!

Thank you, Grace, for this article.

I just want to ask if there will be a further update? I moved also from Europe to the West coast, and I am looking into to buy the “Piano Go”. Just want to be sure that is still a good option, because there are so many products.

Best regards Markus

Thank you for this? Are there any more models available now as this article was updated in 2020?

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

• Entertainment

Roli Lumi review: a portable keyboard that lights the way for first-time musicians

The lumi is an entertaining way to learn the piano, but ultimately limited.

By James Vincent , a senior reporter who has covered AI, robotics, and more for eight years at The Verge.

Share this story

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Piano lessons for me as a child meant sitting down every Tuesday at a shiny black Yamaha upright, looking up at shelves laden with tributes to my piano teacher’s twin obsessions: busts of classical greats like Beethoven and Chopin, and copies of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, to which he contributed every year. I’d sit and play; he’d sit and criticize. And over the course of a torturous six-year education, my teacher, Mr Dyson, instilled in my grumpy teenage self a love of music I can never adequately thank him for. I did my grades, paid my dues, and I’ve played more or less ever since. 

All this is perhaps why the Lumi keyboard — the slickest, most intriguing piece of musical hardware I’ve come across in recent years — appalls and impresses me in equal measure.

The $299 Lumi is the latest offering from music hardware startup Roli, known for its squishy Seaboard keyboards and modular beat-making Blocks accessories . But while Roli’s past products have been aimed squarely at professionals, the Lumi is meant to attract would-be musicians: people who’ve never read a note of music in their life, but are eager to play all the same. It’s designed to lure in newbies with its light-up keys, Guitar Hero- style interface, and slick Bluetooth app, before embedding musical hooks deep in their heart with a back-catalogue of simplified pop, rock, and classical tunes to play along with. It’s a bold approach to musical education and unquestionably engaging. But I fear it has its limits.

Let’s start with the product first before we get on to the teaching aspects. Roli unquestionably makes gorgeous, idiosyncratic hardware. The Lumi has more design DNA in common with slick MIDI controllers used by DJs than starter Casio keyboards. It’s minimalist and compact, with two octaves of slightly small-than-average-size keys, a matte black plastic construction, and three soft-touch rubber buttons at the top. Although testers of early Lumi prototypes reported problems with the product’s build quality, the keyboards we tested were reassuringly solid. Each key lights up top to bottom, capable of displaying a full rainbow of colors as musical guides. The Lumi also has an internal battery, meaning you can toss it in a bag and take it on the go.

Setup is as simple as the design. Just download the Lumi app on a phone or tablet, push the power button on the keyboard, and connect to your keyboard over Bluetooth. The Lumi is really only designed for one hand to play at a time, but you can join multiple keyboards together using magnetic connectors to engage both of your hands at once.

The Lumi’s keys are disappointingly mushy, even for a starter keyboard

My only slight criticism of the hardware is the keys themselves. The action of keyboard keys in general is, unsurprisingly, a matter of some importance to piano players. The more expensive sort of digital keyboard has what are known as “weighted” and “graded” keys, meaning they offer different levels of resistance at different parts of the keyboard. (This is to mimic the mechanics of an acoustic piano, where lower keys are harder to press and higher keys easier; an effect created by the keys’ levered construction ). 

Lumi’s keys don’t feel weighted or graded, which is not that surprising. Although you can get keyboards that cost the same as the Lumi with these features, Roli is justifying the price primarily via its software, not hardware. That being said, I still felt the Lumi’s keys were mushier than I would have liked, even for a starter keyboard, and had a disappointing plunge depth (you can’t push them down nearly as far as keys on a regular piano). They also failed every now and again to register my touch if I was playing too fast. That could be extremely frustrating for someone struggling to learn an instrument that doesn’t seem to love them back. They keys are touch-sensitive, too, which allows you to play more softly or loudly. But again, that sensitivity is limited. Try playing Debussy’s “Clair de Lune,” for example, and you’ll feel like you’re clomping through an art gallery in heavy boots.

The sleek design of the hardware is carried through to the software. Open up the Lumi app and you’re presented with a few options: Home, Learn, and Play. The Home screen lets you jump in to music straight away with three categories of tracks: “very easy songs” (staples of first piano books like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”); “abridged hits” (minute long snippets of pop songs such as Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy”); and, somewhat bafflingly, a “hit the dancefloor” playlist containing tracks from the likes of Major Lazer, Pharrell Williams, and Calvin Harris. The latter category reminded me that Roli is really trying to attract a wide range of customers here — not just children learning to play for the first time, but older people who’ve perhaps always loved listening to music but never known how to start playing it. 

The back-catalog of music to play along with is impressively eclectic

In addition to the Home screen there are two more sections: Play, containing the app’s back-catalog of music, and Learn, home to Roli’s music lessons. A word on the back-catalog first, though, because it is simply wild . A quick scroll through the “intermediate” category, for example, takes me through an eclectic selection: Satie’s “Gymnopédie No.1”, “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X, Toploader’s “Dancin’ in the Moonlight”, and the State Anthem of The Russian Federation, all right next to one another. I honestly don’t quite know how to convey the weirdness of the music Roli has chosen, but I can say for certain I love it. Anyone can find something they want to play here, and though the bulk of tracks are split between classical tunes you can hum and pop hits of the last 10 years, Roli keeps you guessing by dropping in bangers like “No Scrubs” by TLC or “Rocket Man” by Elton John. These hits don’t come for free though, and require a $79 yearly subscription to “Lumi Complete” (which also gets you access to a full range of lessons and exercise). Those without the subscription only get a selection of 40 classical tunes, leaving the product severely diminished as a result.

However, this acclaim for Lumi’s back-catalog brings me to the feature I had the most doubts about, and it’s one that’s central to the entire product: how the music itself is taught. As mentioned above, the Lumi uses light up keys to power a Guitar Hero -style interface (officially known as “cascade” mode). Notes fall towards you on the screen and you hit them in time to play the music. The keyboard’s keys also light up faintly before the notes arrive, guiding your hands and fingers. And just as with Guitar Hero , there are little gamified touches to keep your attention. You’re graded on how accurately you timed each note; earn multipliers for hot streaks; and get a star rating at the end of each song you play. It’s a simple, intuitive interface that anyone can understand. But its simplicity creates limits. 

The problems come when songs progress beyond relatively easy tunes and start incorporating more complex rhythms and melodies. Here, the amount of information you can fit into a Guitar Hero interface is simply too restrictive. Traditional sheet music, by comparison, uses a style of notation that’s evolved over centuries. It’s streamlined and compressed, and contains a wealth of information that can be understood at a glance. Things like dynamics, key signature, time signature, and a song’s overall structure can be taken in by an experienced musician almost intuitively. If you can read sheet music, you can not only look ahead in a song, but also better engage with its structure, picking out patterns like repeating motifs or harmonic progressions. Sheet music is also even more important for the piano, where different staves are used to separate what each hand plays.

the interface doesn’t so much teach you to read music as react to it

The Guitar Hero interface, by comparison, is all about the moment. It focuses attention on a stream of notes that move constantly towards the player rather than a musical landscape they can survey at leisure. ‘Here comes the note,’ says the interface, ‘don’t miss it, here it is, play it, now !’ It’s a framework that borrows more from video games than musical education, and that doesn’t so much teach you to read music as react to it. While it’s certainly possible to learn relatively tricky songs on the Lumi keyboard, I’m dubious about how transferable these skills are. Once you reach the limits of the interface and have to change to traditional sheet music and keyboards, you’ll have a lot to learn as well as some bad habits to forget. 

In fairness to Roli, Lumi is certainly much more than just Guitar Hero for piano. Many songs give you the option to play along with traditional sheet music, for example, and the app includes a fantastic library of lessons and exercises that teach you musical fundamentals. Chords, fingering and hand positions, as well as elements of notation are all covered, with interactive video presentations from bright and lively musicians. The company told me that it also plans to expand these lessons in future, to encourage the transition to traditional sheet music. 

More good news though: it’s in these early stages that Lumi’s gamified environment really excels. For beginners sitting down at the piano for the first time, there are few things more discouraging than being confronted with their own ineptitude. You plod through scales and struggle to play nursery rhymes as if they were Rachmaninov, and then you give up because it’s all too hard. (Believe me, I’ve been there! In fact, I regularly go back there every time I try something new and challenging!)

Lumi at least brightens these early difficulties through light and color. Even for the simplest songs, it gives players a backing score that makes them feel like they’re performing on stage. And for children learning to play for the first time I imagine these features would help keep them engaged and interested where a music book by itself could fail. 

The question, then, is how far can you go with Lumi, and is it worth the cost? Right now, the $299 price tag includes a $50 voucher for a year of Lumi Complete, the subscription service which gets you full access to the Lumi library and all its exercises and lessons (the cost without a voucher: $79). Roli isn’t selling the keyboard without this voucher right now, and I can see why: so much of the product’s attraction comes from its lessons and music. And while for that money you could get a better quality keyboard and a clutch of learn-to-play instructional books, you couldn’t get the lessons needed to take you through your first couple of grades.

At a time when most of us are stuck at home, or at least trying to avoid leaving the house, the all-in-one pitch from Roli seems particularly attractive. I just wonder how far Lumi can really take first-time musicians. I think Roli’s first educational produt is a good, but expensive, on-ramp for someone keen to try and play the piano for the first time, but the road soon runs out. If you really want to play, then the Lumi is only the start.

Roli Lumi /

A smart keyboard for beginners

Steam will stop issuing refunds if you play two hours of a game before launch day

Apple announces may 7th event for new ipads, tesla’s in its flop era, framework won’t be just a laptop company anymore, t-mobile’s new 5g internet plan lets you take your wi-fi on the road.

More from Reviews

The OnePlus 12R is a $500 phone with flagship tendencies

Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds are its boldest, most unique earbuds yet

JBL Authentics 300 smart speaker review: two assistants at once

This iPod-like button could be a great smart home controller

Roland GO:KEYS GO-61K review

Fun portable keyboard that lets you play along with music streamed through onboard speakers.

MusicRadar Verdict

Roland’s unique and entertaining take on the portable arranger keyboard has something for everyone.

Lightweight and portable

Over 550 sounds

Bluetooth audio streaming

Fun Loop Mix function

No editing of sounds

Speakers a bit tinny

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

• What is it?
• Performance & verdict
• Hands-on demos
• Specification

Roland GO:Keys GO-61K review: What is it?

Roland ’s GO portable beginner keyboards are aimed at those just starting out on their playing journey, and the range consists of two distinctly different models. While the GO-61P (or the Roland GO:PIANO GO-61P to give it the full name) beginner digital piano caters for budding pianists with more piano-focussed sounds and no onboard auto-accompaniment features, the GO-61K music creation keyboard reviewed here is more about plunging in and instantly having fun, with a range of fairly unique features intended to make playing keyboards inspiring and enjoyable without the need for any prior musical knowledge.

The GO-61K definitely looks the part, with its snazzy red casing taking styling cues from the Nord and Korg schools of keyboard design. It’s incredibly lightweight and compact, yet feels reassuringly solid; the only place where there’s any ‘give’ in the plastic is along the bottom of the fascia above the top of the keyboard.

The 61-note, full-size waterfall-profile keyboard, although perfectly playable, has quite a unique feel, somewhere between synth action and semi-weighted, with a fairly shallow travel and a textured ‘ivory’ feel to the key surface. There’s an onboard 8-track recorder that can store up to 99 songs and/or 30,000 notes, and you can power the unit either with the supplied mains adapter or with six AA batteries. Battery life is a claimed 6 hours, which really does put the GO into GO:KEYS.

Roland GO:Keys GO-61K review: Performance & verdict

The GO-61K has its own built-in pair of 2.5W speakers, one at each end of the casing. Although fairly powerful, the speakers’ sound quality was a little disappointing, with Rhodes sounds in particular suffering from a little mid range woolliness and audio streamed over Bluetooth from a mobile phone sounding a little scratchy and lacking in low end. Plug in a set of headphones, however, and the sound quality improves substantially.

The sound selection on the instrument is plentiful, with over 550 presets derived from Roland’s JunoDS synth scattered across eight categories (Piano, Organ, Strings, Brass, Drum, Bass, Synth and FX/Gtr). Although we found the Grand Piano offerings to be a little lacking in body, the sheer variety of other tones on offer tipped the balance, especially when you consider that the GO-61P is the model to opt for if you’re after a serious piano sound. It’s great to see re-workings of classic sounds, like the D50’s Staccato Heaven and Fantasia presets, included here, but we would have liked to have seen at least some basic ADSR editing functionality for these.

Getting around

Overall, we found the front panel well laid out and easy to navigate, and the keyboard as a whole is a breeze to use. With just a cursory glance at the quick start guide we were off and running, playing with all the different combinations in Loop Mix mode, switching sounds and jamming, streaming songs to play along with from our iPhone and generally having a great time.

Roland GO:PIANO GO-61P Yamaha PSR-E373

That’s not to say that we didn’t come up against a few niggles. The performance touch pad controls are a little harder to get to grips with, the pitch bend and modulation proving somewhat laggy. We found ourselves wishing for a hardware pitch and modulation bender, as found on many Roland synths, to take care of real time performance duties, although the pads do double up as filter / note repeat FX controllers.

Also, many parameters, from the overall reverb level to the unit’s Bluetooth status to the currently selected octave, are buried in a chain in the Setting menu, accessed by repeatedly clicking a single button. If you go past the setting you want, there’s no going back - you just have to keep on clicking through the numerous options until cycle back round to your chosen destination parameter. Having the octave shift control buried in this menu is especially frustrating - we would have preferred to have a dedicated pair of buttons on the panel for this, as found on the GO-61P.

If you’re thinking of getting one of these for a child or teenager to start out on, let’s just say that the Bluetooth features are a big selling point

If you’re thinking of getting one of these for a child or teenager to start out on, let’s just say that the Bluetooth features are a big selling point. Pairing the keyboard to a nearby device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, is simple to achieve. Once connected, you can stream audio from your device through the speakers in the GO-61K and play along using the currently selected sound. When we showed a 14 year old musical ingenue how to jam along to her favourite three-chord wonders from the playlist on her phone, she was instantly hooked, and moved to admit that she now wished she’d taken Music as a GCSE instead of History - quite a result! The GO-61K also features MIDI via Bluetooth, enabling it to be used wirelessly as a controller for apps like GarageBand, for instance.

Another unique selling point for the GO-61K is the Loop Mix function. This is somewhat akin to the auto-accompaniment features found on arranger keyboards from the likes of Yamaha and Casio. You enable Loop Mix mode with the press of a button, after which each octave on the keyboard is used to select a loop from a different category. For example, each key in the octave C1-B1 triggers a different drum loop, next octave up, in C2-B2, the keys trigger bass parts, and the upper three octaves are each dedicated to other individual instrumental parts.

You can choose from a variety of 22 genres via the front panel +/- buttons, with a different set of loops available for each genre, which go from Trance to J-Pop via Hip-hop and Reggaeton to name just a few. Once you have a groove going, you can either jam over the top with the selected sound across the entire keyboard, or enter Chord mode, in which the lower octave lets you dictate which chord the virtual band is playing while you use the upper part of the keyboard to solo and play melodies over the top.

Overall, this feature works really well. It’s a lot of fun and pretty entertaining whatever level you play at, and the patterns have been programmed to a standard that just about elevates them above the cheese level that’s often associated with this kind of thing.

With the GO-61K Roland have put their own spin on the traditional arranger keyboard and in doing so have created an instrument that’s relatively unique, entertaining, fun and easy to use whatever your level of playing, but particularly appealing to beginners. With a free 3-month subscription to the Skoove online piano lessons platform included to sweeten the deal, if you’re just starting out as a keyboardist or just want a simple, fun, quality keyboard for writing or practising on out of the house, we’d recommend giving this keyboard a GO. 

Roland GO:Keys GO-61K review: Hands-on demos

Sweetwater , pmtv uk , jammstudiomusic, roland go:keys go-61k review: specification.

• Keys: 61 Full-size, velocity sensitive
• Speakers: 2 x 2.5W
• Polyphony: 128 voice
• Connectivity: Phones out, AUX in, Pedal, USB to host, Bluetooth 4.2
• Dimensions: 877 x 271 x 82 mm
• Weight: 3.9kg
• Contact: Roland

Dave has been making music with computers since 1988 and his engineering, programming and keyboard-playing has featured on recordings by artists including George Michael, Kylie and Gary Barlow. A music technology writer since 2007, he’s Computer Music’s long-serving songwriting and music theory columnist, iCreate magazine’s resident Logic Pro expert and a regular contributor to MusicRadar and Attack Magazine. He also lectures on synthesis at Leeds Conservatoire of Music and is the author of Avid Pro Tools Basics.

14 tips to help you do more with reverb: "Applying different reverbs to different frequency bands can open up all sorts of intriguing possibilities"

How to use reverb to create unique spatial effects

"I’ve sat in a room with Amy Winehouse and a guitar. Watching those tiny hands finding all these weird jazz chords. And her strumming patterns... crazy, off-kilter timings. She made it look so effortless": Pete Doherty talks friendships, guitars and music

Most Popular

• Digital Pianos & Keyboard Roundups
• Gear Guides

Best Portable Keyboards For Musicians 2024

• November 16, 2023

*Keyboardkraze now has a nearly 24/7 chat service directly with me should you have any questions regarding keyboard/plugin choices! This is connected directly to me and it is not AI.

Table of Contents

When it comes to making music, I have always loved portable keyboards for their convenience. There’s something nice about having an instrument that I can use for when I’m traveling and need something light. In this article, we will break down the best portable keyboards and help you decide which one is best for your needs.

I’ve played all of these keyboards listed below and I have been playing keyboards for well over 20 years now.

These are all going to be smaller keyboards as well. If you are looking for something a little bit more serious, I would recommend checking out my guide to Digital Pianos .

*Editors Note: This post was updated in November of 2023 to include the new Roland series and to replace a couple from the list that no longer make the cut.

Quick Glance At My Top Portable Keyboards

What to look for in portable keyboard pianos.

Size:  I suggest staying under 61 keys so you can increase the portability. Having anything bigger means it’s typically going to be a bit heavier. You can find some great options that are smaller, you just have to know what to look for.

Sounds:  Depending on how much song-writing you are doing, you will want something that has some decent sounds and a good variety. For some people, this will be more important than for others.

Speakers/Headphone Jack:  Make sure the speakers are loud enough and get the job done. If they’re not great; you will want a headphone jack, so you can plug headphones in.

Price:  It is important to know just what you need so that you can determine what you want to spend. The great thing here is that these types of keyboards are actually quite inexpensive.

Weight:  The lighter, the better for portable keyboards. The whole point of these is so that they’re easy to travel with.

Recording: Some of these will come with the ability to record and this is a neat feature.

Power Supply:  I love a keyboard that can be powered by just batteries and doesn’t always need a power supply. It’s just way more convenient.

Best Portable Keyboards

I am often asked, can you learn to play the piano on a keyboard ? Before I get into this list, I would like to answer it by saying, yes, you can.

Casio CT-X700

The Casio CT-X700 is extremely budget friendly. It is a great choice if you don't care about weighted keys and you want a lot of sounds.

The Casio CT-X700 is a 61 key keyboard that is a little bit heavier than some options. However, it still only weighs 19 pounds, so it still fits the definition of a portable keyboard in my eyes.

Casio keeps surprising me with their entry-level options as they’re getting some pretty nice sounds on them.

If you would like to see my favorite Casio entry-level keyboards you can do so here.

I like the sounds a lot on the CT-X700. I am surprised by all of the features on this keyboard and I think this makes a great portable option. Beginners are going to be happy with this and I think even advanced players will love this for its light-weight

Overall Thoughts

The CT-X700 61 key is a great pick for beginners. I would recommend this as it has great sounds, speakers, and a headphone jack.

Casio SA76 44 mini Sized Keys

I've purchased this for multiple nieces now and this is my go-to for any toddlers. It has some great sounds and powerful speakers for such a cheap price.

The Casio SA76 is a go-to since it is so light and portable. I like this because it is so small and easy to take with me when I travel. It makes as a perfect gift for kids and also a perfect instrument to take with you on the road.

The sounds are surprisingly good for the price range. Don’t expect this to blow you away though. It has some nice and warm pad sounds with a couple of decent sounding pianos with an overall total of 100 sounds.

The keys are mini, so this is good for portability, but bad if you’re looking for something that you can still shred with.

I recently did a review on the Casio SA 77 , which is very similar and you might enjoy the read.

My overall thoughts are that this makes sense if you are on a budget or just simply want something to play with when you’re not on your main keyboard.

I also really like the headphone jack on this. Lastly, it’s power by batteries, making it ultraportable.

Yamaha NP12

The NP-12 is a portable powerhouse that features some great sounds suitable for performing and learning.

The Yamaha NP12 is a great option because it has some cool new-school technology features. You can use this with your iPhone or iPad to access some great learning apps.

You’re getting 61 keys with this keyboard and the overall feel is decent. I say decent, only because sometimes people set their hopes way too high for the price they’re paying for instruments. It’s a good key-bed if you look at the price range.

It has a power supply, but it can also be powered by 6 AA batteries for about 5 hours of use.

When I played the Yamaha NP12, I was really surprised with the sounds and that’s why I put it on this list. For this price, it’s a great option.

Connectivity

The selling point with the NP12 is definitely the ability to have USB and be able to connect to a computer, iPad or iPhone with ease. To do this, all you need is a USB cable. To read more about how to do this, check out my guide on connecting keyboards with USB cables .

I’m not crazy about the key-bed, however, you’re really not going to be crazy about any of the key-beds with portable keyboards. Portability is king with these and the weight of the NP-12 is 14 pounds. For 61 keys, I would consider this a win and I think this is a smart pick for musicians.

Roland Go:88 – Best Portable Keyboard For Price

The Roland GO-88 is a great choice for those on a tight budget. While the sounds aren't as solid as the top picks here, it offers a wide variety of sounds for church performance.

The Roland Go88has some great features. It comes with Bluetooth audio support, which is a new feature for keyboards. Since Roland came out with this; more and more companies have started to introduce Bluetooth technology to their products.

The key-bed on this isn’t the standard Roland key-bed, but it’s not bad. For a portable keyboard, this one has a ton of features that songwriters can take advantage of.

Roland has really marketed this towards traveling songwriters who are on the go frequently.

The Go88 only weighs 8 pounds and that is something I find to be unique for a keyboard with 688 eys.

It is loaded with over 500 different sounds that have Roland’s technology for sound. I personally think most of the songs are of quality.

If you are a fan of Roland, I recommend checking my article on the best Roland keyboards .

The samples are probably the best you can find currently for the price. This is a cheaper keyboard that is extremely portable and it also has high-quality samples. That is what makes me like this keyboard so much.

Yamaha PSR-E-3 60

The PSR E360 is loaded with 573 presets and it is a great portable option for beginners. Not only is it lightweight, but the sounds are actually pretty solid as well.

The Yamaha PSR-E-360 is a keyboard I would recommend for beginners and people looking for a second instrument as the sounds surprisngly solid.

It comes with USB so it can be run as a MIDI controller as well. This means that if you aren’t liking the sounds it has, you can get external sounds instead. I love having keyboards that have USB connectivity.

The keys aren’t my favorite on the PSSR-E-360 as they just feel very plasticky and cheap.

As far as the sounds, the speakers are decent. I would recommend using headphones with this keyboard as I’ve had a lot of problems with the onboard speakers. The sounds themselves aren’t bad, it’s just the speakers aren’t extremely powerful.

I would recommend this more to beginners as it has a lot of features geared toward beginners. If you’re not a beginner, maybe go for another option.

Alesis Harmony 61 MKII

The Alesis Harmony is a great look for those in search of a lightweight keyboard for beginners. It comes equipped with over 300 preset sounds ready for exploration as you take on your musical journey.

The Alesis Harmony 61 MKII is a nice look at another keyboard I would recommend more towards beginners. It’s not going to blow you away with what it can do, but it’s got some nice features for beginners.

If you would like to check out my favorite Alesis keyboards , you can do so here.

If you have any musical knowledge, you may not like the sounds of this keyboard. It sounds rather cheap and the speakers aren’t very good either. I personally understand that it’s meant for beginners and to me that just automatically says that the sounds are going to be cheap.

If you are looking for a back-up keyboard and aren’t a beginner, I wouldn’t recommend this. I don’t personally believe you will be happy with it unless you are a beginner.

For beginners, I would recommend checking out my guide on digital pianos for beginners . These are some great options for people trying to get started.

There are a ton of great options for portable keyboards. Make sure that you keep an open mind when looking at these types of keyboards as I don’t suggest them for advanced players unless you’re looking for simply something portable.

A lot of portable keyboards are typically meant for beginners, however, as I said, I love having one with me at all times in my car. You never know when creativity is going to strike, so it’s always good to have something for those occasions.

Do you have any favorite portable go-to’s that you like to use or can recommend? Please let me know in the comment section below and we can discuss.

Chris Senner

Chris Senner is a passionate keyboardist, songwriter & blogger from Milwaukee, WI. He's toured the country with Vinyl Theatre & now has developed a passion for writing about all things keyboards.

Hello Chris, My name is Fred Sweeney. I’ve been playing most of my life have a very old Roland (JV-90) and am looking to get a newer portable keyboard. I’m an older guy (64) and play mostly classic rock. Would like your suggestions for a keyboard that has the following sounds ( piano, electric/Rhodes type sound, organ (possibly)with a Leslie like sound) clavinet, brass and a strings patch). I understand that are a lot more sound than that, but the above are 95% of what I need. Please advise when you can. Thank you.

Hi Fredrerick! Thanks for the question.

I have a couple of suggestions for portable keyboards: The Yamaha NP-12 and the Roland GO. They both have pretty nice sounding electric piano sounds. Another one would be the Casio CTX-700. The Casio CTX-700 has some great sounds for its price.

I hope this helps!

Hi Chris, My name is Elise and I am a music teacher and composer. I am in need of a portable, roll-up keyboard. I haven’t seen the greatest reviews on them and I was wondering if you have any suggestions. I’ll be going on about a week long trip in June and would need something that can fit in a bus full of students.

Hi, I started to learn piano few months ago. Because I need to travel most of the time, I have not enough time for study. I’m looking for a small keyboard, to take with me for training. I think that 36 keys are ok for me, but the size of the key must be normal, not mini. Could you recomend me something? Thank you.

Do you recommend any of the folding keyboards?

I am a drummer who plays in a duo with an acoustic guitarist. I play on an Alesis Strike Kit and want to add a small keyboard to the left side of my kit to play basic chords using my left hand to help fill out the sound. I will still play drums with just my right hand. I am not looking to break the bank though I do want decent sounds (organs, strings, synths) What suggestions do you have? Thanks so much!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

• Keyboard Accessory Roundups

Best Effects Pedals For Synths & Keyboards

• June 16, 2020

3 Best Audio Interfaces For Making Beats – Pro Picks

• April 29, 2020

Best Bluetooth Wireless Digital Piano Keyboards 2024

• December 27, 2023

• MIDI Controller Roundups

The Best Mini MIDI Keyboard Controller 2024 – Portable Options

• January 2, 2024

• Virtual Instrument Roundups

Best Accordion VST Plugins & Samples In 2024

• May 2, 2019

Best 61 Key MIDI Keyboard Controllers In 2024

• February 14, 2024

Best Travel Keyboard Piano 2019

If you are a piano lover, it is hard leaving your favorite instrument at home. It feels like a part of you has been left behind. And, unless you are staying in a 5 star hotel, chances of coming across a piano are very slim. A portable piano gives you the opportunity to enjoy your tunes no matter where you are in the world. To pick a travel piano you should look at:

• Portability : An ideal travel-sized piano is small and lightweight. You do not want to lug around a large, heavy piano.
• Weighted keys: You want a piano that is lightweight but gives you the same horse power and tone as an acoustic piano.
• Teaching tools : If you are a beginner, choose a keyboard that comes with lessons. In this guide, you will find some options that come with learning tools

Casio SA-77 44 Key Mini Personal Keyboard

• Offers children the essentials for playing those first tunes with 44 mini keys perfectly sized for mini hands
• Offers endless exploration with the 100 Tones, 50 Rhythms, and 10 integrated Songs providing plenty of variety
• The LSI sound source and the 8-note polyphony ensure good sound quality
• The LCD screen helps with selecting different music options
• Also features 5 drum pads and a Melody Cut Rehearsal System
• Built-in speakers and headphone output for quiet play
• Also includes a striking change-over switch making it easy to switch between piano and reed organ/organ modes

Plixio 61-Key Digital Electric Piano Keyboard & Sheet Music Stand - Portable Electronic Keyboard for Beginners (Kids & Adults)

• GREAT PRACTICE KEYBOARD: Can be used by children or adults and makes a great first musical instrument. Plixio's 61 key keyboard is lightweight and portable. Great for music lessons.
• DUAL POWER SUPPLY FOR ON-THE-GO PLAY: Customize the sounds of your music keyboard and play along with your favorite songs. Musicians that frequently travel can also utilize the dual power supply by using the included power adapter or 6 AA batteries for on-the-go practice.
• VARIETY OF SOUND EFFECTS AND MICROPHONE JACK: Each keyboard features 100 rhythms, 60 demo songs, 40 tones, 8 percussions, and volume or tempo control. Grab a microphone (not included) and turn your keyboard into a karaoke machine! Please note this keyboard does not include a USB port.
• INCLUDED COMPONENTS: Each keyboard includes a power adapter, music note sheet music stand, and auxiliary cable. This music keyboard also automatically comes with a full one-year warranty that protects against any damage or defects.
• LIGHTWEIGHT AND EASILY PORTABLE: Weighing less than nine pounds, each piano is portable and easy to carry to music lessons or school. Dimensions are: 34” x 12” x 3.5”.

KMUSIC Roll Up Piano, Premium Grade Silicone, THICKENED KEYS, and Upgraded Built-in Amplifying Speakers - Educational Piano (A61-61 Keys, Black)

• ♬ Multi-Function: Keys hand roll piano is highly functional with MIDI out, USB 5V, MP3, Mic, Sustain Pedal, allowing you to be in your creative space anytime, anywhere.
• ♬ Built-In Speakers: This standard 61 keys roll up comes with premium built-in speakers. The Model comes with blue tooth connectivity, standard record/play features, 140 tones and 128 rhythm, 30 demo songs and effects.
• ♬ Perfect for All Ages: This roll up piano is made of premium silicone keyboard, nontoxic, wear resistance, soft and durable. The sounds very crisp, vibrant sound which just like a real piano. Perfect for making beats, tunes, adults and beginners.
• ♬ Unique Design: Compact design, easy to carry, built-in 1100mah rechargeable battery, allow you practice fingering anytime and anywhere. Great for classroom teaching and group teaching settings.
• ♬ Shop Worry-Free: Shop worry-free with our extended 90-day warranty against any defect, and 30 day money back guarantee. At Kiker Tech, we stand behind our brand.

Anpro 37 Key Melodica，Harmonica Instrument Air Piano Keyboard with 2 Mouthpieces Musical Instrument with Carrying Bag for Teaching and Playing Christmas Gift for Kids(37 KEY)

Huntington KB61-100 61-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard, Silver

• 61 standard piano keys, 100 rhythms 100 voices, 16 volume levels
• Teaching type keyboard, 8 stereo demo songs, 32 tempo settings, A and B guides
• 8 panel drum presets, 8 rhythm cord volume levels, LED display
• Single Chord function, Finger Chord function, Transposition function
• Start/Stop with Sync, Fill In function, Sustain and Vibrato, 1/4-inch output jack, stereo RCA output jacks

Melodica instrument - NASUM 37 Key Piano Style Melodica,Melodica keyboard Suitable for Teaching and Playing,with Carrying Case (Black) (37)

Casio SA-46 -Key Portable Keyboard

• 32 Mini Keys
• 8-Note Polyphony
• 50 Play Along Tracks
• 5 Drum Pads
• Headphones Output

Akai Professional LPK25 | 25-Key Ultra-Portable USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Laptops

• 13-Inch, Slim-Line Laptop Performance Keyboard With 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keyboard Keys For Playing Melodies, Bass Lines, Chords And More
• Dedicated Octave Up And Down Buttons To Increase The Keyboard To The Full Melodic Range Plus A Sustain Button For Expressive Performances
• On-Board Arpeggiator Steps Through Chords Automatically And Generates Inspiring Melodic Ideas Quickly
• 4 Programmable Memory Banks For Instant Recall Of Mappings For Daws, Virtual Instruments, Effects And More

Roll Up Piano for Kids IWORD 37 Standard Soft Keys Piano Portable Travel Piano Foldable Electric Digital Keyboard Piano Flexible Keyboard Piano USB Mini Keyboard Built-in Speaker Great Gift for Kids

• ♬ Safe & Environmental Material: Standard 37 keys made by comfortable and sensitive Non-toxic silicone rubber
• ♬ Adjustable volume control: built-in speaker with volume control, help to get suitable volume for kids
• ♬ Portable Hand-carried Design: Roll up piano design, make it easy storage in hand bag or carrying case convenient to take anywhere you want
• ♬ Multi-function: 37 standard keys with 6 demo songs and 8 tones, also includes 3.5mm Audio Jack to headset which enable children to learn to respect other people's "Silence" speech
• ♬ Multiple choice power supply: ❶ DC 6V USB Charger; ❷ 4 x AA Batteries (Not included). When you use the power adapter to play the piano, please don't put the battery inside

Hamzer 61-Key Digital Music Piano Keyboard - Portable Electronic Musical Instrument - with Microphone

• Flawless, authentic range of sound: Built-in speakers offer tremendous sound, complete with 255 Timbres, 255 rhythms, 61 keyboard percussions, and 24 demonstration songs.
• Integrated learning system: Designed for beginner to intermediate-level use, this multi-function keyboard piano features 61 keys, providing a traditional piano or organ feel for versatile learning and an exciting acoustic experience. Keyboard comes with a complete set of transparent stickers to label the piano keys in order to simplify and accelerate piano mastery.
• Deluxe effects & features: Ideally suited to master finger control, this portable piano keyboard allows for play with the capacity to select chord timbre, program/edit rhythm, as well as utilize effects such as vibrato, sustain, & ensemble. Additional features include rhythm sync and fill-in, tempo adjustment, accompanying volume, and a master volume control.
• Record & playback, with microphone & headphone jack: Belt out in song or discreetly practice on headphones, along with the option to record and playback for improved performance. Includes microphone with a 4' cord, audio input, output, and headphone jack.
• Easy set-up with stand and stool: Ready-to-use right out of the box, just power with 6 AA batteries (not included) and take this compact, lightweight musical keyboard on the road or to lessons, or plug the US-standard DC 9V/AC adapter into the wall for extended play sessions.

Related Posts

Best Travel Blankets 2020

Best Travel Thermoses 2019

Best Travel Raincoats 2019

VOYAGE portable piano

Made for traveling.

Portable piano keyboards are often too cumbersome or heavy to carry and limit the possibility of practicing your instrument on the go. Thanks to its unique modular design, the Voyage piano will help you travel with a fullsize keyboard. Slim and lightweight, the Voyage is a portable piano keyboard that will fit in your backpack or carry-on bag and will become your ideal journey companion, may you travel by train, by car, by plane or even by bike. As opposed to foldable piano keyboards, the Voyage is made of modules so you can dispatch it into several bags. Easy to setup, the Voyage can be powered by USB charger, powerbank or smartphone and travel anywhere in the world.

Made for the musicians

The Voyage has the features most keyboard players will need. No more, no less : • Fullsize keys • Sturdy assembly mechanism - can be played on a X-stand • Connector for sustain pedal • Works as a MIDI controller (via USB-MIDI connector) to us standard music softwares/synths such as Ableton Live, FL Studio, GarageBand, Pianoteq ... • Includes a Sound-Bank with 100+ instruments and stereo headphones output for on-the-go use • Includes an configuration app to adjust MIDI assignable controls (volume / effects / instrument selection / pitch-bend / modulation joystick) and keyboard behavior (octave shift / transpose / velocity curve)

Available in three sizes

The Voyage can be purchased in various sizes and thanks to its modular design it will adapt to your needs and mode of transportation. If you need to save space and don't need the whole range of octaves. By assembling Voyage modules you can travel with a 88, 73, 64, 49 or 40 keys keyboard.

Voyage Model-A 88 Keys

By assembling the 4 modules of this model, you will obtain a full 88 keys keyboard. By assembling only 3 or 2 modules, you'll get either a 64 or a 40 keys keyboard.

This version includes : • 1 controller module of 15 keys • 2 keyboard modules of 24 keys • 1 end module of 25 keys

Voyage Model-A 73 Keys

By assembling the 3 modules of this model, you will obtain a comfortable 73 keys keyboard. By assembling only 2 modules, you'll get a 49 keys keyboard.

This version includes : • 1 controller module of 24 keys • 1 keyboard module of 24 keys • 1 end module of 25 keys

Voyage Model-A 49 Keys

By assembling the 2 modules of this model, you will obtain a compact 49 keys keyboard.

This version includes : • 1 controller module of 24 keys • 1 end module of 25 keys

Advertisement

• Games and hobbies

The Best Budget Digital Piano for Beginners

By Brent Butterworth and John Higgins

A good digital piano offers the most practical way to learn how to play piano. Compared with an acoustic piano, a digital piano is less expensive, more compact, more portable, more affordable, and more versatile—and it never needs tuning.

The best digital pianos feel and sound so much like the real thing that students will easily transition to an acoustic piano. Among budget models priced around $600 or less, the Roland FP-10 comes closest to the sound and touch of a real grand piano, which is why we recommend it as the ideal way to begin your (or your child’s) journey with music.

Everything we recommend

Roland FP-10

The best budget digital piano for beginners.

Of the affordably priced digital pianos we’ve tried, this one comes closest to the feel and sound of a grand piano. But the controls are less intuitive than we’d like.

Buying Options

Casio CDP-S160

Less realistic in feel, but easier to use.

This digital piano doesn’t simulate the feel of an acoustic piano as well as our top pick does, but it’s easier to use and a little more affordable.

Budget pick

Alesis Recital Pro

A less expensive alternative.

This is an affordable digital piano that is easy to use and sacrifices only a little in feel and performance compared with our other picks.

Casio CDP-S360

More features for the more advanced player.

This pricier digital piano has more features than most pianists need or want, but it’s a great choice if you play in a band or want to make recordings.

How we picked and tested

To get a range of qualified opinions, we tested digital pianos with multiple professional players, some of whom also teach.

We placed the greatest priority on how well each piano simulated a grand-piano sound, but we appreciated the inclusion of other good sounds.

We limited our testing to models that have 88 keys and a weighted action that approximates the feel of an acoustic piano.

To keep the focus on models that a student or a beginning player can afford, we set a price ceiling of $600.

The Roland FP-10 is our favorite budget digital piano because it delivers a playing experience similar to that of an acoustic piano without the intrusive size and upkeep. It even simulates escapement, the feeling you get on an acoustic piano when the hammer drops away after striking the strings. The FP-10’s simulation of a grand piano’s sound is also the best we encountered, though only a subtle improvement over the sound of the Casio models we recommend below.

The FP-10 has a number of helpful features, including the ability to split the keyboard in two so that teacher and student can play together on the same piano. It also has built-in Bluetooth support for connecting wirelessly to a phone or tablet running Roland’s Piano Partner 2 app . However, its physical controls aren’t intuitive, and it offers only 15 sounds—that’s enough for most students, but performers and recording hobbyists may want more.

The Casio CDP-S160 doesn’t quite capture the subtleties of a grand piano as well as the Roland FP-10 does, but it comes close—and its physical controls are easier to use. The CDP-S160 also includes useful teacher-and-student features, such as a duet mode for playing a lesson together. It has only 10 sounds, but the acoustic-piano and electric-piano simulations are very good, and the jazz-organ sound is one of the best we’ve heard in a digital piano.

Casio’s Music Space app provides access to additional controls and features, but using it requires a wired USB connection to your phone or tablet because this piano lacks built-in Bluetooth support and is not compatible with Casio’s optional Bluetooth adapter .

Although the Alesis Recital Pro doesn’t sound quite as good or play quite as well as our other picks, it’s clearly the standout value. The Recital Pro typically sells for hundreds less than the FP-10, and that savings is somewhat evident in the quality of the sounds that this piano produces.

Thanks to its intuitive button design and LCD readout, this keyboard is the easiest to use of our picks. However, it doesn’t come with a sustain pedal , so it requires an extra purchase of about $20 to make it fully functional.

The Casio CDP-S360 is similar to our runner-up, the CDP-S160, in sound and feel, but it gives you a lot more features for not a lot more money. It offers 700 different sounds, including probably every instrument you can name and many you can’t—and we found a lot of them to be quite useful. It also includes 200 rhythms for accompaniment, plus a built-in six-track recorder.

Though this piano has a digital readout, it’s small, and the controls can be confusing. Casio’s Music Space app makes this piano much easier to use, but pairing the instrument with a phone or tablet requires either a wired USB connection or the purchase of the Casio WU-BT10 Bluetooth adapter. If you know that you won’t use all of the CDP-S360’s extra sounds and features, we recommend saving some cash and getting the CDP-S160 instead.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, our pick: roland fp-10, runner-up: casio cdp-s160, budget pick: alesis recital pro, also great: casio cdp-s360, the competition.

Senior staff writer Brent Butterworth is known as an audio journalist, but he is also an accomplished musician who has played double bass with jazz, rock, and folk groups in New York City and Los Angeles, recorded an album with his own jazz group, Take2 , hosted regular jam sessions for years, and worked with innumerable keyboard players. He also owns two digital pianos.

Previous versions of this guide were written by John Higgins, who holds 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. John has worked as a professional music director, performed in concert halls and on nightclub stages, and taught music at a private Los Angeles middle and high school.

Our testing panels have included two pro pianists. Liz Kinnon has performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and Andy Williams, worked as an orchestrator on the animated shows Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and Histeria, and currently teaches jazz piano at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. Phil Metzler is a lifelong musician who plays keyboards (and occasionally trumpet) in the pop/rock band Just Off Turner, which has released five studio albums. He also composes music in his home studio in Los Angeles.

These digital keyboards are perfect for any student, of any age, who is interested in learning how to play piano. They are inexpensive (by piano standards), have built-in speakers, and include multiple piano sounds. These keyboards are relatively light—all our picks weigh under 30 pounds—so it’s possible for one person to carry the piano.

The value of these keyboards doesn’t stop at the beginner level. Professional pianists may find them useful for bringing to gigs or for connecting to a computer for recording. They’re also useful for practicing with headphones so that you don’t 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, higher build quality, and—with a digital console —a solid and attractive piece of furniture.

You have innumerable choices in digital keyboards, from high-end models priced over $3,000 to plasticky versions priced around $100. For this guide, we focus on models that feel enough like an acoustic piano that a student can practice on their digital piano in the afternoon and then feel comfortable playing a recital on a grand piano in the evening—or playing on their teacher’s acoustic piano.

We use the following criteria to help us decide which digital pianos to call in for testing:

• 88 keys: We consider only models that have 88 keys, which mimics an acoustic piano and allows the student to play any piano piece.
• Weighted action: In piano lingo, action describes the way the piano keys feel when you press them. With a digital piano, the closer the action is to that of an acoustic piano, the better. Semi-weighted action uses a spring to create the resistance you feel when pressing a key and its rebound when you lift your finger. Hammer action uses a hammer mechanism like that found in an acoustic piano to replicate the feel. Graded, or progressive, hammer action takes that a step further by increasing the weight of the action as you descend to the lower notes on the keyboard. Using a keyboard with weighted action is beneficial for multiple reasons. First, it helps you build finger strength while practicing (a spring-based action only minimally addresses this). Second, it allows for more variation and musicality in the way you play a note. Although an acoustic piano’s keyboard might look like nothing more than a bunch of on/off switches, in reality it allows for a range of volumes and timbres that you can achieve depending on how quickly or strongly you depress the keys. Hammer action best replicates those possibilities.
• Sound options: All of these pianos offer a digital simulation of a few different grand pianos, as well as simulations of electric pianos (such as a Rhodes or Wurlitzer ), other keyboards (such as a clavinet or organ), and various other instruments. However, some of those extra sounds are so cheesy and fake as to be useless, in our opinion. Our panelists place the greatest priority on the grand-piano sound but also give extra points to pianos that offer other good sound options.
• Price: To keep the focus on models that a student or a beginning player can afford, we set a price ceiling of $600, which still buys you a very good digital piano. Pricier models may offer better sound, nicer styling, and more features, but nothing that’s really necessary for student use. Because we limit our tests to models with weighted action, we have an effective price floor of around $300.
• Speakers: We pay attention to the quality of the speaker systems built into the pianos. In this price range, none of the pianos have speaker systems that are large and sophisticated enough to faithfully mimic a grand piano, but we want them to at least sound reasonably full and not distort badly when we play deep bass notes. We also want them to play loud enough that they could work well in a small, acoustic jam session without the need for an external amp.
• Connections: All of these pianos offer a headphone jack (which can double as an output for use with an amp or a recording system) and a connection for a sustain pedal. For most students, that’s plenty, but we do give extra points to pianos that support a connected three-pedal module (mimicking that of an acoustic piano). Connections such as a line input and a USB jack for interfacing with computers and MIDI sound modules are useful but not essential.
• Special features: All of these keyboards provide at least a built-in metronome, but some include fully functional rhythm machines. Some offer split modes that allow two people, such as a teacher and a student, to play at the same keyboard or allow one player to access different sounds simultaneously. Some offer recording functions. These features aren’t essential for beginners, but they may be useful for the slightly more advanced student or musician.
• Ease of use: In our experience, we’ve found that most pianists rarely use anything other than the grand-piano sound, and they seldom access a digital piano’s special features. So the intuitiveness of each piano’s physical controls and LCD readout (if it has one) is not as important to us as other factors. But we do note which pianos are the easiest to use, as well as whether you can use an accompanying app to improve the experience.

Most digital pianos include a simple sustain pedal, which lets the notes ring out, but it is usually lightweight and prone to flopping over and getting kicked around the floor. Even if your piano comes with a pedal, we strongly recommend upgrading to a sturdier, weighted pedal right away. Some digital pianos allow an upgrade to a three-pedal module, which adds the soft and sostenuto pedals found on an acoustic piano; we recommend getting one of these if your piano is compatible.

These budget digital keyboards may be available in packages that include a stand, but beware of flimsy stands that might tip over easily. We recommend a double-X stand like the RockJam Xfinity ; since this type of stand has a total of four legs, it’s stiffer, stronger, and more stable than typical two-legged stands, and unlike Z-style stands , it can collapse for storage.

For each round of testing, our panelists try out all the pianos and tell us not only what they personally prefer but also what they would recommend for students. The panelists focus on the pianos’ action, grand-piano sound, and controls. After the panelists weigh in, we spend more time evaluating the ergonomics and special features of each piano before making our picks.

The Roland FP-10 feels and sounds more like an acoustic piano than any of the other budget digital pianos we tested, which makes it easier for a beginner to transition to a real piano when necessary. The FP-10 uses the same action and piano sound engine found in Roland’s more expensive FP-30 , and John and Phil—the most accomplished pianists in our recent rounds of testing—both rated the FP-10 first in sound and playability.

The FP-10’s hammer action ranks among the best you can find for the price. It’s progressive, which means the lower keys have a little more resistance than the higher keys, just like on an acoustic piano. It also includes escapement, which on an acoustic piano is when the hammer drops away from the string after hitting it; the moment that happens is something you can feel on an acoustic piano, and Roland simulates the effect here.

John remarked that the FP-10 was the only keyboard in our last couple of test sessions that he regularly wanted to go back to and play for his own enjoyment—partly because its action was a bit firmer than that of our Casio and Alesis picks, and partly because it had a bit more key travel (the distance a key moves from its resting position to fully depressed under your finger), more closely matching that of an acoustic piano. Brent, who uses pianos only for composing and recording demos, preferred the lighter action of the Casio CDP-S160 .

It has the most realistic sound quality. Everyone on the panel agreed that the FP-10’s piano sound was better than the CDP-S160’s, though the improvement was subtle. Roland’s sound engine replicates all the noises a piano creates when you play it—not just the notes produced by the hammers hitting the strings. Those noises include the string vibrations that occur as the player depresses the damper pedal and the damper moves away from the strings. All of those little touches add to the FP-10’s sense of realism, and they’re one reason we liked its sound the best.

The FP-10 offers 15 sounds, including four grand-piano sounds, two electric-piano sounds, two organ sounds (jazz and pipe), two string sounds, vibraphone, and harpsichord. While the first grand-piano sound is the star of the show, most of the other sounds are good enough to use on occasion, such as when you’re jamming with another piano player who’s using a grand-piano sound.

The FP-10 is feature-packed and supports Bluetooth. It offers many special features, such as a metronome, action adjustment, and the ability to split the keyboard in two so that middle C is in the middle of each half of the keyboard, allowing a teacher and a student to play together on the same piano.

The easiest way to access these features is through Roland’s excellent Piano Partner 2 mobile app. It connects to the keyboard via Bluetooth (no need for an extra cable as on the Casio pianos), and through it you can easily adjust every parameter, including sound selection, volume, and metronome settings.

The FP-10 isn’t as low-profile and shallow as the CDP-S160, but it is a couple of inches less in width. At 27.1 pounds, it is relatively light, though not the lightest piano we tested.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The physical controls leave much to be desired. The FP-10 lacks a digital display, and making adjustments manually is less intuitive on this piano than it is on our runner-up pick , the Casio CDP-S160.

It displays volume via a series of lights that slowly get brighter and fill up as you press the button to make the volume louder, which is considerably less accurate and slower than turning the knob on the Casio model. (Brent, who often finds himself having to adjust a piano player’s level when he’s leading a jam session, especially disliked this function.)

Although you can increase and decrease the metronome by 1 or 10 beats per minute at a time, there’s no way for you to know the exact value.

Even the owner manual doesn’t explain most of these features; you’ll need to keep the separate FP-10 reference manual on hand to figure them out. Roland’s Piano Partner 2 app makes these functions easier to adjust and allows precise tempo settings, but for day-to-day use most students probably won’t want to go to the trouble of opening the app.

You’ll need to buy some accessories. Roland includes a cheap sustain pedal, which we recommend upgrading immediately. However, the FP-10 is not compatible with Roland’s three-pedal modules. Unlike our picks from Casio and Alesis, this Roland model cannot run on batteries.

The FP-10 lacks a 3.5 mm audio input. You can get that on our runner-up pick, the CDP-S160, but you’ll be sacrificing Bluetooth support.

If you want to save some money but still get a pretty realistic piano feel and sound, the Casio CDP-S160 is an excellent alternative to the Roland FP-10 for anyone in search of a light, compact keyboard that’s simple to operate. The action feels similar to that of an acoustic piano, and most of the included sounds are very good, though you get only 10 total.

The action is a bit lighter and less realistic than that of our top pick. Casio calls the CDP-S160’s action “scaled hammer action,” and it allows the keyboard to better emulate how the action feels across an acoustic piano’s keyboard, where the lower notes are a bit heavier than the higher notes.

John and Phil, our panel’s two most experienced testers, ranked this keyboard second in both sound quality and playability. Brent, who is much less skilled, ranked it first because he liked the lighter feel. John found that the keybed felt a little shallow and lacking in the depth his fingers were used to, especially as his fingers got closer to the keyboard body (between the black keys).

The plastic keys have a texture intended to mimic the touch of ebony and synthetic ivory piano keys; it took some getting used to, but we ended up really liking it. This Casio keyboard doesn’t have the escapement simulation found on the Roland FP-10, but beginners and students likely wouldn’t notice its absence.

The CDP-S160 offers only 10 sounds. That’s five fewer than the FP-10, but they’re mostly excellent. Included are three grand-piano sounds: standard, mellow, and bright. We preferred the standard sound, but the others are nice to have if you’re in a duet with another pianist.

We also liked the two electric-piano sounds. Brent particularly liked the B3 organ sound, and John thought the rotary-speaker sound effect added to the realism. However, the harpsichord and string sounds had a sterile and decidedly digital quality. The internal speakers play loud enough for a small, acoustic jam session.

The CDP-S160’s physical controls are easier to use than our top pick’s. This model lacks a digital readout, but the available adjustments (including sounds, reverb, chorus, and the like) are clearly labeled above certain keys. By pressing the function button and the appropriate key, you can make that particular adjustment. Almost any adjustment requires using both hands, but at least Casio makes it as easy as possible by stating what each key does directly above it instead of requiring you to refer to the manual or a cheat sheet.

You can return to the grand-piano sound with a single press of the function button, and the keyboard also has a dedicated button for starting and stopping the record feature. The volume dial feels firm and moves smoothly.

The keyboard also has a metronome that lets you adjust the tempo up and down, or you can set a specific tempo between 20 and 255 beats per minute. A duet function allows the CDP-S160 to split into two sides so that a student and teacher can sit at the keyboard together, with each side covering the same range of notes.

This piano does not support Bluetooth. Casio’s Music Space app makes the CDP-S160 even easier to use. Through the app you can adjust everything that you can control with the keyboard buttons but in a more pleasing way. However, you have to connect your phone or tablet to the keyboard with a USB cable because Bluetooth support is not built in (as with the Roland FP-10) or even optional (as with the Casio CDP-S360 ).

The CDP-S160 comes with a flimsy sustain pedal, which we recommend replacing with a heavier, sturdier pedal. The optional Casio SP-34 three-pedal add-on gives you the additional soft and sostenuto pedals found on an acoustic piano, and we recommend upgrading to it at some point.

The CDP-S160 can run on six AA batteries. This is helpful if you don’t have a power outlet nearby or plan to use the piano outside (maybe for busking). Also, the music desk (the holder where you place the sheet music) was the sturdiest among our test units. Its lower half is solid, which helps it hold a music book or sheets of paper better than a wire stand.

Unlike the FP-10, this piano has a 3.5 mm audio input for playing music through the internal speakers. And its small size and 23.1-pound weight make it simple to stow away.

The Alesis Recital Pro is by far the easiest to use of the digital pianos we tested, which may be especially important for beginners. Despite being the least expensive of our picks, it sounds good, plays reasonably well, and has the essential features we like to see.

It doesn’t sound or feel as realistic as our pricier picks. In our tests, the grand-piano sound was pretty good, though missing the depth and character that we got from the more expensive options. It never sounded particularly full, and the note decay (how long a note takes to diminish to nothing while the player depresses the sustain pedal) was much faster than that of an acoustic piano. The other 11 sounds were fine, and beginners are likely to have fun trying them out, but we didn’t find them particularly inspiring or useful.

The sound effects, on the other hand, are great, and the Recital Pro has a lot of them: eight different reverbs, eight choruses, and three modulation effects (tremolo, vibrato, and rotary speaker). The keyboard keeps your effect settings for each of the 12 sounds in memory, so it restores them when you choose that sound again or turn the keyboard off and then on. These effects are likely to be less important and useful for a beginner, but they might appeal to someone looking for an inexpensive performance piano.

Ease of use is its strongest asset. You can handle all instrument selection through six buttons on the console (two sounds per button). Buttons for modulation, chorus, and reverb effects are provided, and the piano has a digital display that shows all the settings and parameters.

You can adjust the Recital Pro’s metronome function to any setting from 30 to 280 beats per minute, and the speed appears on the display.

This piano does not come with a sustain pedal. We recommend getting a third-party pedal such as the M-Audio SP-2 —this piano’s lower price compared with the cost of our other picks more than makes up for that extra expense. This Alesis model’s duet mode, called Lesson, has an adjustable split point, which you can set for any key within a three-octave range.

The Alesis Recital Pro matches our other picks in length and height, but it’s a bit deeper—almost 4 inches deeper than the Roland FP-10 and 5 inches deeper than the Casio CDP-S160. It’s a little lighter than the Roland model at 26 pounds.

It can run on batteries, but it does not offer an app or Bluetooth support. Like our Casio picks, it can run on six batteries, but in this case they’re D batteries, which add a bit of weight to the keyboard. Alesis offers no companion app for the Recital Pro.

The music desk is a wire-style stand. If you’re using a music book or folder, you shouldn’t have a problem, but if you have single sheets of music, they’re likely to bend and fall through the back.

If you like to experiment with instrument sounds and recordings on a digital piano, consider the Casio CDP-S360 . It’s the same keyboard as our runner-up, the Casio CDP-S160 , but it offers a lot more features for only about $70 more.

This piano offers 700 sounds—and a lot of other features. As with any keyboard that offers so many sounds, a lot of them aren’t likely to be useful. But a surprising number of them are. You can access the same high-quality grand-piano sound as on the CDP-S160, as well as numerous additional piano sounds.

Students learning classical or jazz piano might not be interested in the less traditional sounds, but rock and pop students may enjoy finding sounds that are close to those they hear on their favorite records, such as DP Organ (which emulates the distorted organ sound made famous by Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water”) or Honky Tonk (which emulates the sound of an old upright piano). You have to spend some time finding which sounds work for you, but it’s fun.

The CDP-S360 also has a pitch-bend wheel at the left end of the keyboard, which lets you bend notes up or down—a good feature to have when you’re using a guitar, saxophone, or synthesizer sound.

That flexibility can make the CDP-S360 an ideal keyboard to add to your music room for jam sessions, as long as you’re willing to connect a smartphone or tablet and use the Casio Music Space app , which lets you quickly scroll through sounds by type and select them with one touch. You can also access all 700 sounds using the scroll wheel and digital display on the piano itself, but that takes forever.

Another feature that we found useful is the metronome, which you can easily access and adjust through the digital display and scroll wheel. Like our top picks, the CDP-S360 allows you to split the keyboard so that a teacher and a student can play together, or so that a single pianist can access two different sounds (or even two sounds at once in the upper register). The piano-control function of the Music Space app makes this feature easy to configure.

This piano plays just like the CDP-S160. The CDP-S360 uses the same scaled hammer action, and it has the same unusual but nice key texture. In a side-by-side comparison, the two keyboards felt the same.

John and Phil preferred the longer key travel, heavier action, and escapement simulation of the Roland FP-10, but they both said the action on the Casio models was excellent nonetheless.

It’s far more complicated to use and lacks built-in Bluetooth. Even though this model has a display panel, we found it was much easier to control the keyboard’s functions through the Music Space app—but that requires a wired USB connection to a phone or tablet, unless you spring for the optional Casio WU-BT10 Bluetooth adapter.

The keyboard offers 200 rhythm patterns in a wide variety of styles; the Music Space app makes it easier to navigate them, but we’ve found a good iOS or Android accompaniment app such as iReal Pro simpler to use and more versatile. An auto accompaniment feature on the CDP-S360 adds chords and bass parts based on what you play, but we found it difficult to figure out even after digging into the manual.

The built-in six-track recorder proved similarly uncordial. And we sometimes got deep enough in the weeds with the keyboard’s features that we had to turn the power off and on again to start over. The app offers even more features, such as piano roll (which plays tunes on the piano and displays an on-screen piano roll on your mobile device), but none that we found particularly useful.

Like most budget digital pianos, the CDP-S360 comes with a lightweight sustain pedal that tends to wander around on the floor. We strongly recommend replacing it with a heavier, sturdier pedal, or with the optional Casio SP-34 three-pedal add-on, which gives you the additional soft and sostenuto pedals found on an acoustic piano.

The back panel has a USB Type-A port for connecting the WU-BT10 Bluetooth adapter, a USB Type-B port for connecting to a computer or mobile device, a 0.25-inch connector for the sustain pedal, another connector for the optional SP-34 pedal, a single 3.5 mm audio output for headphones, and a 3.5 mm audio input that lets you play sound through the internal speakers (something that the WU-BT10 also lets you do). If you don’t have a power outlet nearby or want to use the CDP-S360 outside, it can run on six AA batteries.

The Alesis Recital was the least expensive model in our original round of tests, and the corner-cutting was obvious—it was everyone’s least favorite keyboard. It doesn’t come with a sustain pedal, and in our tests the keyboard felt more like that of a synthesizer than a piano. Brent commented that the simplistic piano sound lacked detail.

Although the Artesia PA-88H is a decent keyboard, nothing about it stood out enough for us to rank it above any of our picks. Brent owns one, but he finds that most of the pianists in his jam sessions greatly prefer his Yamaha P-45.

The Korg B2 is a pretty good keyboard, but for the same price we prefer the Roland FP-10 or the Casio CDP-S360.

We considered the Roland Go:Piano88 as a possible substitute for our budget pick, the Alesis Recital Pro . It has nice-sounding samples, but it lacks weighted keys, which are important for beginners to learn on so that the transition to an acoustic piano is easier.

The Yamaha P-45 was our previous runner-up pick, but its design has remained unchanged after several years, and due to its older technology it doesn’t sound nearly as good as our current picks. The Amazon-exclusive Yamaha P71 is reportedly the same piano as the P-45, so we did not test it.

Yamaha’s YPG-535 offers 500 sounds and comes with its own stand, but in our tests the keyboard action was springy and didn’t feel like a piano.

This article was edited by Adrienne Maxwell and Grant Clauser.

Meet your guides

Brent Butterworth

Brent Butterworth is a senior staff writer covering audio and musical instruments at Wirecutter. Since 1989, he has served as an editor or writer on audio-focused websites and magazines such as Home Theater, Sound & Vision, and SoundStage. He regularly gigs on double bass with various jazz groups, and his self-produced album Take2 rose as high as number three on the Roots Music Report jazz album chart.

John Higgins

Further reading

The Best USB Audio Interfaces for Musicians and Podcasters

by Brent Butterworth

If you’re serious about recording high-quality music or podcasts, a great USB audio interface—like Focusrite’s Scarlett 2i2 or Vocaster Two —is a vital tool.

The Best Wired Earbuds

by Ian D. White

The FiiO FD3 Pro is our favorite pair of wired earbuds under $200 because it offers excellent sound and build quality, plus a ton of helpful accessories.

Don’t Call It a Comeback: Cassettes Have Sounded Lousy for Years (And Still Do!)

Cassette tapes are audio’s hippest trend. Here’s why music lovers are going back to them, the reasons you might not want to, and how to find the right gear.

The Best Computer Speakers

The Pioneer DJ DM-50D-BT is the best-sounding pair of computer speakers we’ve heard in the $200 price range.

9 of the Best Digital Pianos of 2023

Thinking of buying a digital piano? Well, there are a lot of digital pianos to choose from. We've boiled down everything you need to know about digital pianos to help you pick up the best one for your needs.

There are quite a few factors to bear in mind: length, size, number of keys, the number of different sounds, brand, portable or fixed and weight, all play a large part when choosing the right model for you. It could be that you don't need a digital piano, but may prefer an upright piano .

Table of Contents

At a glance: Our top 3 picks

The best digital piano of 2023, 1. casio ct-x700 61-key portable keyboard, 2. alesis recital 61, 3. casio ctk2400 61- key portable keyboard, 4. yamaha p71 88-key weighted action digital piano, 5. yamaha p115b 88-key graded hammer standard digital piano, 6. rockjam 61-key electronic keyboard superkit, 7. korg b1sp 88 weighted key digital piano, 8. casio privia px-160 digital piano bundle with cs67 stand, 9. alesis melody 61 beginner bundle 61-key portable keyboard, premium choice, great value, what is digital piano, how to choose a digital piano, the sound quality, number of keys, keyboard action and touch response, number of sound and tones, speakers and amplifiers, what is touch response, the best digital piano for beginners.

In order to assist in the process, we will be discussing some of the very best digital piano options available to you. If you are looking for budget option, check out our review of the top digital pianos under 500 dollars . Got 1000 bucks to spend? Try these digital pianos for under $1000 .

• AiX Sound Source
• Learning System
• User-Friendly Display
• Powerful Volume
• Affordable Price

Find Lowest Price

Top of our list is this affordable, portable model from Casio. It’s an ideal choice for budding pianists thanks to its low price and easy usability.

Despite the budget price, it is loaded with lots of excellent features. Perhaps the standout component of this product is the AiX sound source. It delivers ample power, as well as excellent sound quality.

Experimenting with this digital piano is easy too. It includes 600 tones and 195 rhythms, which is far more than other products in the same price range. The broad choice also allows you to have a lot of fun with the instrument, which can keep you motivated to practice if you are a beginner.

Another great feature for beginners, in our opinion, is the in-built learning system. There are more than 100 songs to choose from that you can use to improve your skills too.

The bright, easily visible display is another big plus that aids usability.

Pros: + AiX Sound Source + Learning System + User-Friendly Display + Powerful Volume + Affordable Price

Why We Liked It -This Casio piano is perfect for beginners, due to its low price, user-friendly functions, and exceptional sound quality.

Portability - When considering a digital piano it's important to take portability into consideration. If you plan on performing anywhere with your digital piano, you'll want to make sure that it's lightweight enough to take from one venue to another. In which case, you'll also want to factor a high quality case and stand into your budget.

Kate Brunotts FOR MUSIC CRITIC

The next product on our list is another great choice for beginners. It’s made by a highly reliable brand – Alesis – that is well-known for producing top-quality, digital musical instruments for musicians of all levels.

As this product is targeted at newbie pianists, it comes with a very affordable price tag. It is also loaded with lots of quality features. First, it includes 61 keys that have been weighted so that they feel just like an acoustic piano. Next, it has 10 voices that all sound realistic, which allows you room to experiment.

Another feature that beginners will benefit from is the educational modes it includes. Not only does it include in-built lessons, but it also comes with a three-month membership to one of the best online learning resources, which is Skoove.

This digital piano can be powered by an electricity main or through 6D batteries, so you have the option to play it wherever you want.

Pros: + Perfectly Weighted Keys + Includes 3-Month Skoove Membership + Portable + Reasonable Price + Excellent Sound

Why We Liked It - It’s a superb starter, digital piano that offers exceptional sound quality and authentic, weighted keys.

If you're looking for a piano with excellent playability that sounds and feels like an acoustic piano, this digital piano is for you. If portability is a concern, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better sounding quality digital piano you can take with you on the go.

Pros: + Equipped with a new, intuitive sampling function, a power supply. and built-in microphone. + Comes with 400 AHL keyboard voices for more versatility. + Has a voice percussion function and 110 built-in songs, so that you can enhance your learning.

Why We Liked It - With so many features, such a little price tag the Casio CTK2400 61- Key Portable Keyboard is almost impossible to pass up.

MIDI Mapping - If you're interested in music production, it's worth seeing whether or not your digital piano has an embedded MIDI output. This way, you can use your keyboard as a controller within your DAW. It's also helpful if your digital piano has an aux output so that you can easily export any embedded sounds you like.

The Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano produces a realistic sound like no other. This full-size weighted-action key digital piano offers great quality sound and loads of features which we've highlighted for you below.

Pros: + Fully-weighted 88 key digital piano for a realistic sound and feel. + Good for beginners. + Dual mode which has the ability to combine two voices together.

Why We Liked It - The P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano by Yamaha is a versatile product available to you at a low price.

The Yamaha P115B 88-Key Graded Hammer Standard Digital Piano is one of the very best digital keyboards from Yamaha. It will satisfy all your digital piano needs.

Pros: + Realistic, top quality sound thanks to pure CF sound engine. + Comes in with four levels of touch-sensitivity for a realistic acoustic piano feel.

Why We Liked It - The Yamaha P115B 88-Key Graded Hammer Standard Digital Piano is a masterclass in how digital instruments should be made.

This is an excellent choice if you're just starting out. The RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard SuperKit is easy to play and is a great option for beginner piano players looking to get their feet wet.

Pros: + Comes equipped with 61 full-size keys. + The size of this digital keyboard is pretty compact making it a very portable digital piano. + 100 keyboard sounds, 100 rhythms, and 50 demo songs will help along your learning experience. + LCD screen.

Why We Liked It - With the ease of the playability and the amazing learning experience it offers, the RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard SuperKit is a must have for beginners. It's also easy on your bank balance, making it a real winner for us.

Korg is known for producing some of the very best digital pianos you will ever come across. The company has a history of manufacturing great pianos and with the Korg B1SP 88 Weighted-Key Digital Piano it continues to live up to its expectations.

Pros: + 88 keys with weighted hammer action for a realistic feel. + The sound is close to an acoustic piano thanks to the MFB (Motional Feedback) servo technology. + It comes with three pedals as well as damper, sostenuto and soft.

Why We Liked It - The Korg B1SP 88 Weighted-Key Digital Piano has no equal and this is why it's preferred by musicians the world over.

The Casio Privia PX-160 Digital Piano Bundle with CS67 Stand is a digital piano that will satisfy all your playing needs regardless of your skill level. It's an all-around great instrument made by one of the best in the business.

Pros: + Not just a digital piano but a complete bundle to satisfy your playing needs.

+ Elegant look with an improved quality of sound given by its redesigned speaker system.

Why We Liked It - Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or even at the professional level, the Casio Privia PX-160 Digital Piano Bundle with CS67 Stand has everything you could ever want in a digital piano.

The Alesis Melody 61 Beginner Bundle 61-Key Portable Keyboard is easy to play, compact, has a great sound, and is perfect for beginners.

Pros: + Has 61 keys that are compact and lightweight, which makes it an ideal beginner digital piano. + This digital piano also comes with 200 built-in sounds for more versatility. + Has a microphone so you can play and sing at the same time.

Why We Liked It - Although you won't get storing space with this digital piano, the features and the easy to play nature of the Alesis Melody 61 Beginner Bundle 61-Key Portable Keyboard will definitely put a smile on your face.

Digital Piano Buyers' Guide

There was a time when the only form of a piano was an acoustic piano. Acoustic pianos are large and it's difficult to easily keep such a big instrument in a house.

There was a need for a piano that was both portable and didn't take up loads of space. This led to the invention of the digital piano, a compact instrument that solved these problems for the consumer and also came with additional features that aren't available with traditional pianos.

It's hard to say whether one is better than the other; it's a matter of personal preference and the application. Some people might like the acoustic piano over a digital one because they are used to playing in big auditoriums and aren't concerned with portability. On the other hand, you'll also find people who will opt for a digital piano over an acoustic one because of their features and the portability.

There are some very important things that you should consider before purchasing a digital piano which we've outlined below.

Sound Quality of the Digital Piano

The job of a digital piano is to emit sounds as close as possible to that of an acoustic piano. Therefore, it's important for a digital piano to reproduce a realistic acoustic piano sound. A key factor to look for is digital memory. The greater the digital memory of the piano, the more realistic the sound it will produce. Some of the very best models are equipped with a larger digital memory and offer better quality sound.

Another factor that has an impact on the sound of a digital piano is the quality of its built-in speakers and amplifiers. The better the quality of the speakers and amplifiers, the better the sound quality of the digital piano.

Polyphony refers to the capability of the piano to produce a number of individual tones or notes at once. The minimum you should be looking at is a 32-note polyphony. If you're a beginner you should go with the 32-note polyphony to keep it as simple. The 32-note polyphony is easy to learn. There is a 62-note polyphony that comes in with digital pianos as well, which is for producing complex sounds and better for intermediate players. There are some extremely high-quality pianos available with the capability of delivering up to 124-note polyphony or even 264-note polyphony. These are pro pianos.

Tools for Learning

Most digital pianos come with lessons that are helpful for beginners. A digital piano that comes equipped with a built-in metronome will help you to stay in rhythm. Some are also equipped with displays that show which key is being played so you always press the right key. A digital piano with all these learning tools is considered to be a pretty good one for a beginner.

Another important factor is your budget. Digital pianos have different features and specs, which will be reflected in the price. A digital piano can cost you as little as under $500 and may go up to thousands of dollars. Figure out what you want from your digital piano then set a price limit. Beginners should go for basic models that will help them to learn how to play rather than buying a digital piano with loads of features that will take them a long time to master and cost more money.

Portability

We have already discussed earlier that one of the main reasons that the digital pianos were invented was because of the issue of portability.  If you do a lot of traveling, you should opt for a lighter, compact model. If travel isn't a concern, you can invest in a larger digital piano with more features.

One of the greatest digital pianos ever produced is the Yamaha YDP143R Arius Series Console Digital Piano. The sound quality of this piano is amazing. It comes with a pure CF sound engine for reproducing authentic acoustic piano sound.

Its GHS weighted-action keys are lighter in the low keys and heavier in the high ones, for an authentic acoustic piano feel. It also comes equipped with a 2-track song recorder so that you can practice and record at the same time.

Although a bit more expensive, when you look at all the features and specs it has, it's a worthwhile investment.

A digital piano is an electronic musical instrument that replicates the sound of a traditional acoustic piano. It was developed out of the need for more portable, compact, and less expensive options to the acoustic piano and offers beginner piano players an affordable option to learn the instrument. Many also come with a variety of features to enhance the playing experience.

There are some key considerations that should be kept in mind before you step into purchasing a digital piano for yourself or even for your child. We've outlined the things to bear in mind for you below.

Whenever you are going for any product in the world you have a certain budget in your mind and the same goes for the digital pianos as well. You first need to decide on a budget then select the best possible option available in that particular budget. If you're a beginner who's purchasing a digital keyboard for the very first time, go for a less expensive model.

Digital pianos are available in different price ranges starting from as low as under $200 and going up to thousands of dollars. Do your research to figure out what digital piano offers you the best value for money based on your needs.

As we already have discussed earlier that the primary objective of a digital piano is to reproduce sound as realistic as that of an acoustic piano.

The sound quality of the acoustic piano comes from its components. Digital pianos' sound quality comes from the samples used to create sounds which are dependent upon the digital memory of the piano. The more digital memory, the better the sound quality. Look closely into digital memory size before taking the plunge and buying a digital piano.

When you look at acoustic pianos you will find that they have 88 keys. This is not the case with the digital pianos. Unless you're a digital artist or DJ, the best choice for you is a piano with 88 keys. If you're a DJ and are looking for turntables ( click here for our full guide ). If you're a beginner you should go for digital pianos that have 88 keys for a complete learning experience.

It is not only important for a digital piano to sound like an acoustic piano, but also feel like the real thing. This is down to the type of keyboard action on your digital piano.

Keyboard action types on digital pianos include semi-weighted, fully-weighted, and hammer action. The semi-weighted and the fully-weighted are good at imitating the feel of the real acoustic piano but the hammer action is the closest you'll get to the feel of an acoustic piano. Thoroughly consider what type of keyboard action comes with the digital piano that you are going to purchase.

Touch response is another key factor. The better touch response your digital piano has, the closer it's going to feel like the real thing.

Most digital pianos come equipped with hundreds of sounds and tones from different instruments. For a beginner, it's important to stick to the basic sounds while you're learning. The hundreds of sounds that your digital piano is equipped with might be of no use at all for you. On the other hand, intermediate players and pros might prefer a wide variety of sounds and tones to play around with.

Read more reviews of Pianos here .

Most modern-day digital pianos are equipped with built-in speakers and amplifiers and they are an absolute must for digital pianos. If you're playing at home, you want your digital piano to produce sound without having to connect it to external speakers or amplifiers.

Now if you look at a wider application for digital pianos or keyboards, you'll realize these built-in speakers and amplifiers aren't sufficient for live performances, so you'd want a digital piano with output options so you can connect external loudspeakers and amplifiers to it.

Touch response relates to the keys of the piano. As we all know by now, digital pianos are electronic instruments and don't work the same way as a traditional acoustic piano. The keys of most digital pianos are velocity-sensitive keys and they can determine the sound by the force with which they are pressed. This is known to be the touch response of a digital piano.

When you have so much to choose from, picking the right digital piano for you can be a challenge. As a beginner, you want to keep things simple because it will take you time to learn the instrument and improve your playing level. Don't buy an expensive model when you're starting off. You can always upgrade down the line as your skills improve.

Some of the best digital piano brands for beginners include:

• Axus Digital

We hope this guide has simplified digital pianos for you and will help you choose the best one for your needs.

Bundle Benefits - Keyboard bundles are perfect for getting your setup up and running without too much downtime. However, if you're looking for a compact digital keyboard or primarily a keyboard to use as a MIDI controller, a stand or added lesson book may be less relevant to your needs.

If you liked this review, please leave a positive rating:

• 109 ratings

Step-by-step guide to moving a piano safely

Phinnie Zahareas is a contributing write r for USA TODAY Homefront. She works as a project manager and professional organizer for a moving company in Louisiana. She’s managed dozens of moving jobs — from tiny houses to sprawling office buildings — and aims to make relocations easier for everyone. In addition to her work in the moving industry, she holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. She still lives in New Orleans, where she walks her two spotted dogs along the Mississippi River every evening.

Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below ) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

• While you can move a piano on your own, hiring professionals is best for optimal safety and peace of mind.
• For a DIY approach, you need three people, a furniture dolly, moving blankets, tape and straps.
• Upright pianos can go directly on a dolly, but grand pianos require a grand piano board.

Moving a piano requires considerable strength, skill and specialized equipment. While it may seem feasible to move a piano alone or with the help of a few friends, pianos are delicate and heavy musical instruments that are prone to damage if not transported properly. Even with some DIY know-how and a handful of helpers, moving a piano without professional expertise increases the likelihood of accidents, injuries and damage to the instrument and property.

“We’ve been in business since 1958, and we move 1,300–1,500 pianos a year,” said John Wright, owner of Hall Piano in New Orleans. He explained that professional piano movers are worth the cost because they provide more than just transportation for your piano. They bring years of experience and insurance — in case something goes wrong.

Still, relocating an upright piano, baby grand piano or grand piano without professional aid is doable. If you’re considering a DIY approach to save cash, read our comprehensive guide first. We compiled essential steps, equipment lists and safety precautions to equip you for the task ahead.

Can you move a piano by yourself?

Moving a piano alone is impossible due to the instrument’s size, weight and shape. “Grand pianos weigh 550 pounds, and uprights weigh 350–450 pounds,” said Wright. This makes it physically impossible for one person to lift or maneuver a piano safely. Additionally, pianos are bulky and often have irregular shapes, further complicating moving them solo.

However, moving a piano is possible with assistance from friends or family members. You can lift and transport the piano safely by distributing the weight among multiple individuals and coordinating efforts. Extra hands also allow for better control and maneuverability, especially when navigating narrow hallways or staircases.

Especially if you’re already hiring a professional moving company , consider hiring skilled piano movers to ensure optimal safety and protection for the instrument, your property and the individuals involved. Skilled professional movers possess the necessary training, experience and equipment to handle pianos safely, minimizing risks and ensuring a smooth and secure moving process.

Safety tips for DIY piano moving

Prioritize safety before you embark on the adventure of DIY piano moving. Moving a piano is no small task and requires careful planning and execution to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to your instrument. Here are some safety tips:

• Ask for help: Do not try to move your piano by yourself. “You need at least two people to move a piano,” said Wright.
• Clear pathways: Before you begin, ensure all pathways are clear of obstacles, debris and tripping hazards. Move rugs, furniture and rogue moving supplies, such as packing material and tape dispensers, that could cause accidents en route to the moving truck. Make sure pets and small children are out of the way, too.
• Communicate clearly: Establish clear communication with your moving team to coordinate lifting and maneuvering. Decide on verbal cues and hand signals to indicate when to lift, lower or adjust the piano’s position.
• Take breaks: Moving a piano is physically demanding. Take regular breaks to rest and hydrate. Avoid overexertion and listen to your body’s signals to prevent fatigue and injuries.
• Take measurements: Measure doorways and staircases in your current and new homes to ensure the piano can easily pass through.
• Use proper lifting technique: “You don’t need to be a bodybuilder to move a piano, but you do have to use proper lifting techniques. Bend your knees and keep your back straight,” said Wright. Lifting with your legs rather than your back or arms minimizes the risk of injury.
• Wear protective gear: Wear closed-toe shoes with good traction to prevent slips and falls while carrying the piano. Wear gloves to improve your grip.

What equipment do you need to move a piano?

Moving a piano requires proper equipment tailored to the piano’s type and size. Here’s what you’ll need:

Nonslip gloves offer better grip and protect movers’ hands from injuries and splinters while lifting and maneuvering the piano.

Thick moving blankets or padding protect the piano’s finish from scratches and dents while in transit.

Use painter’s tape or nonabrasive tape to secure the top of upright pianos. Use packing tape when wrapping your piano with padding.

A sturdy four-wheeled furniture dolly with padded surfaces helps maneuver the piano to the moving truck. “The only laborious part is getting the piano on the dolly. Then you roll it wherever you need to go,” said Wright.

“For uprights, the piano goes right on the dolly, but for grands, you need the piano board,” said Wright. A grand piano board, also known as a piano skid board, is a long piece of wood that supports the piano’s weight on top of the furniture dolly and allows for smooth movement across floors and through doorways.

Use heavy-duty moving straps to secure the piano to the skid board and dolly. Once the piano is on the moving truck, you can repurpose the straps to secure the piano during transport to your new location.

Steps to move a piano safely

Ready to get your beloved keys out the door? Here’s a step-by-step guide to moving your piano safely.

Step 1: Prepare and disassemble the piano

Uprights: Tape the top of the piano closed. Use painter’s or nonabrasive tape to avoid damaging the piano’s surface. If your piano has a keyboard locking mechanism, engage it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If it doesn’t have built-in locking mechanisms, use piano locks or straps to secure the keyboard lid. Wrap the pedals in cushioning such as Bubble Wrap.

Grands: Remove the music rack and set it aside, then remove the piano lid. Place accompanying screws and hinges in a small plastic bag labeled “lid” and set aside. Detach the lyre, which is the wooden bar connecting the piano pedals. Place accompanying screws in a small plastic bag labeled “lyre” and set aside. Wrap the pedals in cushioning. Lay the piano on its flat side on top of the piano board. Have one person support the piano while another removes the piano’s legs with a screwdriver. Place the screws in a plastic bag labeled “legs.” Have the third person wrap the piano lid, bench, music rack, legs and lyre.

Step 2: Wrap the piano

Uprights: Wrap the entire piano in padding or moving blankets to protect it from bumps and scratches during transport. Secure the padding with packing tape, but do not tape the piano’s surface.

Grands: Wrap the entire piano, including the keys, with moving blankets. Wrap packing tape around the blankets to secure the padding. Use plastic wrap over the tape and blankets for extra protection during an interstate move .

Step 3: Lift and secure the piano

Uprights: With one person on either side of the piano, lift the piano on the count of three. The third person should quickly position the four-wheeled furniture dolly under the piano. Once the dolly is in position, lower the piano onto it. Make sure the dolly is centered below the piano. Use moving straps to secure the piano to the dolly, ensuring it is stable and balanced before moving.

Grands: Secure the piano on the skid board with moving straps. With one person on either side of the piano, lift and tilt it to one side while a third person slides the furniture dolly under the piano board. Gently lower the piano board onto the furniture dolly. Wrap straps around the piano and skid board to secure the dolly before moving.

Step 4: Load the piano onto the truck

Roll the piano through the house to the truck. Use ramps or liftgates to load the piano into the truck, securing it against its wall with straps or tie-downs to prevent shifting during transit.

Step 5: Set up at your new home

Reverse the packing and loading steps to unload the piano at your new home. Pianos often require tuning after being moved due to changes in string tension caused by transportation, fluctuations in temperature and humidity, and physical stress on internal components. After the piano has settled into its new location, hire a professional piano tuner to adjust the strings and restore its optimal sound.

What’s next?

If the prospect of moving a piano on your own seems daunting, or if you want to ensure the utmost care for your instrument, contract professional piano moving services. Pros have the specialized equipment and expertise to handle all piano types with precision and care. They can navigate tight spaces, a flight of stairs and other obstacles to ensure a smooth and stress-free local or long-distance move for your piano.

If you decide to proceed with a DIY approach, ensure you have all the necessary tools and supplies and prioritize safety for yourself and your piano.

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.

Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront ). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

There’s no use crying over spilled milk, but a boxful of broken china or glassware might elicit more than a few tears. The contents of your kitchen cabinets are more than useful and pretty — they are often expensive. Dishes can also hold sentimental value. Packing fragile tableware correctly will help you avoid boxes full…

Moving is a daunting task — organizationally, emotionally and physically. But what if you’re in a time crunch? Knowing how to pack your house in under a week might be the key to a successful relocation. The minute you know you’re going to relocate, even if it’s a last-minute move, start decluttering. “Edit ruthlessly,” advised…

Long-distance moves take more than one day due to the drive time. These moves often come with unique challenges, such as vehicle shipping, storage for your belongings between homes and transporting antiques or fragile items. Hiring a professional moving company for long-distance moves — especially if it’s cross-country — saves you the hassle of dealing with…

When selecting a moving company for help relocating across state lines, the first thing to check is whether it’s properly licensed. Then, figure out which movers offer the services you need and the customer support you expect at a price you can afford. We analyzed and reviewed top interstate movers in the U.S. based on…

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Products
• Trends + Deals We Love

I Spent Hours Reading Shopper Reviews to Find the 10 Best Travel Accessories at Amazon — From $10

Who better to trust than travelers in the real world?

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

As a travel writer, it’s important that I have the right travel essentials to match my on-the-go lifestyle. I rely on accessories that are durable enough to go the distance and can make my adventures as seamless as possible. And one of my go-to methods for finding them is checking out the trending and top-rated Amazon items recommended by fellow travelers and shoppers — because who better to trust than those actively testing products like luggage and comfortable clothing in the real world? 

And because it’s my full-time job to know the best deals on the internet, I spent hours combing through Amazon’s shopper review section to curate a list of the 10 most-loved, highly-sought-after products from the retailer. These items range from a travel backpack that one shopper dubbed as a “traveler’s dream come true” to a surprisingly spacious $10 carry-on duffel bag with thousands of perfect ratings. What's even more exciting is that many of these highly-rated items are currently up to 70 percent off, making now the perfect time to grab them and enhance your spring travels.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Double Spinner Carry-on

Need a luggage upgrade? Look no further than this Samsonite carry-on, which has not only earned a spot on Amazon’s best-selling carry-on list , but has also received over 9,000 perfect ratings from reviewers. In fact, even a former full-time traveler has praised this bag : “After years of flying to four to five different cities every week (most of which had connecting flights and drives involved), I know my suitcases, and this one is the best.” That same shopper also highlighted their favorite features of the bag: its four 360-degree wheels that glide smoothly over everything from “carpet, regular floors, and sidewalks,” its spacious interior, and its stunning look that remained intact despite years of travel.  

Even more, this bag has earned high marks from Travel + Leisure editors, who dubbed it the best overall choice in their hardside luggage test . According to testers, “Earning perfect scores across the board, this standout suitcase is compact yet spacious, with a high-strength thermoplastic shell and smooth-gliding wheels.” It also happens to be on sale for $150 this week.

Apple AirTag 4-pack

Garnering nearly 100,000 five-star ratings, Apple AirTags have been called everything from a “ lifesaver ” and “ the best invention ever ” to “ the ultimate tracking device ” by Amazon shoppers. It’s clear that travelers can’t get enough of these Bluetooth tracking devices, as they effortlessly sync with the Find My app on Apple devices to provide precise, real-time tracking of your belongings. And, with this pack of four (that happens to be $20 off), you can head out with the peace of mind that all of your personal belongings are accounted for. 

Narwey Foldable Duffel Bag

After reading through dozens of duffel bag reviews, I’ve come to the conclusion that this one is the best of the best. At a mere 18 inches by 13 inches by 6.3 inches, the bag has a reputation for fitting “ a week’s worth of clothes, plus toiletries and shoes ,” — all while meeting the requirements for a personal item on Spirit and Frontier flights. It’s on sale for $10 and available in 42 different hues and prints, so you might as well snag one for you and your travel mates. 

Bagail Packing Cube Set

Packing cubes are an essential travel accessory for efficient and space-saving organization in your suitcase. And while there are plenty of packs to choose from, I’m particularly enchanted by this set that one reviewer claimed “changed [their] life” thanks to its ability to keep your items separated, compressed, and properly stored. Plus, you can get them double discounted for $16 thanks to an on-site coupon. 

Asenlin Travel Backpack 40L

If you’ve never traveled with a backpack, then let this be your sign to start. With their ergonomic design, backpacks serve as a roomy yet compact option to transport your belongings, all while helping you skew past unnecessary bag fees. This Aselin Travel Backpack comes with a 40-liter carrying capacity that one customer called “a traveler’s dream come true” because of its “spacious and thoughtful design” and water-resistant material. 

She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

As important as it is to enjoy your trip, it’s just as vital to stay alert and vigilant no matter where you go. I like to keep a plethora of safety devices in my travel bag, but if I were to prioritize one, I’d recommend this Amazon best-selling personal alarm that reviewers say gives them “ peace of mind ” while they travel. And as a cherry on top? It’s 20 percent off. 

Anlmz Store 3-in-1 Charging Station

Keeping a full charge on your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods can be challenging. And that's before you factor in keeping track of a bunch of their different charging cables in your carry-on. Fortunately, Amazon has a three-in-one solution that charges your tech together in one convenient spot. And, one shopper loved it so much during a recent trip that they are “buying another one just to keep in [their] carry-on so they always have it for traveling.” Be sure to clip the on-site coupon so you can score an extra 30 percent off. 

JBL Tune 710BT Wireless Over-ear Headphones

To me, entertainment ranks high on my list of must-haves for a comfortable journey, and that typically begins with a great pair of headphones. But contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars for a high-quality pair. I personally love this pair of over-ear noise-canceling headphones for its stellar sound quality and comfortable fit — but don’t just take my word for it; take it from the thousands of five-star shopper reviews they've earned, each one highlighting their long-lasting battery and design that does not “fall or slip off” during transit. Snag a pair to try out for yourself, considering that they’re 25 percent off today. 

Talena Belt Bag

With spring in full swing (and summer just around the corner), the key to staying cool and comfortable is by traveling as lightweight as possible. And while this means wearing garments like breezy tanks and flowy pants, this tidbit of advice also applies to the bags that we carry. So what are Amazon travelers loving this season? This versatile $10 bag that can be worn as a belt bag, crossbody, or shoulder bag. Shoppers say that it “holds a lot” of stuff and that they can “fit a small wallet, notepad, travel-sized make-up, sunglasses, readers, and so much more into this bag.” Even more, its straightforward design can be styled up, down, and be worn virtually anywhere. 

Napfun Travel Neck Pillow

As a frequent traveler, I know the importance of getting good rest while on the go. That's why one of my priorities when I first embarked on my mission to find the best Amazon travel accessories was to track down a great, shopper-loved neck pillow. And let me tell you, I hit the jackpot with this incredible $15 one from Napfun. It is designed with memory foam and chin support for unbelievable, next-level comfort, and is regarded by one shopper as a “great pillow for travel,” a title that they gave it after they were able to rest comfortably on a 20-hour flight to Alaska. They added that flying with the pillow “was optimal in my ability to sleep on my longest connection flight, which was six hours.”

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

See More T+L Shopping Deals

Try these stylist-approved hair trends: Cowgirl curls, '90s blowout and more

• TODAY Plaza
• Share this —

• Watch Full Episodes
• Read With Jenna
• Inspirational
• Relationships
• TODAY Table
• Newsletters
• Start TODAY
• Shop TODAY Awards
• Citi Concert Series
• Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

• On The Show

This silly-looking pillow is the reason I no longer dread long flights

Friends think I’m blessed. “How lucky,” they say, “for you to be able to fall asleep anywhere.” They forget that I was an insomniac for years — the slightest sound used to wake me, and then I’d stay awake for hours. I spent days on end, bleary-eyed, from just a few hours of sleep . My hours of unconsciousness were precious — which meant that travel (particularly redeye flights) was dreaded. If I couldn’t sleep well in my own bed, I certainly wasn’t going to snooze in transit. I’d inevitably arrive at my destination, craving not adventure, but sleep — until I found this one life-changing travel pillow. 

The TRTL travel pillow has officially become my must-pack travel accessory, particularly when journeying long distances. Before boarding a flight or train ride, I make sure it’s in my bag . Because it’s not a typical travel pillow, it doesn’t pose the usual travel pillow woes: no creaky neck, no mid-flight deflation, no taking up room in your suitcase. (Suitcase storage space is sacred — particularly if, like me, you’re a souvenir zealot.)

TRTL Travel Pillow

Travel and Airplane Pillow

Although its price tag may raise some eyebrows, if you’re taking redeye flights and need to wake up refreshed in your destination — you know the price you’d pay for a good night’s sleep. 

What is the TRTL Travel Pillow?

The pillow is lightweight, easy to pack, and (best of all) makes it possible to get good rest when you’re far away from your creature comforts. This is probably because it doesn’t look at all like a travel pillow. (If you’ve ever walked past someone on a flight and it seemed their scarf was somehow keeping their head held up, you walked past someone with a TRTL.) It’s a deceptively simple design: one piece of plastic that acts as a cradle for your head, wrapped in what looks like a super soft fleece scarf with foam padding. 

In order to don the TRTL, you place the bit with the padded cradle on your preferred side, then wrap the rest of the scarf-like fabric around your neck and secure the velcro to hold everything in place. (The fleece is, by the way, extremely cozy.) 

Why I like this product

The pillow is designed to provide “cushioned but firm support, holding your head in a neutral position,” according to its makers. It creates this neutral position for my neck that has made such a difference in allowing me to sleep on the road. 

It's adjustable and machine washable

As someone who works on the computer and is a side sleeper, I have made peace with the fact that I’ll live life with some constant, low-simmer shoulder tension. Sleeping with typical travel pillows used to make this worse. If I was able to fall asleep (which was rare), I’d wake about an hour later with a creak in my neck. But because the TRTL is adjustable, it perfectly cradles my head and I feel supported, like my pillow does in my bed. And my shoulders are deeply grateful.

Also, although you can throw your TRTL back in your suitcase at the end of a flight, I prefer to tuck it in my purse or tote — where it takes up seriously little room. It’s lightweight enough that I can genuinely, honestly forget that I’m carrying it. 

And because accidents do happen (especially when on the road), the pillow is machine washable . All you need to do is slide out the cradle from the scarf, then throw the scarf into your washing machine. It’s easy to take apart and reassemble, as there are only two parts.

What to consider

But, as with any holy grail product, there are a few things you should take note of before you rush to add this to your cart. 

I would highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the TRTL before you travel. The plastic framework is adjustable, meaning it will fit all neck sizes — but you’ll want to find your perfect settings at home . It takes a bit of elbow room to finagle the plastic and your in-flight neighbor likely won’t appreciate a jab across the armrest. 

There are other adjustments you can make while on the road. I’ve heard that if you’ve got a longer neck, you’ll want to position the cradle tight before you wrap the scarf around to close it. If you prefer your head to be straight when sleeping, you’ll want the cradle closer to your chest than your shoulder. This might take some time for you to figure out, though.

Also, the TRTL doesn’t solve the other woes of sleeping in transit. If you’re anything like me, you’ll still need to pack earplugs or noise-cancelling earbuds. But if you’re a side sleeper who travels light and needs eight hours every night, the TRTL may just revolutionize the way you travel. Blessings abound!

Travel Gear Awards winners seen on TODAY

Soma Everstretch Relaxed Travel Bra Dress

Winner: Best travel dress. See more for a deal:

Reef Cushion Vista Hi

Winner: Best budget sandals. See more for a deal:

Halfday The Garment Duffel

Winner: Most innovative carry-on. See more for a deal:

Bespoke Post

Twelve South AirFly Pro in Black

Winner: Best in-flight must-have. See more for a deal:

Twelve South

Lanzom Panama Sun Hat

Winner: Best packable hat

Wrangler 20-Inch Rolling Carry-On

Winner: Best budget carry-on

Etekcity EL11 Luggage Scale

Winner: Best flight essential

Travelrest All-in-One Ultimate Travel Pillow

Winner: Best travel pillow

Bagsmart Bonchemin The Space Saver Toiletry Bag

Winner: Best budget toiletry bag. See more for a deal:

Veger Portable Wall Plug Charger With Built-In Cables

Winner: Best portable charger

Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Airism Jogger Pants

Winner: Best unisex jogger/travel pant

Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Dry-Ex Jogger Pants

Winner: Best budget men's joggers

These are the best places to stay in the world for 2024, according to Tripadvisor

Choosing your next vacation isn’t just about where you visit, but where you stay.

To help travelers book the vacation possible, Tripadvisor, one of the biggest online travel agencies, revealed its 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards — including the list of the world’s best hotels.

The list ranks destinations that received a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over the past year — out of 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieved the milestone.

New York City is still one of the top tourist destinations in the world, so it’s no shock that three of the top stays in the US are right here in Manhattan: The Luma Hotel in Times Square, The Bryant Park Hotel and Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection, also in Times Square.

But although many people agree NYC is the greatest city in the world, none of its hotels made the list for the best stays on a global scale.

The top hotel in the world is the Hotel Colline de France in Brazil, according to Tripadvisor.

The luxurious stay was highly rated for its “sophistication and comfort” shown through its glamorous rooms and luscious spa.

The live piano music played at breakfast and complimentary sparkling wine were also nice touches.

“The hotel’s sensational design and warm atmosphere make it a unique choice for an elegant, yet cozy, getaway,” Tripadvisor said.

• Hotel Colline de France, Brazil
• OBLU SELECT Lobigili, Maldives
• La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa, Vietnam
• Adiwana Suweta, Indonesia
• Iberostar Grand Packard, Cuba
• Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, Maldives
• La Siesta Classic Ma May, Vietnam
• Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya, Mexico
• Padma Resort Ubud, Indonesia
• Sofitel Mexico City Reforma, Mexico

The top hotel in the US is the Shore Hotel in Santa Monica, California, according to Tripadvisor.

The pet-friendly hotel stands out with its beautiful view of the ocean and eco-friendly but slick design — its proximity to the Santa Monica Pier also helps to attract guests.

Travelers also raved about the variety of food options, including the in-room breakfast options and the poolside bar.

“A stylish atmosphere and attention to detail ensure a fab stay for you and your furry friend,” Tripadvisor said.

• Shore Hotel, Santa Monica, California
• Luma Hotel Times Square, New York
• FivePine Lodge & Spa, Oregon
• The Bryant Park Hotel, New York
• Hotel Emma, San Antonia, Texas
• The Loutrel, South Carolina
• Lotte Hotel Seattle, Washington
• Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Illinois
• Ironworks Hotel Indy, Indiana
• San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk, Texas
• The Lodge at Woodloch, Pennsylvania
• Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection, Hawaii
• Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection, New York

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

'Conan O'Brien Must Go' is side-splitting evidence of life beyond late night TV

Eric Deggans

Conan O'Brien dresses as a Viking in Norway. Conaco/Max hide caption

Conan O'Brien dresses as a Viking in Norway.

To be honest, when I first heard Conan O'Brien was ending his TV talk show in 2021, I assumed news that he might turn to variety shows and online programs to continue his career was some combination of face-saving and wishful thinking.

But after watching the four episodes of his new Max series Conan O'Brien Must Go , it's now obvious — even to a thickheaded critic like me — that leaving late night TV really was liberating for O'Brien. He's leveraged his unique sensibility into several different podcasts, a deal with Sirius XM , specials featuring other stand-up comics and now this travel series for Max — which resembles jokey specials he did for cable channel TBS back in the day.

And as the late night TV genre crumbles under sagging viewership and the decline of traditional media, O'Brien's renaissance also provides an example for the future — where fertile comedy minds and talented performers can spread their work over a much larger canvas.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Is conan o'brien the best 'hot ones' guest ever discuss., learning a lesson from 'hot ones'.

O'Brien already made a splash recently with his brilliantly maniacal appearance on the interview-while-eating-hot-wings show Hot Ones , slobbering over hot sauces while claiming, as he was checked over by a fake doctor, that "I'm fine! I'm perfectly f*****g fine!"

This is the place where O'Brien shines — he's called it "this strange phantom intersection between smart and stupid" — and it's on full, freakish, super silly display in every episode of Conan O'Brien Must Go .

The conceit of the show is pretty simple. O'Brien heads overseas to visit average folks in Norway, Argentina, Thailand and Ireland who had once Zoomed in to speak with him on the podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan . Sometimes the visits seem like a surprise — he catches one aspiring Norwegian rapper in shorts and Crocs after popping up on his doorstep — and others seem a bit more planned, including his visit to a radio show with about four listeners in Buenos Aires.

Each episode begins with a solemn monologue which sounds like it is delivered by the film world's most eccentric voice, German filmmaker and actor Werner Herzog (he's not credited in the show and when asked, a publicist at Max shared a quote from O'Brien: "I can neither confirm nor deny the voice in question.")

The torturous accent by "Herzog" makes every line sound absurdly hilarious, describing O'Brien as "the defiler ... with dull, tiny eyes ... the eyes of a crudely painted doll ... he scavenges in distant lands, uninvited, fueled by a bottomless hunger for recognition and the occasional selfie."

Now that's smart. And oh so stupid.

A funhouse mirror version of a travel show

O'Brien performs onstage with a fan in Norway Conaco/Max hide caption

O'Brien performs onstage with a fan in Norway

Fans of O'Brien's Conan Without Borders specials on TBS already know what his style is when he tackles a travel show — throwing himself into outrageous reactions and situations while working his quirky brand of improvised conversations with hapless bystanders.

In the Max series Conan O'Brien Must Go , that includes O'Brien offering screechy vocals onstage during a performance of a Norwegian emo/rap band. Or asking provocative questions of a couple therapist/sex expert. Or getting beat up in a "fight" with a 10-year-old boy in a bar.

It's all an excuse for O'Brien to unleash his energetic wit, taste for silly absurdity and skill at drawing laughs from sympathetic — if often befuddled — strangers. Whether you enjoy this special will depend on how you feel about O'Brien's style, which can feel a bit like the world's best class clown doing everything possible to make you crack a smile.

(Rent a family in Norway so they can say goodbye when he gets on a SeaCraft? Check. Get local artists to paint a mural of O'Brien, a soccer star and The Pope on the side of a building in Argentina? Double check.)

'Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend' Is A Joke Name For A Podcast — Sort Of

But what amazes in a larger sense is how O'Brien has turned his sensibility into a comedy brand to fuel work on many different platforms. And, at age 60, with more than 30 years as a comedy star, he's been released from the shackles of any genre to shine wherever he chooses — whether it's an episode of Hot Ones or a streaming service which sometimes looks like a collision between True Detective and 90 Day Fiancé .

Leaving late night TV as late night left him

I'm old enough that I started covering TV not long after O'Brien made his first move from the shadows of life as a comedy writer – he worked on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons — to succeed David Letterman in 1993 as host of NBC's show Late Night (now hosted by Seth Meyers). Back then, NBC gave O'Brien years to figure out the show, honing his smartly serious comedy in a way that would inspire then-teenage fans like Seth Rogen and Bill Hader .

O'Brien left NBC after a disastrous deal where the network tried to make him host of its venerated late night program The Tonight Show and also keep its former host Jay Leno at the network. He moved to a late night show on TBS in 2010, but even then, there was a sense that his creativity was a bit hemmed in by the format.

After 28 Quirky Years, Conan O'Brien Is Leaving Late Night

By the time he left his TBS show Conan for good, it seemed O'Brien was already caught in a trend which would hobble other late night shows — as young viewers consumed his content online and ratings on cable dropped.

Now, with a podcast and digital media company worth many millions and growing status as a TV comedy legend still willing to do almost anything for a laugh, O'Brien is proving there is a successful life beyond late night.

Particularly, if you have the talent to play the fool while leaving little doubt you're also the smartest person in the room.

• Musical Instruments
• Keyboards & MIDI
• Electronic Keyboards
• Portable & Arranger Keyboards

Add to your order

• No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
• Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. If portable, drops, spills and cracked screens due to normal use are covered from day one. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty.
• Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. We will send you an e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product. In some instances, we will replace or repair it.
• Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
• Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
• Buy a lot of stuff on Amazon? Tons of items eligible for coverage, from the latest tech like laptops, game consoles, and TVs, to major appliances, sporting goods, tools, toys, mattresses, personal care, furniture, and more.
• Accidents happen. That’s why for your portable products we cover accidental damage from handling such as drops, spills and cracked screens. We also cover electrical and mechanical malfunctions, power surges, and wear and tear.
• Past and future purchases covered. 30 days after you are enrolled, all eligible past purchases (up to 1 year prior to enrollment) and future eligible purchases made on Amazon will be covered by your plan as long as you are enrolled.
• Fast, easy claims. Frustration-free claims, with most filed in minutes. We will fix it, replace it, or reimburse you with an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your product (excluding tax). File at Asurion.com/amazon.
• No hidden fees. For just $16.99 a month + tax you’re covered for up to $5,000 in claims per 12-month period. *THIS PROGRAM IS MONTH-TO-MONTH AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL CANCELED* Coverage for all products ends 30 days after the plan is canceled. Cancel any time.

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Return this item for free

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

3 Year Musical Instrument Accident Protection Plan

4 year musical instrument accident protection plan, asurion complete protect: one plan covers all eligible past and future purchases on amazon, add an accessory:.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Donner 61-Key Folding Bluetooth Keyboard Piano for Beginners, Portable with Music Rest, Bag, Pedal, and App - White

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• 【Light & Thin Folding Piano Keyboard】With the ultra-thin body and 180°folding lightweight design, the Donner DP-06 music keyboard piano meets concise aesthetics to reconstruct the convenient keyboard in a simple and fashionable way.
• 【Easily Move Your Stage】Donner DP-06 electric keyboard piano built-in ultra-large-capacity lithium battery with up to 10 hours of battery life and DP-06 piano keyboard has more compact and lightweight design, you can take it gu to anywhere you want(travel, party, school, stage). The DP-06 piano keyboard is a great travel piano keyboard for you!
• 【61 Semi-weighted Keys with Tasteful Texture】The DP-06 folding piano keyboard has 61 semi-weighted keys that give beginners a good feel for real pianos. Spring keys have a specific rebound speed, and you can enjoy the sound of notes by running your fingertips over them. Moreover the exquisite craftsmanship incorporates an outstanding design and tasteful texture. The keys are not easy to turn yellow even used for a long time, and have greater stability.
• 【More Compact and Superior Performance】 the DP-06 portable piano keyboard has 128 tones, 21 demo songs, and 128 rhythm styles to choose from, just inspire you to explore more possibilities.
• 【Dual Bluetooth Mode】The audio Bluetooth function enables the musical keyboard to be used as a player, with the ability to play and sing. Bluetooth MIDI can send and receive MIDI signals for connected software, as well as connect smart apps to perform follow-up and other functions.

There is a newer model of this item:

Frequently bought together

Top rated similar items

Product information

Warranty & support, product guides and documents, videos for this product.

Click to play video

Travel with Donner Foldable Piano Keyboard

DonnerDirect

Product Description

Donner dp-06 61 key folding piano keyboard.

180° Precision Folding, Reconstruction of Portable Piano Peyboard.

Compact & Lightweight

DP-06 61 key foldable piano just weigh 5.03lb, you can take it easily, add more fun to your journey!

ALL ARE READY FOR YOU

Piano bag, music stand, sustain pedal and usb cable, all are provided for you.

BETTER TOUCH

DP-06 features standard full-size 61 keys with more sensitive touch than ordinary electric keyboard.

RECOED YOUR LIFE

With record function, Bluetooth audio and MIDI connection, DP-06 never miss your every inspiration.

Donner DP-06 -- Nice Look, More Fun, Your Portable Stage!

TIP: You can download the user manual know more details about the DP-06 keyboard piano. And if you have any other questions, please connect with us. Donner Customer Team is here to help you with any usage issues.

61 Semi-weighted Keys with Tasteful Texture

The DP-06 folding piano keyboard has 61 semi-weighted keys that give beginners a good feel for digital piano. The exquisite craftsmanship incorporates an outstanding design and tasteful texture, which protect the keys are not easy to turn yellow even used for a long time, and have greater stability.

Dual Bluetooth Mode

The audio Bluetooth function enables the keyboard to be used as a player, with the ability to play and sing. Bluetooth MIDI can send and receive MIDI signals for connected software, as well as connect smart apps to perform follow-up and other functions.

Ultra-long Battery Life of 10 Hours

Built-in ultra-large-capacity lithium battery with up to 10 hours of battery life, providing full inspiration. With the plug-in dual-use power settings, you can charge, transport, and use it anywhere.

Adapter Transformer DC: TYPE C (DC: 5V 3A)

Easily Move Your Stage

Double-layer folding, the piano body 7.5lb (3.4KG) can be easily loaded into the piano bag, allowing you to easily transport your piano to school, party, stage for practice or performance. Stop waiting and start playing your music right away!

LED Display & Simple Operation Panel

DP-06 has a neat and trendy control panel, the LED screen can display parameters and functions in real time, allowing players to see the performance mode adjustment function clearly.

Detachable Music Stand

Multi-function Interfaces

Connect with microphone, you can sing while playing.

Tasteful Texture

Protect the keys not to turn yellow easily, hane better stability.

EXPOLER MORE ABOUT DONNER

Donner DP-10 Folding Piano Keyboard 88 Keys

Thinner and More Powerful

Carry your sound anytime, anywhere.

Donner DEK-610s 61 Keys Portable Keyboard Piano

Donner Classic Keyboard Piano

The best choice for beginner.

Donner SE-1 88 Keys Portable Digital Piano

Donner Premium Digital Piano

Restore the acoustic grand piano sound, designed for the professional.

From the brand

Donner Keyboard Piano

Piano for beginners or professionals

Free Music Online Lessons

All Donner Keyboard Pianos can enjoy exclusive free online teaching courses from the Donner music app.

More options, Various Needs

Outdoor Party Performance

Professional Playing Feeling

Create Your Own Music Anytime

More Entertaining

ABOUT DONNER:

Since 2012, Donner has been committed to creating new experiences in music performance. As a pioneer of the digital piano keyboard, DONNER brings the joy of musical performance to various people from all over the world.

Relying on a strong and efficient R&D team, DONNER has gradually become famous for its high-quality and affordable musical instruments and accessories.

Compare with similar items

Looking for specific info, customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the portability, quality and ease of folding of the keyboard instruments. They mention that it's great for travel and storage, and that it nicely folds up. They also like the ease of use, and size. That said, some complain about the stiffness and cheap feel of the keys. Opinions are mixed on sound quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the keyboard instrument portable and lightweight. They say it's compact and great for travel and storage. Some customers also mention that the sound quality is okay.

"Nicely folds up, easy to use, smallish , lightweight, it sounds good. Great value. I need it for vocal warmups, and fun. It’s well made...." Read more

"I liked the portability and rechargeable battery. The size and amount of keys was perfect. I did return it as I had some keys that were sticking...." Read more

"...Lightweight, compact , and acceptable sound quality given construction materials and simple electronic components...." Read more

"The idea by itself of the super portable piano is great for travel and storage .Even the semi-weighted keys are ok...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the keyboard instruments. They mention that it is an excellent device, a great piano, and well-received.

" Great quality , looks,, sound, etc." Read more

"...Great value. I need it for vocal warmups, and fun. It’s well made . I don’t have room for anything larger. I live in a very tiny apartment...." Read more

" Great device , highly recommended...." Read more

"...Lightweight, compact, and acceptable sound quality given construction materials and simple electronic components...." Read more

Customers like the ease of folding the keyboard. They mention it nicely folds up, is easy to use, and lightweight. Some say the locking mechanism isn't super strong.

" Nicely folds up , easy to use, smallish , lightweight, it sounds good. Great value. I need it for vocal warmups, and fun. It’s well made...." Read more

"... Unlocking and folding the keyboard is easy , but the locking mechanism isn’t super strong...." Read more

" Folds neatly so he can store it under his bed." Read more

"...were close enough to "true" piano size and there was enough reflexive response on key release that I didn't feel like I was playing a child's..." Read more

Customers find the keyboard easy to use. They say it's small, lightweight, and easy to fold up. Customers also say it sounds good and is great for beginners. They also say the battery operated keyboard is helpful for random rehearsals where there is no power.

"Nicely folds up, easy to use , smallish , lightweight, it sounds good. Great value. I need it for vocal warmups, and fun. It’s well made...." Read more

"...has a built in speaker and is battery operated, it will be helpful for random rehearsals where there is no power source nearby...." Read more

"...It afforded me a great opportunity to practice ...." Read more

" Its for beginner ...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the size of the keyboard. They mention that the size and amount of keys was perfect. They also appreciate that it doesn't take up much space.

"I like the fact that it doesn’t take up much space . Sound quality is good...." Read more

"I liked the portability and rechargeable battery. The size and amount of keys was perfect . I did return it as I had some keys that were sticking...." Read more

"...It's $130! It has full size keys , really decent touch sensitivity (which almost no keyboards have in this price range) and it comes with a sustain..." Read more

Customers like the weight of the keyboard. They mention it's lightweight, compact, and acceptable sound quality given construction. Some appreciate the semi-weighted keys.

"Nicely folds up, easy to use, smallish , lightweight , it sounds good. Great value. I need it for vocal warmups, and fun. It’s well made...." Read more

"... Lightweight , compact, and acceptable sound quality given construction materials and simple electronic components...." Read more

"...Even the semi-weighted keys are ok ...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the sound quality of the keyboard. Some mention that the sound is OK, while others say that the quality is poor.

"I like the fact that it doesn’t take up much space. Sound quality is good ...." Read more

"...Keys are cheap with the false grain touch. The built in headphone and speaker quality is low . The pedal is a light weight piece of plastic...." Read more

"Great quality, looks,, sound , etc." Read more

"Nicely folds up, easy to use, smallish , lightweight, it sounds good . Great value. I need it for vocal warmups, and fun. It’s well made...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the stiffness of the keyboard. They mention that the keys are very stiff, feel cheap, and have a funny texture. Some say that the keyboard is not worth the plastic it's made out of, and that the buttons are awkward to press on.

"...But it feels like a toy. Keys are cheap with the false grain touch. The built in headphone and speaker quality is low...." Read more

"...It feels very cheap. It’s all plastic and the keys have a funny texture ...." Read more

"Yes I get it-at this price point, you can’t expect much. The keys are awkward to press on and the output does sound like what you hear when playing..." Read more

"I thought, “How bad can it be at this price?” I found out. Keys very stiff ...." Read more

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Construction begins on high-speed rail between Vegas and California

Brightline west will make the trip between las vegas and rancho cucamonga in a little over two hours.

Privately owned train company Brightline held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for a $12 billion high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined company leaders and other officials for the start of construction in Las Vegas.

Brightline West benefits from $3 billion in federal funds from President Biden ’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Trains could be running as soon as early 2028, in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Travelers have a lot to look forward to. Electric trains will depart every 45 minutes from a Las Vegas station south of the city’s storied Strip and a Southern California station in Rancho Cucamonga, a Los Angeles suburb about 40 miles east of downtown.

Traveling at up to 186 mph — faster than any other train in the United States — Brightline West trains will make the 218-mile trip in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

“At long last, we’re building the first high-speed rail project in our nation’s history,” President Biden said of Brightline West in December. “We’ve been talking about this project for decades. Now we’re really getting it done.”

Other high-speed railroads that would carry passengers at 200 mph and faster are in the works in California, Texas and the Pacific Northwest.

“The bottom line here is we changed the trajectory,” Buttigieg said in an interview Monday. More than $30 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been awarded to date and more is on the way, he added.

The success of the Brightline West project could influence how future rail projects receive funding.

“It won’t be easy but I think they have all of the right things in place to get this done,” Buttigieg said.

Speed is Brightline West’s main selling point. Driving between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas takes at least three hours without traffic, according to Google Maps.

“You’ll be sitting there flying by on Brightline looking at all these brake lights on the highway and thinking, ‘It sucks to be you,’” said Jim Mathews, CEO of the Rail Passengers Association , said on Friday. “That’s what it’s going to be like for all those people trying to get from greater Los Angeles to Las Vegas.”

Brightline West trains will run along Interstate 15 for nearly their entire journey. They will make two intermediate stops in California: one in Hesperia and one in Apple Valley.

Travelers coming from Los Angeles will have the option of riding Metrolink , Southern California’s regional rail system, to the Rancho Cucamonga station located near the junction of Interstates 10 and 15. The trip between downtown Los Angeles and Rancho Cucamonga takes at least 50 minutes by car without traffic, or 1 hour and 15 minutes on the train.

“Getting it to a juncture where pretty much everybody who passes into the I-15 corridor goes through is a massive benefit from a climate perspective, a congestion perspective, and an economic perspective,” Buttigieg said.

Future plans include a direct connection for Brightline West to Los Angeles Union Station as part of the separate California High-Speed Rail project.

Speed won’t be the only reason to ride Brightline West.

Brightline’s Florida operation connecting Miami to Orlando opened in September , giving future customers out West an idea of what to expect. Before Brightline’s debut, Amtrak held a monopoly on intercity passenger rail travel for decades.

Stations are spacious with comfortable areas to sit, bars selling craft cocktails and a lounge for premium passengers. Onboard, travelers enjoy assigned seats and fast WiFi. Attendants come down the aisle serving snacks and drinks throughout the trip.

Brightline told investors that it carried a record 258,307 passengers in March, and that one in three of its trains were nearly full.

Brightline’s strong ridership, though slower than initially promised to investors, makes a strong case for building fast and frequent trains between major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Brightline West estimates that 6 million people will ride its trains during the first full year of operation, according to a federal environmental assessment . That number is projected to grow to as many as 9.2 million people within a decade.

The company estimates that, without the train, three-quarters of its riders would drive between Southern California and Las Vegas. Another 15 percent would fly, and the balance would not make the trip at all.

More travel news

How we travel now: More people are taking booze-free trips — and airlines and hotels are taking note. Some couples are ditching the traditional honeymoon for a “buddymoon” with their pals. Interested? Here are the best tools for making a group trip work.

Bad behavior: Entitled tourists are running amok, defacing the Colosseum , getting rowdy in Bali and messing with wild animals in national parks. Some destinations are fighting back with public awareness campaigns — or just by telling out-of-control visitors to stay away .

Safety concerns: A door blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet, leaving passengers traumatized — but without serious injuries. The ordeal led to widespread flight cancellations after the jet was grounded, and some travelers have taken steps to avoid the plane in the future. The incident has also sparked a fresh discussion about whether it’s safe to fly with a baby on your lap .

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘conan o’brien must go’ review: conan’s max travel series is smartly stupid fun.

In his four-episode show, Conan O'Brien meets with fans and has new experiences in Norway, Ireland, Thailand and Argentina.

By Daniel Fienberg

Daniel Fienberg

Chief Television Critic

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Email
• Show additional share options
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Pinit
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Tumblr
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Print
• Share this article on Comment

Max ‘s Conan O’Brien Must Go is a travel show with a twist.

Conan O'Brien Must Go

Related stories, 'conan o'brien must go': where to watch the new travel series online, jean smart to receive the hollywood reporter's trailblazer award at the seattle international film festival.

Conan O’Brien Must Go is a smartly dumb show — or a stupidly smart show — focused (loosely) on what is essential about travel. It’s a series about arriving in a new place open to meeting new people, learning new languages, tasting new foods and experiencing uncomfortable new circumstances … and then making fun of them, when all the while you’re mostly mocking yourself and the fears people have about stepping outside of their comfort zones.

Or maybe it’s just a show about Conan O’Brien making fun of travel shows. However expansive or limited your perspective, and however expansive or limited O’Brien’s perspective, Conan O’Brien Must Go is a very silly and occasionally illuminating series that’s still finding its rhythms and its comic voice as the fourth episode concludes. That leaves the show’s biggest takeaway as “Wait, that’s it? I want more.”

Although O’Brien has done travel-centric material in the past — I’d argue that the international jaunts were the pinnacle of his TBS show — Conan O’Brien Must Go is more an extension of his podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Fan .

Conan O’Brien Must Go finds the host heading abroad to meet with and provide assistance to listeners/viewers/fans from around the world. That gives the impression of something more structured than what actually occurs.

The visits — deemed “surprise visits” in some cases — really set a tone more than anything else, something along the lines of “playfully combative” in a vein that will be familiar to podcast listeners. O’Brien likes busting chops and admires people who are prepared to fight back. One of the things that O’Brien is best at is never seeming to be punching down — which isn’t easy on a literal level, given that O’Brien towers over his guests, but it isn’t easy on any level since O’Brien will always be a generally famous, Harvard-educated TV personality and his new friends tend not to be. It takes astonishing calibration to go to a foreign country, find somebody for whom English may not be a first language, and keep the joke from ever being as facile as, “Ha, ha, I’m making fun of you and you don’t get it.” Sure, that might be a layer of the humor at times, but the host is careful to situate himself and his own discomfort as the real target of the joke.

When O’Brien wants to have somebody he can make fun of mercilessly, that’s where somebody like longtime collaborator Jordan Schlansky comes in. Schlansky plays a key part in the Argentina episode, taking on the much more traditional role as the travel host who did his research and knows bits of trivia about nearly everything, so O’Brien ribs him mercilessly for doing his homework. Even then, the joke tends to be that Schlansky is right and Conan just doesn’t care.

O’Brien is an appreciator of the genre, and Conan O’Brien Must Go is an appreciative tweaker of the genre, in some of the same ways the host used to treat the talk show format back when he was a Young Turk. The Norway episode is dominated by O’Brien and company’s enthusiastic over-reliance on drone shots, going so far as to have him running around carrying the drone in Oslo, where flying such crafts is apparently illegal. There are multiple occasions — the street food scene in Bangkok and a butcher’s shop in Dublin — where O’Brien makes sure to sample “extreme” foods, while acknowledging that that’s what travel hosts do. I’ve seen more travel hosts than I could count navigating the floating markets of Thailand, but I’ve never seen a host do it with a squeaking rubber chicken and an Angry Birds hat, clutching a carved dildo.

And then sometimes Conan just wants to be really goofy! He performs a song on a popular Thai variety show, attempts the tango and Muay Thai boxing, and goes on a quest for Bono in a public park in Dublin. He’s game for anything as long as he can look ridiculous. Not everything works, exactly, but you can always sense O’Brien and his writers restlessly scanning the horizon for the next fun thing to do along their journey.

Or maybe that’s just not something Conan O’Brien Must Go aspires to. In that same Hot Ones segment, O’Brien described his goal, again disingenuously, as making viewers dumber after each 40-minute episode than they were when they began. He’ll have to settle for “more entertained.” Bring on season two.

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

‘outlander’ prequel sets cast, begins filming, paramount+ ‘dora’ reboot renewed for second season, nathan fielder and emma stone take a ride on the wild side as tv’s cringiest couple, ‘shogun’ is over, but what about season 2 creators justin marks and rachel kondo weigh in, u.k. media regulator unveils “strengthened” guidance on programs presented by politicians, lisa vanderpump says andy cohen should not step down: “damn right i’m on his side”.