If you have mastered the basic piano, then it’s time to switch to a full-feature electric piano to challenge yourself and hone your playing and composing skills. Yet, simply buying the most expensive piano may not be a smart move.
Instead, check out detailed information about five of the best electric pianos with a price tag of less than $500.
Looking for other digital pianos? Check out our other electric piano buyer’s guides:
- 5 Best Electric Pianos Under $1000 [Reviews & Buyer’s Guide]
- Everything You Need to Know About Buying Your First Piano
- Beginners Guide to MIDI Controller Keyboards and Pads
Top 4 Best Electric Pianos Under $500 Ranked by Real Musicians
Alesis Recital | 88 Key Piano with Full Size Semi-Weighted Keys
Buying a starter digital piano can be a tricky exercise where one may end up with either something too simple or too complicated. The Alesis Recital | 88 Key Beginner Digital Piano gets this balance right in more than one way.
Semi-weighted fully-sized keys, built-in voices and multiple connectivity options will give you the feel of creating music on a full-fledged piano. The educational features help you continue learning so that you can transition to even bigger pianos.
Features
- Adjustable touch response, semi-weighted keys and the full size of the keys combine well together to help you experience playing on a natural piano on this digital instrument.
- Five built-in voices—acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, synth and bass—and the option of combining different voices mean you can fine tune your musical repertoire without buying multiple expensive instruments.
- The Lesson mode divides the 88-key digital piano into two 44-key pianos, which means you can watch your mentor play and replicate the finger movements instantly for a truly enjoyable learning experience.
Specifications
- 88 premium full-sized semi-weighted keys
- Powered by power adapter or six D cell batteries
- 20-watt speakers and 128-note max polyphony.
- Output- Stereo RCA AUX, 1/4″ headphone and USB-MIDI.
- Input—Standard 1/4″ sustain pedal.
- An Electric Piano That’s Tailored to You - Feature-packed Electric keyboard with 88 premium...
- Premium Sounds - 5 voices (Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Synth, and Bass), built-in FX:...
- All The Right Connections - ¼” sustain pedal input (pedal not included), ¼” stereo headphone...
Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano
The Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano is a smart choice if you want the versatility that technology offers without going completely out of touch with conventional acoustic pianos.
From including a sustain pedal in the price to offering digital versions of tones of a real Yamaha acoustic grand piano, the P71 is a great value-for-money buy for a digital piano enthusiast.
Features
- Fully-weighted keys simulate the touch and feel of playing on a real acoustic piano and equip you to play digital as well as conventional pianos.
- Ten different voices, which means you have complete freedom to explore your musical talents over different instruments. You also can combine voices to create new and inspiring melodies.
- User-friendly design and layout that allows you to change settings, switch functions and configure the metronome with the press of a button.
Specifications
- 88 premium full-sized keys with inbuilt GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) weighted action.
- Powered by a 12V DC adapter included in the package.
- 6-watt speakers and 64-note max polyphony.
- Output- 1/4″ headphone and USB-MIDI.
- Input—Standard 1/4″ sustain pedal.
- Acoustic Piano Feel - Touch-sensitive keys allow for true expression and dynamic performance. The...
- Elevated Sound - Choose from 10 unique Voices, including the richness and resonance of a Yamaha...
- Effortless Control - Simple one-button operation and streamlined functionality designed to keep you...
Alesis Recital Pro Digital Piano
Crammed with numerous beginner-friendly features, the Alesis Recital Pro Digital Piano can make you forget you are an amateur pianist and make you confident enough to think and play like a true professional.
Features
- Hammer action keys means the pressure you apply on each of the 88 keys will determine the intensity and depth of the note, just like the traditional acoustic piano. Use the adjustable touch response to fine tune this feature to match your playing style.
- Use the headphone output for a personal and private training session only to switch to ‘public performance’ mode by connecting your MIDI applications, amplifiers and pedals using the stereo and USB output and pedal input respectively.
- Split the 88 keys to observe your mentor play the digital piano and to recreate the notes instantly on your half of this versatile instrument.
- Showcase your creativity by adding reverb, chorus or modulation to the 12 voices built into this dynamic digital powerhouse.
Specifications
- 88 premium full-sized hammer action keys
- Powered by power adapter or six D cell batteries
- 20-watt speakers and 128-note max polyphony
- Output- Stereo RCA AUX, 1/4″ headphone and USB-MIDI
- Input- Standard 1/4″ sustain pedal
- Bundled with three months of Skoove premium
- A Digital Piano That’s Tailored to You - Feature-packed electric keyboard with 88 premium...
- Premium Sounds - 12 voices (Incl. Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Synth, and Bass), built-in...
- All The Right Connections - ¼” sustain pedal input (pedal not included), ¼” stereo headphone...
Best Choice Products 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano
Weight-sensitive keys, multiple inbuilt voices, input options to create richer music, and compact dimensions that can fit in even the smallest music room, these are just some reasons why the Best Choice Products 88-Key Full-Size Digital Piano lives up to its unique brand name.
Features
- Play six additional instruments on your digital piano with the press of a button. Understand how the same composition can sound so different when mixed with different voices on a single keyboard.
- Semi-weighted keys provide for an easier learning curve and helps you build confidence before taking on digital pianos with fully-weighted keys or even the conventional acoustic piano.
- A compact design combined with a collapsible stand allows you to set up, play, and move around with your personal piano without any hassles.
Specifications
- 88 full-sized semi-weighted keys
- Inbuilt speakers with Bluetooth connectivity
- Output- 1/4″ headphone and USB-MIDI
- Input- Standard 1/4″ sustain pedal
- Bundled with sustain pedal, power adapter, stand and music stand
- 88 SEMI-WEIGHTED KEYS: Full size digital piano with 88 weight-sensitive keys is the perfect answer...
- SUSTAIN PEDAL: Detachable pedal simulates a damper-free sound adjustment, creating notes and tones...
- ACCESSORIES: A compact folding stand fits anywhere and provides a stable foundation for practice or...
As you can see, a digital piano is far more versatile and powerful than a conventional acoustic piano. Obviously, you need to restrict yourself to just the best pianos under $500 to ensure you get maximum bang for your buck. Just compare the piano features and specs to quickly identify the best piano to add to your studio.