Digital pianos with weighted keys are the best option for anyone that also plays the acoustic piano because they offer a realistic, natural feel much like the acoustic piano.
They are the best way really for anyone to learn to play the digital piano because the lessons can then be translated to be used on the acoustic. Beginners will not likely notice the difference but anyone that has had any experience at all will notice the difference.
The quest to find the best digital piano with weighted keys can be a struggle because there are many different factors that come into making a digital piano best with the keys as only part of the overall requirements.
You run into problems making the decision because most all digital pianos, except for the very low cost ones have weighted keys. So, how do you decide?
You start by getting some help in the decision making process. You read this review and see which of the digital pianos with weighted keys are ranked in the top 10, then you decide:
- Based on budget
- Based on level of skill and experience
- Based on what functions you cannot live without
Product Specifications:
- Keyboard
- Number of keys: 88 Key
- Action: Hammer action
- Key size: Full
- Aftertouch / Velocity: Velocity Sensitive
- Key Type: Piano-style
Features
- Easily portable, small footprint
- Astounding bass response, especially for its size
- Authentic keyboard action
- Affordable
- Surprisingly full bass.
Sounds
- Number of sounds: 8
- Polyphony (max): 120
- Layers: No
- Split: No
Connectivity
- AUX input: Not applicable
- MIDI Connectivity: Not applicable
- Line output: Yes
- Line input: No
- USB Connectivity: No
- Headphone jacks: 1
- Pedal inputs: 1
- Storage type: Not applicable
- Expandability available: No
Onboard Features
- Recording/Playback:No
- Accompaniment styles: Not applicable
- Preset songs: 8
- Display: None
- Effects: Reverb, chorus
- Built-in speakers: 4″ x 2″ x 2 (oval)
- Pitch bend/Modulation: Not applicable
- Other controls: Not applicable
Effects
- Reverb: Yes
- Chorus: Yes
- Delay: No
- Equalizer: No
- Arpeggio: No
- Other: No
Other
- Width: 51.6″ (1312 mm)
- Height: 4.6″ (117 mm)
- Depth: 13.2″ 336 mm)
- Weight: 11.8 lb. / 26 kg
- Power adapter: Included
Pros
- 88 keys with Natural Weighted Hammer action
- Includes sound from a concert grand piano
- Sleek and elegant design
- Partner mode
- Headphone connection
- Affordable
- Suitable for beginners
Cons
- No LED display
- Not for advanced pianists
- 1 pedal (sustain) comes with it as a standard; 3 pedals are optional (Depends on a bundle deal or not)
- No USB or MIDI capability
- No recording capability
Final Conclusion:
As far as Korg digital pianos go, the B1 is great for those that are looking to get a feel for the piano or those that want to relearn the instrument. In comparison to its competitors, it has enough features that are sufficient for someone that’s learning piano for the first time, or just someone that needs a solid instrument to practice on.
All of the digital pianos on this list can offer you the usability that you want in a digital piano. The keys are an important part of usability and each of these models offers the type of keys you need to play comfortable and get the response that you want.
Many times with cheaper models that are not weighted you get that annoying clicking noise that can drive you crazy while you are trying to compose or play.
Every option on this list would be a good an option for you to consider. You can buy any of these digital pianos with confidence and be happy with your purchase.
The options on this list offer a wide range of price points to choose from and can meet a wide range of skill levels to help you improve your abilities and really enjoy playing the digital piano.
The goal for every musician whether budding or an expert is too find an instrument that is comfortable to use. Choosing a digital piano that has a weighted keyboard is one of the best choices you can make both as a novice and as an experienced player.
I don’t believe that the B1 has anything spectacular going on with it, it’s just good at what it was made for. It has just enough features to satisfy a beginner, but it could leave more experienced pianists wanting more.
For the price, it’s definitely worth the buy, but if anyone is willing to expand their budget by just $100-150, you might get slightly better sound quality, more voices, and a couple technological features that we don’t see here.
A popular feature of a lot of digital pianos that are new on the market is some form of app integration or mobile device/tablet connection. This is a feature that most beginner’s pianos are implementing in order to attract people who don’t believe they could ever learn the piano in a conventional way (check out our reviews of the One Light Keyboard and One Smart Piano, for instance). The Korg B1 does not have any of these capabilities or an accompaniment app, but I don’t believe it’s necessarily missed for its intended use (and audience).
This is not a piano that will teach you how to play, but if you ever feel that’s something you need, you can always purchase learning software or beginner lessons separately.
This keyboard has a realistic piano sound (plus other options). The keys are nicely weighted and the pedals work well. The stand is sufficient to support it, but overall it does not have the same feel as my acoustic piano. It does not feel as sturdy. Compared with entry level electronic pianos of other brands, it is a definite winner.
——————————————————————————-
My 9 year old son “graduated” to the 88 Key Digital Piano from a regular keyboard and is thrilled. The sound is beautiful, the weighted keys with various degrees of weight are perfect for learning. Price with coupon was phenomenal!
——————————————————————————-
This is a complete outfit from Artessia that offers 88 keys that are weighted. It has a 64 polyphony with 12 unique voices and plenty of features that are easy to navigate for the novice and enough to keep the intermediate user engaged. It is powered by either batteries or by a plug in adapter. The stand is durable and has a bench.
