The Best Weighted Keyboards for Professional Musicians

Music is the most beautiful form of art. In the olden times, people used to play with hand-made instruments that were made from anything available in the vicinity. That in itself is the essence of music; the fact that it can be made anytime and anywhere irrespective of the circumstances.

However, as we know it, things have developed at a massive rate since the old days. With the increasing rate of development in technology, the types of art and especially music have diversified. Now even more instruments are available to satisfy the thirsty creativity of a musician.

Please make sure to check these cool best-weighted keyboards before finalizing on one.

One of the most common and aesthetically pleasing sound-producing instruments is the weighted keyboard. Resembling a piano, it is one of the easiest available musical instruments in the market. It is also easy to learn and hence is preferred by a lot of musicians and hobbyists.

Best Weighted Keyboard – Buying Guide

Factors to Look for in the Best Weighted Keyboard

There are several influencing factors when you try choosing the best weighted keyboard. The following are some aspects that can help choose the right one for you.

Price – it is best to fix a proper budget and then choose the best one based on your price range.

Convenience – most people usually carry their keyboards frequently. So, ensure that your weighted keyboard is portable and lightweight.

Connectivity – most weighted keyboards come with USB-MIDI connectivity to help connect with computers and various other devices. Flash memory cards are another option for this. Choose an instrument that provides proper connectivity.

Dimensions and Keys – keyboards come available in a different number of keys like 25, 49, 61, etc. Their dimensions vary based on the number of keys. So, choose the weighted keyboard based on the keys’ number as per choice.

Touch Response – weighted keys usually seem hard to control. However, they are soft and non-sensitive to touch. Verify the touch response of the instrument before making the purchase.

Sound Quality – There is no point in choosing a keyboard with no proper sound. Some keyboards also provide external connectivity to amplify the output response. Choose your instrument based on your requirement.

Polyphony – it means the number of individual tones or notes a keyboard is capable to deliver at once. Having a higher note polyphony help create complex tunes at ease.

In-built Tones – most weighted keyboards come with pre-programmed tones for better performance. These may be around 800 or even more in some cases. Consider this aspect also while purchasing a weighted keyboard.

Best Weighted Keyboard Reviews

1. Casio CTK-2550 61-Key Portable Keyboard with App Integration/Dance Music Mode

One of the most well-known brands in the musical universe is Casio. They specialize in producing these kinds of keyboards. The CTK-2550 61-Key Lighted Portable Keyboard with Dance Music Mode is one of their best-weighted keyboards and has hence made it to the best sellers list on Amazon. Some of its best features are:

It is lightweight and compact.

400 different tones and 150 rhythms to select from.

Can be operated with battery power or AC adapter.

Listen effectively with amazing speaker facilities or with headphones whatever is more preferred by you.

A plethora of special effects like bass sounds, synth effects with which you can remix and create authentic sounds.

Pros: 

• Different sizes and styles
• Step-up lesson system
• 48-note polyphony
• Built-in music rhythms

Cons: 

• Stops working suddenly
• Charging adapter issues

Why should you buy it? 

This weighted keyboard is cost-effective and an excellent choice for beginners. It is available in different styles and sizes. This keyboard comes in-built with around 50 dance music rhythms.

2. Casio CTK-6250 61-Key Keyboard with Power Supply

Again topping the list is Casio. Casio CTK-6250 61-Key Keyboard with Power Supply is also among few of the best-weighted keyboards according to customer reviews on Amazon.

Has a memory that can store your mixes so that you can recall later.

A wide range of about 700 tones to select from.

A plethora of built-in effects to help you make amazing and unique mixes.

21 saved genres so that you can create music from across genres.

Pros: 

• 700 in-built tones
• 21 preset rhythms
• Built-in effects
• 17 song sequencer tracks

Cons: 

• No stereo output
• USB issues

Why should you buy it? 

This keyboard delivers around 700 premium-quality in-built tones. It is portable, affordable, and comes with a robust rhythm backing system. The keyboard is lightweight and provides various extra features.

3. Casio CTX700 61 Key Keyboard

Casio CTX700 61 Key Keyboard again is one of Casio’s best creations. It has some amazing features few of which are mentioned below:

Has a diversified built-in collection of 100 songs.

USB port which helps to connect your keyboard to various external devices like Midi, computers and laptops.

There is a rest that helps you keep your phone in place. This feature is helpful when you need your smartphone for lyrics, music notes etc.

Possesses an Axi sound source that helps you to create intense and powerful music.

Is portable and battery operated.

Pros: 

• Different styles
• 61 touch-responsive keys
• Class-compliant USB-MIDI
• Affordable

Cons: 

• Poor build quality
• Defective output connectors

Why should you buy it? 

This keyboard sounds great and worth every penny invested. It delivers realistic tunes and works great for novices. The keys are soft and make keyboard playing a pleasure.

4. Akai Professional MPK249- 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

AKAI is another brand which has a great name in the world of music. This is one of the best selling products and the customer reviews are a testimony to its efficiency. Few of the reasons why you should consider buying this Akai product are:

16 illuminated pads that can be used to bring about variations in your creations.

49 keys that are semi-weighted and provide an authentic piano-like experience.

USB port to connect your keyboard to an external device so that you can modify and be even more creative with your musical pieces.

Akai Professional MPK249- 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Keyboard Controller also has 25 keys and 61 keys variants.

Seeing all its features, it is only justified for it to be counted in the list of the best-weighted keyboards.

Pros: 

• Different sizes
• 24 assignable controllers
• Comprehensive software package
• Unprecedented response

Cons: 

• Difficulty in portability
• Can break easily

Why should you buy it? 

This keyboard provides comprehensive controls and comes in 25, 49, and 61-key designs. The keys feel great and ease the instrument’s usage. The keyboard also has a track recording sequencer.

5. Casio CTK-3500 Portable Keyboard

This one is especially for our young and budding musicians. With so much on their plate already, having this keyboard that comes with an instructional book and DVD is ideal for them. A few more features that you may consider before buying this product are:

400 tones.

150 rhythms.

Possesses an EDM dance mix.

Comes with an instruction booklet.

Pros: 

• 61 keys
• 400 preset sounds
• Easy to use
• Built-in speakers

Cons: 

None in specific

Why should you buy it? 

This keyboard is an excellent choice for novice players. Its keys are soft yet highly functioning. The keyboard comes pre-programmed with 400 preset sounds for better performance and is easy to use.

6. Casio SA-77 44-Key Mini Personal Keyboard

Another Casio product in this list of the best-weighted keyboards is the Casio SA-77 44-Key Mini Personal Keyboard. This is also a product for beginners and kids. If you are new to the world of music and want to experiment with different instruments, this product is for you. Few advantages of buying this product are:

Light and portable so you can carry your music wherever you go.

100 tones, 50 rhythms and 10 built-in songs.

LCD Screen.

Highly efficient speakers and a headphone jack for people who prefer to work in the quiet.

44 mini keys especially designed for children and beginners that assure efficient and easy learning.

Pros: 

• Different colors and sizes
• 44 mini keys for kids
• 8-note polyphony
• Five drum pads

Cons: 

• Battery compartment defects
• Can break soon

Why should you buy it? 

This personal keyboard comes in different colors and sizes. Its mini keys work great for children and make it easy for them to learn. This keyboard delivers premium-quality outputs and is worth all the investment.

7. Roland Lightweight, 61-note Synth-action Keyboard with Pro Sounds (JUNO-DS61)

Another reputed brand that is famous for its musician-friendly products is Roland. This particular product also stands up to its name and is one of the best the market has to offer. You may consider the following points to make sure if this is what you need.

It has 61 keys.

It has a wide range of built-in songs.

Battery-powered.

Lightweight and portable.

Pros: 

• Different sizes
• Lightweight
• Gig-ready instrument
• Sample import function

Cons: 

• Detuning concerns
• Output issues

Why should you buy it? 

This keyboard is wireless and runs on batteries. It comes with a convenient operation and a well-organized LCD screen. The keyboard is designed conveniently and lasts long.

Conclusively, these are just a few of the many best-weighted keyboards available in the market. As these keyboards are usually heavy-duty and have a complicated mechanism, they might be expensive and the ideal keyboard would be difficult to find. However, if you know what you want, have planned your budget and done your bit of research, you are good to go.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is the weighted keyboard any good?

A weighted keyboard is a right choice for any novice pianist. This keyboard lets them understand the right amount of pressure needed on the keys based on different levels of control.

2. Are the weighted keys hard for playing?

Weighted keyboards seem hard to play. However, these are extremely soft and easy to handle. Moreover, the keyboard handling is quite easy and helps understand the acoustics better.

3. Are the touch-sensitive and weighted keys the same?

Touch-sensitive and weighted keys are entirely different. The latter gives a feel of playing a piano and aid in understanding the instrument better.

4. Does a digital piano come with weighted keys?

Of course, some digital pianos do have weighted keys. These keys give an acoustic feel to the pianos and provide a seamless playing experience.

5. Which brand manufactures the best weighted keyboards for novice pianists?

Casio and Yamaha are usually preferred by any beginner for learning a keyboard. You can refer to the choices mentioned above for making a choice.