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What are the best digital and portable keyboards with 61-keys?
Purchasing a keyboard does not always mean your strictly doing it to become a future keyboardist or grand pianist. In fact, many people like myself start out with a 61-key low budget keyboard to learn music theory and expand musical creativity. Many people also use keyboards for studio use where 61-keys is all most people need.
Luckily, keyboards with 61-keys tend to be on the cheaper side of cost. After extensive research, personal experience, and the help of a few keyboardist friends; we narrowed it down to the 6 best portable 61-key digital keyboards on the market.
But first…
A Few Things To Keep In Mind About The 6 Keyboards Below
- Beginner Keyboards: The 4 keyboards that have the beginner in the parenthesis are best used for fun or those who are just starting to learn. They are all budget-friendly below $150. We do not recommend them for live performances. However, they are all the highest rated keyboards that are best for beginners with 61 Keys.
- Intermediate Keyboards: The 2 keyboards with intermediate in the parenthesis are the highest rated 61-key portable keyboards that are tour worthy and capable of live performance.
In Short, Here Are The Best 61-Key Digital Keyboards For The Money
- Yamaha PSR-E263
- Alesis Melody MKII (Beginner)
- Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
- Roland A-800PRO-R
- Yamaha YPT260
- Casio CTK-3500
1. Yamaha PSR-E263 (Beginner)
The Yamaha PSR-E263 is a very high-rated portable keyboard with 61-keys. It is a fantastic option for either beginners or anyone looking to have a bit of fun. It is Key-sensitive, meaning the harder you press the keys, the louder the sound and vice versa. It’s effortless to navigate and understand. Mostly any age or experience will be able to understand the menu.
You are also able to record yourself perform and listen to it. If you ask me, that feature can keep a beginner occupied for hours. The keyboard comes with a music stand that you can either attach for reading music or detach. On the back, you will see an auxiliary jack that allows you to connect it to a mixer, computer, MP3, or even another instrument.
While I don’t recommend the PSR-E263 for live performance, it still produces great sound quality for the low price. But keep in mind, it’s still an extremely cheap keyboard that will produce a cheap sound. You are also able to use Midi by USB connection. This means you can plug the keyboard directly into a laptop or computer for extra sounds and effects. A feature this keyboard has that I find very beneficial for starters is its play along to songs mode. It basically shows you where to place your fingers to play along with certain songs or practice exercises.
I noticed a few downsides with the Yamaha PSR-E263. For one, it does not come with a power adapter in which you must purchase it separately. Also, I may be a bit harsh on this one considering its meager price, but the keys feel a bit flimsy. Lastly, there are many claims that the Auxilarry input is defective.
Details & Tech Specs
- Aux input
- Key sensitivity
- Midi by USB
- Record and play-back
- Practice modes for beginners
- Best used for beginners and at-home use
2. Alesis Melody MKII (Beginner)
The Alesis Melody MKII is another excellent portable digital keyboard with 61-keys. Like the previous keyboard, the keys are touch-sensitive as well. You can plug in your headphones for muted playing with its 1/8” headphone jack. This enables you to practice all night without waking up in your household.
In terms of the sound quality, the Alesis Melody MKII is not very good. However, I have very picky musician ears. I recommend this keyboard for practice, beginners, fun, or kids in need of a low-budget keyboard. It is definitely not suitable for live performance.
Something that makes the Alesis Melody MKII stand apart from the rest is the buffet of included accessories. It comes with a power adapter, headphones, assemble stand, music rest, a seat that gives you 3 adjustable heights, and uniquely a microphone.
Details & Tech Specs
- Best used for beginners and at-home use
- Record and play-back
- Touch-sensitive
- 300 built-in effects
3. Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol (Intermediate)
The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol is a live performance and tour worthy portable digital keyboard. It has 61 keys and produces exceptional sound quality. The keys are semi-weighted meaning the action carries a bit of weight. While it’s not the full weight of a grand piano such as most full weighted keyboards, it’s not entirely weightless either. Many keyboardists claim semi-weighted keyboards hit the sweet spot. Opinions vary, however.
My good friend uses this keyboard which I saw him perform with it the other day. He connects it to his laptop, which allows him to use a never-ending amount of high-quality voicings. Regardless of the Midi effects, he was using; the sound quality was consistently top-notch, crisp, and pristine. Even without his laptop plugged in, I was overly impressed with how great the sound quality the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol produced.
I highly recommend the 61-key Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol digital portable keyboard for live performance and studio use. When I asked him about some of its downsides, he mentioned the software took some time to figure out.
Details & Tech Specs
- USB 2.0 bus-powered
- Tour and live performance worthy
- Semi-weighted keyboard
- Great sound quality
- Tough build quality
- OLED display
- 8 control knobs all touch-sensitive
4. Roland A-800PRO-R (Intermediate)
For those who don’t know, Roland the 45-year old Japanese company has specialized in music equipment since the 70s. While Roland keyboards are highly respected in the community, the company truly hit a home run on this one. The Roland A-800PRO-R is another incredibly sounding portable keyboard with 61-keys. It has very good ratings and produces excellent sound quality. It will amaze even the most advanced keyboard players with its light-weight but tough build design.
Overall, the Roland A-800PRO-R is the perfect portable keyboard for part or full-time musicians who prefer 61 keys. The sound quality, tough build, sturdy controls, incredible feel while playing, and compact design. The Roland A-800PRO-R is the dream instrument for those who want a durable but travel-friendly Midi keyboard. We highly recommend it for part-time to touring musicians.
I noticed a couple of downsides to the Roland A-800PRO-R. For one, it takes a bit of time to get used to how it works along with the software. Also, A few people claim the firmware can get a few glitches. However, in my experience, the firmware was just fine. Lastly, and to be really picky, the keys are a bit shorter than usual.
5. Yamaha YPT260 (Beginner)
Here is yet another very high-rated 61-key portable keyboard. The Yamaha YPT260 is an excellent choice for beginners or fun. Something I like about this keyboard is its self-explanatory setup and easy use. Yamaha made it easy to browse functions and sounds with this keyboard.
Surprisingly, the Yamaha YPT260 produces good sound quality. Most digital keyboards in this budget-friendly range typically sound much “cheaper.” With 400 different voices, you will never get bored. One thing I as a musician like about keyboards with a large variety of sounds is the expansion of creativity. I believe it’s essential to work the creative juices in your mind. From my experience, multiple different sound effects and piano voicings definitely help boost my creativity.
The Yamaha YPT260 comes with all the accessories you need. It comes with a power supply, seat, keyboard stand, and music sheet stand. This is another highly recommended cheap price portable keyboard for at-home use.
Overall, the Yamaha YPT260 is the top choice if you want the best-sounding keyboard in this low-budget range with all the included accessories. It is easily portable and lightweight. It’s also able to fit in your lap on a couch easily with its compact design, making it a fun toy for the family.
There are two downsides to the Yamaha YPT260. First off, there’s no headphone jack. In other words, you or your family can’t play loud at night time with a sleeping house-hold. Also, it is not touch-sensitive meaning regardless of how hard or light you hit a key; the same volume is produced. Hesperides font.
Details & Tech Specs
- Best used for beginners and at-home use
- Yamaha Education Suite with 9-step Lesson function
- Record and playback function
- 130 auto-accompaniment styles with backing tracks
- 112 onboard songs
- Aux input
- 400 different voices
6. Casio CTK-3500 (Beginner)
The Casio CTK-3500 is a budget-friendly 61-key digital keyboard. It is designed for beginners and enjoyment. However, a feature I like and find Unique is its Step-up Lesson system. That feature, in my opinion, is one of the better methods for teaching piano for beginners without the teacher. At first, it may take a bit of time to follow along. However, it gets easier.
With its 48-note polyphony, it is able to withstand various amounts of notes played without any cut-outs. This, however, will not be an issue for beginners or most who have reached intermediate playing abilities. The sound quality is very good for its price. I was, however, surprised by the quality of sound for the added 400 voices. Each effect was crisp and sounded much more abundant than the Casio CTK-3500 low price. It’s relatively lightweight and travel-friendly.
Overall, the Casio CTK-3500 is a great portable 61-key digital keyboard for at-home use. It’s best used for beginners looking to use a built-in lesson system. It has many voices to choose from that produces exceptional sound quality for the price.
A couple of downsides I noticed with the Casio CTK-3500. For one, electronically, it is not as durable and well built as most products by Casio. Many claim issues with the adapter and the keys don’t have a good feel.
Details & Tech Specs
- Best used for beginners and at-home use
- 48 note polyphony
- Headphone jack input
A Quick Recap
Here Are The 6 Best Digital Portable Keyboards With 61-Keys
- Yamaha PSR-E263
- Alesis Melody MKII
- Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
- Roland A-800PRO-R
- Yamaha YPT260
- Casio CTK-3500
Of the 6 Here Are The 4 Best Digital Portable Keyboards With 61-KeysFor Beginners
- Yamaha PSR-E263
- Alesis Melody MKII
- Yamaha YPT260
- Casio CTK-3500
Of the 6Here Are The 2 Best Digital Portable Keyboards With 61-KeysFor Live Performance, Studio, and Intermediate Players
- Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
- Roland A-800PRO-R
These are all the highest rated keyboards with 61-keys on the market. If you prefer all 88-keys, see our article here.
In Case you’re looking for true wireless earbuds at an affordable price, here are our top picks under $150 here.
If you’re interested in an affordable condenser mic, see our top picks under $100 here.
Keyboard Test
Keyboard 6 Key Not Working
In some cases there are technical limitations on keyboards which prevent the keyboard from buffering multiple key strokes. These keyboards do not allow the pressing of 6 simultaneous keys, which is required for 6 key Braille entry in the UEB Online exercises. To ensure that your keyboard setup will allow you to complete the exercises, there is a keyboard test which must be completed.
To start the Keyboard Test:
6 Key On A Keyboard
- Go to your Dashboard and press the Begin button for the course you wish to start.
- Read the Course Instructions and acknowledge them by ticking the boxes at the bottom of the page and press the Continue button.
- The Keyboard Test will now appear. Place your cursor in the text area under the Start Keyboard Test heading. This text area is not on this page. It only appears after following these instructions.
- Complete the test by simultaneously pressing all 6 keys as described in Six Key Input below, ten times in a row with no spaces between)
This test must be completed before you can start your first lesson.
Please read the following information about how to use your keyboard for the Six Key Input.
If your keyboard does not work then we suggest that you try a different keyboard. If this still does not work then please contact us.
Six Key Input
To replicate using a braille machine, this course uses six keys on the computer keyboard to present the six dots of the braille cell. These keys are s, d, f, j, k, l. You will also use the space bar to enter spaces between words, the return or enter key to move to the next line, and the backspace or delete key to correct errors.
The keys correspond to the braille dots as follow:
F key, dot 1
D key, dot 2
S key, dot 3
J key, dot 4
6 1 Key Keyboard
K key, dot 5
L key, dot 6
Sixkeyboard
Each keyboard button illustrated represents the dot shown in the braille cell.
(*note these dots do not represent the letters)
Keyboard finger placement
The left hand index finger will use letter F for dot 1 of the braille cell, with 2nd and 3rd fingers of the left hand using letters D and S for dots 2 and 3. The right hand index finger will use letter J for dot 4, with 2nd and 3rd fingers of the right hand using letters K and L for dots 5 and 6.
The 6 keys will be pressed in different combinations to produce the braille letters, contractions and punctuation required to complete all lessons in this course. It is possible to press multiple keys at the same time. For example, to enter the cell dots 1 2 and 4 5 you would press the f, d, j and k keys together.