best beginner pianos and keyboards guide

It can be hard to decide what digital piano and keyboard to get for starting out on the piano. Don't fret! We've put together this tasty guide to help you. Here you'll find common the best pianos and keyboards you should pick when getting started.

Ready to take your first steps into the world of music? Whether you're a complete beginner or returning to the piano after a break, finding the right instrument is key to making learning fun and rewarding. At Andertons Music Co. we’ve handpicked a range of beginner-friendly pianos and keyboards that combine quality, ease of use, and great value, perfect for starting your musical journey on the right note. From compact digital keyboards to full-size weighted pianos, we’re here to help you find the ideal match for your space, style, and budget.


Best Keyboards for beginners

For beginners, keyboards are an excellent starting point thanks to their versatility, portability, and user-friendly features. Unlike traditional pianos, keyboards are typically more affordable and easier to fit into smaller living spaces, making them a practical choice for new players. Many beginner models include built-in learning tools such as light-up keys, metronomes, built-in lesson functions, and even apps that guide you through your first songs step by step. These features help new players build confidence while learning the fundamentals at their own pace. Additionally, keyboards often offer a wide range of instrument sounds and rhythms to explore, which adds a fun, creative element to practice. Their headphone compatibility means you can play anytime without disturbing others, and the lightweight, portable design makes it easy to move or store the instrument when needed. Whether you're learning your first scale or playing along with built-in backing tracks, a beginner-friendly keyboard is a flexible, enjoyable way to start your musical journey.

Our Beginner Keyboard Range

Just getting started with keyboards? Our Bundle pages make it super easy. These all-in-one packs include everything you need, like a stand, stool, headphones, and sometimes even a sustain pedal. No stress, no guesswork, everything's picked to work perfectly together.

Woman playing a piano on a coffee table in a cozy living room.

best Portable Pianos for Beginners

Digital stage pianos are an excellent choice for beginners who want a more authentic piano-playing experience while still benefiting from modern features. Designed to closely replicate the feel and sound of an acoustic piano, these instruments typically feature fully weighted keys and high-quality sound engines that respond dynamically to your touch. This makes them ideal for developing proper finger strength and technique from the start. While slightly more advanced and often larger than basic keyboards, beginner-friendly stage pianos still offer streamlined controls and simple setups, making them easy to use right out of the box. Many models include essential extras like metronomes, headphone outputs for quiet practice, and USB or Bluetooth connectivity for integrating with learning apps or recording software. Though they’re often built with performers in mind, their sturdy yet portable design also suits home use perfectly. For those who are serious about learning piano and want an instrument that can grow with them, a digital stage piano strikes the perfect balance between playability, performance, and long-term value.

Our Beginner Portable Piano Range

Just getting started with portable pianos? Our Bundle pages make it super easy. These all-in-one packs include everything you need, like a stand, stool, headphones, and sometimes even a sustain pedal. No stress, no guesswork, everything's picked to work perfectly together.

Woman playing a digital piano in a cozy, decorated room.

Best Home Pianos for Beginners

Home digital pianos are perfect for beginners who want the look and feel of a traditional piano in a more modern, space-conscious format. While similar in sound and touch to stage pianos, often featuring fully weighted, graded hammer-action keys and high-quality piano tones, home digital pianos are designed to be a permanent fixture in your living space. Their elegant, furniture-style cabinets blend seamlessly with home décor, giving the instrument a classic appearance without the maintenance demands of an acoustic piano. Many beginner-friendly models come equipped with features like built-in metronomes, dual headphone jacks for quiet practice, recording capabilities, and compatibility with learning apps. Some even include sliding key covers and integrated pedals to closely mimic a traditional upright piano experience. Ideal for learners of all ages, a home digital piano offers a solid, comfortable playing experience that encourages regular practice and brings a sense of presence and style to any room.

Our Beginner Home Piano Range

Just getting started with home pianos? Our Bundle pages make it super easy. These all-in-one packs include everything you need, like a stand, stool, headphones, and sometimes even a sustain pedal. No stress, no guesswork, everything's picked to work perfectly together.

Woman and child interacting at a digital piano.

Best Digital Piano Accessories

These aren’t required immediately but will improve your learning experience vastly, sustain pedals, stands, benches and headphones. We’ve put together a range of digital paino & keyboard bundles to fit what you need and save money too!

Sustain Pedal

Sustain pedals allow you to elongate the notes that you play, this can help you blend notes together, an example of this is at the end of an extract to allow your piece to have a longer decay after you finish your last note, some pianos come with a baisc pedal.

Stand

A sturdy stand is crucial for proper posture and can be key to develop proper playing technique. Not all pianos come with a stand, some entry level keyboards and pianos don't come with one, whilst higher end pianos will likely come with a purpose built stand.

Bench

A comfortable, adjustable bench helps maintain proper posture during practice, above all this though, if you're going to be sitting for a long time you want something comfortable!

Headphones

Useful for practicing without disturbing others, especially in shared living spaces, there are cheaper versions available, in time you may want to upgrade to a more expensive pair as this usually brings better sound quality and comfort.

Check out our Accessories


Guides To Our Top Brands

Roland, Casio and Yamaha are our biggest brands when it comes to pianos. We've put together to guide you through the different models in their catalogues.

FAQ

Q: Should I buy a keyboard or a digital piano?
A: It depends on your space, budget, and goals. Keyboards are portable and affordable, while digital pianos offer a more authentic playing experience with features like weighted keys.

Q: Can I learn piano without taking lessons?
A: Yes, there are many resources available, including online tutorials, apps, and books. However, structured lessons can provide faster and more consistent progress, a music teacher is invaluable.

Q: Are there apps that can help me learn piano?
A: Yes, a lot of the brands mentioned in this guide offer free apps, software and online portals to help you learn. Additionally there are other apps on the AppStore offering interactive lessons and practice tools.

Q: Do you ship outside internationally?

A: Yes we do ship all over the world with some restrictions on certain brands and larger items, for more information please check out our international delivery FAQ.