What Piano or Keyboard Does a Beginner Actually Need?
This is something I feel quite strongly about, so I'll be straightforward with you from the start.
Don't spend a lot of money before you know it's going to stick.
I've seen it happen more times than I can count. A parent invests in a beautiful upright piano — everything set up perfectly, the room rearranged around it — and then eighteen months later, their child has moved on to football or gymnastics or something else entirely. Which is completely fine. Children change interests, and I think that's healthy. But it does make the financial loss feel quite painful.
So my honest advice, especially at the very beginning, is to start modest. And if you do want to go secondhand — which I genuinely recommend — Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are brilliant places to start. People are always selling instruments because their child lost interest, they've moved house, or they simply want to reclaim the space. The story is almost always the same: "We bought this for our child and they never used it." Which is exactly why I always say — don't spend thousands before you know it's going to stick.
If you do go secondhand, here's all you need to do: play every single note on the piano or keyboard from the bottom to the top. Every one. If they all sound and feel consistent, you're in good shape. If it has a pedal, check that works too. That's genuinely it. Do that, and if everything checks out, you've got yourself a bargain.
What you actually need as a beginner
For a first beginner piano or keyboard, you need something with keys. That's genuinely it. A basic keyboard - even an older, slightly rough-around-the-edges one - is enough to get started. It gives you the layout, the feel of pressing keys, and the ability to practise what you're learning in lessons. That's all that's required in the early months.
I've had students take their Grade 1 ABRSM exam having practised almost entirely on a simple school-style keyboard. The instrument doesn't have to be impressive. It just has to be there and usable.
A note on weighted keys
One thing worth understanding early on is the difference between weighted and unweighted keys. A standard keyboard has light, organ-style keys. A digital piano has weighted keys - meaning they have resistance, much like a real acoustic piano.
Weighted keys are better for building proper finger strength and technique. If you can stretch to one, it's worth it. But if budget is tight at the very start, an unweighted keyboard will absolutely do the job while you find your feet.
Beginner pianos and keyboards - from cheapest to most advanced
Here's a straightforward guide to some of the best options available right now, starting from the most budget-friendly and working up.
Yamaha NP-15 Piaggero
61 keys | Unweighted (Graded Soft Touch) | approx. £188 new
The NP-15 is a lovely, lightweight entry point. It's not a weighted keyboard, but it has a soft, responsive touch that's easy for beginners to get started on. It's compact, portable, runs on batteries or mains power, and has a clean, simple layout — no unnecessary buttons or confusing features. If you're just dipping your toe in and want something affordable and reliable, this is a solid choice.
Yamaha PSR-E473
61 keys | Unweighted | approx. £280 new
A step up from the NP-15, the PSR-E473 is a home keyboard with a wider range of sounds, rhythms, and features. It's fun, versatile, and great for younger students who enjoy exploring different sounds alongside their lessons. Not weighted, but a brilliant all-rounder for the early stages.
Yamaha P-145
88 keys | Weighted (Graded Hammer Compact) | approx. £279–£339 new
This is where things get properly good for beginners. The P-145 has 88 fully weighted keys - the same number as a real piano - with Yamaha's Graded Hammer Compact action, which means the keys feel heavier in the bass and lighter in the treble, just like an acoustic piano. The sound is warm and expressive, sampled from Yamaha's full concert grand. It's compact, portable, and genuinely one of the best beginner digital pianos available in the UK right now. If you're serious about learning properly from the start, this is the one I'd point you towards.
Yamaha P-225
88 keys | Weighted (Graded Hammer Compact) | approx. £342+ new
The P-225 replaces the long-running P-125 and is a step up from the P-145 in terms of sound realism and key feel. It uses Yamaha's CFX Grand Piano samples - their concert grand - and has a redesigned GHC keyboard that feels both lighter and more responsive. If you want something that will genuinely grow with you well beyond the beginner stage, the P-225 is a fantastic long-term investment.
Yamaha DGX-670
88 keys | Weighted | approx. £699+ new
For beginners who want everything from day one, the DGX-670 bridges the gap between a portable digital piano and a full console instrument. It has Yamaha's advanced sound engine, powerful speakers, Bluetooth audio, hundreds of sounds, drum beats, accompaniment styles, and recording options. It's perfect for players who want to learn traditional piano but also explore pop, jazz, or songwriting. With a wooden stand and three-pedal unit, it can be set up to simulate a full grand piano experience. A serious instrument for a serious beginner.
A word on headphones
One thing that's easy to overlook - all digital pianos have a headphone socket, which means you can practise silently without losing any sound quality. If you live in a flat, have young children sleeping, or simply don't want to disturb the household, this is genuinely one of the most useful features of a digital instrument. It's worth having a decent pair of headphones from the start.
When does it make sense to invest more?
Once you're approaching your ABRSM Grade 1 exam - or working through it and heading towards Grade 2 - it really is worth thinking about upgrading to something better. At that stage, weighted keys stop being a nice-to-have and start being genuinely important. The exam repertoire requires more dynamic control, more expressive touch, and a greater sensitivity in your fingers. Practising on an unweighted keyboard at that point can actually start to hold you back.
So if you've been getting on well, you're enjoying it, and grades are on the horizon — that's your signal. Invest in a proper weighted digital piano and set yourself up properly for the journey ahead.
Based in Tadley and teaching students across Basingstoke, Hampshire, and Berkshire. if you'd like advice on getting started with piano lessons for adults or children, feel free to get in touch. I'd be very happy to help.