For learning piano, a piano is generally best! But if you need to go the keyboard route, a keyboard with 88 weighted keys (not “semi-weighted”) is very important.
The best keyboard companies tend to be Yamaha, Kawai, Casio, and Roland. There are other well known keyboard makers like Korg, Kurzweil, and Nord, whose higher end keyboards can have pretty good action (action = key mechanics, feel/playability/touch). However, these companies are known for synthesizers, so you’re paying more for synth sounds and extra features rather than the mechanical action, which is far more important when learning piano.
As keyboards go up in price, their keys generally improve, getting closer to the feel and control of a real piano. But then again, a higher price may just mean more “features” not useful to piano students.
Keyboard recommendations
Here are some top recommendations for students, starting with the most affordable: Yamaha P-45, Kawai ES120, Roland FP-90X, and Kawai MP11SE. Each represents a significant step up in both action and price (and speakers, aside from the MP11SE which has none). Read on for more information and options.
Yamaha P-45 (AKA P-71, sometimes a little less expensive) – A keyboard like this would generally be good for a couple years of lessons. If a student really takes off they might need a decent piano within too long, or a high-end keyboard which would often be more expensive than a good used piano. This keyboard is a good bare minimum to consider. If you really want better speakers (not an issue if using headphones) consider the much more expensive Yamaha P-125 (though the action is identical). The even more expensive Yamaha P-515 has much better speakers, but also better action. Yamaha makes many other keyboards between these, but only two actions. So for action alone, the P-515 is actually the only step up from the P-45 before you reach their larger more expensive “digital pianos.”
Roland FP-10 – Essentially like the Yamaha P-45, but a small step up in action, speakers, and price. The Roland FP-30X is about on par with the Yamaha P-125, but with slightly better speakers and action (but the same action as the more affordable Roland FP-10). The Roland FP-90X is similar to the Yamaha P-515, but again, a small step up in action, speakers, and price.
Kawai ES120 – A mid-tier keyboard with better action than the entry level Yamaha P-45 and P-125, and also the Roland FP-10 and FP-30X; though the Kawai ES120 speakers sit somewhere between the Yamaha P-125 and the Roland FP-30X speakers. The Kawai MP11SE is the best portable keyboard available before you venture into the very best “digital pianos” (including hybrids with soundboards and such, but then you might as well buy a piano!). Keep in mind, many professional “slab” keyboards like the MP11SE don’t have speakers built in, but they can usually be played with headphones or by connecting external speakers (if they have “on-board sounds.” Kawai doesn’t really make an entry level keyboard.
MIDI keyboard controllers
Keyboard “controllers” are silent keyboards which don’t have speakers or even their own internal sounds. They must be connected to a computer with piano software (like Pianoteq) in order to be played. A benefit is that keyboard controllers tend to be less expensive, but they do require some tech savviness.
Examples:
Studiologic SL88 MK2 – Its action is around mid-tier keyboards like the Kawai ES120.
Studiologic SL88 GT MK2 – Its action is about on par or even a bit better than the higher-tier Yamaha P-515 and Roland FP-90X (but not on the same level as the Kawai MP11SE).
Kawai VPC1 – Its action is even better still, somewhere between the Studiologic SL88 GT MK2 and the Kawai MP11SE).
Stands
A decent stand is important. The absolute cheapest to ever consider is this Hamzer “X-style” stand, but they’re not made for significant weight, so really aren’t adequate for the keyboards listed above. Heavier X-style stands are better, but strangely, most don’t go low enough to get a keyboard a typical piano level (the stand needs to go down to around 24″). “Z-style” and “table-style” stands are typically best. “Table-style” stands are also known as “platform-style” — this one is even better yet.
Digital Pianos
Some keyboards have stands built-in, or that screw in with pedals attached. They’re often designed to look like small upright pianos. These are generally what people call “digital pianos.” They’re not necessarily any better or worse than “slab” style keyboards. They tend to look better aesthetically, but they’re also much less portable and cost more.
Pedals
Some keyboards come with pedals, some do not. Some come with 2 or 3 pedal units, which is great, but one pedal is all that’s needed for beginners. Avoid square “switch” pedals. Get a piano style pedal. Most single pedals are compatible with most keyboards, but not always! If you want to wait and get a decent pedal later, that’s fine since brand-new beginners won’t generally need a pedal right away.
Good keyboards are expensive, but sometimes you can find a decent used one at a more reasonable price. Meanwhile there are a lot of free acoustic pianos out there these days. Many are junk, but it’s not all that hard to find a decent free piano if you look around. Here’s a guide to finding a free or inexpensive piano.