6 Best Kids’ Pianos of 2024

Learning how to play piano can be one of the most rewarding, exciting, and challenging endeavors someone can take on. Kids start learning young so that they master the instrument earlier than most, but full-size pianos might be too large and intimidating for them.

Kids' pianos are the perfect introduction to pianos, often offering great sound quality at a reasonable price and size. In this article, I'll be going over the 6 best kids' pianos of 2024, highlighting why each of them earned a spot on this list. I also included a buyer's guide at the end so you know exactly what you're looking for while you shop.

My #1 pick for the best overall piano for kids is the Alesis Melody 61 because it's the complete package. The Melody 61 comes with a bench, headphones, a music stand, and 300 built-in keyboard sounds that will set your child up to be the next Beethoven in no time.

Keep reading to see if the Alesis Melody 61 is the right choice for your kid's first piano or if the Alesis Recital Pro fits them better.

Best Kids' Pianos Reviewed

SPECS:

• Type of Piano: Digital
• Number of Keys: 61
• Additional Features: 300 built-in rhythms

When it comes to teaching kids how to play the piano, the Alesis Melody 61 gets it right. It comes with everything you need to get your kid started on their path to playing their first instrument. At less than $150 at the time of writing, you can't find a better deal on a better kids' piano.

The Melody 61 comes with a ton of gear your kid will love, including a bench to sit on while playing, a music stand to hold sheet music, headphones for playback, and even a microphone. Most other pianos don't come with other accessories, which is helpful if you already have them, but can be annoying if you don't.

With 61 full-sized keys, your child will be on their way to using a full-sized authentic keyboard in no time. The Alesis Melody 61 is easy to set up as well, with adjustable stands that work well and allow for easy storage. It also comes with three months of Skoove for free, one of the fastest and easiest ways to learn how to play the piano.

If you're looking for the best piano for your kid, look no further than the Alesis Melody 61. It comes with more features than most of the other pianos on this list at a fraction of the cost. It also comes with some of the best educational software out there, taking your kid's learning journey up a notch.

What Could Be Improved:

• Not much, the Alesis Melody 61 does everything right.

SPECS:

• Type of Piano: Traditional
• Number of Keys: 30
• Additional Features: Music stand and bracing piece

The Goplus Classical Kids Piano might be the best-looking piano on our list today... at least for a kid. The piano comes in 6 different, vibrant colors sure to excite a 6-year-old who has recently decided the color blue is the best thing ever.

The piano doesn't just look great, it works like a charm. With 30 keys, it's best for a kid younger than 5 who won't be able to play a full-sized piano keyboard. It also comes with a bench to sit on and a piano lid you can open and close to see what goes on inside the piano.

At less than $100 at the time of writing, there aren't many more affordable options than the Goplus Kids Piano. Goplus also assures their customers that their Kids Piano is incredibly easy to set up with a few materials that are all tightly put away to make for a simple build.

This baby grand piano is perfect for your next Mozart. It comes at a great price and in a ton of great colors, making it an excellent birthday or Christmas gift for your kid. Check out this quality baby grand piano if your kid wants a piano but will only play a red one.

What Could Be Improved:

• Could have more keys

SPECS:

• Type of Piano: Digital
• Number of Keys: 25
• Additional Features: Color-coded songbook

Learning how to play the piano can be great for kids. It can lead to improved hand-eye coordination, auditory and memory skills, and even fine motor skills. If you're looking for the perfect kids piano that can help with all of that and more, check out the Melissa and Doug Learn-To-Play Piano.

Melissa and Doug have shown everyone that learning piano doesn't have to be hard through their upright piano. Any kid or toddler can hop on this piano and play music in an instant. They can even memorize and play songs in no time thanks to the illustrated keys.

The Melissa and Doug beginner piano will bring out your kid's musical skills through its color-coded songbook. It also comes with a solid-wood construction so you never have to worry about it breaking. Toddler pianos are great for getting your kid started and there aren't many better than this one.

The Melissa and Doug Learn-To-Play Piano is an excellent choice for any beginning pianist between the ages of 3-5. It comes with enough bright colors and illustrations to keep kids interested with some of the best sound quality out of any toddler piano.

What Could Be Improved:

• Not much for a beginner keyboard

SPECS:

• Type of Piano: Digital
• Number of Keys: 44
• Additional Features: 100 built-in tones

At less than $80 at the time of writing, there aren't any keyboards or pianos on this list more affordable than the Casio SA-81. Don't let the price tag fool you though, as the SA-81 is a quality piano keyboard perfect for the little learner who is just getting their piano career started.

The Casio SA-81 comes with 44 mini keys perfect for kids with small hands. It also comes with 100 built-in tones that include a list of instruments, including piano, wind, percussion sounds, and many others. The SA-81 also comes with 10 built-in songs you can play along with for even more practice.

Casio's SA-81 is also one of the most portable pianos on this list. At only 3 lbs., any kid can hold this toddler piano and play without getting tired. It's also easy to take with you if your kid likes to bring their musical instruments on the road with them.

If you're looking for a keyboard for kids who want to play their own music without breaking the bank, check out the Casio SA-81. It's a great piano teacher for kids who want to learn how to play their own songs in no time.

What Could Be Improved:

• Could have more keys

SPECS:

• Type of Piano: Digital
• Number of Keys: 88
• Additional Features: Hammer-Action Keys

The Alesis Recital Pro is the best keyboard for kids around if you haven't had to say the word "budget" in a long time. At just under $400, it does come at a higher price tag than some of our other options, but you'll get what you're paying for.

This electronic piano may be the best for a kid who works with a piano instructor. It comes with an incredibly useful feature called "Lesson Mode" that feature divides the 88 keys into two zones with the same pitch and voice. This is ideal for a student and teacher to watch each other play without having to swap out or take turns.

As an electronic keyboard, the Alesis Recital Pro comes with a ton of connections and compatibility that will further enhance your musical styles. You can plug in a pair of headphones for a focused listening time, connect the piano to a sustain pedal, and even connect to other recorders, amplifiers, or sound systems.

The Alesis Recital Pro is the best keyboard on this list for someone who doesn't care about a price tag. It's an excellent electric piano that produces excellent sound quality, has plenty of sound effects, and works well if you already have a teacher.

What Could Be Improved:

• Could be less expensive

SPECS:

• Type of Piano: Digital
• Number of Keys: 61
• Additional Features: LED Panel

The RockJam 61-Keyboard Piano is an excellent piano to start piano lessons with. It's a beginner keyboard with a handy LED display that makes learning even easier. We love that the electric keyboard from RockJam comes with a padded seat, sheet music holder, and adjustable height as well.

The RockJam comes with a ton of built-in sounds and tones, including 200 rhythms and 30 demo songs sure to create a good starting point to work from. RockJam's keyboard also comes with Simply Piano, an excellent online resource that can help you with a ton of different skills in the world of piano playing, like proper finger placement and more.

At just 7.26 lbs., you can take this piano keyboard anywhere without much of a hassle. The RockJam 61 comes with 61 full-sized keys, perfect for a kid who is gearing up to get their very first real piano. It also comes with a variety of connectivity options to further customize your musical experience.

If you're looking for an electronic keyboard that doubles as an excellent piano for kids, look no further than the RockJam 61. It comes with a great educational resource in Simply Piano that will have any kid master that piano sound in no time.

What Could Be Improved:

• For the price, not much

Best Kids' Piano Buyer's Guide

Before you buy a new piano for your young one, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind. There are key features you can pay attention to to determine if a kid's piano is right for you and your child, including the piano's size, number of keys, portability, and compatibility. Although most kids get a budget piano, if your kid is already an advanced pianist, consider increasing their motivation by getting them one of the best digital pianos under $1000.

Size

The size of the piano can be a huge factor when finding the right fit for your child. A real piano might be too big for kids under the age of 6, so a toddler piano might work better until they grow. For kids under the age of 3, you can always get them a toy piano to play with as well.

Number of Keys

A smaller piano, like a toddler piano or a toy piano, doesn't usually have enough space for all 88 keys of a traditional piano. While you might not be able to fit all the keys on your kid's first piano, it shouldn't be an issue for their musical journey. Finding a piano that fits them comfortably comes first, and when they grow, you can get them a full-sized version instead.

Portability

While some pianos are too large to move around, some of the digital pianos we've included on our list today are light and portable, allowing you to take your music on the go. If your kid is planning on playing their piano at different places, be prepared to transport it. Many pianos have handles or come with carrying straps for added portability.

Compatibility

If you're thinking about getting a digital piano for your child, consider what it's compatible with. Digital pianos benefit from being able to connect with a multitude of handy accessories that can make your child's learning experience easier and more enjoyable.

Some of the most popular accessories that can connect to a digital piano include headphones, stands, speakers, and lights to play at night.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What type of piano is best for beginners?

Acoustic pianos can give a beginner a good foundational understanding of tone production and dynamics in the world of pianos. Digital pianos are another great option though as they can offer a litany of features like headphone jacks, built-in metronomes, and recording capabilities.

Different factors can influence whether one type of piano is better for you than the other, including space constraints, budget, and learning goals.

What size of piano should I get my kid?

For smaller children, smaller pianos often work best. You can't expect a three-year-old to be able to reach all 88 keys after all. Digital keyboards and small upright pianos might be the best bet for younger children who want to reach all the keys for this reason.

As a child gets older, however, they may be capable of playing larger pianos, so you may not want to buy a piano they'll grow out of. Consider your budget and how long you think your child will be able to use the piano when making your purchase.

What's the difference between digital and acoustic pianos?

Acoustic pianos and digital pianos produce sounds differently. Acoustic pianos produce sound mechanically through vibrating strings which result in rich and authentic tones. Digital pianos produce sounds by using sampled sounds to replicate acoustic pianos.

Digital pianos often come with more features than their authentic counterparts. Digital pianos can come with features like volume control, headphone connectivity, and even different instrument sounds. Acoustic pianos require regular maintenance while digital pianos usually don't.

What features should I look for in a digital piano?

If you choose to buy a digital piano over an acoustic piano, some of the best features to look out for include weighted keys, touch-sensitive keys, number of keys, built-in sounds, connectivity options like USB, MIDI, or headphone jacks, and educational features.

If you're buying this piano for your kid, resourceful educational features might be one of the most important features when buying.

Are piano lessons necessary, and when should my child start taking them?

Anyone can learn to play piano on their own, but a teacher can take someone's learning journey to the next level. Most piano teachers recommend starting piano lessons around the age of 5 or 6, depending on the child's maturity and interest.

Starting piano lessons at an early age can establish good habits and create a strong foundation for future musical endeavors.

Conclusion

Getting your kid their very own piano can be a great first step in their musical journey. Kids' pianos are great at helping young ones learn the instrument and what they can do with it.

If you're looking for the best overall piano for your kid, I recommend the Alesis Melody 61 for its all-in-one features and 61 full-sized keys.

If you're not concerned about a budget, however, I'd instead point you in the direction of the Alesis Recital Pro for its build quality, sound quality, and premium hammer-action keyboard.