Best Casio Keyboard 88 Keys

Casio does not require an introduction. It is one of the most renowned brands in the market, proudly producing the world’s top-quality instruments. However, with the number of models available, choosing the right one can be confusing. That is why, in this article, we will help you choose by presenting the 6 best Casio keyboard 88 keys models.

Continue reading below to learn further about:

• The list of best Casio keyboard 88 keys models
• The features and sound quality of each model
• The pros and cons of each model
• The recommended users for each model

1. Casio PX-860 Privia

Casio PX-860 Privia definitely deserves the top spot in our list of best Casio keyboard 88 keys models. If you want a powerful keyboard that can mimic the feel of a real grand piano without the ultra-expensive price tag, this is a highly recommended choice.

Casio PX-860 Privia has a stylish and attractive look. All the keys have a touch of ivory and ebony, which creates a luxurious feel. It is available in two color choices, black and brown. While the black one has a more modern look, the brown one is more classic. The keyboard is equipped with a lid to enhance both the protection and the appearance.

The sound is truly impressive. It comes with the advanced Air sound engine which has a pleasing sympathetic resonance. The powerful sound engine delivers great detail, and the sophisticated keyboard action enhances the overall performance even further. Not to mention that Casio PX-860 Privia has 256-note polyphony. It should be able to play complex pieces with lots of notes and techniques without compromising the sound quality.

The Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II has 3 selectable sensitivity levels. You may want to choose heaviest action if you really want to simulate the feel of a grand piano, but you may choose a lighter action if you prefer something that is easy to play with. This scaled hammer action is better than the predecessors, and goes closer to the real thing than ever before.

This model has 18 instrument tones. Of course, there are duet, split, and layer modes. In addition, there are 10 built-in orchestra audio recordings, and the “Concert” play feature will allow you to play along with one of the orchestra performances. This is a great choice for both growing and experienced players.

Find the best price of Casio PX-860 Privia here!

2. Casio Privia PX-870

The second place is taken by Casio Privia PX-870, an elegant and beautiful sibling of the first placer. You can see obvious similarities, such as the simulated ebony and ivory keys, wooden cabinet, and sliding keyboard cover. The top-tier sound quality, sturdy build, and attention to detail are the reasons why it is among the best sellers.

Casio Privia PX-870 is also powered by the outstanding Air sound engine with 256-note polyphony. The sound projection is very strong, thanks to the four-speaker system. It sounds rich, detailed, and powerful. It is suitable for rehearsal and small performance.

The keyboard also features the latest Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II. You can expect an outstanding performance from the keys. They mimic the feel of a grand piano very well.

The difference between Casio Privia PX-870 and Casio PX-860 Privia is that this model comes with 19 instrument tones, a music library of 60 songs, and recording tools. Furthermore, the bundle includes a pair of headphones, a guidebook, an instructional DVD, a polishing cloth, and a nice comfortable bench.

Of course, not all people need these features. If you can benefit from the recording tools and extras, it is worth the money. Otherwise, those features will not give you a real value, so you better choose a more affordable model.

Find the best price of Casio Privia PX-870 here!

3. Casio PX5S Privia

Finding a portable keyboard with full 88 keys is very difficult. Most models are not designed for portability. However, if you are a traveling musician or taking a music class, you need a full-size keyboard that is portable and easy to carry around without compromising any playability.

That is exactly why Casio PX5S Privia takes a spot in our best Casio keyboard 88 keys models. Unlike most digital pianos, this keyboard comes in a slim and lightweight body. It definitely is portable. Either you are a traveling musician or taking a music class, you can easily carry this keyboard along.

Just like the other models from the company, Casio PX5S Privia has a fabulous feel. It looks modern and stylish. About a three-fourth part of the housing on the left side is silver, whereas the remaining one-fourth part is black. Casio PX5S Privia looks far beyond your typical conventional keyboard.

Casio PX5S Privia makes a perfect stage keyboard, too. It is already equipped with the Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II, so you can expect impressive performance from the keys. It also comes with the Air engine for pristine and detailed sound quality.

Interestingly, this keyboard also has a rich 4-zone controller that can enhance the playability and versatility. There are 6 sliders and 4 knobs that can be configured to control internal sounds and effect parameters.

Did we mention that Casio PX5S Privia is also great for making music? You can connect Casio PX5S Privia to a Windows or Mac computer by using the plug-and-play USB connectivity. You don’t need to install a driver. The keyboard can control MIDI. There are impressive built-in sounds including several grand piano sounds, harpsichord, clavichord, and classic electric piano.

Find the best price of Casio PX5S Privia here!

4. Casio PX760 BK Privia

If you are looking for a slightly more affordable choice, consider Casio PX760 BK Privia. This model is suitable for players who need a durable digital piano with stunning dynamics and sound quality.

This 88-key keyboard also features simulated ebony and ivory keys. You will truly enjoy the smooth feel. Combined with the high-quality cabinet and nice cover, the appearance is luxurious. In addition, it comes with the Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II to give a powerful simulation of a grand piano. The keys feel solid and very accurate. They respond to your hits with accurate expressions.

Also, the sound quality is great. It has the Multi-Dimensional Morphing Air sound source, which is the same engine used on the higher models. You will be impressed by the richness and detail. However, unlike the higher models, Casio PX760 BK Privia only supports 128-note polyphony.

In most cases, you won’t hear the difference in sound quality. The sound may just feel somewhat less rich when playing a particularly complex piece. Not that the general audience can hear the difference. But the bargain isn’t bad, as this model comes with a more affordable price tag.

The features are great. It already comes with a tri-pedal system, including a damper resonance pedal to allow you to mold and shape the sound character. It also has the “Concert” play mode, just like the one on Casio PX-860 Privia, so that you can play along an orchestra performance. This is among those keyboard models that you can buy without hesitation.

Find the best price of Casio PX760 BK Privia here!

5. Casio Privia PX-160

Another less expensive option in our best Casio keyboard 88 keys models is Casio Privia PX-160. Even so, don’t be mistaken by the price tag. It also comes with the Air sound engine and Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II. So, the sound quality and performance are also guaranteed to amaze you.

This is a full-size digital keyboard, so it is also big and heavy. However, compared to the higher models, the cabinet here has a more streamlined design. The cabinet is still very durable, but there aren’t many protruding or unnecessary parts. It makes a classy decoration for your living room or guest room without taking too much space.

The sound quality? Outstanding. The famous Air sound engine and Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II will not disappoint you. It is rich and detailed, with sweet and accurate dynamics. It has 128-note polyphony. In most cases, it can play complex pieces quite nicely.

Casio Privia PX-160 is equipped with 2 x 8 Watts speakers.The volume is not overly powerful for a stage performance, but strong enough for rehearsal or just playing in the living room. Nevertheless, you can easily attach an external loudspeaker to the line-out slot, should the need arise.

Find the best price of Casio Privia PX-160 here!

6. Casio PX350 BK Privia

Affordable and portable. Those are the key characteristics of Casio PX350 BK Privia. If those two words ring nicely in your ears, you should choose this model. This is the recommended choice for traveling musicians and students who need a decent keyboard without many fancy unnecessary features.

If you look at the keyboard, you can see that the design is simple. Well, it still has a luxurious feel, thanks to the ivory and ebony textured keys. However, the control buttons are lined on the top neatly, on the left and right of the small backlit display screen. You probably will not use the control buttons frequently. You only access them to make adjustments before playing.

Despite the affordability, the performance is impressive. It already comes with the Air sound engine and Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II. And it has 128-note polyphony. So, you don’t need to worry about the sound quality at all.

Still, Casio PX350 BK Privia is also a great choice if you need computer connectivity. This model supports USB and MIDI. You can use this keyboard as a MIDI controller on your Windows or Mac. The functionality also works with iPad by using Apple’s Camera Connection Kit.

There are 250 built-in instrument tones, including organs, electric pianos, strings, drums, brass, bass, and more. There is a built-inrecorder that can record up to 17 tracks in the 44.1 kHz WAV format. With all these features, Casio PX350 BK Privia offers a very big value for the money.

Find the best price of Casio PX350 BK Privia here!

Choosing the Best Casio Keyboard 88 Keys

Of course, each model is the best in its own way. They all have attractive appearance and impressive sound quality. They mostly only differ in the features, as they are designed for people with different needs and capabilities. So, you need to identify first the features that you actually need, and choose the model that has those features.

You may have noticed that most of the keyboards here feature Casio’s latest technologies, the Air sound engine and the Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II. These new technologies are truly great. The combination gives you the best performance that a keyboard can deliver.

Some keyboards offer a great range of diverse sounds, mimicking various modern and traditional instruments. If you want to make some multi-instrument music, such keyboards are handy. Some models are full-sized, which means that they are more suitable for static placement. Some models are slim and portable, easy to carry to gigs and classes.

Finally, some keyboards are very easy to play with adjustable weighted keys, suitable for beginners, whereas some others come with advanced features that can benefit experts. So, you should choose a model that suits your skill level to reach your purpose, either learning, rehearsal, or performance.