Best Master Keyboards (up to 88 Keys) for Beginner 2026
Perfect master keyboards (up to 88 keys) for beginner - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 Komplete 15
Classical Piano
Professional Performance
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Full piano range and capability
✓ PROS
- • Professional piano performance standard
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
✗ CONS
- • May be overkill for electronic production
- • Requires significant space
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 Komplete 15*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3*USB...
⭐
5.0/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601323
$1,396
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Studiologic SL88 GT mk2
by
Studiologic
Jazz Piano
Classical Piano
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional piano performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Full piano range and capability
- • Best expression and dynamic control
✗ CONS
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
- • Requires significant space
Studiologic SL88 GT mk2Controller Keyboard with 88 KeysWeighted hammer action TP/400 Wood with aftertouch100...
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610040
$989
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Doepfer PK88 GH
by
Doepfer
Piano Education
Concert Performance
Classical Piano
Key Feature:
• No limitations for any piano repertoire
✓ PROS
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
- • Best expression and dynamic control
✗ CONS
- • May be overkill for electronic production
- • Requires significant space
Doepfer PK88 GHMaster KeyboardHammer action keyboard88 KeysGraded hammer action keyboard (TP/40GH)Specifically for the...
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 265038
$1,260
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 Kompl. 15 Ult.
Piano Education
Classical Piano
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Full piano range and capability
✓ PROS
- • Professional piano performance standard
- • Best expression and dynamic control
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to transport frequently
- • Most expensive category
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 Kompl. 15 Ult.*Bundle offer comprising*, Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3*USB...
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601874
$1,649
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Novation Launchkey 88
by
Novation
Jazz Piano
Piano Education
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Usually weighted hammer action
✓ PROS
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to transport frequently
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
Novation Launchkey 88USB MIDI Keyboard ControllerWith 88 half-weighted full-size keysAdjustable dynamic curves16 RGB...
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 543170
$417
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3
Studio Recording
Concert Performance
Jazz Piano
Key Feature:
• No limitations for any piano repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Professional piano performance standard
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Difficult to transport frequently
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3USB Keyboard ControllerFatar keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch and 88 weighted keys...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 570927
$1,209
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Roland A-88 MKII
by
Roland
Classical Piano
Jazz Piano
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• No limitations for any piano repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Best expression and dynamic control
- • Professional piano performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Most expensive category
- • Difficult to transport frequently
Roland A-88 MKIIMIDI 2.0 Keyboard ControllerWeighted 88 key keyboard with ivory feel (PHA-4 standard)Three definable...
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 482452
$1,077
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
M-Audio Hammer 88
by
M-Audio
Classical Piano
Piano Education
Jazz Piano
Key Feature:
• No limitations for any piano repertoire
✓ PROS
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
- • Usually weighted hammer action
✗ CONS
- • Most expensive category
- • Difficult to transport frequently
M-Audio Hammer 88M-Audio Hammer 88Includes a 3-month Skoove license for online piano lessonsUSB/MIDI controller with...
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 416495
$494
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII
by
Arturia
Concert Performance
Piano Education
Classical Piano
Key Feature:
• Best expression and dynamic control
✓ PROS
- • Best expression and dynamic control
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Most expensive category
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkIIUSB/MIDI Keyboard ControllerWith 88 keys and CV connectionsWeighted Fatar keyboard with hammer...
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 468786
$989
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 Black
by
Arturia
Piano Education
Jazz Piano
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional piano performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Full piano range and capability
- • Best expression and dynamic control
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Most expensive category
Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 BlackUSB/MIDI Controller KeyboardFatar keyboard (TP/110) with hammer action and 88 weighted keys...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612849
$1,055
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Studiologic SL88 mk2
by
Studiologic
Studio Recording
Classical Piano
Concert Performance
Key Feature:
• Usually weighted hammer action
✓ PROS
- • Usually weighted hammer action
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
- • May be overkill for electronic production
Studiologic SL88 mk2Controller Keyboard with 88 KeysTP/110 weighted hammer action with aftertouch100 programmes24...
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610039
$549
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 White
by
Arturia
Classical Piano
Piano Education
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional piano performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Usually weighted hammer action
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • May be overkill for electronic production
- • Most expensive category
Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 WhiteUSB MIDI Keyboard88 velocity-sensitive keysEight velocity-sensitive pads with...
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586181
$416
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Midiplus X-8 III
by
Midiplus
Classical Piano
Studio Recording
Concert Performance
Key Feature:
• Best expression and dynamic control
✓ PROS
- • No limitations for any piano repertoire
- • Full piano range and capability
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to transport frequently
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
Midiplus X-8 IIIUSB-MIDI Keyboard88 Semi-weightedstandard-size velocity-sensitive keys4 Assignable knobs6 Assignable...
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 546976
$274
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH grey
by
Doepfer
Professional Performance
Classical Piano
Concert Performance
Key Feature:
• Full piano range and capability
✓ PROS
- • Usually weighted hammer action
- • Professional piano performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
- • Most expensive category
Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH greyMaster keyboardHammer action keyboard with 88 keysGraded hammer action keyboard (TP/40GH) with...
⭐
4.8/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 265017
$1,859
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH black
by
Doepfer
Professional Performance
Piano Education
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Best expression and dynamic control
✓ PROS
- • Full piano range and capability
- • Usually weighted hammer action
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant space
- • Largest and heaviest controllers
Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH blackMaster keyboardHammer action keyboard with 88 keysGraded hammer action keyboard (TP/40GH) with...
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 316487
$1,869
How to Choose the Best Master Keyboards (up to 88 Keys)
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced master keyboards (up to 88 keys) typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
