Best 61-keys Portable Keyboard in India- Reviews and Comparison 2022

Sound is one of the essential features to look for when you buy a 61-keys portable keyboard. There are so many musical instruments in the world with their own sound. When you play any of them together, the output is different. Similarly, there are thousands of permutations and combinations (P&Cs). A portable keyboard that has room for the maximum P&Cs is the best. Imagine how many musical genres you will be able to play. Of course, the sound has to be of high-quality.

Likewise, there are portable keyboards that have separate rhythms which let you play different music styles like Indian, Ethnic etc.

All-in-all, a portable keyboard with the maximum number of sounds, tones and voices will make you feel that you are the band.

You are looking for a portable keyboard, isn’t it? You are not looking for a piano replacement option that will decor the corner of your house. But, you need a musical instrument that can be carried anywhere and everywhere with ease. And that’s how the ‘weight’ feature comes into the picture. A lightweight, portable keyboard is comfortable to take to your music classes, school, college or even on trips.

What is a portable keyboard if it doesn’t have the battery option? We mean, the battery is always an added advantage. With a fully charged battery, if your portable keyboard can work for a few hours, then there is no need to take an adapter along with it. Also, if you want your keyboard to accompany you on those group tours to remote places, the run-on-battery option comes in handy.

The feature of suitability is somehow connected with another element, i.e. the number of keys. The number of keys in a portable keyboard can be as low as 25 and as high as 88. A compact keyboard with fewer keys such as 25-32 is suitable for children while beginners should choose a 61-keys keyboard. But if this is just not a hobby and it is a serious purchase, it is advisable to go future-proof. An 88-keys portable keyboard, designed for professionals, can also be bought.

MIDI-Musical Instrument Digital Interface serves as a blueprint directing the musical instrument which notes to play and at what velocity. Let’s say. A MIDI passage is sent to the portable keyboard that in turn performs the very passage using any of the sounds available in the keyboard. Furthermore, a keyboard-equipped with MIDI compatibility can send and receive MIDI messages.

With the polyphony feature, you can play various sounds on the keyboard. A keyboard that has extensive polyphonic capabilities and multiple instrument voices can mimic an entire orchestra. Therefore, a portable keyboard with 32 note polyphony can produce up to 32 note at once. If you are going for a keyboard with more keys, it should be capable of producing more polyphony. For example, an 88-keys keyboard should be able to play 128 note of polyphony.

Price is an important factor in determining the selection process of a portable keyboard. A predetermined budget always comes in handy, whether you are buying a keyboard or anything else. There are several options available from different brands, and they are priced really competitively. You can match your requirements with the keyboard’s feature and go for it.

Whatever might be your budget, no portable comes inexpensive. Therefore, considering the product warranty is essential. It is linked to the life of your musical instrument. Besides, the warranty period you must also check the damages included in it. A more extended warranty period is a significant return over the amount spent. A durable portable keyboard is one that has at least 1-2 years of the warranty period. Best brands like Yamaha and Casio give three years of warranty.

Touch-sensitive keys let you give an expressive and dynamic performance. Such a type of keys give a louder tone when played heavily and gives a quieter sound when played softly. In other words, it accurately reflects every nuance of keyboard playing.

A brand plays a prime role in purchasing a keyboard player. It can be trusted for producing a reliable and quality keyboard. Moreover, a brand gives a lifetime guarantee besides quality. They have made a reputation over many years, and investing in them will be worth every penny spent. Casio, Yamaha, RockJam, AKAI are some of the reliable brands.

There are a few good-to-have features as well in a portable keyboard. One is recording and playing as that helps in the learning process. The display is another vital feature to consider. A big and bright display ensures you can see all the information clearly. Last but not least, a portable keyboard player comes with several connectivity options including USB, FireWire, MIDI, S/PDIF, mLAN making audio transfer easier.

• To avoid damage to the instrument and other connected devices, turn off the power switches of all related devices before connecting or disconnecting cables.

• To avoid deformation, discolouration and more severe damage, keep the portable keyboard away from direct sunlight, high temperature, excessive humidity, dust and strong vibrations.

• Never put extra force on the controls, connectors or other parts of the keyboard.

• Do not pull the cord instead, unplug cables by gripping the plug firmly.

• Don’t place heavy objects on the keyboard as that can cause physical shocks or result in scratches and more severe damage.

• A portable keyboard has digital circuitry, which can cause interference if placed too close to radio or television receivers. In case of any interruption, move the instrument further away from the affected equipment.

• Don’t forget to switch OFF the keyboard when not in use.

• The adapter should be unplugged from the musical instrument when not to be used for an extended period.

• Unplug the A.C. adapter at the time of the storm.

• Avoid using the same A.C. adapter for other appliances such as electric heaters or ovens.

• Avoid using a multi-plug adaptor as that can result in poor sound quality, operation errors and possible damage.

• Clean the portable keyboard with a soft dry cloth.

• To remove stubborn grime and dirt, you can use a slightly damp cloth.

• Never use cleaners such as alcohol or thinner.

• Avoid placing a vinyl object on the portable keyboard as that can stick to the instrument and discolour its surface.

Casio CTK-2550 is our first choice as it has got 400 sounds, 3.3 kg weight and it is battery operated as well. The 100 rhythms and 48 note polyphony make you feel like you have the whole band at home. The big and clear LCD makes it incredibly easy to use this 61-keys portable keyboard. The intuitive control panel lets you play the instrument without any difficulty.

It is a portable keyboard that both a beginner and professional can use. Also, it is an equally perfect fit for those who want to play the keyboard just for fun or seriously. The 2W+2W amplifiers allow you to play the instrument in large gatherings without causing any inconvenience.

The powerful lesson function proves to be fruitful for those who want to give a kickstart to their career. It has 60 built-in songs which you can play phrase by phrase at your speed. You can play the notes as per the instructions given by the voice fingering guide, which calls out finger numbers in a human-like voice. Furthermore, you can always learn your favourite songs with the help of Casio’s Mobile Application “Chordana Play”. It can be used for both built-in songs and MIDI files.

With all that and much more, Casio CTK-2550 justifies being at place one.

Yamaha PSR-E363 is a 61-keys touch-sensitive portable keyboard. It is not lightweight when compared to other keyboards on the list. However, with its compact design, you can easily pack it in a regular size keyboard together with whooping 574 instrument voices and 165 auto-accompaniment styles. The touch-sensitive keyboard accurately reflects your in-depth knowledge of playing a keyboard.

It is specially designed for amateur musicians as its education suite, Y.E.S., lets you practice the preset songs at your convenient speed either using a single hand or both hands. It is MIDI compatible and equipped with USB connectivity. All you need is one cable to connect to your music-making software, computer or smartphone.

One of its unique features is duo mode which permits two people to play it at the same time by creating two middle C notes.

This is an excellent piece of equipment for anybody and especially beginners looking for a cool keyboard, and that offers plenty of beautiful sounds under the budget. It is the only keyboard on our list that comes in three colours- black, white and red.

Casio CT-S200RD has 61 full-size piano-style keys with a 48 note polyphony, 400 tones ( 13 Indian), 77 rhythms ( 14 Indian) and 60 built-in songs. Same as Casio CTK-2550, it weighs 3.3 kg and can be operated using a battery. This MIDI-compatible keyboard is compatible with Casio’s mobile application “Chordana Play”. The mobile app connectivity and easy to use interface makes it a perfect keyboard for both young kids and adults.

If budget is stopping you from owning a keyboard and you are ready to compromise on a few things, then Yamaha PSRF51 is the best suited 61-keys portable keyboard for beginners. It comes with 120 sounds, 4.9 kg weight and battery feature. It offers 114 styles, 32 polyphony with no MIDI-compatibility and touch response. Its incredibly easy to use colour-coded, intuitive control panel screams that it is a keyboard made for those who are earnest about learning the instrument.

It gives you more than in-built speakers because it comes with 2.5W + 2.5W amplifiers which makes it smooth for you to play it in any situation. Besides duo mode, it also has a built-in metronome which let you hone the sense of rhythm-vital while practising and performing.

PSRE463 is another gem of a portable keyboard from the renowned brand, Yamaha. It is a feature-rich keyboard and comes with maximum sounds on our list-758! Besides, it has all the regular portable keyboard functions. It comes with 48 polyphony notes, 235 auto-accompaniment styles, and three years warranty. The USB audio recorder is another feature that comes in handy while practising. Its 6W + 6W amplifiers ensure that you can play at a large gathering in a hassle-free manner. The unique Groove Creator function helps you in making music like a pro.

This is not it, it offers connectivity with audio and MIDI capabilities, and therefore, you can also capture audio from an external audio source.

It is another compact model for a keyboard player to kickstart his/her career. Casio CT-S300 comes with 61 piano styled keys with 48 polyphony note. It is equipped with 400 life-like instrument Tones ( 13 Indian) and 77 Rhythms ( 14 Indian). If you are brand-specific, then this is the only Casio model which comes with touch-sensitive keys.

The ‘My Setup’ button allows you to save your favourite combination of tones and rhythms and use it as and when you want. Another unique feature of this portable keyboard is ‘Music scoring’. Using this function, you can assess your keyboard playing skills by checking the score, which is generated at the end of the performance. It is a little heavier than other Casio models, but just like them, it is app supportive, and MIDI compatible.

If you have started to feel lost among all the 61-keys portable keyboards on the market and you just want to find one that is a complete package, you’re in luck. The RockJam RJ561 is precisely that type of keyboard. The keyboard comes with a stand, stool and headphones, so you can start playing right away. Headphones are particularly useful if you want to practice silently or you live in an apartment, or you want to play after your family members have gone to bed.

It has most of the basic features and can be operated using batteries. Well, if you are wondering despite offering so much why is it ranked last. That’s because it is the keyboard which is less portable due to its 9 kg weight. Also, it offers you only 100 sounds, and it is not MIDI compatible. Apart from that, this super kit has 30 free songs and in-built speakers which is great if you want to perform at a small get-together. It is excellent for wannabe keyboard players as the big and crisp LCD display gives clear notifications and instructions when playing. Checkout reviews and comparison of Best Synthesizers, Best Violins, Best Electric Guitars for Beginners, Best DJ mixer in India.