Alesis
Recital
$200
Amazon's best-selling 88-key keyboard — for a reason
5.6 Beginner 6.5 Night Practice 7.0 Portability 3.5 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 7.1 kg
View Details Alesis
Alesis Concert Review
The cheapest 88-key path into piano
88 Keys 7.5 kg semi weighted Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
5.9| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | No | +0 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 10 sounds | +0.3 |
Night Practice
6.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | semi weighted | +1.5 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
7.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 7.5 kg | +2 |
| Width | 1283 mm | +0 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
3.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | semi weighted (grade 2) | +1.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 128 notes | +0.8 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | Standard | +0 |
Our Verdict
At around $250, the Alesis Concert is one of the most affordable ways to get all 88 keys in your home — but with semi-weighted keys, it is closer to a keyboard than a piano.
Pros
- • Extremely affordable — one of the lowest prices for a full 88-key instrument
- • Only 7.5 kg — lightweight enough to carry with one hand
- • USB MIDI for connecting to a computer or tablet for learning apps
- • 128-note polyphony — adequate for beginner repertoire
- • Layer and split modes for combining sounds
- • 20W speakers — sufficient for quiet home practice
Cons
- • Semi-weighted keys — no hammer mechanism, feels like a keyboard not a piano
- • No recording function
- • No Bluetooth connectivity
- • No app connectivity — USB MIDI only
- • Sustain pedal not included — must be purchased separately
- • Only 10 sounds with no sound modeling
- • Stand not included — additional $30-60 expense
The Alesis Concert is an honest budget instrument. At 7.5 kg and $250, it removes every barrier to getting started with piano. The 88 full-size keys, USB MIDI, and 128-note polyphony cover the basics. But the semi-weighted action is a real compromise — it will not teach your fingers how a real piano feels. Think of it as the most affordable audition for the piano hobby. If you fall in love with playing, plan on upgrading to a hammer-action instrument within a year. If budget is truly the deciding factor, the Concert gets you playing today.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The semi-weighted action is the Concert's biggest limitation. The keys have some resistance — more than an unweighted synth — but there is no hammer mechanism inside. This means the bass and treble keys feel the same weight, and you will not develop the finger strength that a real piano demands. If you plan to eventually move to an acoustic piano or take lessons seriously, you will want to upgrade within a year.
Who Is This Piano For?
You are testing the waters. You want to find out if piano is for you before spending real money. Maybe you are a college student in a dorm room, or someone who needs an ultra-portable 88-key instrument for a small apartment. You understand that the semi-weighted keys are a compromise, but at $250 you are willing to accept that trade-off to get started.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Semi Weighted |
| Polyphony | 128 notes |
| Sounds | 10 |
| Weight | 7.5 kg |
| Speakers | 20W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | — |
| Sound Modeling | |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | No |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1283×295×92 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | No |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand not included (sold separately)
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
How It Compares
Concert vs Legato IV
The Concert scores higher in Portability, while the Legato IV edges ahead in Beginner. Choose the Concert if you prioritize portability.
Williams Legato IV →Concert vs DEP-60
The Concert scores higher in Night Practice and Portability, while the DEP-60 edges ahead in Beginner and Touch Reality. Choose the Concert if you prioritize quiet practice.
Donner DEP-60 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Alesis Concert good for beginners?
It's decent for beginners. The Alesis Concert scores 5.9/10 on our Beginner scale — it covers the basics but may lack some advanced learning features found in higher-scoring models.
Does the Alesis Concert have Bluetooth?
No, the Alesis Concert does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Alesis Concert?
The Alesis Concert weighs 7.5 kg (17 lbs). It scores 7/10 on our Portability scale. This is light enough to carry between rooms or to lessons.
Can I use headphones with the Alesis Concert?
Yes. The Alesis Concert has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 6.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Alesis Concert have?
The Alesis Concert has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
Related Guides
Best Digital Pianos Under $1,000 (2026)
The $500–$1,000 range is where digital pianos get genuinely good. This is the sweet spot — where key actions start to feel convincing, speakers become room-filling, and you get features that actually matter for your progress. If you can stretch your budget to this range, you'll get an instrument that can carry you from your first lesson through years of playing.
Read more →Best Digital Pianos Under $500 (2026)
You don't need to spend a fortune to start playing piano. Under $500, there are genuinely good instruments that will serve a beginner well for years. But at this price, trade-offs are real — and knowing what to prioritize makes all the difference. This guide breaks down exactly what you can expect, what to look for, and which models deliver the most value.
Read more →Best Portable Digital Pianos for Travel & Small Spaces (2026)
Sometimes you need a piano that goes where you go. Whether you're gigging, traveling, teaching at multiple locations, or simply don't have room for a full console, portability matters. But lighter doesn't always mean better — the trade-offs between weight, key quality, and features are real. This guide breaks down exactly what to look for in a portable digital piano.
Read more →Digital Piano Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
Buying a digital piano can feel overwhelming. Hundreds of models, confusing specs, and marketing jargon make it hard to know what actually matters. This guide breaks down everything you need to understand — in plain language — so you can make a confident decision.
Read more →Graded Hammer Action vs Weighted Keys: What's the Difference?
"Weighted keys" and "graded hammer action" are two of the most common terms you'll see when shopping for a digital piano. They sound similar but refer to different things. This guide explains exactly what they mean, how they affect your playing, and which type you should look for.
Read more →Best Quiet Digital Pianos for Apartments (2026)
Living in an apartment doesn't mean giving up piano. Digital pianos were practically made for this situation — plug in headphones and the world disappears. But not all models are equally quiet. Key noise, headphone quality, and late-night optimization features vary widely. This guide helps you find the right piano for peaceful apartment practice.
Read more →Similar Pianos
Williams
Legato IV
$300
Guitar Center's lightweight 88-key starter — slim, simple, $300
8.4 Beginner 6.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 3.5 Touch Reality 7.3 Value
88 9 kg
View Details Donner
DEP-60
$250
88 weighted keys for under $250 — the budget king
6.6 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 10 kg
View Details