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 Alesis
Alesis Recital Pro Review
Budget 88-key hammer action with big speakers
88 Keys 11.8 kg hammer action Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
6.1| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 20 | +0.7 |
| Sound Variety | 12 sounds | +0.3 |
Night Practice
5.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | hammer action | +0.5 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
7.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 11.8 kg | +1 |
| Width | 1310 mm | +0 |
| Battery | Yes | +1.5 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
5.3| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | hammer action (grade 5) | +3 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 128 notes | +0.8 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | matte | +0 |
Our Verdict
If you want weighted piano keys on a tight budget, the Recital Pro gets you all 88 keys with real hammer action and surprisingly powerful speakers for around $330.
Pros
- • 88 full-size hammer-action weighted keys at the lowest price point
- • 30W speaker system with woofers + tweeters — loudest in the budget class
- • Stereo line out (L/R 6.3mm) for connecting to PA or amplifier
- • Battery powered (6×D-cell) — portable despite 88 keys
- • USB MIDI for connecting to computer/tablet
- • Layer and split modes
Cons
- • Only 12 sounds — very basic selection
- • Single headphone jack, no spatial optimization
- • No Bluetooth (neither audio nor MIDI)
- • No lesson function or built-in song library
- • Sustain pedal not included — must buy separately
- • Generic hammer action — functional but not refined
- • No app connectivity
The Recital Pro answers a simple question: can you get a real weighted 88-key piano for around $300? Yes, you can. The keys have genuine weight, the 30W speakers fill a room, and the line output means you can connect it to an amplifier if needed. What you sacrifice is refinement — the key action is functional but not silky, the sounds are basic, and there are no lesson features or Bluetooth. Think of it as training wheels for piano: good enough to find out if you love it, with the understanding that you'll want something better if you do. The sustain pedal isn't included, so budget an extra $15-20 for one.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The keys have real weight to them — they push back against your fingers and feel heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble. It's clearly a step up from a lightweight keyboard. But compared to pianos from Yamaha, Roland, or Kawai, the action feels a bit stiff and less nuanced. You'll feel the difference if you try them side by side, but for learning the basics, it does the job.
Who Is This Piano For?
You want to learn piano properly — with full-size weighted keys — but you're not ready to spend $500 or more. Maybe you're testing whether this hobby will stick before investing in something premium. Or you need a real piano for a spare room or vacation home where you don't want to leave an expensive instrument.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Hammer Action |
| Polyphony | 128 notes |
| Sounds | 12 |
| Weight | 11.8 kg |
| Speakers | 30W (×4) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Matte |
| Sound Modeling | |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 20 |
| Battery | Yes |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1310×351×140 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
Recital Pro vs DEP-60
The Recital Pro scores higher in Portability, while the DEP-60 edges ahead in Beginner. The DEP-60 costs $100 less. Choose the Recital Pro if you prioritize portability.
Donner DEP-60 →Recital Pro vs PE-88
The Recital Pro scores higher in Portability, while the PE-88 edges ahead in Beginner. Choose the Recital Pro if you prioritize portability.
Artesia PE-88 →Recital Pro vs SP201
The Recital Pro scores higher in Portability, while the SP201 edges ahead in Beginner. Choose the Recital Pro if you prioritize portability.
Medeli SP201 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Alesis Recital Pro good for beginners?
It's decent for beginners. The Alesis Recital Pro scores 6.1/10 on our Beginner scale — it covers the basics but may lack some advanced learning features found in higher-scoring models.
Does the Alesis Recital Pro have Bluetooth?
No, the Alesis Recital Pro does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Alesis Recital Pro?
The Alesis Recital Pro weighs 11.8 kg (26 lbs). It scores 7.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is light enough to carry between rooms or to lessons.
Can I use headphones with the Alesis Recital Pro?
Yes. The Alesis Recital Pro has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Alesis Recital Pro have?
The Alesis Recital Pro has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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Read more →Similar Pianos
Artesia
PE-88
$350
Budget hammer-action with lesson tools and 137 sounds
7.1 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 11.5 kg
View Details Medeli
SP201
$300
Hammer-action 88 keys at a budget-breaking price
7.1 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 12 kg
View Details