1st Note

Alesis

Alesis Recital Pro Review

Alesis Recital Pro: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

88 Keys 11.8 kg Hammer Action Beginner
In our TOP 10 Portability #4

Scores

6.1 5.5 7.5 5.3 7.1 Beginner Night Practice Portability Touch Reality Value

Beginner

6.1

Night Practice

5.5

Portability

7.5

Touch Reality

5.3

Value

7.1

Where to Buy

MSRP

$350

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

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

How was this calculated? — Read our methodology

Alesis Recital Pro review verdict

This Alesis Recital Pro review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.

Alesis Recital Pro is best read as a portable digital piano for beginners and returning players. This review looks at weighted-key feel, sound, practice features, value, and realistic comparison points instead of treating the spec sheet as advertising copy.

Pros

  • Key count: 88 keys, a clear basis for digital piano comparison.
  • Touch: weighted hammer action, so the review stays focused on practice feel.
  • Quiet practice: Headphone practice support.
  • Connectivity: USB MIDI.
  • Use case: Its best fit is home practice.

Cons

  • Main limit: the need for a furniture-style living-room instrument.
  • Stand cost and compatibility are separate checks.
  • Nearby current models may offer a better match for some players.

Alesis Recital Pro is a portable digital piano that makes most sense when its strengths are matched to the right practice situation. The useful points are 88 keys, weighted hammer action, 128-note polyphony, 30W speakers, and a weight of 11.8 kg. In a digital piano review, those details matter more than broad claims about being the best digital piano overall. For home practice, this model can be a sensible candidate if the layout and feature set match the way the instrument will actually be used. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. The fairest comparison is with models in the same price and use class, where touch, speakers, headphone practice, and connectivity can be judged side by side.

Alesis Recital Pro evaluation points

Alesis Recital Pro key action and touch

Alesis Recital Pro uses a weighted hammer action. For a digital piano with weighted keys, the important question is not only whether the keys are heavy, but whether they help steady daily practice. The matte key surface is a useful comfort detail. The specification lists 128-note polyphony; that is enough for ordinary pieces, while more layered playing or heavy pedal use benefits from a higher number. This makes the key action a practical comparison point rather than a decorative specification.

Who the Alesis Recital Pro is for

Alesis Recital Pro is most relevant for beginners and returning players. The main use case is home practice. Strengths: portability and easy placement. Limits: the need for a furniture-style living-room instrument. Buyers comparing digital pianos should also check the stand, pedal, headphone jack, app support, and local availability before deciding.

Alesis Recital Pro sound and speakers

Alesis Recital Pro offers 12 sounds and 30W speakers. That is the sound side of the review: enough variety for practice, but the real experience depends on speaker power, headphone use, and the room where it will be played. The headphone output supports quiet practice. For lessons, apps, or recording workflows, the useful connectivity is USB MIDI.

What to know before buying the Alesis Recital Pro

Before buying Alesis Recital Pro, compare it with nearby alternatives on touch, sound, portability, and value. A stand may need to be budgeted separately. Pedal needs should be checked before purchase. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. For searchers looking for a Alesis Recital Pro review, the practical conclusion is to treat it as one candidate in a digital piano comparison, not as a universal answer for every player.

Demo Video

Video coming soon for this model

We embed videos from manufacturer official channels and trusted reviewers. As soon as a suitable demo or review is available, it will appear here.

Specifications

Keys 88
Key Action Hammer Action
Polyphony 128 notes
Sounds 12
Weight 11.8 kg
Speakers 30W (×4)
Bluetooth No

Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →

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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.

Where to Buy

MSRP

$350

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

How It Compares

Recital Pro vs DEP-60

The Recital Pro scores higher in portability, while the DEP-60 is stronger in beginner support. The DEP-60 costs $101 less. Choose the Recital Pro if portability matters most.

Donner DEP-60 →

Recital Pro vs PE-88

The Recital Pro scores higher in portability, while the PE-88 is stronger in beginner support. Choose the Recital Pro if portability matters most.

Artesia PE-88 →

Recital Pro vs SP201

The Recital Pro scores higher in portability, while the SP201 is stronger in beginner support. Choose the Recital Pro if portability matters most.

Medeli SP201 →

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What reviewers say online

A synthesis of recurring points from price-comparison sites, Amazon reviews, music-store staff videos and forum threads. Not a star-rating average — we read across multiple reviews and pulled out the points that came up repeatedly.

The Alesis Recital Pro is the higher-end portable that adds a hammer-action keyboard to the Recital. Across overseas specialist reviews and customer reviews, many comments praise that "you can get fully weighted 88 keys at this price," and the tone centers on it being a solid entry-level model for beginners. At the same time, reviewers repeatedly note that keyboard smoothness and tone quality have limits in line with the price.

Praised most often

  • Fully weighted 88 keys at a restrained price

    Several reviews carry the assessment that it is "probably one of the cheapest fully weighted 88-key boards on the market." The ability to try a weighted keyboard on a low budget is welcomed by entry-level players.

  • Keyboard feel that holds its own for the price range

    Some say "the feel is close to an upright" and "the keystroke noise and response are above average for this price range." There are also comparison comments that you can really feel the difference from the semi-weighted Recital.

  • Suited to both console use and portability

    It supports battery operation, and reviewers value that it is not fussy about where it is placed. It also has USB MIDI, and some note it pairs easily with learning apps on a computer or tablet.

Common cautions and criticisms

  • The keyboard still has some roughness

    There are remarks that "the black keys feel lighter than the white keys and uneven" and that "the keystroke feels hollow." Compared with higher-end models, some feel a gap in smoothness and uniformity.

  • The usable voices are limited

    A sharper view stands out that, among the voices, "only the piano-type ones are really usable." Although there are a number of voices, the assessment centers on them feeling lacking in quality.

  • No built-in lesson songs

    Because it has no learning songs to follow along with, reviewers note that self-study requires separate teaching materials.

By source

  • Specialist review sites

    Outlets such as PianoDreamers and Pianote tend to praise the strength of "a weighted 88-key board at an affordable price" while framing the keyboard's uniformity and tone as in line with the price.

  • Retailer reviews (Sweetwater / zZounds, etc.)

    Retailer customer reviews are notable for practical comments such as "satisfied after moving up from 61 keys" and "enough for the price."

  • Head-to-head comparisons (vs Recital / Virtue, etc.)

    Comparisons within the same series note that placing it next to the semi-weighted Recital makes the difference in keyboard feel easy to see.

Net take

On balance, the Recital Pro is a unit suited to the goal of trying weighted 88 keys as affordably as possible. Securing a fully weighted keyboard on a low budget is its central strength, making it a solid option for an entry-level model. At the same time, reviewers point to many areas, in keyboard uniformity and tone quality, where it does not match the major makers. It is enough for learning the basics, but if the gap starts to bother you the more you play, it is worth considering a move to a higher-end model.

We do not compute a numeric star average. The points below are recurring themes we identified by reading across multiple reviews.

Sources & transparency

This page is written by the operator, who has run the piano-learning site Piano Juku since 2017, based on published manufacturer specifications. We are not a retailer or tied to any maker — every model is compared by the same criteria. About the operator

Last verified
Data referenced from
Published spec sheet ×2

How the 5-axis scores are calculated

We do not aggregate user reviews or star ratings (see methodology for why).

Spot a mistake or have a question about what's on this page? Let us know and we'll review it.

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