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 Artesia
Artesia PE-88 Review
Budget hammer-action with lesson tools and 137 sounds
88 Keys 11.5 kg hammer action Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
7.1| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 137 sounds | +0.5 |
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
6.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 11.5 kg | +1 |
| Width | 1320 mm | +0 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| 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 | Standard | +0 |
Our Verdict
The Artesia PE-88 builds on the PA-88H with doubled polyphony, 137 sounds, a lesson function, and recording capability — a more complete beginner package at $350.
Pros
- • Hammer-action 88 keys at $350 — real hammer mechanism at a budget-friendly price point
- • 128-note polyphony — a significant upgrade from the PA-88H's 64 notes, adequate for most beginner repertoire
- • 137 built-in sounds — generous variety for experimenting with different musical styles
- • Built-in lesson function — structured practice tools that the cheaper PA-88H lacks
- • Recording function — track your progress by capturing practice sessions
- • Only 11.5 kg — lightweight enough to carry and store in a closet
Cons
- • Hammer action quality remains basic — better than no hammers, but noticeably rough compared to Yamaha or Casio
- • Piano tone quality is average — serviceable for learning but lacks warmth and depth
- • No Bluetooth — wired connections only
- • Limited brand recognition and support — fewer service options than major manufacturers
- • Stand not included — extra cost for a proper home setup
The Artesia PE-88 is the PA-88H's smarter sibling. For just $100 more, you get doubled polyphony, 137 sounds, a lesson function, and recording — features that genuinely help beginners learn. The hammer action is still basic, and the piano tone will not win any awards, but at $350 you are getting a remarkably complete beginner instrument. If you can stretch your budget $100 beyond the PA-88H, the PE-88 is the better investment. The lesson function alone justifies the upgrade for self-teaching beginners. Consider it a two-year learning instrument before you step up to a Yamaha or Casio.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The PE-88 shares the same basic hammer-action mechanism as other Artesia models. Real hammers inside the keyboard provide weighted resistance that is essential for learning proper piano technique. The 128-note polyphony is a meaningful upgrade, meaning you can use the sustain pedal more freely without losing notes. As with all budget hammer actions, the grading from bass to treble is less refined than what you would find in a Yamaha P-145 or Casio CDP-S110, and the overall feel is somewhat uniform. But at $350, with lesson function and recording included, the PE-88 offers the most complete budget hammer-action package available.
Who Is This Piano For?
You looked at the PA-88H but wanted more features — lesson tools, recording, and a wider sound palette — without breaking the bank. You are a beginner who wants hammer-action keys for proper technique development and a lesson function for structured self-teaching. The extra $100 over the PA-88H buys you meaningful upgrades that make daily practice more productive and enjoyable. You are still budget-conscious but willing to invest a little more for a more complete learning experience.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Hammer Action |
| Polyphony | 128 notes |
| Sounds | 137 |
| Weight | 11.5 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 | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1320×330×125 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
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
PE-88 vs SP201
The PE-88 scores higher in Portability. Choose the PE-88 if you prioritize portability.
Medeli SP201 →PE-88 vs DEP-60
The PE-88 scores higher in Beginner. The DEP-60 costs $100 less. Choose the PE-88 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Donner DEP-60 →PE-88 vs Recital Pro
The PE-88 scores higher in Beginner, while the Recital Pro edges ahead in Portability. Choose the PE-88 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Alesis Recital Pro →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artesia PE-88 good for beginners?
Yes. The Artesia PE-88 scores 7.1/10 on our Beginner scale, which means it has strong learning features like lesson modes, app connectivity, and built-in songs to help new players get started.
Does the Artesia PE-88 have Bluetooth?
No, the Artesia PE-88 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Artesia PE-88?
The Artesia PE-88 weighs 11.5 kg (25 lbs). It scores 6/10 on our Portability scale. This is light enough to carry between rooms or to lessons.
Can I use headphones with the Artesia PE-88?
Yes. The Artesia PE-88 has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Artesia PE-88 have?
The Artesia PE-88 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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6.6 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 10 kg
View Details Alesis
Recital Pro
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Budget 88-key hammer action with big speakers
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View Details