Artesia
PA-88H
$250
The cheapest hammer-action piano you can buy
4.4 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 4.9 Touch Reality 6.6 Value
88 11 kg
Casio
Casio CDP-130 Review
Casio's no-frills 88-key portable at the lowest price point
Discontinued 88 Keys 10.8 kg scaled hammer action ii Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
3.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | No | +0 |
| Metronome | No | +0 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | No | +0 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 10 sounds | +0.3 |
Night Practice
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm | +0.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | scaled hammer action ii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
5.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 10.8 kg | +1 |
| Width | 1322 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
5.1| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | scaled hammer action ii (grade 6) | +3.6 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 48 notes | +0 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | plastic | +0 |
Our Verdict
The CDP-130 stripped away everything except the essentials — 88 weighted keys, a Scaled Hammer Action II mechanism, and 10 instrument sounds — creating one of the most affordable ways to start learning piano on a full-size, weighted keyboard.
Pros
- • Extremely affordable entry point for 88 weighted keys
- • Scaled Hammer Action II provides graded weighting from bass to treble
- • Lightweight at 10.8 kg — easy to carry and store
- • Slim profile at only 99mm height fits on desks and tables
- • USB MIDI output for connecting to a computer or DAW
Cons
- • Only 48-note polyphony — notes will drop during even moderate sustain pedal use
- • Single 3.5mm headphone jack — no shared listening possible
- • No lesson function, no recording, no metronome — bare minimum features
- • Plastic key surface without any texture — can feel slippery
- • Only 10 sounds — very limited tonal variety
The CDP-130 is the most honest instrument in this list: it does very little, but what it does, it does at a price nobody else could match. You get 88 weighted keys with graded hammer action, and that's the foundation everything else is built on. The 48-note polyphony, single headphone jack, and absence of lesson functions or recording are real limitations that you'll bump into quickly if you practice regularly. But as a first piano — a way to answer the question 'do I want to learn piano?' without financial risk — the CDP-130 served that purpose perfectly. If you find one used for under $200, it's hard to argue against it as a starter instrument.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Scaled Hammer Action II is Casio's entry-level weighted action. It provides graded weighting — heavier keys at the bottom, lighter at the top — which means your fingers learn the right habits even on a budget instrument. However, the plastic key surface is smooth and can feel slippery, especially with sweaty hands. There's no ivory or ebony texture to help with grip. The action is functional and honest, but it doesn't have the nuance or precision of Casio's Tri-Sensor models. For a first piano, it teaches the fundamentals of weighted touch. Beyond that, you'll want to upgrade.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're testing the waters. You want to find out if piano is something you'll stick with before investing serious money. Or you're a parent buying a first instrument for a child who's just starting lessons, and you need something with real weighted keys but can't justify spending more than the minimum. The CDP-130 exists for exactly this situation — it gets you a full 88-key weighted keyboard at a price that doesn't sting if you decide piano isn't for you. It also works for college students in dorm rooms who need something small, light, and functional. Don't expect bells and whistles; this is a piano in its most basic form.
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 | Scaled Hammer Action Ii |
| Polyphony | 48 notes |
| Sounds | 10 |
| Weight | 10.8 kg |
| Speakers | 16W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Plastic |
| Sound Modeling | — |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | No |
| Metronome | No |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | No |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1322×232×99 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
CDP-130 vs PA-88H
The PA-88H edges ahead in Beginner and Night Practice and Portability and Value. The PA-88H costs $100 less. Choose the PA-88H if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Artesia PA-88H →CDP-130 vs CDP-S110
The CDP-S110 edges ahead in Beginner and Touch Reality. The CDP-130 costs $100 less. Choose the CDP-S110 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Casio CDP-S110 →CDP-130 vs RP35
The RP35 edges ahead in Beginner and Night Practice and Value. Choose the RP35 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Ringway RP35 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Casio CDP-130 good for beginners?
It's not ideal for beginners. The Casio CDP-130 scores 3.6/10 on our Beginner scale — it lacks key learning features. Consider a model with lesson functions and app connectivity.
Does the Casio CDP-130 have Bluetooth?
No, the Casio CDP-130 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Casio CDP-130?
The Casio CDP-130 weighs 10.8 kg (24 lbs). It scores 5.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is light enough to carry between rooms or to lessons.
Can I use headphones with the Casio CDP-130?
Yes. The Casio CDP-130 has 1 headphone jack (3.5mm). It scores 4.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Casio CDP-130 have?
The Casio CDP-130 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
Who is the Casio CDP-130 best for?
You're testing the waters. You want to find out if piano is something you'll stick with before investing serious money. Or you're a parent buying a first instrument for a child who's just starting lessons, and you need something with real weighted keys but can't justify spending more than the minimum. The CDP-130 exists for exactly this situation — it gets you a full 88-key weighted keyboard at a price that doesn't sting if you decide piano isn't for you. It also works for college students in dorm rooms who need something small, light, and functional. Don't expect bells and whistles; this is a piano in its most basic form.
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