1st Note

Korg

Korg XE20 Review

700 sounds and auto-accompaniment on a real piano keyboard

88 Keys 12 kg natural weighted hammer action Beginner

Where to Buy

MSRP

$880

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

No verified product page is available yet, so these buttons open retailer search results. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

Scores

8.4 5.0 6.0 6.1 5.7 Beginner Night Practice Portability Touch Reality Value

Beginner

8.4

Night Practice

5.0

Portability

6.0

Touch Reality

6.1

Value

5.7
How These Scores Were Calculated

Beginner

8.4
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 40 +1.3
Sound Variety 700 sounds +0.5

Night Practice

5.0
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 2.0
Headphone Jacks 1 +1
Headphone Type 6.3mm +1
Headphone Optimization No +0
Key Action Quietness natural weighted hammer action +0
Volume Control Yes +1
Bluetooth Audio No +0

Portability

6.0
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 5.0
Weight 12 kg +1
Width 1312 mm +0
Battery No +0
Foldable No +0
Key Count 88 keys +0

Touch Reality

6.1
Factor This Piano Points
Key Action Quality natural weighted hammer action (grade 7) +4.2
Key Count 88 keys +1.5
Polyphony 120 notes +0.4
Sound Modeling No +0
Key Surface Standard +0

Our Verdict

Part piano, part one-man band. The XE20 combines 88 weighted keys with 700 sounds and automatic accompaniment patterns — play a chord with your left hand and a full backing band follows along.

Pros

  • 700 sounds — pianos, organs, strings, brass, synths, and more
  • Auto-accompaniment with full band backing (drums, bass, chords) in multiple genres
  • Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH) — a real weighted keyboard, not just springs
  • Built-in lesson function with 40 preset songs
  • 25W speakers — decent volume for home use
  • 12kg and portable — lighter than most 88-key weighted keyboards

Cons

  • NH action is Korg's entry-level weighted keyboard — noticeably less refined than the RH3
  • No Bluetooth — cannot connect wirelessly to apps or stream audio
  • 120-note polyphony may clip during complex auto-accompaniment passages
  • No app connectivity — all features are controlled from the panel only

The XE20 is the Swiss Army knife of Korg's lineup. The 700 sounds and auto-accompaniment make it genuinely entertaining in a way that pure piano models aren't. The trade-off is a lesser keybed — the NH action is fine for beginners but won't satisfy serious pianists. If you mostly want piano, the D1 or LP-380U give you a far better touch for similar money. But if you want variety and fun, the XE20 delivers more musical entertainment per dollar than almost anything else.

Technical Deep Dive

About the Key Action

The NH (Natural Weighted Hammer) action is Korg's entry-level weighted keyboard. The keys have genuine weight to them — heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble — but the feel is simpler and less nuanced than the RH3 found on Korg's more expensive models. It's perfectly adequate for a beginner or casual player, but experienced pianists will notice the difference.

Who Is This Piano For?

You want a piano that's also fun. Maybe you enjoy playing pop songs and wish you had a backing band, or you want to explore sounds beyond just piano. The XE20 is for the player who'd get bored with a pure piano after a month but would light up playing a bossa nova arrangement with automatic accompaniment filling in the rhythm section.

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 Natural Weighted Hammer Action
Polyphony 120 notes
Sounds 700
Weight 12 kg
Speakers 25W (×2)
Bluetooth 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.

Where to Buy

MSRP

$880

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

No verified product page is available yet, so these buttons open retailer search results. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

How It Compares

XE20 vs PX-S1100

The XE20 scores higher in Night Practice, while the PX-S1100 edges ahead in Portability and Touch Reality and Value. The PX-S1100 costs $181 less. Choose the XE20 if you prioritize quiet practice.

Casio PX-S1100 →

XE20 vs P-225

The XE20 scores higher in Portability, while the P-225 edges ahead in Night Practice and Value. The P-225 costs $131 less. Choose the XE20 if you prioritize portability.

Yamaha P-225 →

XE20 vs DGX-670

The XE20 scores higher in Portability, while the DGX-670 edges ahead in Beginner and Night Practice and Value. Choose the XE20 if you prioritize portability.

Yamaha DGX-670 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Korg XE20 good for beginners?

Yes. The Korg XE20 scores 8.4/10 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 Korg XE20 have Bluetooth?

No, the Korg XE20 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.

How heavy is the Korg XE20?

The Korg XE20 weighs 12 kg (26 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 Korg XE20?

Yes. The Korg XE20 has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5/10 on our Night Practice scale.

How many keys does the Korg XE20 have?

The Korg XE20 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 Korg XE20 best for?

You want a piano that's also fun. Maybe you enjoy playing pop songs and wish you had a backing band, or you want to explore sounds beyond just piano. The XE20 is for the player who'd get bored with a pure piano after a month but would light up playing a bossa nova arrangement with automatic accompaniment filling in the rhythm section.

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