Although some musical keyboards are very expensive, used and/or less sophisticated models can be relatively cheap. It may be a good idea to start by purchasing a cheap musical keyboard to see if it is something you (or its recipient, if it is a gift) really want to use and have enough time for, then perhaps moving to a more sophisticated unit. Also, most cheap new keyboards are preferable for children because of their small size and ease of use in comparison to more expensive models. Many new and used keyboards are available in the $15-75 range, including compact brand-name models and larger used or generic units.
Most sub-$50 new musical keyboards have under fifty keys, offer relatively few instrument options, and can only be powered with “AA” batteries. Many of these are made by Casio or Kawasaki; generic models at equivalent prices tend to offer somewhat better features and are sometimes larger in size. Some specifications to compare include the number of tones, built-in instrumental songs, number of keys, and the variety of instrument options. Some relatively cheap musical keyboards, like the Casio SA 75, have a headphone/earphone output jack, which is useful if you don’t want to disturb others while using it.
As with most products, a used musical keyboard will usually provide better capabilities than a new unit at the same price. For example, a 61-key used Casio keyboard recently sold for $55 on eBay (including shipping and handling), while a new mostly-equivalent (some specifications aren’t quite as good) Casio from Target is priced at $99.99. Used Yamaha Portatone keyboards, which are fairly sophisticated, can often be purchased for under $70. When purchasing used musical keyboards in person, check the battery compartment for corrosion and ask to test the keyboard if possible.
Remember that many musical keyboards require either a detachable AC adapter or batteries for power, and some need several large “D” batteries for battery power. If you only plan on using the keyboard at home, don’t overlook the lack of an AC adapter just because a new or used keyboard is priced very cheap; make sure you consider the cost of an adapter or batteries. When giving a musical keyboard as a gift, you might include a related book, headphones, or batteries of the correct type.
Used, cheap musical keyboards can be purchased at eBay.com, newspaper classifieds, CraigsList.org, some pawn shops, and the occasional yard or garage sale. Two different new Kawasaki musical keyboards (among others) are available for $15-30 on the Target website, while the Wal-Mart website offers a $49.27 Casio keyboard.
