Casio is a popular manufacturer of keyboard instruments mainly because it offers several features at affordable pricing. A typical Casio keyboard comes with hundreds of sounds, styles, effects, built-in sequencer, etc. So you get a lot of options to explore your creative side.
Introduction to Casio Keyboards and Pianos
There was a time when Casio was considered as a brand that made keyboards only for beginners.
However, in the last few years, Japanese electronics company Casio has released several new models, and they now have a well-rounded portfolio including a wide range of arranger keyboards and digital pianos.
Casio now makes entry-level keyboards as well as better spec’d keyboards and pianos for the intermediate and advanced players. Casio now has more to offer than just cost advantage, which makes them popular among beginners and experienced players.
However, they still do not have a lot of high-end options, especially when it comes to synths and workstations, where brands like Yamaha, Korg, Roland still have an advantage.
Related: Our complete piano and keyboards guide.
Casio Portable Keyboards
Casio portable keyboards are great for beginners to start learning the keyboards. Casio also offers piano keyboards for intermediate level musicians.
Casio (CT-S) Casiotone series
Casio has revived the popular Casiotone series (introduced in the eighties), adds light-up keys and iPad learning features to make it more appealing to beginners.
This series of portable 61-key keyboards boasts of an easy interface, better sound system, and app connectivity.
These keyboards look cool, have slim design and are available in various colors.
- Casio CT-S400: 61 full-size touch-responsive keys, 600 tones, 200 rhythms, and USB MIDI
- Casiotone CT-S300 features velocity-sensitive keys, 400 Tones, 77 Rhythms
- Casiotone CT-S200 (available in red, black and white): Tones: 400. No touch-sensitive keys
Casio CT-X series
Casio’s CTX include 61-key arranger keyboards for beginners and intermediate players. These portable keyboards come with nice set of sounds and features.
- CT-X5000: Apt for intermediate level keyboard player. It fatures several shortcut buttons and LED indicators making it easy to make the various selection while performing on stage, or in the studio. it comes with a stereo line output, has a microphone input, making it suitable for live performance.
- CT-X700: Beginner keyboard with great features, sound quality, and comes with touch sensitive keys. The best Casio keyboard for beginners due to its features and affordable price.
Buy on Amazon | Buy on zZounds - CT-X3000: This model will appeal to serious beginners and intermediate level players. It’s cheaper than the CT-X5000. 800 Tones, 260 Styles, USB to Host/Device, 3.5mm Auxiliary Input, and Stereo Speakers (6W+6W amplifier), 64 note polyphony, 17-track MIDI recorder.
Casio Digital Pianos
Casio’s digital pianos have undergone a sea change in recent years in terms of the sound quality, keyboard touch, and in general, the overall quality. All the pianos now have better sound due to upgraded sound engine and better on-board speakers, and have fully weighted keys and the top models have synthetic ivory tops for a more realistic feel.
Casio’s digital pianos series include the CDP, Privia and Celviano series of digital pianos.
- CDP: Affordable portable pianos with contemporary looks.
- Privia: Includes Casio’s best portable pianos
- Celviano: Digital pianos in traditional upright looks
Casio CDP-S Series
Casio’s CDP-S series includes affordable digital pianos for beginners, perfect for augmenting piano practice or for learning the piano. These digital pianos are easy-to-use, come with fully weighted keys and you get a limited set of decent warm-sounding tones. The new CDP-S models come in a slim, lightweight design.
Casio Privia Pianos
Casio finally has a winner on its hand with the Privia series pianos which includes pianos for the intermediate-level players as well as hobbyists. which exactly emulates the keys on an acoustic piano. Finally, more people are acknowledging that Casio pianos are offering a lot bang for the buck.
- Casio PX-S1100 Privia: Entry level Privia with authentic piano tone and feel, Smart Scaled Hammer Action.
- Casio PX-S7000 Privia: Elegant looking digital piano with authentic sounds and Smart Hybrid Hammer Action.
- Casio PX-5S Privia PRO: This is a stage piano with vintage EPs, 4 control knobs and 6 sliders, 88 hammer-action keys. It doesn’t come with built-in speakers
Casio Celviano Digital Pianos
Casio Celviano (AP series) include upright piano models with cabinet-style design, built-in speakers, authentic hammer action with simulated ivory key-tops, for an authentic piano playing experience.
These pianos are high on aesthetics and perfect for serious learners, or for practicing as the keyboard feel is excellent.
- Casio Celviano AP-750: Top quality construction, nice looks, graded hammer keyboard (realistic ebony and ivory textures) & brilliant sounds.
- Casio Celviano AP-S450: Top quality construction, graded hammer keyboard (realistic ebony and ivory textures) & brilliant sounds. However, it doesn’t come with any accompaniments.
- Casio Celviano AP-S200: Entry-level model. Smart Scaled Hammer Action and rich piano sounds for authentic piano experience. It doesn’t come with any accompaniments.
Accessories for the Casio Keyboards & Pianos
Casio also makes some good quality keyboard accessories, including gig bags, pedals, piano stands & power adapters for their keyboards & digital pianos.
Casio Keyboard Stands
Casio makes the basic Single-X and Double-X stands that works perfectly fine with most Casio keyboards. For your Casio piano, a regular X-style keyboard stand may give it the needed support, but it may not look great with it. A nice digital piano stand not only provides stability and secure platform but also looks elegant.
Casio CS-67 Keyboard Stand works with most Privia pianos. This is a high quality dark woodgrain stand with genuinely stylish appearance. The stand comes with two small extenders that prevent the keyboard from tipping backwards, in case the stand is not leaning against a wall – a very useful feature.
Casio CB7 BK Piano Bench with Padded Seat
Perfect match for any Casio Digital Piano. No storage space. Dimension: 23.6″ x 11.8″ x 20″ (assembled).
Casio SP-34 (3-Pedal Board)
Casio SP34 Pedal Board is a 3-pedal unit (sustain/damper, sostenuto, and soft pedals) designed for Casio portable pianos. Use it with Casio Privia PX-S or CDP-S digital pianos for more expressive power.
Casio SP-20 (Piano Style Pedal)
Casio SP-20 is a traditional piano-style pedal (to sustain notes) that plugs into your Casio keyboard or digital piano. This piano style pedal is suitable for piano players and for those taking piano lessons. The Casio SP-20 comes with a polarity switch so it should work with other keyboards as well.
Casio SP-3 / Casio SP-3R (Box Style Pedal)
Casio SP-3 is a simple box type foot switch sustain pedal, that easily attaches to your keyboard for easier playability. If you have a Casio keyboard and want an inexpensive but functional sustain pedal to go along with it, you can use this pedal.
Casio Cases and Bags
Casio Privia Case is compatible with all Privia pianos (can be used with other keyboard brands as well), and is long enough to accommodate 88 keys keyboards.
It features comfortable shoulder strap and zippered pockets. It comes with couple of pockets to keep accessories. It has a very slim profile to it. The keyboard cover provides basic protection to the keyboard and nicely fits and covers the keyboard. Its’ sturdier than what it looks.
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