Product Review · Digital Pianos · #8 Ranked
Alesis Recital 88-Key
Budget 88-key piano with semi-weighted keys · Reviewed by Katie · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 76
At $259.99 the Recital is the cheapest 88-key instrument here, and 11,679 ratings at 4.6 stars give it satisfaction of 92 and the biggest review base in the category. Value is 84, not higher, because the keys are semi-weighted: they have touch response but no hammer action, so technique transfers less well to an acoustic piano. Features are the lowest in the group at 64, with 5 voices and no pedal in the box. Quality is 72. It is a sensible first keyboard for a curious beginner, not a long-term piano.
What you're getting
- 88 full-size semi-weighted keys with adjustable touch response
- 5 voices: acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, synth, bass
- 128-note maximum polyphony
- Two built-in speakers, 20W per listing, with chorus and reverb
- Standard, split, layer and lesson modes
- Runs on the included adapter or 6 D-cell batteries
- 1/4-inch sustain input, headphone out and stereo RCA outputs
- Semi-weighted, not hammer action; sustain pedal not included
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- Semi-weighted keys
- 5 voices, 128 polyphony
- Battery capable
- Price$259.99
- TierBudget 88-key piano with semi-weighted keys
- Category rank#8 of 10
Should you buy the Alesis Recital 88-Key?
The Alesis Recital 88-Key is for a curious beginner or a child trying piano before a bigger purchase. At $259.99 it ranks #8 of 10 in our Digital Pianos category, a Fair Buy, and it is $190 less than anything else here. If the goal is real lessons, spend $449.99 on the Yamaha P71 for fully weighted keys. The Roland FP-10 is the step up for touch.
Where it earns its score
- Lowest price for 88 keys. $259.99 gets a full-size keyboard for $190 less than the Yamaha P71.
- Proven with owners. 11,679 ratings at 4.6 stars is the largest review base in the category.
- Plays anywhere. Six D-cell batteries free it from the wall for recitals or the porch.
- Lesson extras. Lesson mode splits the keyboard for teacher and student, and the listing includes trial subscriptions to Skoove and Melodics.
What to know first
- Features is the lowest factor at 64. Five voices, semi-weighted keys and no included pedal make it the most basic instrument here.
- Not a hammer action. Semi-weighted keys feel lighter than an acoustic, so plan to upgrade if lessons stick.
- Budget for the pedal. The 1/4-inch sustain input needs a pedal you buy separately.
Our verdict
The Alesis Recital 88-Key scores 76, a Fair Buy, lifted by Satisfaction (92) and Value (84) and held back by Features (64) and Quality (72). Buy it as a low-risk way to find out whether someone will stick with piano. Anyone committed to lessons should start on the Yamaha P71 (85) and its fully weighted keys.
Yamaha P71
Questions buyers ask
Does the Alesis Recital have weighted keys?
It has semi-weighted keys with adjustable touch response, not a hammer action.
Does the Alesis Recital come with a sustain pedal?
No. It has a 1/4-inch sustain input, but the pedal is sold separately.
Can the Alesis Recital run on batteries?
Yes. It takes six D-cell batteries or runs on the included power adapter.
Ready to check it out?
Alesis Recital 88-Key · ViperScore 76 · Fair Buy · $259.99
How the other 9 digital pianos scored
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