The 7 best arranger keyboards for every budget 2025

Arranger keyboards are the solo performers’ best friend, replacing the need for a live band with advanced accompaniments, vast sound libraries, and even built-in vocal effects.

The Yamaha Genos2 is the best arranger keyboard money can buy. It takes everything the original Genos did well and improves on it even further. But it doesn’t come cheap.

Alternatively, the Yamaha DGX-670 is my favorite hybrid arranger. It offers hammer-action keys, a wide variety of high-quality sounds, adaptive styles, and other premium features – all at an excellent price.

Finally, if you’re new to arranger keyboards and looking for a bargain, the Casio CT-S300 is my top budget-friendly pick.

Contents

Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.

• Why trust me
• How I chose and tested
• Everything I recommend

Why you should trust me

The common misconception is that if you can play one keyboard instrument, you can play another because the only difference is the weight and number of keys. However, techniques vary when playing piano, organs, or synths; you’ll typically use different chord voicings if you’re authentically emulating a string section, and so on.

Keyboardists have to adapt to any situation, and that’s never more true than when you have to be an entire band. Although I don’t sing, I’ve had to provide the rhythm section, strings, horns, and solos from a single instrument, and that’s when I realized the true value of a good arranger keyboard.

Arranger keyboards also taught me the importance of a sensible workflow because the last place you want to have any function mishaps is on stage when there’s no going back (something that I’m glad to have learned the hard way).

How I chose and tested

You might expect keyboards with such impressive versatility to appeal to all musicians, but arranger keyboards are tailor-made for solo performers. That doesn’t mean they don’t have lots to offer everyone, but solo musicians, or those accompanying a vocalist, certainly get the most out of arranger keyboards.

With that in mind, here are some minimum expectations to ensure the desired versatility:

• high-quality sounds,
• a vast sound library,
• special articulations,
• varied rhythm styles,
• intelligent accompaniment,
• built-in effects (vocal harmonizers, etc.),
• synth engines (high-end models).

Since arranger keyboards authentically mimic many non-keyboard instruments, special articulations for guitars, strings, and horns are a must-have. The backing tracks or accompaniments must be convincing in all genres, and I’m prioritizing intelligent accompaniments that respond to your playing.

In addition to versatility, arranger keyboards should have a user-friendly workflow. When used properly, a great arranger keyboard can almost share the workload with the musician; my positive on-stage experiences can confirm that. However, a convoluted workflow/interface makes that very difficult, and nothing has taught me quite as well as things not going according to plan on stage.

A user-friendly workflow should have:

• dedicated buttons/controls,
• a clear, informative screen,
• limited menu-diving (within reason),
• assignable controls.

Arranger keyboards are ideal for composers who prefer to avoid the point-and-click nature of software as much as they can, so I expect more advanced recording and sequencing options from mid to high-priced keyboards.

Everything above is relevant to price; I don’t expect the same from $500 and $5000 keyboards. After testing a range of instruments in various price ranges, I’ve compiled a list of my top picks, including high-end ($4000-6000), mid-price (around $2000), low-mid (around $1000), and budget options ($200-500).

Here are the best arranger keyboards in 2025:

• Best high-end: Yamaha Genos2
• Best with weighted keys: Korg Pa5X 88
• Best under $2000: Korg Pa700
• Best value for money: Yamaha DGX-670
• Best under $1500: Yamaha PSR-SX600
• Best under $500: Korg EK-50
• Best for beginners: Casio CT-S300

Check out the Honorable mentions for three other great arrangers that didn’t make the main list but are still well worth considering.

Yamaha Genos2

Award: Best high-end arranger keyboard

• Keys: 76, organ-style
• Aftertouch: Yes
• Presets: 1,990 voices, 75 drum kits
• Max polyphony: 384 notes
• Weight: 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg)
• Tested price: $5,699

The Genos2 is the ultimate arranger keyboard; there’s no denying it, but it’s incredibly expensive. My advice is to make sure you need everything it offers; if you do, it will be money well spent, but if you don’t push it to its limits, you’d be better with something cheaper. Yamaha’s original Genos was a powerhouse with world-class sounds, styles, and a fantastic interface; the Genos2 is even better.

Yamaha’s Genos2 is the second generation of the flagship arranger keyboard. Although it has an organ-weighted FSX keyboard with aftertouch, having 76 keys allows you to take advantage of the premium grand piano voices: Yamaha’s CFX and C7 concert grands.

The diverse sound bank features over 2,000 voices, including over 100 powered by the Super Articulation 2 engine. Super Articulation sounds allow you to trigger realistic articulations using dynamics, which makes voices like flutes, guitars, and saxophones sound more authentic.

Another exciting element of this arranger is that it boasts a powerful FM synthesis engine; the FM tone generator produces synth sounds rather than sample-based synths, and that’s excellent news for sound designers and composers.

The Genos2 has an impressive max polyphony of 384 notes, meaning you can create complex arrangements without fear of notes dropping out.

There are over 800 styles across various genres, like 80s pop, cinematic, etc. Each style has three intros, three endings, and four variations. The styles sound great, but what I like most is the new Style Dynamic Control and the advanced chord detection. The Style Dynamic Control lets you adjust the intensity of the virtual musicians in real-time while advanced chord detection recognizes complex harmonic changes (9th, 11th, and 13th extensions) that other keyboards might simplify.

The interface has lots of dedicated buttons for core functions, registration memories, assignable knobs and faders with OLED parameter displays, and a nine-inch LCD touchscreen.

Excellent connectivity, including an XLR combo jack (with 48 V phantom power), lets you take advantage of the outstanding VH2 vocal harmony engine with vocoder and up to three virtual backing singers.

A 16-track MIDI recorder and 15 GB of internal user memory make the Yamaha Genos2 ideal for composition or performance.

Korg Pa5X 88

Award: Best arranger with weighted keys

• Keys: 88, fully-weighted
• Aftertouch: Yes
• Presets: Over 2,200 voices
• Max polyphony: 160 notes
• Weight: 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg)
• Tested price: $5,299

The Korg Pa5X is incredible and would be my top pick if the Genos2 didn’t do slightly more. I love the tilting touchscreen, color-coded interface, and the XDS crossfade feature. There are a few small details I’m not keen on, like the position of the pitch/mod stick, but it sounds so good.

The Pa5X is Korg’s flagship arranger keyboard, and I like the 88-key version. The hammer-action keyboard with aftertouch is ideal for acoustic/electric pianos and not too heavy for organs and synths.

Korg’s Pa5X has over 2,200 voices, and thanks to the EDS-XP engine with 24 stereo oscillators, it delivers some of the best synth sounds in its class. The organs and guitars are standouts, too, and although I prefer the Genos2 pianos, I know some users will prefer Korg’s concert grands.

The pitch/mod stick is above the lowest keys, and I’d much prefer it was positioned to the left. Another slight issue is the max polyphony of 160 notes, which is less than half the number offered by the Genos2.

It’s plain sailing from here on, and the Pa5X is a joy to play. The eight-inch tilting touchscreen is excellent, as is the modern color-coded interface. There are over 600 freely programmable accompaniment styles, which brings me to one of my favorite features, the XDS Crossfade Dual Player. The XDS function lets you smoothly transition between two styles or even MP3/MIDI to style.

Korg included many assignable controls with nine faders, buttons, a strip display, and a 16-pad matrix, which is rare for an arranger keyboard. It includes advanced chord recognition and scale controls that lock the keyboard to specific scales.

Extended connectivity includes separate mic and guitar inputs, each with dedicated effects.

Korg Pa700

Award: Best arranger keyboard under $2000

• Keys: 61, synth-style
• Aftertouch: No
• Presets: 1,700 voices
• Max polyphony: 128 notes
• Weight: 21.8 lbs (9.9 kg)
• Tested price: $1,999

I have a slight issue with the price; I’d like to see it come down a few hundred dollars. But, in that range under $2000, it has the best blend of functionality and high-quality sounds. The touchscreen is the best in its class and features like Guitar Mode 2 place the Pa700 above the competition.

The Pa700 is a mid-priced arranger keyboard from Korg’s flagship Pa series. It has 61 synth-action keys and a max polyphony of 128 notes. While the Pa700 lacks some elements of the high-end arrangers, it excels in the quality and variety of sounds.

The Pa700 features 1700 factory sounds, including excellent concert grand pianos. For me, it’s the synths, organs, and guitars that show what the Pa700 is capable of.

One of the reasons the guitar voices are so convincing is Korg’s Guitar Mode 2. Great guitar sounds aren’t enough if they aren’t delivered authentically; Guitar Mode 2 delivers realistic strumming patterns and articulations.

Along with an abundance of preset sounds, you get 370 professional music styles. Every popular genre, and many others, are represented, and each style has three intros, three outros, and four variations. In addition, and unlike most arrangers, you also get four fills/breaks for each style.

Another area where the Pa700 shines is in the built-in effects; there are 148 effects, including vocal effects and guitar effects. Each track of the 16-track sequencer has a dedicated EQ with a four-band parametric EQ and limiter on the master output.

The seven-inch touchscreen and dedicated function buttons provide an intuitive workflow, and built-in speakers mean you can play anywhere.

Yamaha DGX-670

Award: Best value for money

• Keys: 88, fully-weighted
• Aftertouch: No
• Presets: 630 voices
• Max polyphony: 128 notes
• Weight: 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg)
• Tested price: $749

The DGX-670 is one of my favorite Yamaha keyboards because it ticks so many boxes. It has hammer-action keys, quality sounds, adaptive styles, built-in speakers, and more. It’s like a portable digital piano and arranger keyboard hybrid at an awesome price.

The Yamaha DGX-670 is an amazing arranger keyboard, but there’s a catch. It has fewer typical arranger features than many alternatives and, in many ways, feels more like a portable digital piano. But, everything it does, it does so well!

The DGX-670 has 88 GHS hammer-action keys with matte-finished black keys. Immediately, the keyboard has a premium feel that is often lacking in this price range. The tone generation comes from CFX stereo sampling, which produces some of Yamaha’s finest concert piano voices.

It has 630 factory voices, which is less than you might expect, but the quality is outstanding. You also get Yamaha’s Super Articulation voices, and they make a huge difference when using sounds like horns or guitars.

In addition to the excellent voices, you get Unison and Accent modes. Unison mode adds a doubled voice to your melody line, and Accent mode lets you trigger accents/embellishments like drum hits or horn stabs with harder dynamics.

The DGX-670 has over 260 styles with intros, variations, and endings. The Adaptive Style feature is my favorite thing about this keyboard as an arranger. Adaptive styles adapt to your playing in real-time, creating a connection between the player and band (accompaniment).

Despite being suitable for professional use, it’s easy to get around; the interface is straightforward, and the large LCD screen even displays scrolling notation. It’s a bargain.

Still wondering if it’s the right fit for you? Read my full Yamaha DGX-670 review to find out!

Yamaha PSR-SX600

Award: Best arranger keyboard under $1500

• Keys: 61, organ-style
• Aftertouch: No
• Presets: 850 voices, 43 drum kits
• Max polyphony: 128 notes
• Weight: 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg)
• Tested price: $1,100

I have a soft spot for PSR keyboards, which have come a long way over the years. The PSR-SX600 is the most expressive arranger keyboard in its class, and that’s why I love it. The sounds and styles are very good, but it’s the articulations and accent functions that make it one of my top picks.

The PSRS-X600 is a 61-key arranger keyboard from Yamaha’s iconic PSR series. It’s clear that the PSR-SX600 isn’t the most attractive keyboard on my list, but despite its bulky appearance, it’s incredibly lightweight and practical.

Although it’s multiple steps down from the flagship Genos2, the PSR-SX600 offers the versatility I expect from a good arranger. It has 850 factory voices, and the quality is very good, although the sound bank is more hit-and-miss than the keyboards above. But, the real value of this keyboard comes from the Super Articulation voices, MegaVoices, and style modes. You can customize sounds with over 250 DSP effects.

Super Articulation voices allow you to do things like make a saxophone growl and add genuine authenticity to any performance. MegaVoices and the Unison and Accent modes go one step further; you can use dynamics to trigger drum hits and other accents from the band (accompaniment). The high level of interaction between the player and accompaniment makes the PSR-SX600 one of the most expressive arrangers on the market.

There are 415 styles, each with multiple intros, endings, variations, and breaks, taken from common genres and more exotic world music. Each style variation loads a suitable instrument, although you can change the default settings.

With built-in speakers and microphone input, the Yamaha PSR-SX600 is a real band in a box.

Korg EK-50

Award: Best arranger keyboard under $500

• Keys: 61, full-size
• Aftertouch: No
• Presets: Over 700 voices, 41 drum kits
• Max polyphony: 64 notes
• Weight: 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg)
• Tested price: $440

The EK-50 is surprisingly versatile for the money. There isn’t anything overly fancy about it, and some elements are as expected for the price, like the low max polyphony and very average screen. But, in all areas that matter at this price, the EK-50 punches above its weight.

The Korg EK-50 is a budget-friendly arranger keyboard with 61 velocity-sensitive keys. It has a massive sound bank with over 700 sounds from Korg’s Stereo PCM sound generator. One of the things I really like about the EK-50 is that it has a nice blend of modern and traditional sounds. It has everything from concert grands to harmonicas to 90s hip-hop synth leads.

You can customize voices with four stereo multi-effect processors and 34 effect types. The EK-50 also has eight types of speaker EQ for the built-in speaker system.

I can say the same about the styles; there are over 280 styles, including the cheesier and somewhat dated styles that every arranger has and some lovely modern dance and R&B tracks. Every style has two intros/outros, two fills, one count-in, and four variations.

Getting around the functions is easy with dedicated buttons with LED indicators and a small LCD screen. The display isn’t too impressive, but it does the job.

The onboard 12-track sequencer allows four parts and eight accompaniment parts. It’s an excellent budget-friendly choice that’s a step above complete beginner models.

Casio Casiotone CT-S300

Award: Best for beginners

• Keys: 61, full-size
• Aftertouch: No
• Presets: 400 voices
• Max polyphony: 48 notes
• Weight: 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
• Tested price: $180

The CT-S300 is ideal for beginners, especially younger kids. It has enough features to be fun without being overwhelming, and it’s incredibly easy to use. I purchased the CT-S300 for my young nephew, and it’s working out great!

Casio produces fantastic beginner keyboards in every category, and the CT-S300 is my pick for the best beginner arranger. It’s a lot of fun for kids; it’s lightweight, battery-powered (optional), and has a built-in handle to carry it anywhere. It weighs less than 8 pounds.

The CT-S300 has 61 full-size, velocity-sensitive keys and a max polyphony of 48 notes. You can adjust the level of velocity sensitivity between Light, Normal, and Fixed.

There are 400 tones, which is a lot for a beginner instrument and enough to give a proper arranger keyboard experience. The sound quality is very fair for the price. You also get 77 rhythms, each with a variation, drum fill, and auto-accompaniment.

My favorite thing about this little keyboard is Dance Music mode. This mode introduces additional rhythms and serves as an introduction to composition and arrangement. You can use the lower keys to trigger various song parts (drums, bass, synths, etc.) in any order; it’s a great way to get younger learners thinking about making music.

The built-in lesson function is another nice addition for younger beginners.

Honorable mentions

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for yet, here are a few more noteworthy options to consider.

• Roland E-A7. The E-A7 looks overwhelming, but with 156 dedicated function buttons and a dual-screen setup, it’s more straightforward than it appears. It looks and sounds great.
• Yamaha PSR-E383. If you’re looking for a beginner arranger keyboard and you don’t fancy Casio’s CT-S300, the PSR-E383 is the perfect alternative.
• Casio CT-X5000. The CT-X5000 is for anyone who likes the Casiotone approach but needs a little more power. At almost $500, it’s hard to place it on my list, but it’s close.

Conclusion

Arranger keyboards are a category that gets overlooked all too often. If you’re a solo performer or composer, a good arranger keyboard will make your life easier and expand your potential. The keyboards on my list all have something to offer, whether you want something high-end or a beginner’s first keyboard.